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Cape football holds off Northeast 28-22

Eagles score 22 in second half
September 23, 2017

Seniors Kolbi Wright and Ben Ashby each scored two touchdowns to lead the Vikings to a 28-22 win over visiting Northeast Sept. 22 at Legends Stadium. The Vikings moved to 2-1 on the season with the win. 

“It was without a doubt our game to win or lose,” said Cape coach Bill Collick. “And the kids decided to win. I’m really proud of the team.”

The Vikings started out hot, scoring twice in the first six minutes of the game. Ashby sprinted 28 yards for a touchdown on the first series. Cape’s Jo Jo Kirby was brought down by a facemask on the 1-yard line, then Wright pounded it in for the second Vikings touchdown. Hunter Simmons put both kicks through the uprights to end the quarter at 14-0.

“Ben did a great job in the game,” Collick said. “He has speed, and they weren’t going to catch him.”

Cape opened the scoring in the second quarter with Wright dragging five Northeast defensive players into the end zone after a 48-yard run. Simmons split the uprights on the PAT.

“We are a different team when Kolbi is healthy,” said Collick. “He makes a difference on both sides of the ball.”

Collick was also quick to praise his young quarterback and wide receiver.

“Sam Jones did a good job at quarterback,” Collick said. “And that allowed us to put Zach Dale back out at wide receiver where he caught seven touchdowns for us last season. Jones’ first pass was to Zach.”

Dale, who was a first-team all-conference receiver in 2016, also booted a 60-yard punt in the game.

Northeast struck first after the halftime break, with running back Demontay Snowden scoring on six-yard and a 18-yard runs to pull the Eagles to within seven.

Ashby answered with a 61-yard scamper to put the Vikings up by the score of 28-14. Simmons’ kick was good. 

Northeast scored again in the fourth to make it 28-22, but time ran out on the Eagles. 

“We had to get a first down after they scored to make it 28-22, and the kids wanted it and got it,” Collick said.

“Aarin [Burton] has been great on both sides of the ball. Damarcus [Perry] was moved to center, where he is doing well. We have a lot of players that are responding in the games,” he continued. “We are a work in progress and we are making progress. It’s only one game, but it’s a game in the right direction.”

A bad outcome was that the Vikings lost the services of wide receiver and defensive back Jack Dennis, who suffered a shoulder injury in the game.

The Vikings will travel to Smyrna Friday, Sept. 29, for a showdown with the 2016 DIAA State Champions.

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