Tyndall’s field goal secures Cape’s 23-21 win

It was a typical Sussex Central versus Cape Henlopen rivalry game Oct. 17, one where both teams’ 3-3 records can be thrown out the window. Whenever these two meet, it’s going to be a knock-down, smash-mouth battle.

Friday night’s matchup didn’t disappoint, as Cape’s Austin Tyndall nailed a 30-yard field goal with less than a minute left in the game to secure the 23-21 win.

Cape struck first when quarterback Jameson Tingle connected with Ty Handy for a 65-yard touchdown, but the play was called back due to a motion penalty against the Vikings. The first quarter ended in a scoreless tie.

The Golden Knights opened the scoring in the second quarter on a 23-yard touchdown run by Will Harmon. Ronaldo Roblero-Alvarado added the extra point. The Vikings responded through the air, as Tingle hit Lamar McCoy for a 27-yard touchdown. Tyndall’s PAT tied the game at 7-7 heading into halftime.

Early in the third quarter, the Vikings took the lead when Tingle found Quardell Richards for a 51-yard touchdown strike. Tyndall’s kick made it 14-7. Sussex Central quickly answered, as Harmon broke free for his second touchdown of the night, though the PAT sailed wide, leaving the score 14-13.

In the fourth quarter, Tingle powered into the end zone from two yards out, extending Cape’s lead to 20-13 after Tyndall’s extra-point try was blocked.

Central responded once again, this time on a four-yard touchdown run by Devin Jackson, followed by a successful two-point conversion from Harmon to give the Knights a 21-20 advantage.

After the ensuing kickoff and two penalties, the Vikings started their final drive deep in their own territory at the 10-yard line.

Tingle started the final drive off with a 30-yard swing pass connection to Handy to get the initial penalty yards back and then some. Two plays later, Tingle hit Amari Jackson for eight more yards. On third down, Tingle connected with Handy again for 14 yards and a first down. On first down, Tingle scampered nine yards to take the ball inside the Sussex Central 30 to the 29.

The second-down play might have been the play of the night. Tingle found Mikiah Jackson, but a hit from a Central defender jarred the ball loose into the air. Handy grabbed it out of the air, and took it ahead for five yards and another first down.

Tingle picked up 13 yards on two runs to get the ball down to the 11-yard line. Two straight incomplete passes set the stage for Tyndall’s game-winning heroics.

“When it came down to it when we scored the last touchdown, we had to take care of our timeouts to have one left,” said Cape coach Chip Knapp. “There was a question whether we were going to kick it or not. But there was a little destiny working for us. Austin hit the winning goal in the last soccer game, so we trusted him to hit the winning field goal for us.”

“When they were coming down the field on the final drive, I got stretched out and ready for when it came down to me taking a field goal attempt,” said Tyndall, whose father Shaun went to Central. “I really trust Jamo [Jameson Pease] to snap and Mikey [Michael Thompson] to get the ball down and ready for me to take the kick. I knew I had it as soon as I hit it.”

“I’m the happiest guy in the world,” said Tingle, whose father played for the Knights. “We haven’t beaten Central during the regular season for a long time. It’s a great rivalry. Just coming out here with the seniors and beating them in front of all our friends, parents and fans, it’s a great feeling.”

The Vikings held on as time expired, earning a dramatic 23-21 battle victory over the Knights. 

Both teams wore uniforms donated by the National Guard to honor the armed forces.