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Cape football comes up short against the Hawks 27-14

The Cape defense played a tough game, making numerous gang tackles in all four quarters. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
November 7, 2021

The Cape football team played a hard-nosed game against a very large and talented St. Georges squad, but the Vikings couldn’t overcome their own mistakes and a couple of questionable calls that gave the Hawks new life on fourth-down plays in the fourth quarter.

“The kids played hard,” said Cape head coach J.D. Maull. “We had some questionable spotting of the ball by refs in the fourth quarter. Injuries have hurt us, and turnovers at crucial times.”

The Vikings lost Chancler Johnson in the first quarter when his helmet made contact with a knee while he was making a tackle. He was taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. 

“Losing Chance so early in the game hurt,” Maull said. “He is home now resting.” 

The Hawks struck first, scoring two touchdowns. Then Cape quarterback Hank D’Ambrogi took flight, hurdling a defensive back to score the Vikings’ first touchdown of the game. Thomas Messick pulled in a D’Ambrogi pass and scored the second touchdown. Maurki James ran the two-point conversion to give Cape a single-point 14-13 lead going into the halftime break. The Hawks owned the scoring in the second half, as the Vikings had two crucial fumbles in the third and fourth quarters.

“We fought hard as a team,” said D’Ambrogi. “We had a few key guys go down due to injury. When we asked the next guy in line to step up for us, they did that with no fear of the big moment. We shot ourselves in the foot a little bit with turnovers and mistakes in positions we would have scored. A couple calls didn't go our way, which hurts when you're trying to get the ball back, but overall it was a very solid team effort to prove that we are right on the cusp of being a top team in the state. Every week we grow up, which is good to see. It would be nice to get a confidence win for all the fighting we are doing.”

Cape will host Smyrna Friday, Nov. 12, for the Vikings’ Senior Night.

 

Cape freshman Maurki James pounds a long gain.
Cape junior QB Hank D’Ambrogi throws downfield.
Cape junior running back Thomas Messick puts a move on the Hawks defense.
Hank D’Ambrogi drops back.
Chancler Johnson, right, is injured assisting Maurki James in making a tackle on St. Georges player Gi'Vonni Sanchez.
Cape’s Jack Schell, right, makes a tackle on tight end Elijah Alexander.
The defense swarms tight end Elijah Alexander.
Cape QB Hank D’Ambrogi throws to LT Messick.
Cape’s Brenn Scott pounds for a gain before being pulled down by Jamie Righter-Hartman, left, and Kai Parkinson.
Cape’s Nathan Horn blocks on the offensive line.
Cape quarterback Hank D’Ambrogi passes downfield.
LT Messick runs for a long gain for the Vikings.
Keishawn Mansfield drags a tackler for a first down.
Cape center Lucas Ruppert blocks for Hank D’Ambrogi.
Cape head coach J.D. Maull calls a play for Hank D’Ambrogi.
Hank D’Ambrogi runs for a Cape first-half touchdown.
Cape’s Keishawn Mansfield fights for a gain.
Cape offensive lineman Jack Thompson lead blocks for Daniel Saez.
St. Georges’ Darius Elliott causes a Daniel Saez fumble, but the Vikings recovered.
Maurki James dives forward for a short gain.
Cape’s Nathan Horn blocks Hawks defensive end Elijah Alexander.
Hank D’Ambrogi scrambles for a first down.
Thomas Messick gets a first down for the Vikings.
Offensive lineman Jack Thompson eyes a block on St. Georges player Gi'Vonni Sanchez.
Cape’s Randy Doll makes a diving tackle attempt.
Cape’s Keishawn Mansfield dives for Gi'Vonni Sanchez.
The referees signal a St. Georges’ first down.
Cape coach J.D. Maull speaks to his team during the post-game get together.
St. Georges alumni who played for Cape coach J.D. Maull pose with him after the game. Shown are (l-r) Vaughn Williams, Zach Bowe, Robert Shorts Sr., Mohammed Barry, Nate Leo, Robert Grundy, Robert Grundy Sr., Chris Henlon, Juluis Maull, Phil Sanclemente, J.D. Maull, Scotter Selby’s nephew Zy Smalls, Duce Selby, Ronnie Burton and Ralph Lopez.

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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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