New energy, and other things we learned at Cape Elizabeth football practice
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First-year Cape Elizabeth coach Issiah Bachelder gives instruction to senior River Duffy during practice on Tuesday in Cape Elizabeth. Bachelder helped Portland reach the Class A final in 2015 and 2016. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
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CAPE ELIZABETH — New coach. More commitment. Better energy. Bigger goals.
Those were the themes at Tuesday afternoon’s Cape Elizabeth High football practice at Hannaford Field. There were 25 players dressed for the second day of practice as Cape prepares for its second season competing in Maine’s Eight-Man Large School South division.
The positive vibe started soon after Issiah Bachelder was hired in March and carried through the summer practices and 5-on-5 scrimmages.
“It feels way different,” said senior defensive back/wide receiver Logan Knightly. “Just even in the summer we had more people showing up for summer workouts and stuff.”
River Duffy, the team’s dynamic slot receiver and return specialist, echoed those sentiments.
“Energy doesn’t start today. Energy doesn’t start right when the season starts. Energy started when the whole team was out here every day in the summer,” Duffy said.
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Key returners like Knightly, Duffy and nose tackle Will Gray believe the team is ready to make significant improvements after going 1-7 in 2025.
“From what I’m seeing, we’re really improved from last year,” Gray said. “We’re a very senior-heavy squad so we have the strength and experience to go deep in the playoffs, maybe win a championship.”
NEW COACH
Bachelder, who recently turned 27, isn’t far removed from his own playing days. After quarterbacking Portland High to A North titles in 2015 and 2016, Bachelder continued to play in the New England Football League with the Southern Maine Raging Bulls and then overseas in Hungary.
With his boyish face he’ll likely be mistaken for a player at some point this season.
Bachelder is stressing very grown-up ideals for his players. He’s calling them Cape Elizabeth football’s seven pillars: purpose, integrity, learning, leadership, accountability, resilience and service. There is also room for fun, and players are responding, Bachelder said.
“It started with them,” Bachelder said. “When I got hired (in March) it went from five players in the weight room to 15 to 18 every day, and it stayed that way until the spring sports started.”
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The summer workouts never dipped below 20 players participating. And, Cape did not lose any of its 5-on-5 scrimmages this summer, “and the confidence builds.”
A key addition to the mostly new staff is Mike Brown, who moved to Maine two years ago. Brown coached at a variety levels for 16 years in Colorado and showed a knack for breaking down and communicating key fundamentals.
“I’m taking with Coach Brown every day, probably two, three times longer than our practice time,” Bachelder said.
Senior William Gray blocks on the offensive line during practice Tuesday at Cape Elizabeth. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
KEY ADDITIONS
Cape also will benefit from players who are relatively new to the program, which won the Class C championship in 11-man in 2021.
Gray, who also plays running back, is a second-year high school player, joining last year after he failed to make Cape’s golf team roster.
“It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made in high school,” Gray said of his sport switch. “Now I’m here and I’m really excited to play football.”
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Gray, who also plays hockey and baseball, has the right mindset to play in the middle of the defensive line.
“It’s not easy work. You’re going against the biggest guys on the other team. Sometimes you’re double teamed. All you’ve got to do is try your best and make a pile,” Gray said. “Be the bowling ball in the middle of the field.”
Cal Day, with a tight end/defensive end physique, transferred to Cape last year from Deering High, but the school switch was too late for Day to be allowed to play football. Bachelder thinks Day will be a positive addition.
Cape Elizabeth senior River Duffy runs back to the field after a quick water break Tuesday. Duffy is a slot receiver and return specialist. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
Then there’s Duffy, who moved to Cape Elizabeth his sophomore year.
His teammates regard him as Cape’s best player. Duffy’s eyes gleam with intensity when he starts talking about getting “antsy” for Saturday’s scrimmage against Maranacook. Duffy played middle school and freshman football in Twin Falls, Idaho.
“It was high level. So, 5A football. Around 3,000 kids at my school. Potato land. They take football serious over there, and I’m looking to bring that to Cape Elizabeth, too,” Duffy said.
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Steve Craig reports primarily about Maine’s active high school sports scene and, more recently, the Portland Hearts of Pine men's professional soccer team. His first newspaper job was covering Maine. More by Steve Craig
