CAPE ELIZABETH – Sure, Cape Elizabeth High dropped passes that stifled some drives. But the Capers still had a lot going for them Friday night, like playoff experience and a running game led by Matt Graham.

Graham rushed for 164 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries to lead the Capers to a 33-16 victory against Gray-New Gloucester in a Class C South football quarterfinal at Hannaford Field.

Second-seeded Cape Elizabeth (7-2) advanced to the semifinals next Friday – a home game against third-ranked Wells (7-2), which beat Cape Elizabeth 15-0 in a regular-season finale last week.

Seventh-ranked Gray-New Gloucester (4-5) suffered two losses to the Capers this season, the other a 7-0 setback at home.

Cape Elizabeth quarterback Andrew Hartel threw for 59 yards, a total that would have been larger if not for five dropped passes in the first half.

“Those were big drops,” Cape Elizabeth Coach Aaron Filieo said. “Our quarterback did a nice job but we couldn’t come down with the ball, so we figured we’d stick to the run game.”

That worked, with Graham busting through holes, and fullback Ryan Weare (56 yards on 13 carries) plowing his way.

“A little inside/outside. Simple football,” Filieo said.

The Patriots, in the playoffs for the first time, were led by Zack Haskell, who rushed for 118 yards, including a 96-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

That score, plus Justice Bowie’s 2-point conversion pass to Kyle Keenan, gave Gray-New Gloucester an 8-7 lead with 9:21 remaining in the first half.

The Capers answered immediately with a 61-yard drive – all running plays – capped by Weare’s 3-yard run. The extra-point kick was not good and Cape Elizabeth led 13-8.

“Our line played amazing,” Graham said. “They dominated, giving us a lot of holes to run through.”

That line was led by Alex Narvaez and Ryan Harvey, with Nat Jordan, Luc Houle and Jacob Jordan.

On the second-half kickoff, a facemask penalty against Gray-New Gloucester gave Cape Elizabeth the ball on the Patriots’ 45.

The Capers then drove, with Graham scoring from the 1. The 2-point pass try was no good and Cape Elizabeth led 19-8.

The facemask penalty was one of the three big penalties against the Patriots, including a roughing-the-passer penalty on third down of the opening touchdown drive by the Capers.

“We kind of shot ourselves in the foot with penalties,” Gray-New Gloucester Coach Mark Renna said.

“Experience comes out. Cape is very good and obviously experienced.”

The Patriots still made big plays.

Austin Chase blocked a punt in the third quarter, giving Gray-New Gloucester the ball on the Capers’ 15. But the Patriots could not score.

Cape Elizabeth zipped right back down the field, with Graham’s 41-yard touchdown run giving the Capers a 26-8 advantage.

Tristan Herod ran back the kickoff to the Cape Elizabeth 46. The Patriots then drove in, capped by Elijah Simmons 4-yard run. The 2-point conversion closed the score to 26-18 with 3:58 left.

Gray-New Gloucester tried an onside kick. Cape Elizabeth recovered and Graham’s 31-yard score clinched it.

Renna gathered his players in the end zone. He will be saying goodbye to 11 seniors.

“They set the tone,” Renna said. “They won four games, tying the school record, and made the playoffs for the first time in school history.”

Filieo talked to his team, too, as he readies for a rematch with Wells.

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