Cape unified flag football falls to CR in semifinals
The last Cape sports team standing in the 2024 fall sports season gave fans plenty of reasons to celebrate during their thrilling 48-42 win over Smyrna Nov. 18.
Unfortunately, the euphoria was short-lived, as the Vikings were eliminated from the postseason by top-seeded Caesar Rodney 60-34 Nov. 20.
Starting the postseason off with a bang, the Vikings struck first in the Nov. 18 contest, with a Jaxon Benton rushing touchdown on the first play. Benton scored again to pad Cape’s lead before Smyrna finally got on the board to make it 14-8.
“I was a little hyped up ... so I wanted to try harder,” Benton said. “I just came back from a little ankle injury.”
The longest-tenured athlete on the team, junior Ronnie LeRoy, brought the Cape lead back to two scores, 20-8. A scoring explosion by both teams – Cape’s led by Zane Richardson’s touchdown catch and a touchdown pass – pushed the halftime score up to 42-28.
After Smyrna struck again, Richardson hit pay dirt once again to make it 48-36.
Putting the Vikings on the ropes, Smyrna notched another score to bring the Eagles within one touchdown of Cape, 48-42.
However, Richardson and sophomore Austin Hastings made phenomenal plays on defense to end Smyrna’s hopes to tie the game.
“At the end, especially if it gets very close, it can get very stressful,” Hastings said. “All you gotta do is just overcome your insecurities and just do your best.”
With the 48-42 victory in hand, Cape traveled to Camden Nov. 20, to take on the top-seeded Riders. Although they tried their best and had quite a few positive plays, the Vikings were knocked out 60-34.
Sophia Adams, Luke Archer, Jaxon Benton, Dalen Daminger and Laiya Ward were some of the Vikings who helped put up points.
Ward flashed some juke moves on her touchdown and said she picked up her shiftiness playing football and other games with her family.
“That touchdown was pretty easy. When Max threw the ball to me, I was just ready to take off running,” Ward said.
On the final play of Cape’s season, Archer, a freshman, scampered into the end zone as time expired and was swarmed by teammates and friends. The Vikings finish their season 5-5.
