It had the feeling of a formality, even before the kickoff of Friday’s game between the Cape Coral Seahawks and Estero Wildcats

The winless Wildcats have taken their lumps this season and showed up at Dave Warkentin Field with about 20 players in uniform.

Though somewhat patient in their approach, the Seahawks eased their way to a 54-0 victory.

Running backs Spencer Boyd, Nate Felder and Mario Pender each scored a pair of touchdowns, and Josh Monteagudo and Miguel Grant each had interception returns.

“I thought our kids played with class, that’s what I was proud of,” said Seahawks coach Mike Goebbel. “I didn’t want to come out and look like trash with a lot of penalties. We had a few at the beginning, but got that taken care of.”

The Seahawks (5-2) realize they have a bigger test upcoming when they play at Fort Myers next Friday in a District 5A-12 showdown.

They focused on staying disciplined and fundamentally sound against Estero (0-7), which was coming off a 91-0 loss to Naples.

It was a difficult game for Cape senior Cameron Hall. His mother, Toni, has been hospitalized with an illness since Tuesday. She had attended each of Hall’s games over the past three years.

Hall blocked a field goal and helped lead a strong defensive effort.

“As soon as I get dressed and everything I’m going to call my mom and see how she’s doing,” he said. “I missed her here today.”

His teammates were there for support both on and off the field. For the second straight game, the defense was opportunistic, forcing four turnovers.

After Boyd scored on an eight-yard run to put the Seahawks ahead 7-0, Monteagudo stepped in front of a pass and returned an interception 31 yards for a score.

The Seahawks had more success on the ground in the second quarter. Boyd, who finished with 87 yards on 10 carries, added a second touchdown, and Felder scored on a short run, stretching it to 28-0 at halftime.

The Seahawks outgained the Wildcats 253-93 in the first half. Estero’s most productive player throughout the game was senior running back Josiah Arizmendi. He rushed 26 times for 110 yards.

The Wildcats had some success moving the ball, but the Seahawks tightened up.

The defensive line played an active and disruptive role. Brian Justice and Nelson Ochoa each had fumble recoveries, while Shawn Argoe and Matt Casola registered sacks.

“That’s one of our focuses,” Justice, a senior, said of the turnovers. “We want to get the ball as much as we can and give our offense more chances.”

In the third quarter, Felder added his second touchdown on a 36-yard run. Late in the quarter, following Hall’s blocked field goal, Pender broke free for an 83-yard TD run.

The freshman shook about four different defenders in the open field on his way to the end zone. He finished with 129 yards on five carries. Felder had 96 yards on eight carries.

On the final play of the game, Grant intercepted a pass at midfield and returned it for a touchdown.

“I was looking to get a lot of guys some playing time,” Goebbel said. “For some guys who haven’t played lately, they knew this was their chance to get on the field.”

The focus now shifts to Fort Myers. The Seahawks are 2-0 in district play this season and a win over the Green Wave would put them firmly in the driver’s seat.



Seahawks 54, Wildcats 0

Estero 0 0 0 0 — 0

Cape Coral 14 14 13 13 — 54

First Quarter

C — Spencer Boyd 8 run (Kenton Beal kick)

C — Josh Monteagudo 31 interception return (Beal kick)

Second Quarter

C — Boyd 2 run (Beal kick)

C — Nate Felder 8 run (Beal kick)

Third Quarter

C — Felder 36 run (kick failed)

C — Mario Pender 83 run (Beal kick)

Fourth Quarter

C — Pender 1 run (Beal kick)

C — Miguel Grant 50 interception return (no PAT)