Friday night, Cape Fear Football went on safari, visiting “The Jungle” at Southview High School. It was senior night for the Tigers, and the Colts were in the mood to spoil all the fun.

The Tigers won the toss and elected to defer their choice to the second half, meaning the Colts would receive the opening kickoff. The Colts wasted no time getting on the board, riding a huge kickoff return from Senior Kamari Faison. Faison set the Colts up at the Tiger 21 yard line, and  they only needed one play  to score. Quarterback Geronimo Sanchez connected with Chosen Wynn for a 21 yard score. Francisco Rodriguez’ kick was good, giving the Colts a 7-0 lead from which they would never look back. 

Cape Fear’s defense responded in kind, stuffing the Tigers vaunted running game and holding them to a 3 and out on their first possession. Junior defensive end Darryn Logan was able to sack SouthView Quarterback Tyriq Clarida, ending any hope for matching the Colts on the board. 

The Colts followed up with a 36 yard field goal from Francisco Rodriguez, putting the Colts up 10-nothing and looking for more.

“My focus for the next game would be to keep on making the field goals to put points on the board going into the next play,” said Rodriguez. 

The Tigers would answer from there on a 3 yard run from Senior Running back Rashad Dockery. Senior Cornerback Brandon Little was able to block the extra point, leaving the Tigers stranded at 6. That is where they would stay for the remainder of the contest. 

“Well I think the biggest thing is you have to respond if something goes wrong. For example, after their first touchdown, they cut the lead, but we are able to offensively respond to that by driving down the field and scoring the touchdown, so we keep that separation that we had as far as keeping the lead with the score,” said Coach Thomas.

After a strip sack from Darryn Logan, Geronimo Sanchez widened the gap on a 17 yard run and a 2 point conversion from King Faison. This put the score at 18-6 in favor of the Colts. That is where the score would remain at the half, with Cape Fear comfortably ahead at the break.

To start the third quarter, the Tigers received the kick and promptly threw a deep pass down their sideline which was intercepted by cornerback Kamari Faison. The pick electrified the Colts sideline, and Sanchez capitalized with a 4 yard touchdown run. The score put the Colts up 25-6 and the rout was on. 

“The biggest thing with keeping separation is just to respond when things go wrong. They score, you respond. Offensively if we make a mistake, have a turnover,  defense has to come out, make a play and respond. That’s how you keep separation in a game. Next play mentality,” reflected Coach Thomas. 

Ja’Keal Williams was able to get in on the scoring as he streaked by the defense and snagged a 48 yard bomb from Sanchez. The Colts were now up 32-6, turning what was supposed to be a tough game into a laugher. 

“I just got off the line quick and hit him with a little double move and next thing you know it was just me and the end zone with nothing in between. It goes to show that we have weapons everywhere and we can throw and run,” said Williams.

Sanchez was able to find the endzone one more time on a 18 yard run, followed by a Rodriguez kick, cementing the score at 39-6 as the Colt second team took the field to finish the night.

On the night, Sanchez was 13 and 18 for 262 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also chipped in 95 on the ground with 3 touchdowns. Faison had 64 yards on 10 carries. The Colts lead receivers were Chosen Wynn with 5 receptions for 112 yards, Ja’Keal Williams with 2 receptions for 59 yards, and Landon Underwood with 2 receptions for 38 yards. 

Defensively, the Colts had 5 sacks on the night and 9 tackles for loss. Leading the charge were Senior defensive end Marquan Footman,  defensive tackle Venson Council, and linebacker Aydin Leonard.

The win moves the Colts to 5-1 in United 8 Conference play with a firm eye on a second place finish, and 8-1 overall. The Colts round out the regular season with senior night against the Bears of Gray’s Creek High School this Friday night. Come out and watch the Colts as they seek their best regular season finish since 2016.