Athletes of the Week
Cape Coral High senior quarterback Jaylen Watkins and Ida Baker senior outside hitter Chelsea Shafer are this season’s first to earn Daily Breeze Male and Female Athlete of the Week honors.
Watkins already faces a dilemma, given his dual-threat abilities as a runner and passer. As the University of Florida recruit tries to prove his skills as a passer – and that he’s a team player – he also faces the wrath of teammates and coaches on plays they believe he should tuck the ball and run.
It’s an evolving situation, but Watkins seemed to strike a decent balance Friday night in leading the Seahawks to a 35-14 win over Mariner in the Black ‘n’ Blue Bowl.
The Male Athlete of the Week rushed for 233 yards and three touchdowns, but it was his passing – behind good offensive line protection – that got the offense rolling late in the first half of a scoreless game.
He completed four first-down passes on the Seahawks’ first touchdown drive and finished the second quarter 5-of-9 for 105 yards.
“A lot of people think I can’t pass, but the problem (with the spring game) was I was just trying to get a feel for the line,” Watkins said. “Now we all have more chemistry and I can sit back there and trust all five of them.”
Watkins didn’t completely abandon his scrambling ways. He broke free for a pair of 55-yard runs late in the fourth quarter, which sealed the season-opening victory.
“I thought from week one (preseason) to week two he did very well. Not too much confused him,” Seahawks coach Mike Goebbel said. “There were a couple opportunities to run the ball, but he’s trying to be a good teammate.”
Watkins said the offensive production was made possible by improved line play.
Honorable mentions: Nathan McIntosh, North Fort Myers Red Knights, senior quarterback; was 8-of-12 passing for 202 yards and three touchdowns in 45-27 win over Island Coast. Mario Pender, Island Coast Gators, sophomore running back; scored two kickoff return touchdowns (82, 90) and added a four-yard TD run in the loss to North.
Shafer has been involved in hundreds of volleyball matches since she began playing the sport in the sixth grade at Trafalgar Middle School.
It’s the ones that are as competitive and action-packed as last Thursday’s battle with South Fort Myers that she enjoys the most.
With Shafer (10 kills, four aces, 10 digs) leading the charge, the Bulldogs clawed their way to a 25-23, 25-21, 22-25, 25-23 victory over a strong Wolfpack squad.
“That’s the reason I play volleyball,” said Shafer, the Female Athlete of the Week. “The whole game, the intensity level on a scale of one to 10, was probably a nine. It was just a great game and everybody played their part.”
The 5-foot-9 Shafer brought her typical flare and intensity to the court. She’s been on the varsity since her freshman year and it was clear from about that same time, her ability to jump and blast the ball.
She has remained a top outside hitter ever since and has continued to improve in other areas, including adding a running jump serve.
Shafer said her strong hitting comes from repetition and a better understanding of the technique, including a snapping of the wrist.
“Being a girl, it’s kind of hard to get the big muscles and a lot of girls don’t want that,” she said. “It’s a lot of technique and critiquing the individual body movements.”
Baker coach Rene Van Horn said Shafer is playing a smarter team game. For instance, recognizing how the defense is set up.
“In the past, she may have forced some things that weren’t there,” Van Horn said. “Now she knows if there are two blockers coming, she’ll chip it over the block instead of just whaling at the ball.”
Shafer’s success extends beyond the volleyball court.
She carries a 3.95 unweighted GPA and is a dual enrollment student, taking both high school and college courses.
Honorable mentions: Shirley Langford, Cape Coral Seahawks, senior swimming; won the 100 breast and 500 freestyle events in a meet with Ida Baker and Cypress Lake last Wednesday. Susie McKeever, North Fort Myers Red Knights, sophomore volleyball; tallied 24 assists and three aces in leading the Red Knights to a season-opening win over Island Coast.