It took awhile for the Cape Coral offense to strike in Friday’s season opener against Immokalee at Dave Warkentin Field. As much credit as the Immokalee defense deserved, the Seahawks knew many of their problems were self-inflicted during three scoreless quarters.

“The mistakes, the penalties, they hurt us,” said senior quarterback Colin Saring, “but we stick together. As a team, that’s what we do.”

The Seahawks made the necessary adjustments and the offense finally clicked in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 17-0 victory.

With 11:51 remaining in the fourth, Saring connected with sophomore Prince Holloway on a 36-yard touchdown, which put the Seahawks ahead 7-0.

Senior Kenton Beal booted a 42-yard field goal and senior running back Nate Felder ripped off a 55-yard touchdown run in the final minute.

“At halftime, we had to wake these guys up a little bit,” Seahawks coach Mike Goebbel said. “We made a couple adjustments and went to a two-back set. I don’t think they knew where we were going (after that).”

The Seahawks, who are coming off a 10-3 season, were dealt a huge blow prior Friday’s game. Junior running back Spencer Boyd, one of the area’s top returning running backs, was unable to play due to a pulled groin.

The Seahawks used the combination of Felder and freshman Mario Pender in the backfield, along with Saring, who was making his first start at quarterback.

Before his breakaway run, Felder was effective grinding out tough yards between the tackles. He led the way with 115 yards on 11 carries. Pender chipped in with 73 yards on 12 carries.

The game figured to be a showdown of two teams with playoff expectations. The Seahawks defeated the Indians for the second straight year. They won 24-14 at Immokalee last season, the first win in a season that saw the Seahawks reach the Class 5A regional finals.

The first half Friday, though, looked much like a first game.

The Indians marched inside Seahawks’ territory on their opening possession, but their first of three fumbles was recovered by Cape linebacker Josh Monteaguedo.

The Seahawks were able to drive into Immokalee territory several times, but chose to play the field position game. Beal, who doubles as a punter and kicker, pinned the Indians inside their own 15-yard line three times.

In the second quarter, Cape held the ball for a six-minute drive. After reaching the Immokalee 35, they had a delay of game, an illegal procedure penalty and a sack on three consecutive plays.

The Indians had two opportunities to take the lead. Once at the end of the first half, but Cape’s Monteaguedo broke through and blocked a field goal attempt. The Indians reached the Cape 5, but on fourth-and-one, the Seahawks’ defense converged and forced a fumble.

The Seahawks broke through on their next possession. After Felder and Pender took turns on the ground, Saring threw a well-timed fade pass to Holloway, who separated from the defender.

“That was a game changer,” Saring said. “He’s a great athlete. I just put it up and he got to it.”

After the Seahawks went ahead 10-0, the Indians drove to the Cape 9, but on fourth down, Jaylen Watkins made a key stop of Immokalee receiver Roderick Talbert to preserve the shutout.

The Seahawks host Lehigh next Friday.



Immokalee 0 0 0 0 — 0

Cape Coral 0 0 0 17 — 17

Fourth Quarter

Cape — Prince Holloway 36 pass from Colin Saring (Kenton Beal kick)

Cape — FG, Beal 42

Cape — Nate Felder 55 run (Beal kick)