Cape Junior Pee Wee team downs Bengals, moves to regional semifinals
The Cape Vikings Pop Warner Junior Pee Wee train kept rolling Nov. 9, with an 18-6 regional quarterfinal win over the previously unbeaten Orange Bengals of New Jersey at Smyrna’s Charles V. Williams Stadium.
Cape will advance to the regional semifinals this weekend at a time and place to be determined.
Camryn Joyner scored touchdowns of 35 and three yards, while Jameson Tingle added the third on a two-yard plunge that was set up on a 35-yard pass play to Amari Jackson.
“We just worked hard and executed,” Joyner said. “We had great blocking, and we have to just keep working hard and keep grinding in the semis.”
The Vikings were led on defense by nose guard Mason “Hollywood” Jack and linebacker Dell Richards.
“I think this performance will propel the team in the semis,” Jack said. “We need to keep getting more pressure on the quarterback, and if we get more pressure, then they have to rely on their running game, and we are great against the run.”
A positive aspect of the game was the Vikings’ special teams. Navin Duffy booted a 50-yard punt in the Vikings’ victory. Afterward, the referee hunted him down and told him it was the best punt he had seen in Pee Wee action.
“The snap was good, the blocking was solid and I just just ripped it,” Duffy said.
“This is further than any Cape Pop Warner team has ever made into the playoffs,” said Junior Pee Wee coach Eddie Ghabour. “It was one of the better defensive performances for our team. Offensively, we were just grinding. We would have some momentum and they would take it away. Credit to the Bengals. They are a great team. Our defense surely set the tone for the game. Our motto all year was that we were going to be the most aggressive team on the field, and if we get beaten, it’s going to be because we are aggressive. I’ve got to give credit to Dell Richards and Mason Jack for dominating on defense.”
