YUNET JOMOLCA Mariner junior Eric Mitchell is tackled by Cape High’s Brian Justice (35) and Jaylen Watkins (7) in Friday’s Black ’n’ Blue Bowl game. More photos are available online at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

As the clock struck :00 at Dave Warkentin Field Friday night, the Cape Coral Seahawks knew they had secured a fourth straight victory over the rival Mariner Tritons, 23-10, in the 22nd annual Black ‘n’ Blue Bowl.

They had no idea when they would be playing next.

As the team huddled in the end zone to go over their plan for the upcoming week, there wasn’t much that coach Mike Goebbel could say until finding out the outcome of the Ida Baker-North Fort Myers game.

Eventually, the Seahawks learned their fate. They clinched the District 5A-12 runner-up playoff berth for the second year in a row after discovering Baker lost in double overtime to North.

“Truthfully, we were kind of lopsided about it,” senior Cameron Hall said. “We wanted the three-way tiebreaker to try and get the district title, but we have to live with what we got.”

YUNET JOMOLCA Cape High’s Larry Gary (12) breaks into the open field in the first quarter against Mariner Friday night. More photos are available online at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

The Seahawks (7-3, 3-1) have a return trip to Venice coming in two weeks. They won there last season in the opening round, their first of two playoff wins.

They took care of business Friday night against Mariner (3-6, 0-4) by jumping out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter. Junior Spencer Boyd highlighted a strong defensive effort with a school-record 104-yard interception return. Junior quarterback Jaylen Watkins passed and rushed for a touchdown.

After the strong first quarter, though, the offense struggled to find its rhythm. It was a combination of penalties, turnovers and Mariner’s defense.

It wasn’t the type of offensive performance they wanted heading into the playoffs.

“We were outright sloppy,” Goebbel said. “I don’t know if our minds weren’t into it or what. It looked like we were going to control it, but we just had too many penalties.”

The Seahawks quickly took a 7-0 lead on their first possession. Watkins raced 30 yards for a touchdown on the second offensive play.

A pivotal moment came midway through the first quarter. Mariner recovered a muffed punt inside the Cape 5. On the second play, quarterback Gabby Rojas was intercepted in the end zone by Boyd and raced back the length of the field, putting the Seahawks up 14-0.

The Seahawks scored again late in the first quarter. Watkins completed two passes to Larry Gary to move the ball across midfield and the drive ended with a 21-yard pass to Prince Holloway.

The final points of the half were scored by the Tritons on Renato Proia’s 44-yard field goal. The Seahawks got those points back in the third quarter. They put together a long opening drive, which was capped by Kenton Beal’s 32-yard field goal.

Though the Seahawks were unable to muster much offense after that, their defense continued to shine.

Senior linebacker Brian Justice anchored an all-around defensive effort. They constantly pressured Rojas and finished with six sacks and three interceptions.

Senior defensive end Matt Casola had three sacks. Josh Monteagudo and Hall each had interceptions.

“Our key target was their quarterback,” Justice said. “We were trying to blitz and get as much pressure as we could.”

The Tritons were able to cut the lead to 23-10 with 5:42 left in the fourth. Eric Mitchell, who gained 92 yards on 14 carries, scored on a 17-yard run.

The Seahawks have a bye week before playing that Class 5A regional quarterfinals game.

The Tritons have one regular-season game remaining next Friday when they host LaBelle.

Mariner 0 3 0 7 — 10

Cape Coral 20 0 3 0 — 23

First Quarter

C — Jaylen Watkins 30 run (Kenton Beal kick)

C — Spencer Boyd 104 INT return (Beal kick)

C — Prince Holloway 21 pass from Watkins (kick blocked)

Second Quarter

M — FG, Proia 44

Third Quarter

C — FG, Beal 32 FG

Fourth Quarter

M — Eric Mitchell 17 run (Proia kick)