The biggest high school football rivalry in Cape Coral is the annual late-season clash between Cape High and Mariner. The teams have met 21 times. Mariner has won 13 of those meetings, while Cape has won the last three in the series.

The back-and-forth nature of the rivalry and some classic games have added to its lore.

There isn’t a catchy nickname referring to the annual football game between Cape and Ida Baker, which is in its fourth season of varsity football.

With the more established Seahawks winning the first three meetings by scores of 49-13, 54-9 and 37-6, the rivalry itself hasn’t garnered much intrigue.

The fourth meeting, though, which comes Friday night at Baker, figures to be the most significant to date.

The Seahawks (3-2) and host Bulldogs (3-2) highlight the Week 6 slate. Mariner (2-2) travels to Fort Myers (2-3) in an important District 5A-12 matchup, and North Fort Myers (2-3) looks to snap a three-game losing streak at winless Golden Gate.

Both Cape and Baker are coming off losses to quality nondistrict opponents last week. The Seahawks lost 40-21 to undefeated Dunbar and Baker lost 28-13 to Plantation American Heritage, a team which should make a deep playoff run in Class 2A.

Those losses take nothing away from the importance of Friday’s matchup, as both teams are looking to go 2-0 in district play.

“First of all it’s a district game,” Seahawks coach Mike Goebbel said. “Second of all they’re much improved from years past. They have a confidence that they can play with anyone now. With an attitude like that we have to make sure we’re at our best.”

Baker knocked off defending district champion Fort Myers 35-28 in the first district game for either team. That same week, Cape defeated North, 13-6.

In addition, both teams have been playing big games seemingly week after week.

Goebbel said it’s a challenge for the players to sustain a high level of play during difficult stretches.

One positive for the Seahawks in recent weeks has been the return of junior running back Spencer Boyd, who missed the first three games with a groin injury. Boyd has shown the same running-receiving ability that made him one of the area’s premier players as a sophomore.

The Bulldogs also have overcome injuries to its backfield. Seniors Marvin Riede-wald and Rafaelito Palazzolo have seen more carries because of an ankle injury to junior Joseph Byrd, last year’s leading rusher.

The Bulldogs’ offensive line has been a strength for most of the season, but American Heritage was able to shut down the running game in the second half last week.



Mariner (2-2) at Fort Myers (2-3): It’s a pivotal game for both teams.

Defending champion Fort Myers wants to avoid an 0-2 start in district play. The Green Wave has reached the playoffs 13 straight years, but are facing some adversity after dropping three of their last four, including a 31-0 loss at Charlotte.

The Tritons also lost big to Charlotte, but rebounded with a 43-0 win over Estero. Eric Mitchell was the catalyst, picking off a pass and scoring on two touchdown runs.

This is the first district game for the Tritons, which went 2-2 last season.



North Fort Myers (2-3) at Golden Gate (0-5): Despite a 29-25 loss at Riverdale, North showed more balance offensively. Both quarterbacks, Mike Nelson and Jose Feliciano, connected on big pass plays. Tre Boston caught three touchdown passes in the thrilling game.

Golden Gate defeated North 24-21 in three overtimes last season.



Bishop Verot (3-1) at Ruskin Lennard (3-2): After losing 55-0 to Mulberry, the Vikings won a tight, defensive struggle over Evangelical Christian, 10-3.

Defensive end Michael Siefert preserved the win with a late interception. Schon Thomas scored the lone touchdown.

The Vikings seek their first District 2A-5 win against Ruskin Lennard.



Boys Golf



At Palmetto Pine Country Club: Ida Baker wrapped up regular-season play Wednesday with a 166-181 victory over Port Charlotte.

The Bulldogs (15-3) had a solid performance with three teammates sharing the medalist score of 41. With Todd Mallorey on the sidelines, Alan Schwocho filled in with a 43.

The Bulldogs contest for the District 2A-15 tournament title Monday at Eastwood.



Ida Baker 166 — Michael Faulkner 41, Ryan Gallick 41, Cody Byers 41, Alan Schwocho 43.

Port Charlotte 181 — Brandon Herron 42, Alec Skidmore 44, Chris Hensler 47, David Holmberg 48.



At Cypress Lake Country Club: Austin Lee led Bishop Verot to victories over North Fort Myers and LaBelle with a medal-winning round of 39.

Teammates Pat Rickert (40) Wyler Gins (41) and Stephen Reynolds (41) all had scores lower than any individual for North or LaBelle.

The Vikings (12-1) head to Monday’s District A-17 tournament at Pelican Preserve.



Bishop Verot 161 — Austin Lee 39, PatRickert 40, Wyler Gins 41, Stephen Reynolds 41.

North Ft. Myers 190 — Bryant Crowell 44, Joey Caiazza 46, Steve Bishop 49, Matt Murren 51.

LaBelle 213 — Broom 42, Crawford 60, Hernendez 56, Cottrell 55.



Girls Golf



At Royal Tee Golf Club:

Cape High’s Regina Sin took medalist honors with a round of 41, but the Seahawks lost to North Fort Myers 225-235.

North’s Emily Yi, who won the LCAC and North of the River tournaments last week, struggled to a 47. Brittany Agricola carded the team’s low round of 46.

North and Cape head to the District 2A-15 Tournament Monday at the Vinyards in Naples.



North Fort Myers 225 — Emily Yi 47, Brittany Agricola 46, Brittany Sansoussi 63, Mariah Koch 69.

Cape Coral 235 — Regina Sin 41, Cathy Wainey 54, Tara Higgins 62, Chelsea Kinter 78.