Henlopen South football capsules

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