Rivalry of respect results in Cape 16-14 victory over Central

The Battle of Route 9 between Cape and Sussex Central has evolved into a rivalry of respect. Head coaches Bill Collick and John Wells, along with their staffs and generations of players, have brought the game to a higher level, featuring intense play overridden by sportsmanship and perspective.

When the game ended Oct. 7, the Cape players were joyful but restrained after holding on for a 16-14 victory. Both teams wanted the ecumenical spiritual meeting at midfield. Xavier Williams of Cape and Nate Greenlee of Central improvised relevant prayers of thanks, including wishing safety to those in path of Hurricane Matthew.

The game fit the Buddy Ryan model of post-game analysis: “There are five big plays in every football game - you make them, you win, you don’t, you lose.”

Dylan Adams hit Zach Dale down the left sideline with a perfect pass, and Dale made a great catch for an early 6-0 lead. Hunter Simmons then lofted the prettiest PAT that the officials ruled wide left.

Central then went on a wing-T death march, with Tim Jones scoring on a four-yard run. The Christian Castillo kick was good, and the Knights led 7-6.

Adams was picked off just before halftime, but saved a touchdown with a tackle at the three-yard line with under a minute to play in the half.

Dale made a touchdown-saving tackle on Zion Reed on the final play of the first half.

Freshman kicker Hunter Simmons threw away his goat bell and drilled a 24-yard field goal on fourth down to give Cape a 9-7 third-quarter lead.

Central snapped to the upman on fourth down from a punting formation, but Cape was not fooled because bodies on bodies and a friendly spot gave Cape the football.    

Kolbi Wright, in beast mode for much of the second half, scored on a seven-yard touchdown run, and the Simmons kick made it 16-7 entering the final period.

Central put together another drive and the game closed to 16-14. The Knights were in possession for a game-winning drive, but a pair of holding penalties put them in fourth and long. They sent in kicker Christian Castillo, and his kick was straight and true but a little short.

“That was just a great win for a football team,” said coach Bill Collick. “Our young men proved something to themselves. Central is a great program, and we’ve had trouble getting past them. But we still have half the season to go.”