Late two-point conversion lifts DMA over Cape 22-21

Penalities take toll on Vikings

Cape sophomore quarterback Hank D’Ambrogi dives for the pylon, but was called out of bounds on the one-yard line, as the Vikings fell to DMA 22-21. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

October 7, 2019

A hot start brought the Cape homecoming crowd to their feet, but the Vikings continually shot themselves in the foot, falling 22-21 to Delaware Military Academy Oct. 4.

The Vikings were plagued by 10 penalties for 95 yards.

“I call them selfish penalties,” said Cape head coach JD Maull. “That’s selfish. You can’t hit guys late. You can’t do that. They hurt us.”

On Cape’s first series, a 25-yard scramble from quarterback Hank D’Ambrogi put the ball on the one-yard line. Jaden Davis plunged over the goal line for the first touchdown of the game. Austin Carey put the PAT through for a 7-0 lead.

The home squad came right back one series later, as D’Ambrogi hit Davonte Johnson for a 67-yard catch and run for the second score of the game. Carey’s PAT put Cape ahead 14-0.

“We got to get where we put teams away,” Maull said. “We didn’t put them away. I credit DMA. Those kids played hard. They came down here and ran hard at us downhill, and they got after us up front. They got after us.”

Cape held the lead until 7:48 left in the first quarter. DMA sophomore running back Devon Green and wide receiver Jordan Green struck paydirt within four minutes. Placekicker Joseph Eyiolowope added the PATs and the game was tied at 14.

Jordan Davis ran 48 yards for a Cape score in the third quarter. Carey’s kick was good and the Vikings were back on top 21-14. The game remained that way until three minutes left in the game.

The Seahawks scored on a Devon Green three-yard run. An unsportsmanlike penalty put the ball half the distance to the goal. Green then plunged one yard for the two-point conversion. The Seahawks took the 22-21 lead, which held up till the final horn.

“They have to understand that’s a selfish penalty,” said Maull. “That was a talking penalty. We’ve got to learn how to play the game the right way. We didn’t do that tonight. We should have gotten this team tonight. That’s a 4-1 team, but we should have had them.”

Davis had 20 rushes for 117 yards and two touchdowns. D’Ambrogi completed 4-of-12 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Tight end William Tyndall had a reception for 24 yards, while Ja'Vaughn Burton caught two passes for 21 yards.

The Vikings had 296 total yards in the game and moved the chains seven times.

Cape honored Woodbridge two-time state championship quarterback Troy Haynes, who died last week from kidney cancer. They wore an orange No. 4 on their helmets and a moment of silence was held before the game.

The Vikings travel to Sussex Central Friday, Oct. 11.

Jordan Davis, right, follows the block of Lucas Ruppert.

Cape quarterback Hank D’Ambrogi gets taken down on the Vikings’ sideline.

DMA fullback Dha-Feir Watts-Henry grabs a pass.

Here come the Vikings.

Hank D’Ambrogi throws down field.

The Cape line opened up big holes in the first quarter.

DMA’s Devon Green scored two touchdowns for the Seahawks.

Hank D’Ambrogi drops back and looks for a receiver.

DJ Johnson had some fans in the student section.

Austin Carey puts through a PAT.

Thomas Messick and Daniel Saez bring down DMA wide receiver Luigi Oronzio.

Cape sophomore Lucas Ruppert, right, looks to tackle DMA’s Devon Green.

William Tyndall catches a pass and runs for a first down.

William Tyndall runs for a long gain as he drags DMA defensive back Luigi Oronzio.

Cape QB Hank D’Ambrogi fights for a first down.

Jordan Baines does some fancy moves to gain a Vikings first down.

Jordan Baines holds the ball tight.

Cape’s Thomas Messick knocks away a sure touchdown pass to DMA’s Mason McCloskey.

The refs honored two-time state championship quarterback Troy Haynes by wearing orange wristbands. Shown are (l-r) Chris VanZandt, Wayne Hurd, Nelson Burbage, Tom Bull, Dean Culver and Jim Feehery.