Cape football to host Middletown in Aug. 23 scrimmage
The Woodbridge Blue Raiders are a tough football team with an experienced coaching staff that finished 7-3 last season and won a first-round playoff game beating Tower Hill 28-21. Logan Wescott is the team's quarterback, and the junior is no joke.
The Aug. 20 scrimmage at Cape’s Legends Stadium versus the Vikings was a good test for both squads, which are each realistically looking for winning seasons and beyond.
Cape has more players and bigger players, but when the full contact started, the bodies commenced flying around. The scrimmage format was 10 and 10 from offense to defense. Each team used its starting players for two series on each side of the ball and called it a night for those guys.
“I’ve been around a long time in this coaching business, and I’m not about to get somebody hurt in a scrimmage by taking them out standing around then bringing them back," said coach Bill Collick entering his fifth season at Cape. "I can tell you that looking at the talent on this team, if we can’t make something out of it, blame it on the coaching staff. This preseason we have to get our people in the right places and get as many of them ready to play on Friday nights."
Cape’s wing-T makes it hard to follow the football, but it all starts with a pair of fullbacks - Bill Gibbs and Mike Williams - who are collegiate size running backs who also started at middle linebacker. Either of those two get through the first line of defense and gather momentum, and it's time to review concussion protocols.
“I expect a lot out of those two guys and trust me, I will get them going," said offensive coordinator Herky Billings. “I’m not sure they showed it tonight, but it was the first scrimmage."
The Vikings' first offensive unit didn’t probe much to the outside speed game, although sophomore Rasheed Woods showed flashes of his elusiveness. Last season's speed sweep demon Ja’von Currie did not play in the scrimmage.
Quarterback Tavon Scott looked go on both sides of the ball. Scott is a very physical player who is all about the collision.
Jason Wiberg, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound safety/wideout, intercepted a pass in the scrimmage and caught a touchdown pass on a fade pattern on a perfectly thrown pass from Scott.
"Both those guys look ready to go, much improved in their play, leadership and confidence over last season,” Collick said.
The second and third line of players and even the freshmen got in a couple series of live contact, with kids on both teams making plays and a bid for Friday night playing time.
Sophomore Terrique Riddick, the great-nephew of Anthony Burton, wearing his late uncle's No. 25, busted a pair of long runs and slipped into the end zone on an inside handoff for a touchdown.
Among the freshmen, Colby Wright at fullback and linebacker is a master blaster disaster and potential big-time player, but he’s just 14 years old and will be brought along slowly.
Cape will host Middletown at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, in a down and distance scrimmage.
Last year the Cavaliers were 9-1 then beat Caesar Rodney in the state tournament before losing to Salesianum in the state championship game.
