The Cape Elizabeth Capers (7-0) defeated the Gray-New Gloucester Patriots (2-5) Saturday evening in Gray, 56 to 14. Thanks to a stingy defense, sound special teams play, and persistent rushing attack, dotted with accurate and effective passes, the Capers played a near-perfect first half.
The Capers got on the board halfway through the first quarter, courtesy of a four-yard touchdown plunge by junior fullback Sean Meagher. They scored again when quarterback, Jim Bump, connected with receiver, Tom Ray, in the corner of the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown reception.
Cape Elizabeth’s defensive unit provided their next two scores, both on interceptions returned for touchdowns-one by Meagher for 30 yards, and the other by Ian Wallace. Wallace, a junior defensive end, picked off a pass intended for Patriots running back, Shane Beal, and returned it 75 yards for the score.
Tom Foden, a freshman Cape wingback, added a 31-yard touchdown run and later, following G-NG’s next possession, fielded a Will Rowe-punt in his own territory and returned it 55 yards for the score. The Patriots entered the locker room trailing the Capers, 41-0, at halftime.
Two minutes into the start of the second half, having recovered a Gray-New Gloucester fumble, the Capers scored on another Bump touchdown pass, this time to senior tight end Tucker Emerson for 25 yards. Cape Elizabeth posted what proved to be their final touchdown when freshman fullback, Kyle Piscopo, found a hole along the left end and broke off a 34-yard run into the end zone.
Featuring running backs, Taylor Valente, Trevor McCutcheon, and Beal, the Patriots amassed a successful drive that brought them deep into Cape Elizabeth territory. With just over eight minutes left in the game, Beal received a handoff and scampered seven yards into the end zone for Gray-New Gloucester’s first score of the game. Valente then ran the ball up the middle for a successful two-point conversion.
With less than 20 seconds left in the game, Beal scored his second touchdown for the Patriots on a 37-yard run off left tackle. The two-point conversion attempt failed.
The Patriots will look to rebound this week against Fryeburg Academy (1-6), while the Capers will try to preserve their undefeated record against Poland (1-6).
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