Ida Baker’s football program sprang from the relative obscurity of last fall’s 0-10 campaign back into the limelight with Thursday night’s 21-18 come-from-behind victory over Cape Coral.

The Bulldogs had not tasted victory since beating Mariner 28-21 in the final regular-season game in 2009. Losing the following week in the regional quarterfinals to Charlotte – to finish with an 8-3 record – sent them into the spring game riding an 11-game losing streak.

“We had more riding on the game than they did,” admitted Bulldogs coach Brian Conn. “We did a good job of sustaining drives. Both our offensive and defensive lines did an excellent job despite giving up that one long play in the first half.”

That one electrifying play was turned in by Seahawks runningback T.J. Johnson. On his second carry of the game, Johnson broke off a touchdown run of 54 yards to put the Seahawks in front 6-0. All three two-point conversion plays the Seahawks tried after touchdowns failed.

Johnson ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns. He was the fastest player on the field and showcased it often.

The Seahawks’ scoring drive came after the Bulldogs opened with a sustained drive deep into Cape’s end of the field.

Junior quarterback Reece Attwood had a solid game for the offense heavy on the run. He passed for more than 100 yards and his only turnover came on a Hail Mary pass attempt at the end of the first half.

Attwood is replacing long-time starter Sean Francis, who graduates this month.

“I was pleased with Reece’s play,” said Conn. “He managed the game well. He got some experience last year when Francis was injured.”

The night belonged to Bulldogs runningbacks Justin Johnson, Jeremy Betts and Alex Febels. The three-headed rushing attack led to victory by combining for more than 200 yards on the ground and three TDs.

Betts led the trio with almost 75 yards rushing and scored all three touchdowns. Johnson and Febels took turns running the ball up and down the field all night.

“We’ve been excited about it all spring,” said Conn. “The line is a smart group that has jelled together real well. They hang out together, watch film together and always talking football. We lost just one (OL) starter, so we have four with significant starting experience. It is one of our stronger points.”

Cape’s new starting quarterback, Kurt Benkert, will have a harder job replacing graduating Bryan Greenwell. Benkert had a good game, throwing one touchdown pass and going over the 150-yard mark, but threw an interception late.

The Seahawks’ second score came on Benkert’s only TD pass to T.J. Jiles that covered 20 yards and they went into halftime leading 12-0.

The Bulldogs’ defense forced Cape to punt on its first possession and the Bulldogs finally got on the scoreboard.

It took 12 plays, and some tough runs, but Betts pounded it in from three yards. The PAT made it 12-7.

T.J. Johnson answered for the Seahawks with his second score on a 25-yard run to put the Seahawks in front 18-7.

Betts, a sophomore, scored from seven yards out in the fourth quarter, pulling the Bulldogs within 18-14.

As time was winding down, Baker’s defense needed a stop, and they got one courtesy of a Cape fumble. Baker’s bench was warned for the celebration on the play, but got possession in Cape territory with just under six minutes to go.

On third-and-five, Attwood’s pass to Betts kept the drive going. Betts later took the ball in for the game-winning points from five yards out with 2:24 left.

The Seahawks’ last-chance comeback was foiled by Baker’s Justin Johnson, who made a diving interception of Benkert’s pass to seal the win.

Cape Coral 6 6 6 0 – 18

Ida Baker0 0 7 14 – 21

First Quarter

CC – Johnson 54 run (run failed).

Second Quarter

CC – Jiles 20 pass from Benkert (run failed).

Third Quarter

IB – Betts 3 run (Miller kick)

CC – Johnson 25 run (run failed)

Fourth Quarter

IB – Betts 7 run (Miller kick)

IB – Betts 5 run (Miller kick).

Freelance writer Dominic Carsi contributed to this report.