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Seahawks drop defensive battle to Riverdale, 17-12

By CJ HADDAD - | Sep 25, 2020

Cape Coral's defense swallows up a Riverdale ballcarrier during the Seahawks' game against Riverdale Friday night. To view more photos from the game, see the Cape Coral Breeze Facebook page. MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

In what turned into a defensive affair, the Cape Coral Seahawks dropped a hard-fought battle to Riverdale Friday night, 17-12.

Despite the loss on Senior Night, Cape head coach Dale More was proud of the way his team battled and took a step forward from their disappointing week 1 performance.

“All we talked about all week was how to improve,” More said. “We wanted to see how much we could get better. I told the team everyone makes their biggest strides from week 1 to week 2. It’s an old saying, but it showed itself tonight.”

While both defenses showed up to play in a big way, it appeared early on that each offense would be able to move the ball successfully. The Raiders scored on the opening drive of the game and the Seahawks answered right back.

Riverdale sophomore quarterback Anthony Baxter capped off a 55-yard drive with a 6-yard run to put the road team up 7-0 late in the first.

Cape Coral junior Quincy Fagan (19) runs with the ball during the Seahawks' game against Riverdale Friday night. To view more photos from the game, see the Cape Coral Breeze Facebook page. MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

It took the Seahawks just three plays to score on the ensuing drive, with senior quarterback Brendan Ogburn finding senior wide out Karim Babernitch open for a 28-yard score to cut the deficit to 7-6.

The Raiders would answer right back as Baxter churned his legs across the goal line from 1-yard out to extend the lead minutes into the second half. Baxter rushed for 31 yards and ran for two scores on the evening. Raiders junior running back Romeo McKnight paced the complex run game with 74 rushing yards on 13 carries.

On their next possession, Riverdale’s long snapper sailed the ball over the punter’s head and the Seahawks recovered on the 3-yard line. On their second play, Ogburn put his head down from 1-yard out for the touchdown to cut Riverdale’s lead to 14-12.

Only three points were scored in the second half thanks to a Raider 33-yard field goal via Dayllon De Paula’s leg.

Despite their best efforts, Cape’s offense were unable to get the ball moving after their early success.

“That’s a heck of a football team with an insanely tricky offense,” More said. “They’re hard to match up against, but we were right there with them the whole game. We just didn’t have enough of offense in the end, but it’s going to get better.”

He praised his team’s defensive effort.

“They played unbelievable,” More said. “They played their tails off. Coach (Barry Bowman) is doing a great job with them.”

More spoke highly of Ogburn who was solid all evening and did his best to produce in a new offensive system the Seahawks implemented just this past week.

“He’s a great leader. He works incredibly hard,” More said. “He gets after it. He’s going to open up a lot of things for us as this offense now begins to expand.”

Moving forward, it’s all about taking things one step at a time for More and his program.

“Let’s get better. Let’s get better again,” More said. “We’re all in the playoffs. That’s the game that matters most. They all matter, but that’s the one you’re working towards to win. So if we can improve every single week as we build towards that game, then we’re going to have a chance.”

Next week, Cape Coral will go on the road to take on Bonita Springs.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj

1 2 3 4 F

Riverdale 7 7 3 0 17

Cape Coral 6 6 0 0 12

1st Quarter

R- Anthony Baxter 6-yard rush (Carlos Mar kick), 4:35

CC- Karim Babernitch 28-yard reception from Brendan Ogburn (2 pt fail), 3:22

2nd Quarter

R- Baxter 1-yard run (Mar kick), 9:31

CC- Ogburn 1-yard run (2 pt fail), 2:35

4th Quarter

R- Dayllon De Paula 33-yard field goal, 7:15