The Wells football team hits the field during Friday’s match against Cape Elizabeth.
Both squads entered 7-0, but the Capers made the most of their opportunities and held on to earn the tough road win.
“They played us tough, they played us physical, they did a good job of doing their thing,” said Wells head coach Tim Roche. “We’re fine, we just have to improve offensively, we’ve got to do some things to get better.”
The Warriors got off to a shaky start, losing a fumble at their own 15 yard line on the first play of scrimmage.
Although Wells managed to stop the Capers from scoring at the goal line, the Warriors would fumble again soon after, this time at their own 3 yard line. Cape Elizabeth would capitalize, getting a 1-yard score from Ryan Weare to give the Capers the 7-0 edge midway through the first quarter.
The Capers continued to pressure the Warriors in their own end, and blocked a punt less than two minutes later and recovered it at the Wells 6. Peyton Weatherbie would then pound in a 3-yard touchdown to give Cape Elizabeth the 13-0 lead after a failed PAT.
The Wells defense would then tighten the screws, shutting out the Capers for the remainder of the half, and would go on to shut them out for the entire third quarter as well.
Momentum began to swing in Wells’ favor at the 5:55 mark in the third, starting with an interception by Nick Hansen. Wells would later get on the board on an 11-yard touchdown scamper by Evan Whitten, cutting the lead to 13-7 heading into the final quarter.
Cape Elizabeth’s defense would steal the show in the fourth quarter, however, and would convert two interceptions in the final five minutes to stifle Wells’ offense and secure the win.
“We’re not a throwing team by any stretch of the imagination,” said Roche. (Quarterback) Owen (Berry) is good, but this weather isn’t really made for throwing. We moved the ball back-and-forth but we never put it away.”
Although the Warriors hope to have a chance at redemption in the postseason, Roche reminded his players that there are other games to be played first.
“Everyone is saying ‘see you in three weeks,’ but there’s still playoffs and this makes the road a little bit tougher. We have a good buddy of ours that’s a Navy Seal, and our quote of the year is, ‘easy is easy,’ and after the game I told the kids what does Mike say? ‘Easy is easy,’ it’s not going to be easy and that’s what we want,” said Roche.
Roche was impressed with the Cape Elizabeth effort, and hopes his team can make adjustments in the event the two teams square off again.
“(Cape Elizabeth) played very well, I thought they played great … it’s what we thought,” said Roche. “I told them at half, ‘we’re going to win 14-13,’ and it didn’t come true, so we just need to play better next time we see them if it even comes down to that.”
Whitten led the Warriors with 50 rushing yards, while Jordan Cluff hauled in 44 receiving yards.
Wells finishes the year at 7-1, and will host a Class C South quarterfinals match at home next week.
— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at sports@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @ JournalTsports.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
