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Cape boys’ lax scrimmages Kent Island

Cape senior Braddock Smith shoots and scores in the scrimmage tie with Kent Island. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
March 12, 2026

The Cape boys’ lacrosse team held its first scrimmage of the preseason against a strong Kent Island team March 9 at Champions Stadium. The Bucs outplayed the Vikings by five goals last season after the visiting Vikings started slow and couldn’t recover. 

This scrimmage found the Vikings starting off slow again, but the home team bounced back to tie the Bucs 6-6 before the fourth quarter ended.  

“The boys played well,” said Cape coach Geoff Shupard. “But we have a lot of early-season mistakes and giveaways to clean up. Our offensive composure needs to be better. The boys are getting better with it every day.”

Brenner Short and AJ Grapski each had two goals. Grant Conway and Braddock Smith each had a score.

“Defensively, we did a good job communicating and getting the ball up the field,” Shupard said. “I thought both goalies played well. Our ground-ball play was sloppy to start, but I liked the way the boys settled in and got better as the game went on. Kent Island is a good team and a good first test for us.”

Cape goalie Mason Trench made 10 stops, while Patrick Little had five. 

The Vikings start their Henlopen Conference season Wednesday, March 25, against the Bucs in Milford’s Briggs Stadium.

 

Pierce Conway dodges around the Bucs’ goal crease.
Myan Greene takes a shot on goal.
Cape senior goalie Mason Trench made 10 saves in the scrimmage with Kent Island.
Channing Smith keeps possession despite getting checked in the back.
Braddock Smith looks to pass to the Bucs’ crease.
Cape’s AJ Grapski goes to the Kent Island goal.
Cape’s Grant Conway prepares to go to goal.
Cape’s Carter Nemcic pulls it out and sets up an offensive play.
Cape’s Mathew Popovich looks to dodge to the Bucs’ goal.
Cape defender Tate Mauro makes a successful clear.
Cape senior keeper Mason Trench makes a save and makes the cover.
Cape’s Marshall Keys bull dodges through the Bucs’ defense.
Cape senior Brenner Short scored two goals in the scrimmage.
Cape head coach Geoff Shupard ponders his next offensive move.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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