Seahawks hold off Sailors 28-21
Sloppy weather and sloppy play were evident in the season opener for both Sarasota and Cape Coral, but the Seahawks got going in the fourth quarter and held on for a 28-21 victory Friday night.
Following 75-minute rain and lightning delay, both teams showed early-season jitters for the most of the first two quarters. The teams exchanged possessions around midfield with any offensive progress stalled by penalties or turnovers.
Officials were extremely busy as a total of 16 first-half penalties were called. Neither offense was able to get into a rhythm until late into the second quarter when Sarasota went to a steady diet of sophomore runningback Josh Booker. During an 11-play drive Booker carried the ball nine times taking the ball to the Seahawks’ 5-yard line, but a holding penalty backed the Sailors up and they were unable to convert the 25-yard field goal attempt.
On the following possession, Cape Coral took over at their own 20. Three plays later the Seahawks were unable to move the ball and were forced to punt. The Seahawks mishandled the punt snap and Sarasota recovered at the Cape 5-yard line.
Two plays later Booker dove in from the 4-yard line. The Sailors missed the extra-point and went in with the halftime lead 6-0.
The second-half saw the Seahawks come alive. Cape took the opening drive of the half and marched 79 yards to even the game. Using a strong running game, and featuring a 62-yard run by tailback Isaac Washington, the Seahawks capped the drive when quarterback Maurice Flournoy executed a perfect deep corner fade to receiver Christon Lewis for a 20-yard touchdown. The extra-point was missed and the game remained tied at 6-6.
The teams continued to exchange possessions for the remainder of the third quarter and it looked as if the offensive struggles would continue for the rest of the evening.
In the opening of the fourth quarter Cape Coral coach Larry Gary opened up his offense. Running a mixture of wildcat and spread, Flournoy, Washington and Keashawn McCoy each made major contributions on a lengthy drive. It was Washington who had the final say plunging into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown and a lead the Seahawks would not relinquish. Flournoy added the two-point conversion for a 14-6 score.
A strong defense by the Seahawks gave them another chance that they did not waste. Spreading the ball around, the Seahawks used four minutes, 20 seconds and marched 64 yards with Christon Lewis going the final three yards for the third Cape touchdown. Ryan Doran added the extra-point for a 21-6 lead.
Sarasota was not about to go away quietly. The sailors went 67 yards in just over two minutes and drew the game close when quarterback Bryan Gagg found Booker down the left side line for a 28-yard touchdown pass. The extra-point was converted and the score was 21-13.
The ensuing onside kick was recovered by Cape at its own 47-yard line. On the next play Flournoy put the game seemingly out of reach by racing 51 yards down the right sideline for the final Seahawks score.
Once again, Sarasota would not go away. The same combination of Gagg to Booker from 11 yards, and a scamper for a two-point conversion by Booker brought the score to 28-21.
An onside kick failed and the Seahawks simply had to take a knee to preserve the victory.
Seahawks coach Larry Gary said, “I’m relieved to get the W. I thought our skill position players played very well, but we need to be more disciplined.”