For the first time in Bill DiNardo’s 13 seasons, nine of Salesianum’s 10 regular-season football games will be played against Delaware opponents this fall.

And that makes the longtime Delaware high school coach proud.

“We’ve been working very, very hard within the ranks, and I think it’s a tribute to our program, our administration, that other schools want to play us,” DiNardo said. “Other schools do not see us as a private school threat. It’s a good thing.”

The Sals have no conference affiliation, leaving them 10 games to fill every year. That has been a problem, as they have had to resort to two or often three out-of-state opponents. In 2013, Salesianum took a 668-mile round trip for a game at Stuebenville, Ohio.

“We follow the rules,” DiNardo said. “We are members of DIAA. We follow the same rules with practice and everything that everybody else follows.

“We’re very proud to be part of Delaware. We are a Delaware football team, and we want to play our games in Delaware.”

Wentz keeps throwing in practice despite rib soreness

The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when the Sals scheduled a game at Caravel on Sept. 30. Salesianum had contacted schools from as far away as Canada before discovering that Caravel – another nonconference private school that often has trouble with scheduling – also had a date to fill.

And the Sals won’t even have to cross the state line to play this season. The only out-of-state opponent – Father Judge of Philadelphia – will come to Baynard Stadium for Sallies’ season opener at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9.

The Crusaders went 6-5 last season, but one of those wins was a 14-7 victory over the Sals. It was Salesianum’s only regular-season loss.

“They outhit us, outplayed us, outcoached us, out-everythinged us,” DiNardo said. “It was a disappointing loss last year, but it really taught everybody that we had to have our ‘A’ game every single game.”

The rest of the schedule is filled by Caesar Rodney, Smyrna, Dover and Sussex Tech of the Henlopen North; Middletown, Concord and William Penn of Blue Hen Flight A; and Division II’s Caravel and St. Mark’s.

STORY: Brad’s gridiron tour: Scouting this year’s teams

The Sals will go into battle with five starters returning on both sides of the ball. All but one starter is back on the offensive line, including tackles Randy Sinnott (6-4, 280) and Dom Marra (6-6, 250), guard Zeb Wright (6-2, 300), center Sean Keating (6-4, 260) and tight end Josh Patrick (6-1, 220). Josh Williams (5-9, 265) and John Cohill (6-1, 240) are competing at the other guard spot.

“They were very big, they were very good last year,” DiNardo said. “They were a big part of our success.”

All of the Sals’ skill players graduated, including a gaping hole left by running back Colby Reeder (2,010 yards, 32 touchdowns), who is now at the University of Delaware.

“You don’t replace Colby Reeder,” DiNardo said. “Colby is a once-in-a-lifetime kid. But we’ll do things more balanced. He absolutely carried the load for us last year.”

Running backs Carson Salvo, Nick Merlino and Liam Mulvena are competing for carries, and Peyton Mullin returns at fullback.

Junior-to-be Zach Gwynn started only one game at quarterback, but it was the DIAA Division I championship game before more than 10,000 fans at Delaware Stadium after senior starter Garrett Cannon was injured in the semifinals against Middletown. Gwynn responded by passing for three touchdowns in the Sals’ 32-26, overtime loss to Smyrna.

“He showed a lot of poise last year,” DiNardo said. “He’s a very talented young man. He’s got a very big upside.”

Remembering Widdoes

Longtime Brandywine and Concord high school coach, physical education teacher and athletic director Jay Widdoes died Aug. 16. He was 90.

Widdoes, a Milford native, served in the Navy during World War II. Credited as one of the founders of high school soccer in Delaware, he also coached, played and officiated wrestling, baseball, basketball and football, and even filled in as a substitute coach and guided Concord to a DIAA field hockey state championship in 1978. He also was an avid golfer.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday at Brandywine Valley Baptist Church, 7 Mount Lebanon Road in north Wilmington. The family requests that casual clothing be worn to the visitation and service to follow. A private burial will be held at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Brandywine Valley Baptist Church or PTBoats.org.

Rounding it up

— Scott Barker has been named girls basketball coach at St. Mark’s. Barker, an A.I. du Pont and University of Delaware graduate, has previous coaching experience at A.I., Middletown, Delaware Tech, Avon Grove (Pa.), Wilmington University and with the Delaware Blue Bombers semi-pro team. He has been a men’s assistant coach at Lincoln University (Pa.) the past four seasons.

— Charter of Wilmington is seeking a head coach for boys and girls swimming. Interested candidates may email athletic director Chris Eddy at ceddy@charterschool.org.

— Middletown is seeking a head coach for girls basketball. Email resumes and letters of intent to athletic director Colleen Kelley at colleen.kelley@appo.k12.de.us.

— Class of 2017 high school athletes nationwide may apply for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Scholarship at www.WendysHighSchoolHeisman.com. Deadline is Oct. 3.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ

Zach Gwynn returns at quarterback for Salesianum after passing for three TDs in his only start – a 32-26, overtime loss to Smyrna in the DIAA Division I championship game.

William Penn quarterback Zach Burton.

William Penn quarterback Zach Burton.

William Penn quarterback Zach Burton.

William Penn quarterback Zach Burton.

William Penn quarterback Zach Burton (1) pose for a photo during for a preseason feature shoot Thursday, August. 25, 2016, at Willian Penn High School in New Castle.

Senior Zachariah Burton, a wide receiver at William Penn the last two years, will move to quarterback as a senior to give the Colonials their best chance to win.

Zachariah Burton was looking forward to his final year as a wide receiver and defensive back on the William Penn football team.

Then, over the summer, coach Marvin Dooley approached him with a surprising request. The Colonials needed a quarterback, and he wanted Burton to step under center.

The 6-foot-2, 187-pound senior agreed to make the transition, and if he progresses as expected William Penn could be in the hunt for its second DIAA Division I state title in three years.

“He was set on being a receiver, and we were set on him being a receiver,” Dooley said. “We thought our quarterbacks would be farther along, but as we got closer we realized that weren’t going to have a quarterback ready for what we think can be a championship team.

“That position is crucial. He’s our best athlete, and our smartest football player. … We talked to him about being a leader of the team and what this would mean to the team, and how doing this would make us have a better chance of winning. He was sold right on it. He wants to win more than anybody.”

Burton had been the Colonials’ backup quarterback the last two years, but saw very little action there as three-year starter D.J. Johnson proved to be very durable. Burton’s primary offensive role came at receiver, as he hauled in 12 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns last season.

This year, he’ll be throwing the passes instead of catching them.

“I had to think about the rest of the team, how this puts us in a better position for a playoff push and even a championship run,” Burton said. “So I just bought in.”

Burton finished sixth in the Division I 100-meter dash and was a member of William Penn’s state champion 4×100 relay last spring. Dooley wanted that kind of speed at QB.

“There’s a chance for him to make something happen on every play for our offense,” the coach said. “By him just holding the football, it’s going to open up other things for other players. With him at receiver, I’m not sure we could get the ball to him.”

Now, he will be getting the ball to others.

“The coaches are working with me, helping me through the footwork, the arm motion, stretching, warmup, everything,” Burton said. “I feel like my passing is coming along really well.”

Burton has been an elite defensive back the past two years, and that won’t change. He defensed nine passes and made two interceptions and 20 tackles as a sophomore as the Colonials went 12-0 and won the Division I state title in 2014.

Then his stats swelled to 23 passes defensed, four picks and 36 tackles as the Colonials went 9-2 and reached the D-I semifinals last season.

College coaches noticed, as Virginia, Connecticut, Temple, Army and Stony Brook came calling. Burton decided to play his college football in the Atlantic Coast Conference, committing to Virginia (4-8 last season) and coach Bronco Mendenhall earlier this year.

“When I went down and met the whole staff, it really felt like a family,” Burton said. “They’re really turning the program around. They really have something going for them, and I believe they’re going to be a very good team in the next few years.”

He will play defensive back at Virginia, and Dooley believes a year as a high school QB will add to his defensive skills, too.

“As a defensive back, he’ll know what the quarterback is thinking,” Dooley said. “Now he’s been in that position. … It helps him know the game even better than he already did. This will blossom him into being an even better player in college.”

It’s not the first time this transition has happened in the Burton family. Zachariah’s father, Frank, was coming off a 40-catch season as a Brandywine High junior when he moved to quarterback for the Bulldogs in 1980. He went on to play defensive back and wide receiver at Delaware State, and has talked to his son about the benefits of getting quarterback experience.

“It helped me be able to read defenses better, especially as a receiver,” Frank said. “On the defense, it helped me to view how a quarterback would view us. So it helped me disguise a lot of schemes, because I knew what the quarterback was looking for.”

Dooley said Burton is ahead of schedule in the transition, smoothly taking ownership of the offense and managing the huddle. It’s all part of doing whatever he can to make his final year of high school football a success.

“This is my senior season, my last year,” Burton said. “This is the last time I’ll step on the field with most of these kids. These are the kids I came in here with, and I just can’t wait to see what we all have to bring to the table.”

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ.

Felicia Perez

Felicia Perez didn’t suffer any injuries while playing football for Brandywine High School last season. Unless you consider broken fingers to be injuries, which she does not.

That fearless attitude and a ceaseless work ethic have made this 4-foot-8 battering ram willing to smash her nose into any situation a hit with the Bulldogs.

“Felicia is tough as nails,” Brandywine head coach Isaiah Mays said last week. “The best way to describe it is she would much rather be the hammer than the nail. She definitely works hard every day, and she has no quit in her.”

Delaware has seen several girls play high school football over the last few years, but most have been kickers or safeties. Perez is a middle linebacker and fullback, which puts her in the pileup every time she’s on the field.

She wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

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“When I put the helmet on, and they put the helmet on, it doesn’t matter,” she said. “If you’re going to hit me, I’m going to hit you twice as hard.”

Perez began playing football at age 7, but had to stop when she sustained facial fractures after being hit by a fly ball in a baseball game two years later. She stayed active through swimming and frequent trips to a gym, but when she entered high school the thirst for football returned.

“I like to be the dominant person,” Perez said. “Other females follow other females. I’m not a follower. I’m a leader. So I decided I was going to play a predominantly male sport.”

Firm handshake

So last season, before her sophomore year, she sent an email to Mays stating her desire to play. Then she made a memorable first impression.

“She showed up and she was short, only 4-foot-8,” the coach said. “But she goes to shake my hand, and I noticed from that moment, the firm handshake she gave. Once she did that, I thought she might be a heck of a ballplayer for us. Since that moment, watching her through weightlifting and everything, she’s been awesome.”

Felicia Perez stands at the line of scrimmage during a game last season against Mount Pleasant.

Football is Perez’s year-round passion. She doesn’t play any other sports at Brandywine, choosing instead to participate fully in the Bulldogs’ offseason conditioning, weight training and 7-on-7 programs.

“I know what I want to do,” she said. “If I do other things, football’s just not going to happen anymore. I know I’m littler than everybody else, so if I don’t do what I need to do, I could get injured.”

Her mother, Andrea Perrin, gave her some valuable advice when she resumed football.

“She said, ‘You know the boys are going to be bigger than you. You’ve just got stay safe, keep your head up and eat a lot. Keep the weight on,’” Perez said. “So I get to eat a lot.

“I like chicken. Lots and lots of chicken. And salad. And protein bars. And Chick-fil-A.”

Brandywine junior Felicia Perez runs off the field during a game last season.

Perrin – the only Philadelphia Eagles fan in a house full of Dallas Cowboys fans – knew Felicia would gravitate back toward her favorite sport.

“She eats, breathes, sleeps football,” Perrin said. “She always has. She grew up watching high school on Friday nights, college on Saturday and professional on Sunday.

“I was a little concerned last year, going into high school. When she played Pee Wee football, it was a bit different. But high school, I was a little nervous. But I know her team, they’re like a family and those boys definitely have her back.”

Earning respect

Perez has earned her teammates’ respect with her toughness.

“She’s got the most heart of anybody out here,” Brandywine quarterback Jack Russell said. “In our Concord scrimmage last Saturday, she took a hit, probably got blasted back like 6, 7 yards. She just got right back up. Anybody else probably would have stayed down.”

That’s because she has become accustomed to big hits. At times early last season, she felt targeted by opponents.

“I wasn’t aware of my surroundings,” Perez said. “Everybody would just blindside me. They would say, ‘Oh, there’s a girl on the field. So why not go and attack her?’ As the year went on, the guys became more frustrated, as I did. They began to have my back.”

Perez mostly played on the Bulldogs’ junior varsity team last season but did see some varsity action as an offensive lineman on the punt team. The JV team went 0-8 but showed progress in its final game, a 25-14 loss to Mount Pleasant. Their middle linebacker showed progress, too.

“They decided they were going to run the ball twice my way,” she said. “I stopped it both times. They didn’t do it anymore.”

Running in the sun

This year, Perez is competing for more varsity time during preseason workouts. She’s willing to do whatever it takes, including spilling her guts when the Bulldogs embark on 10 250-yard runs at the end of practice.

“The toughest thing is the conditioning,” Perez said. “All of the running in the sun, that’s what kills me. … Every practice, I throw up. I don’t know why. I’m used to it, but I don’t know why.

“But you’ve got to keep going. You never quit. You just keep running.”

The dedication has paid off. The Bulldogs ran a timed mile during Tuesday’s practice, and Perez shaved a full three minutes off her time from last year.

“When I’m about to send her off, she’s like, ‘Coach, I threw up. I feel much better now,’” Mays said. “She’s tough.

“She’s getting stronger. She’s lost some weight, but she hits harder.”

Last Tuesday’s final drill went from goal line to goal line, stopping every 5 yards to run in place for 10 seconds and hit the field for a push-up. Perez was the first Bulldog lined up, yelling, “C’mon, tempo! Let’s go!” to her teammates. And while some struggled near the end, she finished strong.

“When they see Felicia, undersized and a girl in a man’s sport, out here working harder than them, it really makes them challenge themselves,” Mays said. “It allows them to say, ‘If she’s going to do that extra 5 yards, I’ve got to do that extra 5 yards.’”

Her mother has seen Perez give extra effort in other areas, too.

“It has definitely taught her a lot about teamwork,” Perrin said. “A lot of discipline. The team does everything together all year long. It has definitely kept her grades up. I think it has all around made her a very good, solid child.”

Perrin never misses a game, and she’s thrilled to see how Perez interacts with her teammates. The Bulldogs’ coach is, too.

“She’s definitely a one-of-a-kind person,” Mays said. “The team has learned to accept her. She just one of the guys out here. She fits in, and she really does help make up our family.”

The family wouldn’t be the same without her.

“Felicia is always trying to get everybody hyped,” said Russell, the quarterback. “She’s a girl playing a man’s sport. It just shows that anybody can do whatever they want if they put their mind to it. Felicia is just a great example of somebody who tries as hard they can every single day.”

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ

Smyrna receives the DIAA Division I football championship trophy in December.

With each of Delaware’s 43 high school football teams about to embark on nine- or 10-game seasons, there will be no shortage of action throughout the fall. Here are 10 games that will capture a lot of interest on each weekend of the season:

Saturday, Sept. 10: Caravel at Concord, 10:30 a.m.

Caravel is expected to be a state title contender in Division II. Concord is expected to be a state title contender in Division I. So this season opener will be a stern test for both.

If you can’t wait all the way until Saturday, the season officially starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 with two DFRC Kickoff Classic games: A.I. du Pont at Sussex Tech and McKean vs. St. Elizabeth at Wilmington’s Baynard Stadium.

After two years at receiver, Zach Burton moves to quarterback for his senior season at William Penn.

Saturday Sept. 17: Middletown at William Penn, 1 p.m.

These teams have combined for the last four Blue Hen Flight A titles, with William Penn sweeping the last two and the Cavaliers winning the two before that. The Colonials won 13-7 on Middletown’s home field last season, so the Cavaliers would love to return the favor at Bill Cole Stadium.

Friday, Sept. 23: Salesianum at Smyrna, 7 p.m.

The last time these two met, 10,094 fans packed into Delaware Stadium to watch Smyrna rally for a 32-26, overtime victory in last year’s DIAA Division I championship game. Three months before, Salesianum outlasted Smyrna 76-56 at Baynard Stadium in one of the most memorable games in Delaware high school football history.

Many of the same players are returning for both teams, making this the most highly anticipated game of the 2016 season. Smyrna’s Charles V. Williams Stadium holds maybe 3,000 fans, so every seat will be taken well before kickoff.

Friday, Sept. 30: Tower Hill at Tatnall, 7 p.m.

With all but one offensive starter returning from a 6-4 team, Tatnall is cranking up for what could be its best season in years. The Hornets will add to the excitement with the first home night game in school history, as temporary lights will be brought in to illuminate Weymouth Field.

But Tatnall could have picked an easier opponent for this spotlight. Tower Hill has reached the Division II playoffs the last two years, and the Hillers have beaten the Hornets the last four years.

Another matchup of Division II title contenders will come Saturday, Oct. 1 when St. Elizabeth meets Delaware Military Academy at 7 p.m. on the big stage at Delaware Stadium.

Senior receiver Anthony DelPercio returns for his senior season at Middletown.

Friday, Oct. 7: Salesianum at Middletown, 7:30 p.m.

This rivalry goes back to when Sallies was the big-city private school and Middletown was the small-town farmers’ school. If you think Middletown is still a small town, good luck getting through the traffic jam in time to reach Cavaliers Stadium before kickoff.

Salesianum’s Bill DiNardo has seen both sides of the rivalry, coaching the Cavaliers to great success before taking over the Sals 13 years ago. These teams have combined for 14 state championships, including four in the last seven years, so it’s a big deal any time they meet.

On the same weekend, a rare meeting of the defending Division I and Division II state champs will take place when Smyrna travels to Baynard Stadium to take on Howard at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.

Saturday, Oct. 15: St. Georges at Hodgson, 10:30 a.m.

You’ll have to get up early – on a Saturday no less – to watch these New Castle County vo-tech rivals play. But don’t hit the snooze button on this rivalry.

St. Georges has reached the Division II championship game three straight years but is 0-3 in the big one. Two of those losses were to Hodgson, in 2013 and ’14. The Hawks have had better luck in the regular season against the Silver Eagles, winning three of the last four.

Smyrna’s Will Knight rushed for 2,015 yards and racked up 38 TDs last season – as a sophomore.

Saturday, Oct. 22: Smyrna at Sussex Central, 1 p.m.

Usually, teams try to schedule an opponent they can handle for homecoming. Sussex Central has decided to take on Smyrna – the defending Division I state champion – in the Golden Knights’ only Saturday afternoon game of the season.

Smyrna won this matchup 58-21 last year. Sussex Central has been stuck between 6-4 and 5-5 the last three seasons, but many opposing Henlopen North coaches believe the Golden Knights are building for a big year. This one could decide the conference title.

Friday, Oct. 28: William Penn vs. Salesianum at Baynard Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

These teams met on Halloween last season, with Salesianum scoring a 30-13 victory to break William Penn’s 19-game winning streak.

Colby Reeder was dressed as Superman for the Sals that day – rushing for three touchdowns and returning a fumble for another score – but he has graduated and taken his cape to the University of Delaware. These teams have combined for 16 Division I state championships, so every regular-season meeting could be a postseason preview.

St. Elizabeth running back Chris Cropper would love to have another monster game against St. Mark’s.

Friday, Nov. 4: St. Elizabeth at St. Mark’s, 7 p.m.

A rematch of one of last season’s best games. St. Elizabeth won 33-31, as Chris Cropper rushed for 323 yards and four touchdowns.

Cropper is back, and the Vikings are looking for a big year. But St. Mark’s will be plotting revenge. The Spartans thought they had won last year on a 36-yard field goal with nine seconds left, but St. E jumped offside and the play was wiped out. The ensuing 31-yard kick was just wide.

Friday, Nov. 11: Concord at Middletown, 7:30 p.m.

After meeting in the season opener in 2013-14, this game was switched to the season finale last year. It’s perfect timing, because this one could decide the Blue Hen Flight A title.

A couple of big rivalry games are also on tap for the final Friday of the regular season. Throw the records out the window when Caesar Rodney travels to Dover for Kent County’s biggest game at 7 p.m. And Lake Forest hosts Milford in the traditional Battle of the Bell at 7.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ

New Newark High football coach Barry Zehnder runs his team through drills during practice on Tuesday.

Barry Zehnder doesn’t want to be the next Butch Simpson.

But he does want to carry on some of the traditions that Simpson entrenched while coaching the Newark High football team to 284 wins and nine DIAA Division I state championships over 39 seasons.

Zehnder, 37, was a quarterback, receiver, running back, defensive back and linebacker for the Yellowjackets from 1994-96. Simpson retired at the end of last season, and Zehnder was hired in March as his replacement.

“I don’t feel like I have to live up to coach Simpson,” the new coach said last week. “Obviously, people always replace legends. I feel like I have to live up to the school and the community, by teaching these guys how to do things right.

“Not only carrying on the Newark tradition, but how to be the guys that throw away their trash in the building. How to be the guys that get to class on time. How to be the guys that the teachers and administration go to for things.”

Winning football games would be nice, too. The Yellowjackets, coming off a 5-5 season, open at home against St. Mark’s on Sept. 9.

“We don’t necessarily have that superstar kid,” Zehnder said. “We’ve got a bunch of could-be good high school football players.

“Are they going to run past you? No. Are they going to knock you down every time? No. But they’re going to do what they need to do to compete and win that play.”

Newark has a returning starter at quarterback in senior Andrew DelPercio. Hard-nosed LB-RB Alex Pollard, WR Mekhi Pressey and WR-DB Isiah Velez will also be among the key contributors.

But the big (as in 6-foot-4, 285 pounds) surprise could be the emergence of two-way lineman Tyreek Booker, a senior who has moved football ahead of basketball on his list of priorities.

“He’s just now realizing football could be his future,” Zehnder said of Booker. “You very well could see him playing at a bigger (college). The sky is the limit for him.”

The Yellowjackets will run a multiple offense, with variations of the spread, I-formation and shotgun all in the playbook. Zehnder prefers a 3-3-5 defense that keeps it simple to allow for less thinking and more attacking.

After earning his degree from the University of Delaware, Zehnder spent one year as a UD graduate assistant, two years at Widener University, five years at Glasgow and two years at Newark before his only season as a head coach, a 1-9 mark at struggling Christiana in 2011. He then spent four years coaching defensive backs at Middletown before becoming a head coach again at his alma mater.

Simpson is still around, but is keeping his distance.

“We’ve had a few conversations, and he’s always willing to help,” Zehnder said. “He has let me know, ‘If you need me, I’m here.’ But also, I think he feels like if he’s around, eyes gravitate toward him.”

One of Simpson’s traditions was always stopping practice when a former coach or player dropped by. He would introduce them and ask them to tell a story about their time at Newark. Zehnder isn’t about to change that.

“The first person I got to do that with was coach Simpson,” he said. “He showed up to the weight room one day, and I stopped everybody and said, ‘This is coach Simpson.’ That was a special moment for me, because I remember the first time I came back and he introduced me.”

Now, it’s time for Zehnder to put his own stamp on Newark football.

Elsewhere in Blue Hen Flight A this season:

CONCORD could go a long way behind the Roberts brothers. Senior FB-LB Avery Roberts has committed to Nebraska, and junior RB-SS Grahm “Bam” Roberts has the potential to be a similar recruit. The Raiders also have experienced front lines and another explosive runner in junior Brandon Dennis.

MIDDLETOWN is in the state title hunt every year, and the return of split ends Jalen Whitehead, Kenny Edelin and Anthony DelPercio could have the Cavaliers going to the air early and often.

Zachariah Burton’s move from receiver to quarterback could be key for WILLIAM PENN. The Colonials will also need an inexperienced line to mature quickly, but return a running threat in RB Joe Greenwood and could get a boost from RB Angelo Ortiz, a St. Georges transfer.

Senior QB Kenyon Yellowdy, two-way lineman Jackson Truitt and junior HB Derek Thompson lead what could be an explosive offense at APPOQUINIMINK, as the Jaguars look to put together their first winning season in six years.

MOUNT PLEASANT earned its first taste of the postseason since 1981 last year, but the Green Knights lost much of that team to graduation. Lineman Sam Mousley and RB Nyair Small will be among the key players trying to keep the success going.

WR-CB Mahkai Lee is the top returnee at A.I. DU PONT, which will need major contributions from a talented sophomore class to improve on last year’s 4-6 mark.

An experienced senior quarterback always helps, and CHARTER OF WILMINGTON has one in Carter Lamey. The Force also return many other pieces from a 2-8 team looking to improve.

DELCASTLE is working hard for a turnaround under coach Mike Lemon, but it won’t be easy with few experienced players tackling a tough schedule. The offensive and defensive lines appear to be the Cougars’ strength.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ.

A.I. DU PONT

COACH: Zeb Blum

LAST YEAR: 4-6

RETURNING STARTERS: WR-CB Mahkai Lee, sr.; RB-CB Kerry Galloway Jr., sr.; G-LB Jay’Juan Jones, sr.; LB Celestino Mainardi, sr.; DT-DE Shannon Biles, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: QB Chad Jones, so.; WR-DB LeRoy Lynch, so.; C Leon Price, so.; RB-DB Maxwell Johnson, so.; RB-S James Naylor, so.

OUTLOOK: A promising group of sophomores will need to mature quickly for the Tigers, who return just five starters.

Senior QB Kenyon Yellowdy (3) returns to guide what could be an explosive offense at Appoquinimink.

APPOQUINIMINK

COACH: Brian Timpson

LAST YEAR: 5-5

RETURNING STARTERS: QB Kenyon Yellowdy, sr.; OL-DL Jackson Truitt, sr.; OL Noah Given, sr.; WR Emmanuel Kenion, sr.; WR Jarrod Reinhart, sr.; SLOT Jayson Jeffers, sr.; HB Derek Thompson, jr.; DL Chris Saunders, sr.; OLB Robert Jadick, jr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: OL-DL Hunter Carr, so.; SLOT Cameron Bernardo, so.; MLB Brennen Wright, jr.; MLB Earl Woodson, jr.; OLB Savion Field, so.; S Phillip Spellman, jr.

OUTLOOK: The Jaguars made a big jump from 2-8 to .500 last season, and the return of most of their offensive firepower could make an even bigger improvement possible.

CHARTER OF WILMINGTON

COACH: Larry Cylc

LAST YEAR: 2-8

RETURNING STARTERS: FB-LB Tom Steiner, sr.; G-DT Mike Cicconi, sr.; HB-S Stephan Habash, sr.; SE-DE Sam Goff, sr.; QB-S Carter Lamey, sr.; G-DT Daron Askins, jr.; OT-LB Spencer Goff, jr.; HB-CB Bill Duncan, sr.; HB-DB Macadoo Harrison Dixon, so.; LB-HB Pete Gosser, so.

KEY NEWCOMERS: OT-DT LeDay Womack, jr.; C-NG Jake Andrus, so.; C-NG Kyle Lank, jr.; OT-DE Dan Thieman, sr.; SE-DE Trip Murphy, so.; SE-LB Dylan Craig, fr.

OUTLOOK: The Force have enough experienced returnees to be more competitive this season, but it’s difficult to gain ground against the Flight A powers.

CONCORD

COACH: Greg Mitchell

LAST YEAR: 6-4

RETURNING STARTERS: G-DT Tyler Narvell, sr.; OT Billy Beaudet, sr.; TE-DE Tyler Whitlock, sr.; WR-S Jared Hill, sr.; RB Kyle Batch, sr.; G-DT Earl Jeter, sr.; FB-LB Avery Roberts, sr.; WR-S Eryk Davis, sr.; QB Dillon Coughenour, jr.; RB-SS Grahm Roberts, jr.; RB-FS Brandon Dennis, jr.; LB Byron Simpson, sr.; S Luis Echeverria, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: C Malik Wright, so.; C Jackson Staib, jr.; G-DT Riquan Mack, sr.; G Pat Smith, jr.; OT Jaysen Ellison, sr.; TE-DE Justin Foster, jr.; RB-SS Lennox Nembhard, jr.; FS Steve Forwood, sr.; NG Jasper Brown, jr.

OUTLOOK: The Raiders have plenty of returning starters and deep, experienced lines. Both Roberts brothers were compromised by injuries last season, but if they can stay healthy Concord could contend for a state title.

DELCASTLE

COACH: Mike Lemon

LAST YEAR: 1-9

RETURNING STARTERS: OL-DL Madison Harris, jr.; OL-DL Kevin Burdett, jr.; OL-DL Ja’quon Batts-Moore, jr.; LB-RB Matthew McCary, sr.; OL-DL Shawn Cabalza, sr.

 KEY NEWCOMERS: OLB Gordon Smith, so.; LB-WR Charles Warner, jr.; WR-DB Chad Chevannes, sr.; QB-DB Tevean Nutter, sr.; WR Caleb Horrocks, sr.; OL Jalen Lucas, sr.; TE-DL Anthony Graves, sr.; OLB Aaron Gaines, sr.; TE-OLB Tyson Bishop, sr.; RB Jeff Hollins, jr.; OL-LB Logan Stewart, jr.

OUTLOOK: The Cougars haven’t won more than two games in a season since going 6-4 in 2009. Four returning starters on both sides of the line provide reason for optimism.

MIDDLETOWN

COACH: Mark DelPercio

LAST YEAR: 9-3, lost to Salesianum in DIAA Division I semifinals

RETURNING STARTERS: OL-DL Caleb Weatherford; SE-DB Jalen Whitehead; SE Anthony DelPercio; SE Kenny Edelin; RB-LB Kedrick Whitehead; LB Spencer Harbert; DB Shane Wilkins; DL Josh Freeman; DL Ahmod Westbrook; RB RaQuon Green; DB E.J. Washington; TE Ryan Fields; SE Nicky Johnston

KEY NEWCOMERS: DB Trey Austin; LB Jeff Lockwood; LB Cam Williams

OUTLOOK: Last year’s semifinal loss to Salesianum ended a run of five straight years in the Division I championship game for the Cavaliers. With plenty of talent returning, don’t be surprised if Middletown starts a new streak.

MOUNT PLEASANT

COACH: Randy Holmes

LAST YEAR: 7-4, lost to Smyrna in first round of DIAA Division I playoffs

RETURNING STARTERS: WR-DE Sean Carroll, sr.; OL-DL Sam Mousley, sr.; OL-DL Isaiah McCready, sr.; OL-DL Sean McEvoy, sr.; OL-DL KeShaun Hale, jr.; RB Nyair Small, jr.

KEY NEWCOMER: WR Vincent Smith, jr.

OUTLOOK: The Green Knights put together a dream season last year, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 1981. But much of that team graduated, leaving a lot of holes to fill for a possible repeat.

WILLIAM PENN

COACH: Marvin Dooley

LAST YEAR: 9-2, lost to Smyrna in DIAA Division I semifinals

RETURNING STARTERS: LB Charlie Hope, sr.; QB-CB Zachariah Burton, sr.; LB Myles Goodson, sr.; DT-OT D’mir Copeland, sr.; LB-G Adu-Gyanfi Collins, sr.; RB-CB Joe Greenwood, sr.; SS-RB Lance Edwards, jr.; SS-RB Isaiah Gaynor, jr.; K Ryan Juarez-Robertson, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: G Joe Bedwell, sr.; G Chris Mastoloni, sr.; RB-RB Michael Mills, sr.; DE-RB Angelo Ortiz, sr.; WR-SE Amir Holley, sr.; C-DT David Watson, sr.; C Joe Behornar, jr.; WR-CB Terin Cochran, jr.; DT-OT Ernest English, jr.; DE-G Troy Gale, jr.; RB-CB Jarod Gore, jr.; DL-OL Kyle Wallace, so.; OL-DL Dawan Devlin, so.

OUTLOOK: The Colonials won the state title two years ago and lost in the semifinals last season. If William Penn’s inexperienced lines progress, another championship run is possible.

No information provided by Newark.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ

.

Junior quarterback Isaiah Wilson (1) is one of the key returnees for Glasgow.

BRANDYWINE

COACH: Isaiah Mays

LAST YEAR: 2-8

RETURNING STARTERS: WR-DB Rajae Britt, sr.; G-DT Cody Snyder, sr.; C Jordan Beeman, jr.; OL-DL Marquise James, sr.; DE-TE Tremayne Pinkney, jr.; OL-DL Mamud Saccoh, sr.; RB-LB Curtis Blain, jr.; LB-RB Michael Rayman, jr.; FB-LB Jeremy Hartnett, sr.; TE-DL Steven Biddle, sr.; DL Kevin Maldonado, so.; WR-DB Zion Carr, so.

KEY NEWCOMERS: OL-DL Jabri Logan, sr.; QB Jack Russell, jr.; DB Josh Eaton, jr.; RB-DB Josh Barlow, so.; LB-FB Ahmad Shepherd, so.

OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs took their lumps last season, but look to improve as they return starters at 17 of 22 positions.

DICKINSON

COACH: Paul LaSorsa

LAST YEAR: 1-9

RETURNING STARTERS: DT Rashee Scott, sr.; DT-C Duncan Stevens, sr.; DT-OT Rajae Lindsay, sr.; DE-G Zach Hill, sr.; G Joseph Bufano, so.; FB-LB Adam Birkowski, so.; RB-LB Jerome Blakeney, sr.; RB-LB Mike Dawson, sr.; QB-LB Justus Smith, jr.; DE Di’Meire Williams, sr.; WR-DB Chase Lawhorne, jr.; QB-DB Evan Thomas, so.

KEY NEWCOMERS: DB-WR Isaiah Sanchez, jr.; DB-RB Cody Williams, so.; WR-LB Tyson Tanner, jr.; OL-DL Antonio Gouard, jr.; QB-LB Dustin Tenney; DL-OL Jason Cornish-Bell, fr.; WR-DB Randy Dill, so.; RB-DB Josh Gonzalez, jr.; WR-DB Antonio Octavio, so.; OL-DL Evan Bourgeois, fr.; RB-DB Brittin Graham, so.

OUTLOOK: The Rams return enough experienced players to possibly move up a couple of rungs on the Flight B ladder.

GLASGOW

COACH: Shannon Riley

LAST YEAR: 5-5

RETURNING STARTERS: WR Michael Credle, sr.; WR-DB Jasaan Cunningham, sr.; QB Isaiah Wilson, jr.; RB Tavion Jones-Hill, jr.; OL-DL Jeremiah Carter, jr.; OL-DE Kyre Solomon, so.; OL-DE Daryn Bacon, so.; OL-DL Kelvin Tejada, sr.; OL-DL Christopher Gibbs, sr.; LB Tymere Wilson, jr.; DB Nathan Hovis, sr.; DB Reggie Grinnell, jr.; OL Phillip Williams, jr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: WR-DB Keishawn Jones, jr.; RB-DB Tyrique Woodland, sr.; LB Naiseem Butts, so.; DB Mike Jones, so.

OUTLOOK: The Dragons have the size, speed, skill and experience to make the leap into contention for the conference title.

HODGSON

COACH: Frank Moffett

LAST YEAR: 6-5, lost in first round of Division II playoffs

RETURNING STARTERS: QB Marc Perez, sr.; WR Marshall Hardin, sr.; RB-LB Greg Tucker, sr.; OL Jarod Orlando, sr.; SB-DB Cory Joines, sr.; LB William Hunter, sr.; OL-DL Marcus Higgin, sr.; RB Simian Smith, jr.; RB Tymier Sewell, jr.; TE-LB Vaughn Wood, jr.; OL Michael Hughes, jr.; DL Jalik Heyward, jr.; RB-LB Seaqueris Wiggins, jr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: DB-WR Steven Small, sr.; SB-DB Oladayo Adeleke, sr.; OL-DL Clay Purnell, sr.; SB-DB Dominic Johnson, sr.; OL-LB Wendell Lima, sr.; RB-LB Karon Tucker, jr.; OL-DL Xzavier Chandler, jr.; SB-DB Nahzir Billops, jr.; OL-DL Jordan Bolden, jr.; OL-LB Andrew Ndichu, jr.; WR-DB Raymond Mapp, jr.; RB-DL Dai Mar Wallace, so.; WR-DB Daniel Douglas, so.; TE-LB Brandon Shimko, so.

OUTLOOK: With 13 starters returning, the Silver Eagles should be in the playoff hunt again.

HOWARD

COACH: Dan Ritter

LAST YEAR: 10-3, won DIAA Division II championship

RETURNING STARTERS: WR-DB Korey Kent, sr.; WR-DB Nick Johnson, sr.; C-DL Darin Matthews, sr.; OT-DT Jordan Chance, sr.; G-LB Christian Francis, jr.; TE-DL Amod John, jr.; TE-DL Shawn Bowman, jr.; RB-LB Malik Banks, jr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: G Nate Nagoo, jr.; OT-LB George Jean Louis, sr.; LB Lance Williams, jr.; FB-LB Hissan Snell, jr.; DB Will Mable, sr.; QB Tyhir Harley, so.; QB-LB Keith Chung, so.

OUTLOOK: The Wildcats took it all the way last season. If they can adequately fill a couple of skill positions, another championship run is possible.

ST. GEORGES

COACH: J.D. Maull

LAST YEAR: 11-2, lost in DIAA Division II championship game

RETURNING STARTERS: TE-LB Jason Stewart, sr.; TE Doug Phillips, sr.; DB Robert Shorts, jr.; C Charles Lamborn, sr.; NT Jhemir Stanley, jr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: G-DL Isaiah Gatling, jr.; T-DL Solomon Alexander, jr.; T-DL Brian Rush, sr.

OUTLOOK: The Hawks go into the season with their least experienced team in years. But St. Georges still has 70 players, so a huge dropoff would be a surprise.

No information provided by McKean and Christiana.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ.

St. Georges coach J.D. Maull and the Hawks celebrate last year’s Division II playoff semifinal victory over Woodbridge. This year’s inexperienced Hawks will have to progress quickly to reach the playoffs again.

Does the St. Georges football team rebuild, or reload?

We’re about to find out this season, because the Hawks have lost almost every key player from one of Division II’s most successful programs.

Only five starters return. St. Georges is starting over from step one — literally.

“We’ve had to slow down. Our kids are still trying to pick up the basic stuff,” Hawks coach J.D. Maull said. “We’ve had to go back to step one. Usually when we come into the season, we’re already on step four or five. This year, we had to start with the basics.”

St. Georges has piled up a 43-6 record and earned the No. 1 seed in the DIAA Division II playoffs in each of the last four years. The Hawks reached the final twice, including a 28-13 loss to Howard last season.

But that means nothing now. St. Georges kicks off the season against Division I power William Penn on Sept. 9 at Caravel, then faces Caesar Rodney, St. Mark’s and a pack of hungry Blue Hen Flight B opponents bent on revenge.

“I don’t want to say rebuilding,” Maull said. “I want to say we’re trying to reload. But we’re in for a big-time growing experience. A lot of the guys playing for me now did not play varsity last year.

“We have a lot of new faces, and the same schedule. William Penn doesn’t feel sorry for us. CR doesn’t feel sorry for us. Nobody in Flight B feels sorry for us. We’ve got a lot of growing up to do, very quickly.”

But the Hawks still have 70 players — one of the largest squads in D-II — and a winning tradition. A team centered around running backs Taronn and Keyjuan Selby, Tymiere Griffin and Gary Brightwell in the past expects to throw more with junior quarterback Robert Shorts.

That’s because St. Georges’ strength lies at tight end. Senior Jason Stewart (6-foot-2, 219), third-team All-State as an offensive tackle last year, has moved to one end. Senior Doug Phillips (6-2, 206) returns at the other end.

“We’re trying to run some of the stuff Stanford runs, the two-tight-end sets,” Maull said. “We’ll try to get that going. They both have good size and have colleges looking at them.”

Maull calls junior noseguard Jhemir Stanley, “the anchor of our defense.” At 5-9, 350, it’s easy to see why.

“He carries that 350 well,” the coach said. “He can run sideline to sideline. He does a good job for us.”

Senior Charles Lamborn moves from guard to center, and juniors Isaiah Gatling and Solomon Alexander and senior Brian Rush will play big roles on both sides of the line.

The Hawks will have to come together quickly, but don’t be surprised if they crank out another successful season.

Elsewhere in Flight B, HOWARD will be the conference favorite after returning several key pieces from last year’s D-II championship team. The Wildcats will be stout on both lines with Darin Matthews, Jordan Chance, Christian Francis, Amod John and Shawn Bowman. Korey Kent and Nick Johnson can break open a game at receiver, but Howard has holes to fill at quarterback and running back to make another title run.

GLASGOW could emerge as a conference contender in the Dragons’ second season back in Flight B. Junior QB Isaiah Wilson already has two years of starting experience, and can throw to speedy WRs Michael Credle and Jasaan Cunningham or hand off to RB Tavion Jones-Hill.

A young HODGSON team battled its way back to the playoffs last season after winning back-to-back state titles in 2013-14. The Silver Eagles are more experienced this year, with QB Marc Perez, RB-LB Greg Tucker, OL Jarod Orlando and RB-LB Seaqueris Wiggins among 13 returning starters.

BRANDYWINE will be one of the most experienced teams in the conference, with starters returning at 17 spots. WR-DB Rajae Britt and two-way linemen Cody Snyder, Marquise James, Tremayne Pinkney, Mamud Saccoh and Steven Biddle are among the key Bulldogs.

DICKINSON will look to improve behind an experienced defensive line led by Rashee Scott, Duncan Stevens, Rajae Lindsay, Zach Hill and Di’Meire Williams.

McKEAN showed improvement during 7-on-7 play over the summer, but it remains to be seen if the Highlanders will have the strength on the lines to advance from last year’s 3-7 mark.

After winning just four games in the previous five years, CHRISTIANA improved to 2-8 last season. The Vikings face a long road to make a bigger jump.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ.

Salesianum celebrates its win over Middletown in a DIAA Division I semifinal last season at Baynard Stadium. Baynard is the busiest high school football venue in Delaware, serving as home field for Sallies, Howard, St. Elizabeth and Delaware Military Academy.

A.I. DU PONT

Sept. 8 – at Sussex Tech, 7

Sept. 17 – at Concord, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 23 – William Penn, 7

Oct. 1 – at Charter of Wilmington (Delaware Stadium), 4

Oct. 7 – Delcastle, 7

Oct. 14 – at Middletown, 7:30

Oct. 21 – St. Elizabeth, 7

Oct. 28 – Mount Pleasant, 7

Nov. 4 – at Appoquinimink, 7

Nov. 10 – Newark, 7

APPOQUINIMINK

Sept. 9 – at Polytech, 7:30

Sept. 16 – at Smyrna, 7

Sept. 23 – Newark, 7

Oct. 1 – at Concord, 2

Oct. 7 – William Penn, 7

Oct. 15 – at Charter of Wilmington, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 21 – Delcastle, 7

Oct. 28 – Middletown, 7

Nov. 4 – A.I. du Pont, 7

Nov. 12 – at Mount Pleasant, 10:30 a.m.

ARCHMERE

Sept. 10 – Howard, 2

Sept. 17 – Brandywine, noon

Sept. 24 – at Tatnall, noon

Sept. 30 – at St. Mark’s, 7

Oct. 8 – Caravel, 3

Oct. 15 – Delmar, noon

Oct. 22 – at Conrad, 11 a.m.

Oct. 29 – at Academy of New Church (Pa.), noon

Nov. 5 – Del. Military Academy, 2

Nov. 12 – at St. Elizabeth (Baynard Stadium), 7

BRANDYWINE

Sept. 10 – at Mount Pleasant, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 17 – at Archmere, noon

Sept. 24 – St. Mark’s, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 1 – Christiana, noon

Oct. 7 – at Glasgow, 7

Oct. 15 – Howard, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 21 – at Dickinson, 7

Oct. 29 – St. Georges, 10:30 a.m.

Nov. 4 – at McKean, 7

Nov. 12 – Hodgson, 10:30 a.m.

CAESAR RODNEY

Sept. 9 – at Middletown, 7:30

Sept. 16 – at Salesianum (Baynard Stadium), 7:30

Sept. 23 – Glen Mills (Pa.), 7

Sept. 30 – St. Georges, 7

Oct. 7 – Sussex Tech, 7

Oct. 14 – at Sussex Central, 7

Oct. 21 – Cape Henlopen, 7

Oct. 28 – at Smyrna, 7

Nov. 4 – Polytech, 7

Nov. 11 – at Dover, 7

CAPE HENLOPEN

Sept. 10 – Lower Cape May Regional (N.J.), 1

Sept. 16 – at Oakdale (Md.), 7

Sept. 23 – at Indian River, 7

Sept. 30 – at Polytech, 7

Oct. 7 – Sussex Central, 7

Oct. 14 – at Dover, 7

Oct. 21 – at Caesar Rodney, 7

Oct. 28 – Caravel, 7

Nov. 4 – Smyrna, 7

Nov. 11 – Sussex Tech, 7

CARAVEL

Sept. 10 – at Concord, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 16 – at Elkton (Md.), 7

Sept. 23 – Delmar, 7

Sept. 30 – Salesianum, 7

Oct. 8 – at Archmere, 3

Oct. 14 – at St. Mark’s, 7

Oct. 21 – Silver Oak Academy (Md.), 7

Oct. 28 – at Cape Henlopen, 7

Nov. 4 – Hodgson, 7

Nov. 11 – Capitol Christian (Md.), 7:30

CHARTER OF WILMINGTON

Sept. 10 – at Del. Military Academy (Baynard Stadium), noon

Sept. 17 – Delcastle, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 23 – at Middletown, 7:30

Oct. 1 – A.I. du Pont (Delaware Stadium), 4

Oct. 8 – at Mount Pleasant, noon

Oct. 15 – Appoquinimink, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 21 – at Newark, 7

Oct. 29 – Concord, 10:30 a.m.

Nov. 5 – at William Penn, 2:30

Nov. 12 – Red Lion Christian, 10:30 a.m.

CHRISTIANA

Sept. 9 – Conrad, 4

Sept. 17 – at Hodgson, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 24 – Red Lion Christian, 11 a.m.

Oct. 1 – at Brandywine, noon

Oct. 8 – at Tatnall, noon

Oct. 15 – Glasgow, 10:45 a.m.

Oct. 20 – at Howard (Baynard Stadium), 7

Oct. 29 – Dickinson, 11 a.m.

Nov. 5 – at St. Georges, 10:30 a.m.

Nov. 12 – McKean, 11 a.m.

CONCORD

Sept. 10 – Caravel, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 17 – A.I. du Pont, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 24 – at Mount Pleasant, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 1 – Appoquinimink, 2

Oct. 7 – at Newark, 7

Oct. 15 – at Salesianum (Baynard Stadium), 7:30

Oct. 22 – William Penn, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 29 – at Charter of Wilmington, 10:30 a.m.

Nov. 5 – Delcastle, 10:30 a.m.

Nov. 11 – at Middletown, 7:30

CONRAD

Sept. 9 – at Christiana, 4

Sept. 17 – Dickinson, 11 a.m.

Sept. 23 – at St. Elizabeth (Baynard Stadium), 7

Sept. 30 – at Milford, 7:30

Oct. 8 – St. Andrew’s, 11 a.m.

Oct. 15 – McKean, 11 a.m.

Oct. 22 – Archmere, 11 a.m.

Oct. 28 – at Tower Hill, 7

Nov. 5 – Tatnall, 11 a.m.

Nov. 12 – at Del. Military Academy (Baynard Stadium), noon

DEL. MILITARY ACADEMY

(Home games at Baynard Stadium)

Sept. 10 – Charter of Wilmington, noon

Sept. 16 – at Milford, 7:30

Sept. 23 – at Tower Hill, 7

Oct. 1 – St. Elizabeth (Delaware Stadium), 7

Oct. 7 – St. Mark’s, 7

Oct. 14 – at Polytech, 7:30

Oct. 21 – at Red Lion Christian, 7

Oct. 29 – Laurel, 7

Nov. 5 – at Archmere, 2

Nov. 12 – Conrad, noon

DELCASTLE

Sept. 10 – Smyrna, 11 a.m.

Sept. 17 – at Charter of Wilmington, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 23 – at Polytech, 7:30

Oct. 1 – Middletown, 11 a.m.

Oct. 7 – at A.I. du Pont, 7

Oct. 14 – Mount Pleasant, 4

Oct. 21 – at Appoquinimink, 7

Oct. 29 – Newark, 11 a.m.

Nov. 5 – at Concord, 10:30 a.m.

Nov. 12 – William Penn, 11 a.m.

DELMAR

Sept. 9 – at Smithsburg (Md.), 7

Sept. 16 – St. Mary’s (Md.), 7:30

Sept. 23 – at Caravel, 7

Sept. 30 – Laurel, 7:30

Oct. 8 – Lake Forest, 1:30

Oct. 15 – at Archmere, noon

Oct. 21 – at Seaford, 7

Oct. 28 – Indian River, 7:30

Nov. 4 – at Milford, 7:30

Nov. 11 – at Woodbridge, 7

DICKINSON

Sept. 9 – Tatnall, 7

Sept. 17 – at Conrad, 11 a.m.

Sept. 24 – at St. Georges, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 1 – at McKean (Delaware Stadium), 1

Oct. 7 – Hodgson, 7

Oct. 14 – at St. Elizabeth, 7

Oct. 21 – Brandywine, 7

Oct. 29 – at Christiana, 11 a.m.

Nov. 4 – Glasgow, 7

Nov. 10 – at Howard (Baynard Stadium), 7

DOVER

Sept. 9 – at Woodbridge, 7

Sept. 16 – at Baltimore Poly (Md.), 6

Sept. 23 – Lake Forest, 7

Sept. 30 – at Smyrna, 7

Oct. 7 – at Polytech, 7

Oct. 14 – Cape Henlopen, 7

Oct. 21 – Salesianum, 7

Oct. 28 – Sussex Tech, 7

Nov. 4 – at Sussex Central, 7

Nov. 11 – Caesar Rodney, 7

GLASGOW

Sept. 9 – at Seaford, 7

Sept. 16 – at McKean, 7

Sept. 23 – Hodgson, 7

Sept. 30 – Newark, 7

Oct. 7 – Brandywine, 7

Oct. 15 – at Christiana, 10:45 a.m.

Oct. 21 – at Lake Forest, 7

Oct. 28 – Howard, 7

Nov. 4 – at Dickinson, 7

Nov. 11 – St. Georges, 7

HODGSON

Sept. 10 – Lake Forest, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 17 – Christiana, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 23 – at Glasgow, 7

Oct. 1 – Howard, 2

Oct. 7 – at Dickinson, 7

Oct. 15 – St. Georges, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 21 – at McKean, 7

Oct. 29 – St. Mark’s, 11 a.m.

Nov. 4 – at Caravel, 7

Nov. 12 – at Brandywine, 10:30 a.m.

HOWARD

(Home games at Baynard Stadium)

Sept. 10 – at Archmere, 2

Sept. 17 – at St. Georges, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 24 – McKean, 7

Oct. 1 – at Hodgson, 2

Oct. 8 – Smyrna, 7

Oct. 15 – at Brandywine, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 20 – Christiana, 7

Oct. 28 – at Glasgow, 7

Nov. 4 – Mount Pleasant, 7

Nov. 10 – Dickinson, 7

INDIAN RIVER

Sept. 9 – Linganore (Md.), 7

Sept. 16 – at Sussex Tech, 7

Sept. 23 – Cape Henlopen, 7

Sept. 30 – at Seaford, 7

Oct. 7 – Laurel, 7

Oct. 14 – at Milford, 7:30

Oct. 21 – Woodbridge, 7

Oct. 28 – at Delmar, 7:30

Nov. 4 – Lake Forest, 7

Nov. 11 – at Sussex Central, 7

LAKE FOREST

Sept. 10 – at Hodgson, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 16 – at St. Mark’s, 7:30

Sept. 23 – at Dover, 7

Sept. 30 – Woodbridge, 7

Oct. 8 – at Delmar, 1:30

Oct. 14 – at Laurel, 7

Oct. 21 – Glasgow, 7

Oct. 29 – Seaford, noon

Nov. 4 – at Indian River, 7

Nov. 11 – Milford, 7

LAUREL

Sept. 9 – Sussex Central, 7

Sept. 16 – St. Elizabeth, 7

Sept. 23 – Sussex Tech, 7

Sept. 30 – at Delmar, 7:30

Oct. 7 – at Indian River, 7

Oct. 14 – Lake Forest, 7

Oct. 21 – at Milford, 7:30

Oct. 29 – at Del. Military Academy (Baynard Stadium), 7

Nov. 5 – Woodbridge, 1

Nov. 11 – Seaford, 7

McKEAN

Sept. 8 – at St. Elizabeth (Baynard Stadium), 7

Sept. 16 – Glasgow, 7

Sept. 24 – at Howard (Baynard Stadium), 7

Oct. 1 – Dickinson (Delaware Stadium), 1

Oct. 8 – at St. Georges, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 15 – at Conrad, 11 a.m.

Oct. 21 – Hodgson, 7

Oct. 28 – Tatnall, 7

Nov. 4 – Brandywine, 7

Nov. 12 – at Christiana, 11 a.m.

MIDDLETOWN

Sept. 9 – Caesar Rodney, 7:30

Sept. 17 – at William Penn, 1

Sept. 23 – Charter of Wilmington, 7:30

Oct. 1 – at Delcastle, 11 a.m.

Oct. 7 – Salesianum, 7:30

Oct. 14 – A.I. du Pont, 7:30

Oct. 22 – at Mount Pleasant, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 28 – at Appoquinimink, 7

Nov. 4 – at Newark, 7

Nov. 11 – Concord, 7:30

MILFORD

Sept. 9 – at Red Lion Christian, 7:30

Sept. 16 – Del. Military Academy, 7:30

Sept. 30 – Conrad, 7:30

Oct. 7 – at Seaford, 7

Oct. 14 – Indian River, 7:30

Oct. 21 – Laurel, 7:30

Oct. 28 – at Woodbridge, 7

Nov. 4 – Delmar, 7:30

Nov. 11 – at Lake Forest, 7

MOUNT PLEASANT

Sept. 10 – Brandywine, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 16 – at Newark, 7

Sept. 24 – Concord, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 30 – at William Penn, 7:15

Oct. 8 – Charter of Wilmington, noon

Oct. 14 – at Delcastle, 4

Oct. 22 – Middletown, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 28 – at A.I. du Pont, 7

Nov. 4 – at Howard (Baynard Stadium), 7

Nov. 12 – Appoquinimink, 10:30 a.m.

NEWARK

Sept. 9 – St. Mark’s, 7

Sept. 16 – Mount Pleasant, 7

Sept. 23 – at Appoquinimink, 7

Sept. 30 – at Glasgow, 7

Oct. 7 – Concord, 7

Oct. 15 – at William Penn, 1

Oct. 21 – Charter of Wilmington, 7

Oct. 29 – at Delcastle, 11 a.m.

Nov. 4 – Middletown, 7

Nov. 10 – at A.I. du Pont, 7

POLYTECH

Sept. 9 – Appoquinimink, 7:30

Sept. 16 – at Woodbridge, 7

Sept. 23 – Delcastle, 7:30

Sept. 30 – Cape Henlopen, 7

Oct. 7 – Dover, 7

Oct. 14 – Del. Military Academy, 7:30

Oct. 21 – at Sussex Tech, 7

Oct. 28 – Sussex Central, 7

Nov. 4 – at Caesar Rodney, 7

Nov. 11 – at Smyrna, 7

RED LION CHRISTIAN

Sept. 9 – Milford, 7:30

Sept. 16 – at St. Andrew’s, 4

Sept. 24 – at Christiana, 11 a.m.

Oct. 1 – at Wilmington Friends, 2

Oct. 7 – Tower Hill, 7

Oct. 15 – at Tatnall, 2

Oct. 21 – Del. Military Academy, 7

Oct. 28 – St. Elizabeth, 7

Nov. 4 – at Seaford, 7

Nov. 12 – at Charter of Wilmington, 10:30 a.m.

ST. ANDREW’S

Sept. 16 – Red Lion Christian, 4

Sept. 23 – at Seaford, 5

Oct. 1 – George School (Pa.), 3

Oct. 8 – at Conrad, 11 a.m.

Oct. 15 – at Ferris, 1

Oct. 22 – at Tower Hill, 6

Oct. 29 – Wilmington Friends, 2

Nov. 4 – Perkiomen School (Pa.), 3

Nov. 12 – at Tatnall, 1

ST. ELIZABETH

(Home games at Baynard Stadium)

Sept. 8 – McKean, 7

Sept. 16 – at Laurel, 7

Sept. 23 – Conrad, 7

Oct. 1 – at Del. Military Academy (Delaware Stadium), 7

Oct. 8 – Wilmington Friends, 2

Oct. 14 – Dickinson, 7

Oct. 21 – at A.I. du Pont, 7

Oct. 28 – at Red Lion Christian, 7

Nov. 4 – at St. Mark’s, 7

Nov. 12 – Archmere, 7

ST. GEORGES

Sept. 9 – William Penn (at Caravel), 7:30

Sept. 17 – Howard, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 24 – Dickinson, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 30 – at Caesar Rodney, 7

Oct. 8 – McKean, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 15 – at Hodgson, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 21 – at St. Mark’s, 7

Oct. 29 – at Brandywine, 10:30 a.m.

Nov. 5 – Christiana, 10:30 a.m.

Nov. 11 – at Glasgow, 7

ST. MARK’S

Sept. 9 – at Newark, 7

Sept. 16 – Lake Forest, 7:30

Sept. 24 – at Brandywine, 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 30 – Archmere, 7

Oct. 7 – at Del. Military Academy (Baynard Stadium), 7

Oct. 14 – Caravel, 7

Oct. 21 – St. Georges, 7

Oct. 29 – at Hodgson, 11 a.m.

Nov. 4 – St. Elizabeth, 7

Nov. 11 – at Salesianum (Baynard Stadium), 7:30

SALESIANUM

(Home games on Baynard Stadium)

Sept. 9 – Father Judge (Pa.), 7:30

Sept. 16 – Caesar Rodney, 7:30

Sept. 23 – at Smyrna, 7

Sept. 30 – at Caravel, 7

Oct. 7 – at Middletown, 7:30

Oct. 15 – Concord, 7:30

Oct. 21 – at Dover, 7

Oct. 28 – William Penn, 7:30

Nov. 3 – Sussex Tech, 6

Nov. 11 – St. Mark’s, 7:30

SEAFORD

Sept. 9 – Glasgow, 7

Sept. 16 – Cambridge-S. Dorchester (Md.), 7

Sept. 23 – St. Andrew’s, 5

Sept. 30 – Indian River, 7

Oct. 7 – Milford, 7

Oct. 14 – at Woodbridge, 7

Oct. 21 – Delmar, 7

Oct. 29 – at Lake Forest, noon

Nov. 4 – Red Lion Christian, 7

Nov. 11 – at Laurel, 7

SMYRNA

Sept. 10 – at Delcastle, 11 a.m.

Sept. 16 – Appoquinimink, 7

Sept. 23 – Salesianum, 7

Sept. 30 – Dover, 7

Oct. 8 – at Howard (Baynard Stadium), 7

Oct. 14 – at Sussex Tech, 7

Oct. 22 – at Sussex Central, 1

Oct. 28 – Caesar Rodney, 7

Nov. 4 – at Cape Henlopen, 7

Nov. 11 – Polytech, 7

SUSSEX CENTRAL

Sept. 9 – at Laurel, 7

Sept. 16 – Interboro (Pa.), 7

Sept. 23 – Queen Anne’s Co. (Md.), 7

Sept. 30 – at Sussex Tech, 7

Oct. 7 – at Cape Henlopen, 7

Oct. 14 – Caesar Rodney, 7

Oct. 22 – Smyrna, 1

Oct. 28 – at Polytech, 7

Nov. 4 – Dover, 7

Nov. 11 – Indian River, 7

SUSSEX TECH

Sept. 8 – A.I. du Pont, 7

Sept. 16 – Indian River, 7

Sept. 23 – at Laurel, 7

Sept. 30 – Sussex Central, 7

Oct. 7 – at Caesar Rodney, 7

Oct. 14 – Smyrna, 7

Oct. 21 – Polytech, 7

Oct. 28 – at Dover, 7

Nov. 3 – at Salesianum (Baynard Stadium)

Nov. 11 – at Cape Henlopen, 7

TATNALL

Sept. 9 – at Dickinson, 7

Sept. 16 – at Harford Tech (Md.), 7

Sept. 24 – Archmere, noon

Sept. 30 – Tower Hill, 7

Oct. 8 – Christiana, noon

Oct. 15 – Red Lion Christian, 2

Oct. 22 – at Wilmington Friends, 2:30

Oct. 28 – at McKean, 7

Nov. 5 – at Conrad, 11 a.m.

Nov. 12 – St. Andrew’s, 1

TOWER HILL

Sept. 9 – Harford Tech (Md.), 7

Sept. 16 – Perkiomen School (Pa.), 6:30

Sept. 23 – Del. Military Academy, 7

Sept. 30 – at Tatnall, 7

Oct. 7 – at Red Lion Christian, 7

Oct. 14 – George School (Pa.), 7

Oct. 22 – St. Andrew’s, 6

Oct. 28 – Conrad, 7

Nov. 12 – at Wilmington Friends, 2

WILLIAM PENN

Sept. 9 – St. Georges (at Caravel), 7:30

Sept. 17 – Middletown, 1

Sept. 23 – at A.I. du Pont, 7

Sept. 30 – Mount Pleasant, 7:15

Oct. 7 – at Appoquinimink, 7

Oct. 15 – Newark, 1

Oct. 22 – at Concord, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 28 – at Salesianum (Baynard Stadium), 7:30

Nov. 5 – Charter of Wilmington, 2:30

Nov. 12 – at Delcastle, 11 a.m.

WILMINGTON FRIENDS

Sept. 10 – Perryville (Md.), 2

Sept. 17 – at Academy of New Church (Pa.), 2

Sept. 23 – at Woodbridge, 7

Oct. 1 – Red Lion Christian, 2

Oct. 8 – at St. Elizabeth (Baynard Stadium), 2

Oct. 15 – at Bishop McDevitt (Pa.), 1

Oct. 22 – Tatnall, 2:30

Oct. 29 – at St. Andrew’s, 2

Nov. 5 – Morrisville (Pa.), 2

Nov. 12 – Tower Hill, 2

WOODBRIDGE

Sept. 9 – Dover, 7

Sept. 16 – Polytech, 7

Sept. 23 – Wilmington Friends, 7

Sept. 30 – at Lake Forest, 7

Oct. 7 – at St. John Paul Catholic (Va.), 7:30

Oct. 14 – Seaford, 7

Oct. 21 – at Indian River, 7

Oct. 28 – Milford, 7

Nov. 5 – at Laurel, 1

Nov. 11 – Delmar, 7

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ.

Senior quarterback Jacob Hudson leads a Delaware Military Academy team that expects to contend for the Division II state championship.

ARCHMERE

COACH: John Bellace

LAST YEAR: 6-4

RETURNING STARTERS: RB-LB Patrick Udovich, sr.; OL-DL Kevin Olsen, sr.; OL-LB P.J. Wicks, sr.; WR-DB-K-P Mark Dombroski, sr.; OL Connor Ruggieri, jr.; RB-LB Daniel Bark, jr.; DL Michael Devine, jr.; DL Anthony Soscia, jr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: QB Joseph DeGregorio, jr.; CB David Dewees, jr.; WR Dominic Cipriano, jr.; TE-DL Mitch Moyer, so.; WR-DB Austin Marvel, sr.; LB-TE Zane Fracek, so.; OL-LB Ryan Whelan, jr.; FB-DB Patrick McVey, sr.

OUTLOOK: The Auks won their last five games last season, and have enough returning talent to keep it rolling.

CARAVEL

COACH: John Reed

LAST YEAR: 3-6

RETURNING STARTERS: OL-DL Jake Reed, sr.; OL-LB Keith Medley, sr.; OL-DL Curtis Linton, sr.; OL-DL Damon Callis, sr.; OL-DL Jared Vicari, sr.; TE-DE Magnus Wamble, sr.; K Maverick Jackson, sr.; DB-RB Nick Jones, sr.; LB Brandon Hoeflinger, sr.; DB-RB Mandella Montgomery, jr.; RB-DB Josiah Larkins, jr.; LB-FB Jake Laznik, jr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: TE-LB Matt Bowe, jr.; DB-RB Juwain Grainger, jr.; QB Alex Barker, jr.; WR-DE Noah Taylor, sr.

OUTLOOK: The Buccaneers are a year bigger, stronger and faster, and some key transfers could help them back into the Division II title picture.

CONRAD

COACH: Bob Wolford

LAST YEAR: 6-4

RETURNING STARTERS: RB-OLB Elijah Walton, sr.; OT-DE Billy Baldwin, sr.; C Jake Brown, sr.; G-NT Chris DeAngelo, sr.; WR Tim Metzler, sr.; WR-FS Amere Park-Brown, sr.; TE-LB Lawrence Brown, jr.; DE Mike Shields, jr.

OUTLOOK: The Redskins have improved their record in each of the last three seasons, but another advance may be difficult.

DELAWARE MILITARY ACADEMY

COACH: Michael Ryan

LAST YEAR: 9-2, lost in first round of Division II playoffs

RETURNING STARTERS: QB-DB Jacob Hudson, sr.; LB-TE Marcus Brooks, sr.; LB-TE Brennan Hazewski, sr.; OL-DL T.J. Thomas, jr.; OL-DL Brandon Kessler, jr.; OL-DL Hunter Balback, sr.; WR-LB JahMere Oakley, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: RB-LB Todd Turner, sr.; RB-WR Corahn Alleyne, so.; OL-LB Alex Martin, sr.; TE-LB Nick Renaud, jr.

OUTLOOK: The Seahawks continue to knock on the door in Division II. This could be the year it opens.

RED LION CHRISTIAN

COACH: Paul Robinson

LAST YEAR: 2-8

RETURNING STARTERS: FB-LB Jake Pancake, so.; DE-RB Dashaun Cain, jr.; S-WR Daniel McNeil, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: QB Colin Pargoe, fr.; S-RB Derek Pusey, fr.; DL-C Nathan Remick, fr.; LB Ethan Heddinger, fr.; DB-RB Ja Haygood, fr.; OL-DL Sam McGarvey, fr.; DL-OL Nasir Parks, fr.; DL-OL Evan Posey, fr.; DE-OL Clayton Andrews, so.; DB-RB Zahmir Murray, fr.; DB-RB Shaelin Nixon, jr.; LB-RB Aaron Fieger, fr.; LB-TE Isaiah Taylor, so.; DB Julian DeJesus, fr.; LB Donald Solomon, fr.; DE Josiah Kenion, so.

OUTLOOK: Should be a learning year for the Lions, with freshmen gaining experience in some key positions.

ST. ANDREW’S

COACH: Patrick Moffitt

LAST YEAR: 0-9

RETURNING STARTERS: LB Ryan Godfrey, so.; DL Alec Maloney, sr.; OL-LB Jaryd Jones, sr.; OL Avi Veluchamy, sr.; TE-K John Paris, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: WR-DB Izzy Stennett, jr.; RB-DB Barr Flinn, fr.; WR-DE Jordan Drew, fr.; RB-LB Alex Stoleson, so.; TE-OL-LB Adrian Watts, fr.; OL-DL Kevin Sun, so.; WR-DB Lamar Duncan, fr.

OUTLOOK: The Saints can only go up from last season.

ST. ELIZABETH

COACH: Joe Aviola

LAST YEAR: 4-6

RETURNING STARTERS: OL-DL Mickey Henry, sr.; TE-LB Dave Hazelton, sr.; OL-DE Tom Shields, sr.; RB-DB Mike Wilson, sr.; RB-DE Kellen Sweeney, sr.; OL-DL A.J. Holliday, sr.; QB-DB Casey Rock, jr.; RB-LB Chris Cropper, jr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: OL-DL Nick Kindbeiter, so.; WR-RB-DB Cameron Ross, so.; RB-DB T.J. Butler, fr.; WR-DB De’Quez Walker, fr.

OUTLOOK: The Vikings have enough returnees to take a major step forward, maybe even into Division II title contention.

ST. MARK’S

COACH: John Wilson

LAST YEAR: 4-6

RETURNING STARTERS: QB Billy Sullivan, sr.; TE-DE David Balint, sr.; DB-WR Austin Colmery, sr.; LB-G A.J. McGonigle, sr.; DE-G Will Hoffman, jr.; FB-LB Dom Catalano, jr.; K Chris Ludman, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: OL Kip Suarez, sr.; NG Aran Porte, sr.; OL-DL Joey Cartwright, so.; DB-WR Mikkel LaFleur, jr.; RB-DB Ian Noonan, jr.; DB-WR Matt Tynes, jr.; DB-WR Matt Dougherty, jr.; LB-DB Max Palmer, sr.; OL Ryan Barber, sr.; OL-DL Tyler Westergard, so.; OL-DL Kevin Tobin, so.; RB-DB Andrew Watkins, fr.; WR-DB Ryan DuPlusis, so.; WR-DB Jeremy Vogel, sr.; QB Jelani Bryant, so.; DL-G Tyler Shields, jr.; DB Carter Benham, so.

OUTLOOK: Injuries and four very close losses made for a frustrating season last year. The Spartans’ second season in Division II should be better.

SALESIANUM

COACH: Bill DiNardo

LAST YEAR: 10-2, lost in DIAA Division I championship game

RETURNING STARTERS: OT Randy Sinott, sr.; G-NG Zeb Wright, sr.; C Sean Keating, sr.; OT Dom Marra, jr.; TE-LB Josh Patrick, sr.; FB-LB Peyton Mullin, sr.; LB Bill Stradley, sr.; SE-DB Mike Drake, sr.; DB John Andreoli, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: G Josh Williams, sr.; SE-DB Desmond Bagley, jr.; SB Michael DiNardo, jr.; SB-DB Jack Hahn, jr.; RB Nick Merlino, jr.; RB Liam Mulvena, sr.; RB-DB Carson Salvo, jr.; G John Cohill, jr.; TE-DE Brandon Crkvenac, jr.; DE Casey Spink, jr.; NG Bill Vanneman, sr.

OUTLOOK: The Sals are unproven at the skill positions, but a huge, experienced offensive line should pave the way for another D-I title run.

TATNALL

COACH: Jody Russell

LAST YEAR: 6-4

RETURNING STARTERS: OT-DE Karl Holler, sr.; RB-DB Sam Ragland, sr.; WR-FS Cam Easton, sr.; TE-LB Oliver Campbell, sr.; WR-CR Jared Duncan, jr.; G-LB Robb Dehney, sr.; G-LB Tucker Hunter, sr.; SS-WR Jordan Edwards, sr.; DT-OL Isaiah Jones, sr.; DE-OT Abdul Ogembe, sr.; CB-RB Sulaiman Saunders, sr.; C-LB Malcolm Godshall, sr.; DB-QB Alex Browning, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: QB Carl Marvin, jr.; TE-LB Dan Murphy, sr.; K-WR-DB Matt Maloy, sr.

OUTLOOK: The Hornets earned their first winning season in four years, and expect to improve even more with most of the starters returning.

TOWER HILL

COACH: Kevin Waesco

LAST YEAR: 7-3, lost in first round of DIAA Division II playoffs

RETURNING STARTERS: RB-LB Anthony Falco, sr.; RB-LB Harry Quimby, sr.; OL-DL Tej Vaddi, sr.; WR-DB Johnathan Sobieski, sr.; RB-LB Michael Gallagher, sr.; TE-DL Richard Carroon, sr.; OL-DL Matt Rovner, sr.; OL-DL Charlie Quimby, sr.; OL-DL Luke Frietze, jr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: RB-DB Kai Glover, sr.; RB-LB Ben Katz, jr.; RB-DB Bryson Boyd, jr.; RB-LB Aidan Hickey, jr.; TE-LB Philip Nickel, jr.; OL-DL Kam Inguito, jr.; OL-DL Rory Britt, jr.; OL-DL Justin Sharpe, jr.; WR-DB Alex Jenkins, jr.; TE-LB William Borda, jr.; OL-LB Jake Falco, so.; WR-LB Dylan Nitsche, so.; RB-DB Michael Gianforcaro, so.; WR-DB Brian Brown, so.; RB-DB D.J. Scott, so.; WR-DB Abhishek Raval, so.; WR-DB Kyle Motley, so.; RB-LB Ty Gates, so.; TE-DL Joseph Millman, so.; TE-DL John DeSantis, so.; OL-LB Anand Raju, so.; OL-DL Jake Myrick, so.; OL-DL Case Rohrbacher, so.; OL-DL Gui Trindade, so.; RB-DB Kyle Motley, so.; TE-DE Joe Millman, so.

OUTLOOK: The Hillers have made three straight playoff appearances, and have enough experienced returnees to do it again.

WILMINGTON FRIENDS

COACH: Bob Tattersall

LAST YEAR: 10-2, lost in semifinals of DIAA Division II playoffs

RETURNING STARTERS: QB-S Justin Beneck, sr.; HB-LB Henry Gise, sr.; DB-WR Devonte Church, sr.; FB-LB Andrew Jaworski, sr.; G Christopher Wallace, sr.; C Jason Saville, jr.; G Dalton Ramsey, jr.; OT Sean Cochran, sr.; DT Daniel Adebi, jr.; OT Matthew Denney, sr.; DT Josh Payne, so.

KEY NEWCOMERS: S-WR Quentin McAbee, so.; WR Greg Smith, sr.; HB-CB Owen Sheppard, sr.; RB-S Peyton McNeill, so.; LB Jeffrey McAbee, jr.; DE Michael Coons, jr.

OUTLOOK: The Quakers have lost close D-II playoff semifinal games the last two years. With several key returnees, Friends should be a title contender again.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ

Justin Beneck (7) returns for his third season as the starting quarterback at Wilmington Friends. The Quakers have reached the DIAA Division II semifinals in each of the last two years.

Bob Tattersall, entering his 49th season on the sideline at Wilmington Friends, didn’t get to be Delaware’s all-time leader in high school football coaching wins by looking ahead.

“Each season is so different,” Tattersall said Friday. “Play your games, don’t talk about what’s down the road, and see what happens.”

The Quakers are about to see what happens in 2016, and it will likely be another successful year. Wilmington Friends reached the semifinals of the DIAA Division II playoffs the last two seasons, and has enough talent and experience to contend again.

It all starts with senior quarterback Justin Beneck, who is 20-3 as the Quakers’ starter over the past two years.

“He’s very solid,” Tattersall said. “We don’t throw the ball 30 times a game, but he’s very capable. He’s a running threat and a passing threat.”

Friends also returns halfback-linebacker Henry Gise, who has the versatility to be a factor all over the field.

“The problem we have with Gise is he’s one of our best runners, he’s one of our best blockers and he’s one of our best receivers,” Tattersall said. “Unfortunately, there’s only one of him. Where do you want him?”

Senior FB-LB Andrew Jaworski, who has committed to Colgate, will anchor the middle on both sides. And linemen Christopher Wallace, Jason Saville, Sean Cochran, Daniel Abedi, Matthew Denney and Josh Payne provide strength and experience up front.

But Friends could receive a major challenge from two others in the four-team Independent Conference.

TATNALL went 6-4 last year, its first winning season in four years, and just about all of the Hornets return. They should be especially explosive on offensive behind 1,500-yard rusher Sam Ragland, WR Cam Easton and TE Oliver Campbell.

TOWER HILL made its third straight D-II playoff appearance last season, and the Hillers have plenty of firepower coming back. RBs Anthony Falco, Harry Quimby and Michael Gallagher should keep their unique single-wing attack churning out the first downs.

ST. ANDREW’S struggled through an 0-9 season last year, but LBs Ryan Godfrey and Jaryd Jones and linemen Alec Maloney and Avi Veluchamy are coming back determined to improve.

Among the state’s nonconference teams, ARCHMERE has some momentum after closing last season on a five-game winning streak. RBs Patrick Udovich and Daniel Bark and linemen Kevin Olsen, Connor Reggieri, Michael Devine and Anthony Soscia will try to pick up where the Auks left off.

CARAVEL went through a rare down season at 3-6 last year, but just about all of the Buccaneers are back. Junior QB Alex Barker leads a few key transfers from Eastern Christian Academy that could provide an even bigger boost, but a schedule loaded with four Division I opponents (Concord, Elkton (Md.), Salesianum and Cape Henlopen) could pose some major hurdles.

CONRAD continues to improve, going from 1-9 to 3-7 to 5-5 to 6-4 over the last four years. RB Elijah Walton and linemen Billy Baldwin, Jake Brown, Chris DeAngelo and Mike Shields are among the returnees looking to take another step up.

DELAWARE MILITARY ACADEMY has established itself as a perennial Division II playoff contender. Three-year starting QB Jacob Hudson and LBs Marcus Brooks and Brennan Hazewski are among a stout group of Seahawks that expects to make a major postseason push.

RED LION CHRISTIAN returned to varsity football for the first time in three years last season. The Lions managed to win two games, but will have freshmen playing many key roles this year. FB-LB Jake Pancake, DE-RB Dashaun Cain and S-WR Daniel McNeil are the only returning starters.

ST. ELIZABETH showed major improvement with the midseason addition of transfer Mickey Henry, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound two-way lineman who has committed to the University of Delaware. Henry returns to open holes for talented junior RB Chris Cropper, making the Vikings a D-II playoff contender.

Four of ST. MARK’S losses came by a total of 12 points last season, leaving the Spartans to believe a major turnaround is possible in their second season in Division II. QB Billy Sullivan, TE-DE David Balint and DB-WR Austin Colmery will be among the returnees trying to make it happen.

SALESIANUM lost the Division I state championship game in overtime last season, so the Sals have plenty of motivation. Randy Sinnott, Zeb Wright, Sean Keating, Dom Marra and Josh Patrick return to form perhaps the state’s best offensive line. LBs Peyton Mullin and Bill Stradley and DBs Mike Drake and John Andreoli return on the defense as Sallies gears up for what should be another successful season.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ.

DELMAR

COACH: David Hearn

LAST YEAR: 1-9

RETURNING STARTERS: QB-DB Jimmy Adkins, sr.; RB-LB Brooks Parker, jr.; RB-LB Isaac Austin, sr.; SE-DE Nick Davis, jr.; RB-DB Destin Ryder, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: C-DT Kelly Duffy, jr.; G-DE Patrick Spence, jr.; OT-DT Nate Gaines, jr.; QB-DB A.J. Angelo, so.; OT-DT Will Johns, jr.; RB-LB Te’Shawn Dennard, so.; G-DT Maguire Free, so.; RB-DB Trey Parsons, so.; OT-DT Zach Pasta, so.; RB-DB Dakarai Beasley, fr.; RB-DB Khalik Beasley, fr.; SE-LB Ryan Nelson, fr.; OT-DT Chris Elliott, fr.; RB-LB Hunter von Arx, fr.; QB-LB Jacob von Arx, fr.

OUTLOOK: Last year was a nightmare filled with close, heartbreaking losses for the six-time Division II state champs. The Wildcats wouldn’t have to improve a lot to launch a major turnaround.

INDIAN RIVER

COACH: Phillip Townsend

LAST YEAR: 4-6

RETURNING STARTERS: RB-DB George Martin, sr.; RB-DB Gerald Foreman, sr.; TE-LB Gianni Gottschalk, sr.; DL-OL Michael Cedeno, sr.; OL-LB Zion Howard, sr.; OL-DL Griffin McCormick, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: RB-LB Joseph Ciriello, sr.; QB-DB JaVonta Briddell, sr.; OL-DL Michael Corcoran, jr.; RB-DB Reshawn Turner, so.; RB-LB Jacob Anderson, so.; QB-DB Brandon Hoffman, jr.; OL-DL Cortez Tull, jr.; RB-DB Kevin Custis, fr.

OUTLOOK: The schedule once again won’t do any favors for the Indians, who will certainly be battle tested heading into conference play.

LAKE FOREST

COACH: Freddie Johnson

LAST YEAR: 8-3, lost in first round of DIAA Division II playoffs

RETURNING STARTERS: WR-OLB Cameron Lewis, sr.; FB Elle Harden, jr.; OL-DL Jordan Springer, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: QB Xavier Daniels, jr.; OL-DL Michael Ayers, sr.; LB-TE Kobe Mumford, jr.; RB-DB Ondre Sheppard, sr.; LB-RB Christian Harris, sr.; DB-LB Nick Lane, jr.; DL-OL Michael Galloway, so.; LB-DL Matt Maloney, so.; OL-DL Blake Thompson, jr.; WR-DB Jaylyn Farlow, sr.; OL-LB Jeff Allaband, so.

OUTLOOK: The two-time defending Henlopen South champions have won 15 straight conference games. But with only three returning starters, that streak may be in serious jeopardy.

LAUREL

COACH: Eston Ennis

LAST YEAR: 3-7

RETURNING STARTERS: QB-DB Perez Nichols, sr.; FB-LB Mike Handy, jr.; HB-CB Deon Parker, sr.; TE Skyler Chaffinch, sr.; C-DE Dalton Wood, sr.; G-DT Antonio Johnson, sr.; OT-DT Andrew Risper, jr.; SE-DB A.J. Straughn, jr.; HB-DB Donnell Briddell, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: DE-TE Ra’Sheed Deshields, so.; FB-LB Ra’Mier Deshields, so.; HB-LB Yolnex Gustin, sr.; OT-DT Khashad Gillespie, so.; G-DT Preston Gravenor, jr.; HB-LB Zion St. Jean, so.; SE-DB Michell Moyer, sr.; SE-DB Brandon Faulk, jr.; SE-LB Eric Pilot, jr.; LB-FB Tywone Straughn, so.

OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs dipped last season after reaching the D-II championship game in 2014. Ennis has several experienced players to lean on in his first year at the helm.

Milford receiver Brion Murray (right) tries to shake off James Kane of Woodbridge after a catch last year.

MILFORD

COACH: Shaun Strickland

LAST YEAR: 6-4

RETURNING STARTERS: RB-DB David Bowman, jr.; FB-LB Dominyc Hovington, sr.; RB-DB Rashawn Price, so.; OL-DL Greg Clark, sr.; WR-DB Brion Murray, sr.; WR-DB Tyreke Benson, jr.; WR-DB Marcus Correa, sr.; TE-LB Ryan Jones, sr.; QB William Kimmel, sr.; OL-DL Thomas Eisenbrey, jr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: OL-DL Nick Carlino, sr.; OL-DL Garon Little, sr.; OL-DL Ethan Hurd, sr.; OL-DL Josh Snowden, jr.; WR-LB Kaje Reynolds, sr.

OUTLOOK: It’s a huge jump from 1-9 to 6-4, but the Buccaneers made it in Stickland’s inaugural season last year. And with most of the key players returning, even brighter days may be ahead.

WOODBRIDGE

COACH: Ed Manlove

LAST YEAR: 8-4, lost in DIAA Division II semifinals

RETURNING STARTERS: RB-DB Antwain Holden, jr.; OL-DL Shymere Vessels, sr.; RB-DB Terrique Riddick, sr.; TE-DL Blaize Rayford, sr.; RB-DE Leah Styles, sr.; OL-DL R.J. Thomas, sr.; OL-DL Zane Downing, sr.; QB Troy Haynes, so.; LB Brock Keeler, so.; FB-LB Jamon Kane, so.; LB Kemond Massey, so.; C Josh Propes, so.; RB-DB Richard Massey, so.; RB-DB Mike Brewer, jr.; RB-DB T.J. Kane, jr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: RB Gabe Wescott, so.; OL-DL Brian Ireland, sr.; FB-LB K.J. Mosley, jr.; RB-LB James Webb, sr.; OL-LB Jacob Webb, so.; OL-DL Tajere Nock, so.; TE-LB Corey Hastings, so.; RB-LB Hunter Blake, jr.

OUTLOOK: The Blue Raiders return most of the key pieces from a D-II semifinal team last year, making them a definite championship contender.

No information provided by Seaford.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ

Howard celebrates its 28-13 win over St. Georges in last year’s DIAA Division II championship game. The Wildcats start this season ranked No. 2 by The News Journal.

FOOTBALL

THE NEWS JOURNAL/DELAWAREONLINE RANKINGS

(Last year’s final ranking at end)

DIVISION I

1. Smyrna (12-1) 3

2. Salesianum (10-2) 1

3. Concord (6-4) 7

4. Middletown (9-3) 4

5. William Penn (9-2) 2

6. Sussex Central (6-4) 8

7. Sussex Tech (8-3) 5

8. Appoquinimink (5-5) 9

9. Cape Henlopen (5-4) 10

10. Mount Pleasant (7-4) 6

DIVISION II

1. Woodbridge (8-4) 7

2. Howard (10-3) 3

3. Caravel (3-6) NR

4. Del. Military Academy (9-2) 4

5. Wilmington Friends (9-2) 6

6. Milford (6-4) NR

7. Glasgow (5-5) NR

8. Archmere (6-4) 8

9. St. Elizabeth (4-6) NR

10. St. Mark’s (4-6) 9

FOX SPORTS 1290/DIFCA COACHES’ POLL

DIVISION I

1. Smyrna

2. Middletown

3. Salesianum

4. Concord

5. William Penn

6. Sussex Tech

7. Sussex Central

8. Appoquinimink

9. Cape Henlopen

10. Mount Pleasant

DIVISION II

1. Caravel

2. Woodbridge

3. St. Georges

4. Howard

5. Glasgow

6. Del. Military Academy

7. Hodgson

8. Wilmington Friends

9. Tatnall

10. St. Elizabeth

VOLLEYBALL

1. Del. Military Academy (20-0) 1

2. Ursuline (14-5) 4

3. Padua (14-5) 5

4. Archmere (16-3) 2

5. Wilmington Friends (13-3) 3

BOYS SOCCER

DIVISION I

1. Salesianum (14-3-1) 1

2. Charter of Wilmington (14-4) 3

3. Cape Henlopen (15-3) 4

4. Appoquinimink (15-2) 2

5. Caesar Rodney (11-5) NR

DIVISION II

1. Indian River (14-5) 1

2. Caravel (14-4) 3

3. St. Mark’s (10-7) NR

4. Archmere (11-7) NR

5. Del. Military Academy (13-4) 5

FIELD HOCKEY

1. Cape Henlopen (19-0) 1

2. Delmar (15-2-1) 2

3. Polytech (13-3) 3

4. Padua (14-2-1) 5

5. Wilmington Christian (16-2) 4

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: BradMyersTNJ

The Woodbridge football team is dealing with something new this season.

Expectations.

Sure, like everybody else, the Blue Raiders have always had high expectations. But now, for the first time, the rest of the Henlopen South expects a lot out of them, too.

So coach Ed Manlove is doing his best to deflect some of the heat.

“It’s not really pressure,” Manlove said. “The good thing is, we’ve never really achieved anything so there’s really no pressure there. We haven’t won the conference or anything like that.

“We’ve just got to stay focused. The pressure part, I say it’s still on Lake Forest because they’re the champs. They’ve got to be feeling it more than we do.”

Lake Forest has won 15 straight Henlopen South games, including a 9-7 victory over Woodbridge in the fourth week of the season that ultimately decided the conference title last year.

But this year, the Spartans return only three starters. The Blue Raiders have just about everybody back from a team that went 8-4 and reached the DIAA Division II semifinals. So it’s logical to believe Woodbridge is the conference favorite.

Among the returnees are second-team All-State DE Leah Styles, third-team All-State DT Shymere Vessels, 1,000-yard rusher Terrique Riddick and QB Troy Haynes, who started almost all of last season as a true freshman. And the Blue Raiders added Brian Ireland, a 6-foot-2, 296-pound two-way lineman who transferred from Florida for his senior season.

On top of all of that, Woodbridge will add a bunch of up-and-comers from a junior varsity team that won each of its six games by at least two touchdowns.

All the familiar faces have made it easier for the Blue Raiders to hit the ground running – or passing – during the preseason.

“We just picked up where we left off last year,” Manlove said. “We didn’t have to put in the plays and explain them. They already knew what was going on. That’s the good thing, right from the get-go we were pretty much ready to go.”

Of course, there will be plenty of contenders itching to knock them off. MILFORD will be looking to take another giant leap after improving from 1-9 in 2014 to 6-4 last season, and the Buccaneers have the pieces in place to do it. RB David Bowman is an explosive talent, FB-LB Dominyc Hovington will anchor the middle on both sides of the ball, and QB William Kimmel has two experience receiving targets in Brion Murray and Marcus Correa.

If there has ever been a team much better than its 1-9 record, it was DELMAR last season. The Wildcats lost two games by one point, one game by two points, lost to Caravel in overtime and fell to Lake Forest when the Spartans ran in a blocked field goal for a touchdown on the last play of the game. So a major improvement is possible behind QB Jimmy Adkins and RB-LBs Brooks Parker and Isaac Austin.

Two-time defending conference champion LAKE FOREST won’t go down easily. The Spartans went 4-1 in games decided by five points or less last season, but the only starters returning are WR-OLB Cameron Lewis, FB Elle Harden and two-way lineman Jordan Springer.

Eston Ennis has been hired as coach at LAUREL, which slipped to 3-7 last year after reaching the D-II championship game in 2014. The Bulldogs could launch a comeback behind several experienced returnees, including QB Perez Nichols, FB Mike Handy and HBs Deon Parker and Donnell Briddell.

A brutal nonconference schedule will make it tough on INDIAN RIVER, which meets Maryland power Linganore and Division I contenders Sussex Tech and Cape Henlopen in its first three games. The Indians return RBs George Martin and Gerald Foreman and three offensive linemen.

SEAFORD has been stuck at the bottom recently, winning only seven games over the last six years. Second-year coach Dwayne Henry will try to rally the Blue Jays in his second year.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ

Woodbridge High School football quarterback Troy Haynes warms up his throwing arm during practice.

Woodbridge High School football quarterback Troy Haynes warms up his throwing arm during practice.

Woodbridge High School football team stretches before practice.

Woodbridge High School football senior linemen Shymere Vessels runs linemen drills at practice.

Woodbridge High School football linemen Brian Ireland runs linemen drills at practice.

Woodbridge High School football linemen Brian Ireland runs linemen drills at practice.

Woodbridge High School football coach Ed Manlove during practice.

Woodbridge High School football coach Ed Manlove during practice.

Woodbridge High School football senior linemen Shymere Vessels runs linemen drills at practice.

Woodbridge football coach Ed Manlove knows the Blue Raiders could have a special season. Woodbridge starts the year ranked No. 1 in Division II by The News Journal

Who’s No. 1?

Preseason rankings don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Every high school football team in Delaware starts with a clean slate, a full chance to play its games, prove the doubters wrong and earn a postseason berth.

And once the playoffs start, your ranking (and seeding) don’t matter one bit. The last time the No. 1 playoff seeds won in both Division I and II was 2008, when Caesar Rodney and Milford swept the titles. Since then, only three top seeds out of 14 have won a state football championship.

But preseason rankings are great for selling newspapers and starting the season-long debate over who’s No. 1. Over the years, my preseason picks for No. 1 have done everything from win state titles to miss the playoffs. So it’s never wise to go into this thing thinking you have all the answers.

This year, we’re going with a no-brainer for No. 1 in Division I and going out on a limb a little in Division II. If both of them win, you read it here first.

There’s really no place for Smyrna to start other than No. 1 in Division I. The Eagles won the state title last year, and have much of that team back. Of the six returning first-team All-State players, three play for Smyrna – senior QB Nolan Henderson (3,297 passing yards, 36 TDs), junior RB Will Knight (2,015 rushing yards, 38 total TDs, 51 2-point conversions) and senior OT Jerren Carter.

Eagles coach Mike Judy knew the bull’s-eye was coming.

Delaware high school sports preseason rankings

“I welcome the target on our back,” Judy said. “All that does is make our kids better. It adds to the pressure, and our coaches are very good with coaching the kids to have a positive response to that.”

Smyrna improved from 2-8 in 2013 to 5-5 in Judy’s first season as head coach. Then the Eagles jumped to 12-1 and won the whole thing. They won’t take anyone by surprise this year.

“We fully understand that we’re going to be everybody’s Super Bowl,” Judy said. “I love it. I really do. It’s a great position to be in. I don’t look at it like there’s a lot of pressure on us.

“A lot of people were surprised that we won last year, and I still think some people thought it was a fluke. So we’re really playing with a chip on our shoulder, out to prove something again.”

Salesianum will start the season No. 2 in Division I, with plenty of motivation after losing to Smyrna 32-26 in overtime in last year’s title game. With first-team All-State tackle Randy Sinnott returning along with Zeb Wright, Sean Keating, Dom Marra and Josh Patrick, the Sals may have the state’s best offensive line.

And Sallies will have two chances at revenge in its first three games. The Sals open at home Friday against Father Judge of Philadelphia, which is already 2-0 this year and handed Salesianum its only regular-season loss last year. Then they host Caesar Rodney on Sept. 16 before traveling to Smyrna on Sept. 23 for the most-anticipated game of the 2016 season.

Blue Hen Flight A looks like an intense three-way battle. I’m starting the season with Concord ranked third, Middletown fourth and William Penn fifth, but you could put them in any order. We’ll get a good idea of how it will shake out in Week 2, as Middletown travels to William Penn on Sept. 17. Then the Colonials play at Concord on Oct. 22, and the Raiders travel to Middletown to close the regular season on Nov. 11.

Division II is wide open, as usual. The last four years, the Nos. 5, 7, 2 and 3 seeds won the state title, so being No. 1 may not be such a good thing.

When trying to come up with a top 10, I found at least 15 teams deserving of a ranking. But a trip to Woodbridge last week convinced me that the Blue Raiders should be the favorite to bring home the Henlopen South’s first state title since Indian River in 2011.

“Hopefully, we’ll take it in stride,” Woodbridge coach Ed Manlove said of his team’s approach. “They’ve been talking about it all year, everybody has. I think they’re kind of used to it. … Hopefully, if we can stay healthy it could be an exciting year for us.”

The Blue Raiders went 8-4 and reached the D-II semifinals last year. Second-team All-State DE Leah Styles, third-team All-State DT Shymere Vessels and 1,000-yard rusher Terrique Riddick are back. So is QB Troy Haynes, who started almost all of last season as a true freshman. And Brian Ireland, a 6-foot-2, 296-pound senior transfer from Florida, adds bulk to both lines.

Add in players stepping up from a junior varsity team that won every game by at least two touchdowns last season, and Woodbridge should be good. The Blue Raiders know it.

“They’re a lot more focused, because they know we have the potential to be very good,” Manlove said. “But they also know if you don’t go out there and play and respond to the pressure, it’s all for nothing.”

Nobody responded better than Howard last season, and the defending champs return enough pieces to start the year ranked No. 2. The Wildcats will be strong up front both ways, but must find an effective quarterback and running back.

No. 3 Caravel expects a major turnaround after last year’s 3-6 season. The Bucs lost only three starters, and add senior QB Alex Barker among other key transfers from Eastern Christian Academy.

But Caravel’s schedule is a major concern. The Bucs must tackle four Division I opponents – Concord, Elkton (Md.), Salesianum and Cape Henlopen – along with D-II contenders Archmere, St. Mark’s and Hodgson. If you’re looking for a team that could lose three or four games, grab a low playoff seed and run the table, Caravel could be the one.

Delaware Military Academy and Wilmington Friends have become consistent contenders, Milford and Glasgow have the ingredients to make a major jump, and Archmere, St. Elizabeth and St. Mark’s could wedge into the picture, too.

And I’m not even ranking St. Georges – Division II’s No. 1 seed the past four years – to start this season. The Hawks will be trying to prove me wrong, along with everybody else not named Smyrna or Woodbridge.

Buckle up. It’s going to be a wild ride.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ

Jake Kaiser (20) is one of several starters returning on the Smyrna defense. The Eagles start the season ranked No. 1 in Division I by The News Journal.

CAESAR RODNEY

COACH: Dan Candeloro

LAST YEAR: 2-8

RETURNING STARTERS:  QB Jared Wagenhoffer, jr.; Najee Whitted, sr.; Nhaighere Wills, sr.; Isaiah Washington, sr.; Kyle Satterfield, sr.; Julian Trammell, jr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Josh Windsor, jr.; Di’Mere Sudler, sr.; Brenden Holder, jr.; Kaleb Moseley, jr.

OUTLOOK: It was an uncharacteristically rough ride for the Riders, but as one of the state’s largest public schools they always have the numbers to bounce back.

CAPE HENLOPEN

COACH: Bill Collick

LAST YEAR: 5-4

RETURNING STARTERS: OLB-DB-RB Jerry Harden, sr.; OLB-DB-RB Rasheed Woods, sr.; QB-DB Dillon Adams, sr.; ILB-WR Zachary Dale, sr.; WR-DB Keith Mumford-Reed, sr.; RB-DB Robert Neall, sr.; RB-DB Ben Ashby, jr.; FB-DE Kolbi Wright, jr.; TE-ILB Corey Lawson, sr.; OL-DL Robert Mitchell, sr.; OL-DL Aarin Burton, jr.; OL-DL Jazo Lopez, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: OLB Malik Aiken, jr.; RB-DB Joseph Kirby, fr.; C Jacob Osbourne, jr.; OL-DL Damarcus Perry, jr.; OL-ILB Jonah Robertson, so.; OL-DL Tanner Virden, so.

OUTLOOK: The Vikings have plenty of skill returning. If the lines develop quickly Cape could blossom into a playoff contender.

DOVER

COACH: Rudy Simonetti

LAST YEAR: 4-6

RETURNING STARTERS: RB-WR-DB John Castro, sr.; OL-LB Lawrence Horsey, sr.; WR-DB Dwight Wilson, sr.; HB-DL Gavin Watson, sr.; RB-DB Jerry Warren, sr.; QB-LB Mike Williams, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: OL-DL Jerren Williams, jr.; OL-DL Naquan Peace, jr.; RB-DB Dalonzo Bouges, jr.; QB-LB Jordan Magee, so.; OL-DL Darnell Kelley, jr.; WR-DB Derico Cooper, jr.

OUTLOOK: New coach welcomes back loads of speed, but the Senators’ young linemen must come together quickly to lead any potential turnaround.

POLYTECH

COACH: Kevin Smith

LAST YEAR: 0-10

KEY RETURNEES: WR-DB A.J. Foster, jr.; QB-WR-OLB Zach Trabaudo, jr.; WR-DB Doug Reed, jr.; WR-DB Tucker Reed, jr.; WR-DB Hunter Poisson, sr.; RB-ILB Jacob Hadik, jr.; RB-OLB Mike Baker, jr.; OL-ILB Jacob Wandless, jr.; OL-DL Zach Lott, jr.; OL-DL Matthew Gordy, jr.; OL-DL Nate Thomas, jr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: RB-DB Donell Hooker, so.; RB-OLB Chris Gordon, jr.; TE-OLB Tyler Gilbert, jr.; QB-OLB Vincent Tascione, so.; WR-DB Darrel DeMoe, sr.; RB-DB Larry Benson, sr.; TE-ILB Matthew Chadwick, so.; WR-DB Zion Downing, jr.; RB-OLB Montrell Jones, so.; OL-ILB Chris Adams, so.; OL-DL Richard Grier, sr.; OL-DL Donald Fooks, sr.; RB-DB Jorden Verney, fr.; WR-DB D.J. Rawley, fr.

OUTLOOK: Smith returns after a one-year hiatus, a year that obviously didn’t go well for the Panthers. But Polytech was 4-6 his last year, so the potential for improvement is there.

SMYRNA

COACH: Mike Judy

LAST YEAR: 12-1, won DIAA Division I championship

RETURNING STARTERS: QB Nolan Henderson, sr.; RB Will Knight, jr.; OT Jerren Carter, sr.; G Robbie Robinson, jr.; DL Anthony Delre, jr.; DL Jameir Smith, sr.; DL Desmond Wilson, jr.; LB Eli Hutchinson, sr.; LB Josh Hutchinson, sr.; LB Diron Accoo, jr.; CB Jake Soroko, sr.; CB Jeremy D’Aguiar, jr.; S Jake Kaiser, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: RB-WR Leddie Brown, jr.; WR Stephen Whaley, so.; WR Emon Roberts, so.; WR Marcus Vass, jr.; C Ty-kee Moore, jr.; G Brent Young, jr.; DE Hunter Moyer, jr.; S Larsen Wilson, jr.; CB Caden Naylor, jr.; CB-RB Keshaun Tolbert, jr.; LB Darryl Williams, fr.

OUTLOOK: Division I’s preseason No. 1 team, for good reason. The Eagles are deep, fast and talented, and will be a handful for every opponent.

SUSSEX TECH

COACH: Mark Quillin

LAST YEAR: 8-3, lost in first round of DIAA Division I playoffs

RETURNING STARTERS: FB-LB Jordan Marvel, sr.; RB-DB Isaiah Brown, sr.; OL-DL Hunter Hardesty, sr.

KEY NEWCOMERS: QB Tyzhir Morris, jr.; FB-DT Jordan Waters, jr.

OUTLOOK: Not a lot returning from teams that went 18-5 and reached the playoffs the last two seasons, but a good coach and good numbers could keep the Ravens in the postseason running.

No information provided by Sussex Central.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ

Dover High School’s new football coach Rudy Simonetti during their pre season scrimmage against Archmere.

Dover High School’s new football coach Rudy Simonetti during their pre season scrimmage against Archmere.

Dover High School’s new football coach Rudy Simonetti during their pre season scrimmage against Archmere.

Dover High School’s new football coach Rudy Simonetti during their pre season scrimmage against Archmere.

Dover High School’s new football coach Rudy Simonetti during their pre season scrimmage against Archmere.

Dover High School’s new football coach Rudy Simonetti during their pre season scrimmage against Archmere.

New football coach Rudy Simonetti comes from northern New Jersey to take over the Dover Senators, who went 4-6 last season.

It’s rare for Delaware’s fraternity of high school football coaches to receive a new member from out of state.

There are a few job openings each year, but they are typically filled by a head coach from another Delaware school or an in-state assistant coach getting a chance to move up.

So it created some interest when Rudy Simonetti came from northern New Jersey to take over the Dover Senators in March. After nine years as an assistant, the 32-year-old’s first head coaching job is in Kent County.

“It’s just as I expected,” Simonetti said after a preseason scrimmage against Archmere. “It’s tough football down here. It’s no different than New Jersey. There’s some really good football being played down here.”

Simonetti replaced Dante Jones, whose contract was not renewed after coaching Dover to a 16-16 record the last three years. The Senators went 9-3 and lost to Salesianum in overtime in the DIAA Division I semifinals in 2013. Dover slipped to 7-13 the last two years, including 4-6 last season.

But the Senators have about 55 players out this year, eager to work for their new coach.

“Change is not easy for either side, and I think they’ve done a very good job of adjusting to me,” Simonetti said. “There’s still more to learn, and it’s going to be a process.”

The Senators will employ a multiple offense and an eight-man front on defense. Senior RB-WR John Castro is one of the state’s fastest players, and RB Jerry Warren and H-back Gavin Watson also return. But a young offensive line stocked with juniors will have to gel quickly to return Dover to prominence.

The Henlopen North team to beat is SMYRNA, and everybody knows it. The Eagles return much of a 12-1 team that won the DIAA Division I state championship. Smyrna won its six conference games by an average of 53-11 last year.

“We’re not going to fly under anybody’s radar, that’s for sure,” Eagles coach Mike Judy said. “About midseason last year, we started opening some eyes. The scoreboard, what we were doing to some teams, people started taking us seriously.”

Smyrna returns three first-team All-Staters – senior QB Nolan Henderson (3,297 passing yards, 36 TDs), junior RB Will Knight (2,015 rushing yards, 38 total TDs, 51 2-point conversions) and senior OT Jerren Carter. And the Eagles have added Eastern Christian Academy transfer Leddie Brown, a speedy junior RB-WR who has already received major-college recruiting interest.

“He’s very, very talented,” Judy said of Brown. “We know what to do with him. He’s definitely a difference maker.”

If Smyrna has a conference challenger this season, it may be SUSSEX CENTRAL. The Golden Knights have floated around .500 the last three years, but their junior varsity team went 7-0 and their freshman team went 8-0 last season. As those players advance, brighter days may be ahead.

SUSSEX TECH won the conference two years ago and went 8-3 last season, reaching the playoffs both times. But only three starters – FB-LB Jordan Marvel, RB-DB Isaiah Brown and two-way lineman Hunter Hardesty – return, leaving coach Mark Quillin plenty of holes to fill.

CAPE HENLOPEN has experience at the skill positions, including QB Dillon Adams and RBs Jerry Harden and Rasheed Woods. The Vikings could threaten if their lines come together.

CAESAR RODNEY suffered through some growing pains in coach Dan Candeloro’s first go-round last year, but QB Jared Wagenhoffer could boost the Riders’ attack.

POLYTECH, coming off an 0-10 season, should benefit from the return of coach Kevin Smith after a year away. The Panthers were 4-6 under Smith two years ago, and return at least 11 players who saw significant action last season.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ

Angelo Ortiz (5) carries the ball for St. Georges against Woodbridge in the Division II semifinals last year. Ortiz has transferred to William Penn for his senior season, and both Brad Myers and Matt Kalin are predicting a season-opening win for Ortiz and the Colonials over his former team on Friday.

Picks by News Journal high school sports reporter Brad Myers and Mount Pleasant student/analytics guru Matt Kalin.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

A.I. du Pont at Sussex Tech, 7. Myers pick: Sussex Tech 34-21. Kalin pick: Sussex Tech 31-24

McKean vs. St. Elizabeth at Baynard Stadium, 7. Myers pick: St. Elizabeth 35-15. Kalin pick: St. Elizabeth 30-17

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Conrad at Christiana, 4. Myers pick: Conrad 27-14. Kalin pick: Conrad 21-14

Dover at Woodbridge, 7. Myers pick: Woodbridge 29-21. Kalin pick: Woodbridge 27-20

St. Mark’s at Newark, 7. Myers pick: St. Mark’s 17-15. Kalin pick: Newark 21-17

Tatnall at Dickinson, 7. Myers pick: Tatnall 35-19. Kalin pick: Tatnall 31-21

Linganore (Md.) at Indian River, 7. Myers pick: Linganore 34-15. Kalin pick: Linganore 30-14

Sussex Central at Laurel, 7. Myers pick: Sussex Central 27-13. Kalin pick: Sussex Central 27-17

Glasgow at Seaford, 7. Myers pick: Glasgow 41-6. Kalin pick: Glasgow 37-20

Delmar at Smithsburg (Md.), 7. Myers pick: Smithsburg 18-14. Kalin pick: Smithsburg 30-21

Harford Tech (Md.) at Tower Hill, 7. Myers pick: Tower Hill 15-14. Kalin pick: Tower Hill 21-14

William Penn vs. St. Georges at Caravel, 7:30. Myers pick: William Penn 20-6. Kalin pick: William Penn 24-17

Caesar Rodney at Middletown, 7:30. Myers pick: Middletown 35-13. Kalin pick: Middletown 31-10

Appoquinimink at Polytech, 7:30. Myers pick: Appoquinimink 34-20. Kalin pick: Appoquinimink 42-27

Milford at Red Lion Christian, 7:30. Myers pick: Milford 42-6. Kalin pick: Milford 34-24

Father Judge (Pa.) at Salesianum at Baynard Stadium, 7:30. Myers pick:  Salesianum 21-20. Kalin pick: 27-24

SATURDAY’S GAMES

Caravel at Concord, 10:30 a.m. Myers pick: Concord 28-22. Kalin pick: Concord 27-20

Lake Forest at Hodgson, 10:30 a.m. Myers pick: Hodgson 20-15. Kalin pick: Hodgson 27-21

Brandywine at Mount Pleasant, 10:30 a.m. Myers pick: Mount Pleasant 27-20.Kalin pick: Mount Pleasant 34-10

Smyrna at Delcastle, 11 a.m. Myers pick:  Smyrna 48-6. Kalin pick: Smyrna 48-24

Charter of Wilmington vs. DMA at Baynard Stadium, noon. Myers pick: DMA 28-14. Kalin pick: DMA 24-14

Lower Cape May Regional (N.J.) at Cape Henlopen, 1. Myers pick: Cape Henlopen 34-6. Kalin pick: Cape Henlopen 34-14

Howard at Archmere, 2. Myers pick:  Howard 26-22. Kalin pick: Howard 27-24

Perryville (Md.) at Wilmington Friends, 2. Myers pick:  Friends 35-6. Kalin pick: Friends 28-17

Listen to Brad Myers on the Henlopen High School Football Fix with Mike Bradley at 8:20 a.m. Thursday on WGMD-FM (92.7) or http://www.wgmd.com. Contact Brad at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ

Mount Pleasant senior Matt Kalin has developed computer ratings for every Delaware high school football team and will attempt to beat the predictions of The News Journal’s Brad Myers this season.

Matt Kalin is a very intelligent young man.

The Mount Pleasant senior has outstanding grades and test scores. His top five college choices are Duke, Maryland, Michigan, Penn and Columbia. He plans to major in math or statistics.

He has become increasingly interested in sports analytics the last couple of years, developing a rating system to predict the outcomes of NFL, Major League Baseball and college football and basketball games.

Now, Kalin wants to take the next step. He wants to take on the Grand Poobah of Delaware high school football predictions.

That’s me, in case you were wondering. Stop laughing.

Kalin emailed me last month to ask if he could develop ratings for Delaware teams and see how his predictions stacked up against mine. So we’re going to give him a chance this fall, starting in today’s News Journal.

“I’ve always really liked math and sports, so I’ve always liked the stats,” Kalin said. “One day, I decided to find a way to rate the teams in the NFL, decide who was actually the best team. That’s what got me into it.”

Kalin said he has had success predicting NFL games the past two seasons. You can see all of his ratings — including for Delaware high school teams — at http://www.kalinratings.com

His calculations were originally based on the Elo system (Google it), which was first used for rating chess. He has since modified to account for margin of victory.

For the initial Delaware high school ratings, he used a combination of preseason ratings from maxpreps.com and last year’s points scored and points allowed with adjustments for Division I and Division II.

That’s too complicated for me, but Kalin claims he can not only predict the final score, but the chance each team has of winning boiled down to a percentage.

My method for predicting games is much more simple. I go to games, talk to coaches and players, study past performances and factor in temperature, wind, rain, relative humidity, barometric pressure, coaches’ and schools’ all-time win-loss records in day games, night games, on artificial turf or grass, how much homework the quarterback was assigned in the last three days and how many chores the kicker had to do this week. Dart boards, coin flips and palm readers are also employed from time to time.

Kalin is strictly a numbers man. If his numbers say Mount Pleasant isn’t going to win, he won’t pick Mount Pleasant to win. That could lead to some interesting conversations with the Green Knights’ football players between classes.

He has attended only one Delaware high school football game — Mount Pleasant’s homecoming two years ago. I go to as many games as anybody, usually three or four per week, at least 40 each season. So it will be interesting to see which method is more accurate — Matt’s cold calculations or my semi-scientific wild guesses.

We only differ on one prediction this week. Matt’s computer says Newark will defeat St. Mark’s 21-17. Brad says St. Mark’s will take the 4.4-mile bus ride (did he factor that?) to Newark and come home with a 17-15 victory.

Come on, Spartans, don’t let me down. I’ve gotta beat this kid.

DFRC Kickoff Classics

Delaware’s 2016-17 high school sports season begins with two football games on Thursday. A.I. du Pont will travel to Sussex Tech and McKean will take on St. Elizabeth at Baynard Stadium in the seventh annual DFRC Kickoff Classics. Both games start at 7 p.m.

A.I. and Sussex Tech are 90 miles apart, but the schools have played an entertaining football series over the last five years. Tech was won four of the five games, including the last three, and all have featured plenty of points. The Ravens won 27-26 last year in Greenville, and are coming off an 8-3 season. The Tigers finished 4-6 last year.

St. Elizabeth defeated McKean 26-6 last year in the only recent game between the schools. The Vikings went 4-6 and the Highlanders were 3-7 last season, but both teams have the ingredients to improve.

The Kickoff Classic get the football season started a day early and raise awareness of the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens with intellectual disabilities. Tickets for each game are $5.

Colonials giving back

William Penn has moved Friday’s football home opener against St. Georges to Caravel’s Bob Peoples Stadium to play under the lights with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff and raise funds and awareness for 22 in 22, a program started by former St. Mark’s student Jacob Di Sabatino and his father, Brian.

The program gets its name from the 22 veteran suicides that occur daily, according to a 2012 Department of Veterans Affairs report. The program is designed to raise funds and awareness to try to decrease soldier and veteran suicide.

William Penn’s ROTC program will be involved with the game, and a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to 22 in 22.

Sallies soccer ranked 6th

The defending DIAA Division I champion Salesianum soccer team is ranked sixth nationally in the first USA Today/NSCAA Super 25 of the season. The Sals are also ranked first in Region IV, which includes Delaware, D.C., Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

Charter of Wilmington is ranked eighth regionally, and the Sals and Force are ranked 1-2 in Delaware’s Division I by The News Journal.

Salesianum will start the season against Sussex Tech in the annual Delaware Association of Athletic Directors Upstate-Downstate Challenge at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Dover High.

The Sals will take on Caravel — ranked second statewide in Division II — on Sept. 13. Then Sallies will head for Colorado Sept. 16-17 to meet Fairview, which is ranked fifth nationally, and Boulder High. It will get even tougher Oct. 8 when the Sals play St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.) — ranked second nationally — at Caravel.

The DAAD Upstate-Downstate Challenge will feature six other games, all at Dover High. Delaware Academy of Public Safety and Security will meet Seaford at 9:30 a.m., followed by Milford vs. Appoquinimink at 11:30, Dover vs. Newark Charter at 1:30 p.m., Caesar Rodney vs. Charter at 3:30, Lake Forest vs. Dickinson at 6:30 and Polytech vs. Middletown at 7:30.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ.

Sussex Tech fans ready for the start of the DFRC Kickoff Classic at Sussex Tech Thursday.

Sussex Tech senior running back Isaiah Brown stiff-arms A.I. du Pont’s Jamir Dantley during the first quarter of the DFRC Kickoff Classic at Sussex Tech Thursday.

GEORGETOWN – Isaiah Brown had been training for this moment since the day after his last football season.

He was ready.

The senior halfback unleashed 15 carries for 276 yards and seven touchdowns on Thursday night as Sussex Tech stormed to a 61-20 home victory over A.I. du Pont in a DFRC Kickoff Classic.

“We’ve been working hard. It all paid off, man,” Brown said. “The offensive line, they really worked tonight. They really got after it.”

Brown really got after it, too. He’s been getting after it for months, following the example of Sussex Tech graduate Kani Kane — a first-team All-State running back in 2014 — and Patrick Griffin, a prolific rusher for the Ravens last season.

“Isaiah as a young sophomore followed in both of those guys’ footsteps,” Sussex Tech coach Mark Quillin said. “As we go through our training in the offseason, they learned a lot from that group we had a couple of years ago.”

Deshown Sample returned the opening kickoff 93 yards before being dragged down by hustling A.I. kicker Brendan Newberry at the 4. That set up Brown’s first touchdown — a 1-yard burst three plays later — just 55 seconds into the game.

The Ravens (1-0, ranked seventh in Division I) got the ball back quickly, but A.I. defensive lineman Shannon Biles picked up a fumble and rumbled 36 yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 7-6 lead. The home fans were stunned, but Sussex Tech wasn’t rattled.

“We kept our heads high,” Brown said. “We never let down, we never backed down. We just kept going hard.”

Sussex Tech senior running back Isaiah Brown runs the ball during the first quarter of the DFRC Kickoff Classic at Sussex Tech Thursday. Brown had six touchdown’s in the first half.

Brown capped the Ravens’ next drive with a 13-yard run. Five plays into the next series, he showed a burst of speed through the right side and went 51 yards for his third score and a 21-7 lead.

“He ran track in the winter, ran track again in the spring, and he trains throughout the year,” Quillin said of Brown. “During the summer, he never missed a day. He never missed a day in weight room.”

Brown was just getting started. He bounced off a tackler and sprinted 72 yards to paydirt, then dodged a penetrating defender in the backfield and darted 44 yards for his fifth score and a 34-7 lead with 3:31 left in the second quarter.

The Tigers (0-1) couldn’t get anything going on the ground (19 carries for minus-7 yards), but found success through the air. Sophomore quarterback Chad Jones completed 19 of 37 passes for 263 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown to Esaias Guthrie with 2:24 left in the first half.

But that left the Ravens time for another score, and Brown punched it in from the 1. Then his only carry of the second half was a 36-yard run for his seventh touchdown and a 47-14 lead with 8:55 remaining in the third quarter.

“I just followed the blocks, and I did things on my own sometimes,” Brown said.

The offensive line — led by Hunter Hardesty, Nathaniel Showacre, William Argo and Robert Van Pelt — paved the way for a Sussex Tech ground game that piled up 465 yards on 44 carries.

Junior Ja’ron Hunt-Fletcher replaced Brown and carried five times for 59 yards and two late TDs. But there was no doubt about the Ravens’ leader on this night.

“He’s not a big rah-rah guy, but man, he really inspires them with his play,” Quillin said of Brown. “I told him, ‘If you really want us to be great, you’re going to have to bring everybody up to your level.’”

It’s hard to go any higher than Brown did Thursday.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ.