Prep recap: How the ‘Torpedo’ spurred Capital to a fourth-quarter rally, win over Nampa
Capital defensive lineman Josh Summers terrorized Nampa all night, racking up four sacks. But the senior saved the best for the fourth quarter Thursday night.
He blew by the offensive line with a swim move, blocking a punt deep in Nampa territory. Sophomore Brody Call then scooped it up and returned it 20 yards for the go-ahead score in Capital’s 35-21, season-opening win at Dona Larsen Park.
The blocked punt finally broke a deadlock as Capital (1-0) and Nampa (0-1) traded blows through the first three quarters. Tied at 21, Nampa lined up to punt and turn to its defense, only to have Summers blow up the plan.
“That was a huge play,” Capital coach Todd Simis said. “That was a tide-turning play.”
THE ‘TORPEDO’: Simis said he nearly shelved what the Eagles call “torpedo,” a personnel grouping designed to block punts, this week.
He noticed on film the Bulldogs place three personal protectors in the backfield, forming a shield in front of punter Payton Gunter. That would negate the torpedo’s specialty of bringing pressure straight up the middle.
But he also noticed the Bulldogs’ snap was slow, giving the Eagles time to create a tide-turning play. So Capital rolled the dice, and it paid off several times.
Capital also blocked a punt in the first half. And the continual pressure led to a high snap over Gunter’s head later in the fourth quarter, setting up the final score, a Max Clark-to-Nate Cherry 8-yard pass.
“It was just blitz down the throat as much as you can, and then we hit him with a couple stunts,” Summer said. “That’s what really opened up the ‘A’ gap.”
SECOND-HALF SHUTOUT: Special teams ultimately swung the game in Capital’s favor. But the Eagles’ defense didn’t allow a point in the final 24 minutes, putting the punt block unit in place to be the heroes.
The Bulldogs’ only points in the second half came on a safety when a snap sailed over Summers’ head as both teams struggled with long snaps. But Cherry snuffed out Nampa’s best opportunity to take control of the game, making a leaping interception at his own 1-yard line. And the Eagles’ defensive line dominated, finishing with six sacks.
“The kids at halftime, they just listened to the coaches and they accepted some of the criticism, and decided we’re gonna find a way to win this,” Simis said.
CLARK SHINES AGAIN: Capital quarterback Max Clark continued his torrid pace, finishing 26-of-41 for 257 yards with three TDs.
A broken collar bone ended his junior year, delivering a blow to Capital’s playoff prospects last year. But he showed no ill effects Thursday.
Cherry stood as his favorite target, hauling in nine catches for 60 yards and two TDs.
NEAR UPSET: Thursday marked Capital’s first game against a 4A opponent since 2007, when it beat Mountain Home. The Eagles haven’t lost to a team in a lower classification since falling to Sandpoint, the eventual 4A state champ, in 2003.
NAMPA HIGHLIGHTS: Junior Gabe Navarro impressed in his first start despite near constant pressure from Capital’s defense. He finished 18-of-27 for 212 yards with one TD and two interceptions.
Ryan Schuler returned from a foot injury that ended his junior year after three games to run for 90 yards and two TDs on 16 carries.
UP NEXT: Capital travels to Owyhee next Friday for the new West Ada high school’s first home game. Nampa hits the road the same day to face crosstown rival Skyview.
THURSDAY’S TOP PERFORMERS
- Sophia Avalos, Mountain View (girls soccer): The junior netted a hat trick in the Mavericks’ 3-1 victory at Kuna. She also scored two goals in a 3-1 win over Owyhee on Tuesday.
- Brooklynn Warner, Weiser (girls soccer): The Wolverines cruised to an 8-2 win over Baker (Ore.) with the help of three goals from Warner.
- Jaime Gaona, Columbia (boys soccer): The Wildcats notched their first win of the season — 5-1 over Ridgevue — behind the freshman’s hat trick.
- Audrah Radford, Nampa (volleyball): The Bulldogs took down Ridgevue in four sets as the senior outside hitter contributed 27 kills, 19 digs, four assists, three blocks and an ace.
This story was originally published August 26, 2021 at 11:26 PM.
