Cape football grounds the Ravens 30-15
The Cape football team moved to 2-2 on the season, as they doubled up Sussex Tech 30-15 in the battle of Route 9 at the Vikings’ homecoming game Nov. 14 at Legends Stadium.
Jaden Davis continues to defy defenses, as he rushed for 211 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns. Jordan Baines tallied 35 yards on five carries.
Hank D’Ambrogi threw 4-for-9 for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Ja’Vaughn Burton continues to be his favorite target, grabbing three passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior placekicker Austin Carey went 3-for-3 in PATs and booted a 30-yard field goal.
The Vikings racked up 310 total yards on offense.
“We’re playing a lot better,” said Cape head coach J.D. Maull. “We’re stronger, we’re bigger and we’re older. I’m happy with our play today, and we’re looking to keep it going this next week.”
The Ravens drew first blood with a 38-yard touchdown run by Erik Reinacher. The PAT failed.
After a Cape blocked punt by Kurtis Wells on Tech’s second series, it was the Jaden Davis, Hank D’Ambrogi and Ja’Vaugn Burton offensive show with a crunching line leading their way. Davis plowed in from a yard out to put the Vikings on the board. Carey’s kick made the score 7-6. The Vikings added another touchdown when Burton took in a perfect D’Ambrogi spiral and galloped in from 44 yards out. Carey added the PAT to make it Cape advantage 14-6. Carey added a 30-yard field goal to move it to 17-6.
Tech’s Caleb Locklear added a 32-yard field goal to end the first half at 17-9.
Cape kept the pressure on the Ravens defensive backs, with D’Ambrogi hitting Burton on a slant for the score. The PAT failed, but the Vikings’ advantage grew to 23-9.
“I have great receivers,” said D’Ambrogi. “Kurtis, Jaden, Jordan and Ja’Vaugn give me a lot of confidence to throw to any one of them.”
Zion Roach made a circus catch on the sideline from Ravens QB J’Sean Matthews and scampered 30 yards into the end zone to make the score 23-15, but the Vikings’ Davis broke through a pile of Ravens and ran 52 yards for a score and Carey added the PAT to put the game out of reach for the visiting Ravens.
“The highest standard that we hold our kids to is playing with relentless effort every play, no matter the situation,” said Tech head coach Brad Ellingsworth. “I believe our kids did that. I love them and always believe in them. We battled hard and came up short against a very good, physical, experienced Cape Henlopen football team.”
Sophomore Nate Horn led the Vikings’s wrecking crew with eight individual tackles and five assists. Wells had a blocked punt, and along with L.T. Messick and Chancler Johnson, made six tackles and teamed for five assists while Messick had a seven-yard sack. Isaiah Fillyau made three individual tackles and three assists along with a fumble recovery. Maurki James had four tackles and five assists.
“Nate had to step into a new role this week, and he did a great job,” said Maull. “Our whole defense played strong. I’m proud of the guys.”
Cape will host 2-2 Caravel Academy Saturday, Nov. 21, at noon.
