The Cape faithful who traveled to Appoquinimink to watch the Vikings football team for the last time this season hoped for a “Miracle in Middletown,” but the Jags were too much for the injury-riddled Vikings, as Cape fell 36-0 to end the 2021 season.

“Effort and fight from the kids, I believe, was always there,” said Cape head coach J.D. Maull. “I don’t think they ever quit during the game or the season. It speaks volumes of their character.”

Cape junior Keishawn Mansfield stepped in as a wildcat quarterback because of injuries to Hank D’Ambrogi and Joe Coveleski, and he provided an admirable performance.

“Keishawn is a great athlete,” Maull said. “We made some mistakes, but I am proud of him. He never put his head down, and he kept competing. It was his first start of the season at QB, and we didn’t know he was starting until Wednesday.”

Mansfield rushed out of the wildcat position seven times for 51 yards.

“We tried our best to stick with the game plan,” Maull said. “In the first quarter we had a 13-play drive trying to kill the clock, and a penalty and interception hurt us. Appo is a good team, and they wore us down throughout the game.”

Daniel Saez rushed 16 times for 79 yards. Thomas Messick ran the ball eight times for 55 yards.

Appo senior quarterback Ryan vonBrandt, a VMI commit, ran for two touchdowns and threw for a two-point conversion. Daniel McConomy ran for two scores for the Jags.

After watching the Cape team’s effort, a DIAA chain crew member was heard to say “This Cape team didn’t give up. They played hard all the way to the end. The coaches should be proud of them.”

“Injuries and turnovers have gotten us this season,” Maull said. “I really love our senior class. They are great young men who will do great things in the future.”

The Vikings finish their season at 1-10, while the Jags move on to face Middletown in the next round.