the Cafe
 |
     |
(below) Vikings at practice
Nineteen ninety-seven could best be described
as a breakthrough year for the Cape Henlopen football team.
After contending for the Henlopen North title the previous four seasons but coming up short each time, Cape caught fire under first-year head coach Brian Donahue. The Vikings finished with a 9-2 overall record, won the division championship and earned their first state playoff berth in 13 years. A 21-0 loss to Newark in the state semifinals hardly dampened the team's best season since 1984.
"I think it was just all the intangibles," Donahue said of 1997. "I think they (players) have high expectations for themselves."
If Cape recaptures that magic in 1998, a solid nucleus of returning players will likely lead the way.
First-team all-state center Matt Graviet returns along with 1,000-yard rusher Elijah Worthy, defensive back O.J. Wilson and a solid linebacking tandem in Mark Moore and Haywood Burton. If quarterback John Howard and the newcomers on the offensive line make a quick adjustment to the varsity level, Cape should again find itself in contention.
But that doesn't mean Donahue is taking the loss of eight starters lightly, especially when five were two-way players.
"It's the leadership and the intangibles that you're going to miss," he said. "We have some questions to answer on the offensive line."
That line will be anchored by Graviet, senior tackle Robert Hahn and junior guard Barry Barlow. There will also be two new tight ends in Moore and Tom Shehan, both juniors.
One of the line's primary tasks will be to take the pressure off Howard, a first-time varsity starter at quarterback. Last year, the Vikings excelled under first-time starter Theron Pavlik and Donahue is hoping to have similar success with Howard, a junior.
"I think he'll be able to handle it," Donahue said. "He's got a decent throwing arm."
An experienced backfield is highlighted by the return of
Worthy, who was the team's leading rusher last season. Worthy will be joined
by Wilson, a part-time running back last year, and Malik Lopez.
"We're always going to have skill people at Cape," Donahue said. "I think we need to step up on the offensive line for these guys to be successful."
The defense is expected to be strong, despite the loss of nose guard Larry Oliver and defensive ends Ken Stevenson and Casey Shehan.
Graviet will again anchor the line along with returnees Tim Cannon, Fernando Villegas and newcomer Steve Slayton.
With a solid linebacking corps and Wilson leading the secondary, defense should be one of Cape's strengths.
"The defense is going to have to carry us early," Donahue said.
An obstacle to a possible repeat, however, is a traditionally brutal conference schedule that features Caesar Rodney, Sussex Central, Seaford and Dover. Donahue noted those four teams are capable of knocking each other off on any given night.
"I think the conference is going to be like it was last year," he said. "It's hard, and I think they're going to realize it."
The Vikings' nonconference schedule features St. Mark's, Dickinson and Snow Hill, a Maryland playoff team last year.
Cape opens the season Friday night with a difficult road test against St. Mark's at Baynard Stadium in Wilmington.
"They're well-coached, they're a disciplined team," Donahue said.
Brought to you by:
Mid-Atlantic Beach Guide