Seahawks roll on 34-14
When the Cape Coral Seahawks made their run to the Class 5A regional finals in 2007, then-sophomore running back Spencer Boyd played his part, using his speed, vision and toughness to pick his way through defenses.
After some nagging injuries limited his production, Boyd, a senior, appears to be running with the same effectiveness, and is far from being alone in the Seahawks’ ground attack.
The Seahawks surpassed 300 yards rushing for the second consecutive game Friday night in a 34-14 victory over Stuart South Fork at Dave Warkentin Stadium.
Boyd carried 17 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns and senior Jeremy Davis rushed for 63 yards, including a 32-yard TD run.
The Seahawks (8-0) finished with 303 yards on 45 carries, after amassing 342 on 26 carries the previous week.
“Those guys are like lightning in a bottle,” Seahawks coach Mike Goebbel said of his running back tandem. “Spencer is a very, very good inside runner and Jeremy is a very good outside runner. We have that combination going right now.”
Of course, the Seahawks also have seen the development of the offensive line, which replaced four starters from last season. Dan Koenig, Matt Russell, Kyle Young, Hussein Laussis and Travis Winklesas have cleared the way for the skill players.
“We have belief in our offensive line,” Davis said. “They’ve been working in the trenches very hard.”
The Seahawks settled in and took control against their relatively unknown opponent, South Fork (5-3), from the east coast. The Bulldogs came out with high energy defensively and stopped the Seahawks’ first possession, but a costly fumble and recovery by Jaylen Watkins gave the Seahawks the ball at the Bulldogs’ 41.
Boyd capped the drive with his first of two first-half touchdowns. Watkins scored on a short run to give the Seahawks a 21-0 halftime lead. Watkins finished 6-of-10 passing for 124 yards, hooking up with Ricardy Joseph for a 13-yard score.
The Bulldogs were determined to test the Seahawks’ run defense, but after some early success, they found little room. The Seahawks swarmed to the ball, forcing three turnovers.
Cape junior linebacker Mark Bailer registered three tackles for losses and a forced fumble.
Junior defensive end Edsel Caprice added three sacks, pushing his season total to 15 1/2, which is a school record.
The Seahawks held the Bulldogs to 97 yards on 33 carries until Zach Fisher broke a 35-yard TD run late in the fourth quarter.
Goebbel said another key to the defensive effort is the play of 6-foot-4, 350-pound senior Charles Walker at nose tackle.
“Our defense has gotten better and better, our guys have gotten to know what they need to do,” Goebbel said. “Walker has helped secure the middle of our defense.”
The Seahawks already have clinched a playoff berth for the third consecutive year, but face city rival Ida Baker next Friday with the District 4A-12 title and a home playoff game at stake.
The Seahawks seek their first district title since 1993.
“It’s going to be huge,” Boyd said. “We need a week of high-intensity practices and focus.”
South Fork 0 0 7 7 – 14
Cape Coral 7 14 6 7 – 34
First Quarter
C – Spencer Boyd 2 run (Simon Perez kick)
Second Quarter
C – Jaylen Watkins 3 run (kick failed)
C – Boyd 9 run (Larry Gary pass from Watkins)
Third Quarter
C – Ricardy Joseph 13 pass from Watkins (kick failed)
SF – Austin Karrick 15 pass from Anthony Tellex (Devin Lucky kick)
Fourth Quarter
C – Jeremy Davis 32 run (Perez kick)
SF – Zach Fisher 35 run (Lucky kick)