The Cape Coral Seahawks’ upward climb as a high school football program in Lee County hasn’t coincided with improved success against their rivals from across the river.

The Fort Myers Green Wave have kept their stranglehold on the series. Even the past two seasons, in which Cape posted back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in school history, the Seahawks were District 5A-12 runner-up both times because of late-season losses to the Wave.

If the Green Wave (1-0) have taken a step back from a talent standpoint compared to the Seahawks, who feature four Division I recruits, they have made up for it with pride and tough physical play.

“The kids over at Fort Myers, when they put on that uniform, it transforms them into super athletes,” Seahawks coach Mike Goebbel said. “They have that in their minds, so a team that might be a little less talented plays above their ability because of that tradition they have there.”

The Seahawks (1-0) hope they’re up to the challenge this time when the teams meet Friday night at Cape High’s Dave Warkentin Stadium.

In Friday’s other action:

Ida Baker (1-0) hosts North Fort Myers (1-0) in a rematch of last year’s double overtime thriller, which North won 35-28.

After losing a hard-hitting, emotional contest to Cape, Mariner (0-1) makes its first road trip of the season to face North Port (0-1).

Island Coast (0-1) hosts Cypress Lake (0-1) and Bishop Verot (0-1) hosts Lemon Bay (1-0).

The Green Wave and Seahawks no longer share the same district, but the painful memories are still too fresh in the minds of the Seahawks to dismiss this as a key early-season game.

The Green Wave, which opened this season with a 41-20 victory over Cypress Lake, defeated the Seahawks 10-7 last year on a rainy night at Sirianni Field.

They’ve used a similar formula of ball-control offense and tough defense to win the past two years.

The Seahawks did show a quick-strike ability in last week’s 35-14 win over Mariner.

Senior QB Jaylen Watkins capped two scoring drives in the final three minutes of the first half with touchdown runs, and the Seahawks scored 21 points in a four-minute span to end the game.

Two areas of concern entering this season were on the offensive line and defense, where the Seahawks lost key starters from last year.

Goebbel said they took steps forward in both areas last week.

Junior linebacker Josh Monteagudo and junior defensive end Edsel Caprice stood out on the defensive side, and the offensive line was comprised of seniors Dan Koenig (left tackle) and Matt Russell (left guard), juniors Travis Winklesas (right guard) and Hussein Lausis (right tackle) and sophomore Kyle Young (center).

North Fort Myers (1-0) at Ida Baker (1-0): The Red Knights played the role of spoiler last season by knocking the Bulldogs out of playoff contention in Week 10.

Though it might be difficult to top last year’s game, all signs point to a highly competitive matchup Friday.

The Red Knights opened the season with a 45-27 win over Island Coast, while the Bulldogs blanked Lehigh 27-0.

“The kids executed the game plan perfectly,” Bulldogs coach Brian Conn said of defeating Lehigh. “We had two three-and-outs on defense and two scores on offense right away, so the first quarter went as planned. We were able to make a few plays throughout the game.”

Senior running back Joseph Byrd topped 100 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns, and the Bulldogs got strong offensive line play from seniors Byron Marcelus, Nick Grabowski, Matt Weinberger and Adam Holup, and junior Bryan Keene.

For the Red Knights, senior QB Nathan McIntosh and senior receiver Tre Boston hooked up for three touchdowns.

Mariner (0-1) at North Port (0-1): Despite the loss to Cape, Mariner had its chances and moved the ball well at times.

In a long second-quarter drive, senior QB Gabby Rojas threw a pair of third-down passes to senior Mario Perone for 31 and 19 yards.

They put together a 15-play, 80-yard drive in the second half, which led to a touchdown.

Senior Colt Masters provided a spark with an 85-yard kick return for touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Tritons coach Chad O’Brien said Masters has been showing that potential on the practice field.

“He had a great spring and then got sick before the game,” O’Brien said. “He always runs hard and fast.”

Cypress Lake (0-1) at Island Coast (0-1): Sophomore Mario Pender emerged in his first regular-season game for the Gators, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns and scoring on a four-yard run in the loss at North.

Pender flashed his big-play ability last season, while playing for Cape High, before transferring to Island Coast.

Though the Panthers are a young team, their top two offensive players – seniors Savon Seward and Patric John – are dangerous in the open field.

Lemon Bay (1-0) at Bishop Verot (0-1): The Vikings look to avoid an 0-2 start as they begin the home portion of their schedule against Lemon Bay.

The Vikings suffered a heartbreaking, 28-24 loss at Evangelical Christian to open the season. Lemon Bay cruised past Gateway Charter, 39-18.

Breeze Area Football Poll

Breeze sports staffers rank area teams each week. Rankings are listed with record through Sept. 5 & last week’s ranking:

Rec. Prev.

1. Dunbar 0-1 1

2. Cape Coral 1-0 2

3. Riverdale 1-0 3

4. South FM 1-0 4

5. Fort Myers 1-0 5

6. North FM 1-0 6

7. Ida Baker 1-0 7

8. Evangelical Christian 1-0 10

9. Bishop Verot 0-1 8

10. Mariner 0-1 11

11. East Lee County 0-1 9

12. Island Coast 0-1 13

13. Cypress Lake 0-1 15

14. Gateway Charter 0-1 12

15. Lehigh 0-1 14

16. SWF Christian 1-0 17

17. Estero 0-1 16