Advertisement

Breaking it down: Game-by-game look at the Delaware high school football playoffs

brad myers, delaware news journal
·17 min read

Delaware’s high school playoffs kick off Friday night, with four quarterfinal games in Class 3A, 2A and 1A this weekend.

Here is a game-by-game look at the matchups, with key players, statistics, trends, analysis and predictions for all 12 games.

Each of our three experts is hitting on more than 74% of their predictions, but it gets tougher in the postseason. Don’t be surprised if some upsets shake up the brackets.

Brad Myers and Kevin Tresolini cover high school sports for Delaware Online/The News Journal. Defending champion Matt Kalin, who generates the Kalin Ratings for Delaware high school football, is a Mount Pleasant and recent University of Maryland graduate.

B.J. Alleyne is a major offensive threat for Salesianum, which will meet Smyrna in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.
B.J. Alleyne is a major offensive threat for Salesianum, which will meet Smyrna in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.

Class 3A

No. 8 Smyrna at No. 1 Salesianum

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.

Smyrna (4-6)

COACH: Mike Judy.

KEY WINS: Appoquinimink 48-16, Sussex Central 40-35.

KEY LOSSES: Salesianum 28-12, Middletown 14-12, Dover 18-14, Cape Henlopen 21-6.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Drew Marks (1,163 yards, 10 TDs passing), QB Jacob Tiberi (1,180 yards, 9 TDs passing), RB Tim Yancy (376 yards, 5 TDs rushing), RB-WR Kahmaj Kearney (180 yards, 10 TDs rushing; 25-392-2 receiving), WR Phoenix Henriquez (46 catches, 818 yards, 9 TDs), LB Cole Moyer (55 tackles, 14 TFL), DE Brandon West (69 tackles, 14 TFL, 7 sacks), DT Caleb Blane (50 tackles, 15 TFL), DB Corey Williams (36 tackles, 4 INT).

Salesianum (9-1)

COACH: Gene Delle Donne.

KEY WINS: Smyrna 28-12, Appoquinimink 47-14, Middletown 37-14, Hodgson 38-19.

KEY LOSS: Dover 27-16.

KEY PLAYERS: RB B.J. Alleyne (1,202 yards, 19 TDs), RB Andrew Ransome (325 yards, 5 TDs), QB Ryan Stoehr (828 yards passing, 8 TDs), QB Brady McBride (640 yards passing, 6 TDs), WR Ben Anton (20 catches, 425 yards, 5 TDs), WR Lukas Ryan (40-315-4), OL-DL Andrew Semmel (3A-1 Lineman of the Year), DT Ahmaad Foster, LB L.J. Smith, DB Yaheem Smith.

ANALYSIS: Rematch of a 28-12 Salesianum win on the same field on Sept. 22, when Alleyne rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns and the Sals forced the Eagles into 14 runs of zero or lost yardage. Don’t be fooled by Smyrna’s record. The Eagles knocked off No. 2 seed Sussex Central 40-35 last week, romped over No. 7 Appoquinimink and lost heartbreakers to No. 5 Middletown and No. 3 Dover. Expect this one to be much more competitive than a typical 1 vs. 8 playoff opener.

PREDICTIONS: Brad Myers – Salesianum 24-16. Kevin Tresolini – Salesianum 34-26. Matt Kalin – Salesianum 31-20.

Middletown's Austin Troyer, one of the state's top passers, will lead the Cavaliers against Hodgson in the Class 3A playoffs.
Middletown's Austin Troyer, one of the state's top passers, will lead the Cavaliers against Hodgson in the Class 3A playoffs.

No. 5 Middletown vs. No. 4 Hodgson

WHEN, WHERE: 11 a.m. Saturday, Caravel’s Bob Peoples Stadium.

Middletown (7-3)

COACH: Zach Blum.

KEY WINS: Sussex Central 41-7, Smyrna 14-12, Hodgson 31-14.

KEY LOSSES: Salesianum 37-14, Appoquinimink 38-23.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Austin Troyer, G Eli Curran, DE Tristen Graham, LB Malachi Stewart, DB-WR Ronnell Davis, WR Matt Priestley, OT Collin Campbell, DT Kaseem Powell, DB Dorian Rutledge, RB Amare Glover, RB Makai Walker, LB Ryan VanKerkhoven.

Hodgson (7-3)

COACH: Dave Collins

KEY WINS: Howard 43-12, Cape Henlopen 35-0, Appoquinimink 21-14.

KEY LOSSES: Caravel 28-13, Middletown 31-14, Salesianum 38-19.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Xavier Brown (1,710 yards passing, 11 TDs), RB-DB Maki Beach (1,027 yards, 14 TDs, 20 tackles, 2 INT), WR Brysheem Davis (51 catches, 777 yards, 6 TDs), WR Marlon Sparks (33-411-2), TE-DL R.J. Jenkins (13-177-1 receiving, 62 tackles, 25 TFL, 10 sacks), LB John DeFelice (49 tackles, 12 TFL), DT Dwain Baker (47 tackles, 14 TFL).

ANALYSIS: Rematch of a 31-14 Middletown win on this same field on Oct. 14. Troyer threw two long TD passes as the Cavaliers jumped to a 17-0 lead a minute into the second quarter. Hodgson pulled within 17-14 at the half, then Middletown got two more TDs in the second half. Both teams struggled last week, with Hodgson edging William Penn 16-12 and Middletown losing to crosstown rival Appoquinimink for the first time, 38-23. Expect several big swings in momentum and a close finish in this one.

PREDICTIONS: Brad Myers – Hodgson 21-17. Kevin Tresolini – Hodgson 28-24. Matt Kalin – Middletown 27-20.

John Parker is a major rushing and receiving threat for Dover.
John Parker is a major rushing and receiving threat for Dover.

No. 6 Cape Henlopen at No. 3 Dover

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.

Cape Henlopen (7-3)

COACH: Mike Frederick.

KEY WINS: Red Lion Christian 21-14, Smyrna 21-6, St. Georges 35-7.

KEY LOSSES: Hodgson 35-0, Sussex Central 35-16, Dover 35-7.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Jameson Tingle (849 yards passing, 5 TDs), RB-LB Maurki James (1,264 yards, 15 TDs, 48 tackles), TE-LB Brenn Scott (7-101-2 receiving, 112 tackles, 12 TFL), DB Quardell Richards (62 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 INT.)

Dover (9-1)

COACH: Chip Knapp.

KEY WINS: Appoquinimink 45-7, Salesianum 27-16, Smyrna 18-14, Cape Henlopen 35-7.

KEY LOSS: Sussex Central 13-12.

KEY PLAYERS: RB-WR John Parker (848 yards, 12 TDs rushing, 20-438-4 receiving), RB Jakwon Kilby (596 yards, 11 TDs), QB Nahseem Cosme (960 yards, 8 TDs passing; 321 yards, 5 TDs rushing), OL-DL Mike Stevenson (69 tackles, 16 TFL, 6 sacks), LB Jaylen Peace (67 tackles, 4.5 TFL), LB Rahseed Branch-Calhoun (58 tackles, 2 TFL).

ANALYSIS: Rematch of a 35-7 Dover victory on this same field on Nov. 3. Parker, filling in for the injured Kilby, rushed for 190 yards and three touchdowns and turned a short pass into another 87-yard score. James rushed for 184 yards for Cape, but didn’t find the end zone. The Vikings will need to find a way for him to score to close the gap this time.

PREDICTIONS: Brad Myers – Dover 35-14. Kevin Tresolini – Dover 28-14. Matt Kalin – Dover 30-14.

The return of running back Daniel McConomy should boost the Appoquinimink offense.
The return of running back Daniel McConomy should boost the Appoquinimink offense.

No. 7 Appoquinimink at No. 2 Sussex Central

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.

Appoquinimink (6-4)

COACH: Brian Timpson.

KEY WINS: Sussex Central 31-30, Middletown 38-23.

KEY LOSSES: Dover 45-7, Smyrna 48-16, Salesianum 47-14, Hodgson 21-14.

KEY PLAYERS: RB Daniel McConomy (569 yards, 10 TDs in 4 games), RB Ja’den Glover (839 yards, 7 TDs), QB Blake Caccamo (1,095 yards passing, 12 TDs), WR Noah Hoff (47 catches, 891 yards, 9 TDs), WR Dom Montebell (27-218), WR-DB Dillon Griffith (19-381, 7 TDs; 71 tackles, 5 INT), LB Omari Cofield (91 tackles, 13 sacks, 15 TFL, 4 blocked punts), LB Edge von Brandt (156 tackles), LB Tyler Shaen (94 tackles, 7 TFL, 4 sacks), OL-DL Layton von Brandt (45 tackles, 7 TFL).

Sussex Central (7-3)

COACH: John Wells.

KEY WINS: DMA 17-7, Cape Henlopen 35-16, Dover 13-12.

KEY LOSSES: Middletown 41-7, Appoquinimink 31-30, Smyrna 40-35.

KEY PLAYERS: QB-LB Gabe Cannon (413 yards passing, 4 TDs; 44 tackles, 5 TFL), RB-DE Kevon Moore-Briddell (676 yards rushing, 8 TDs; 80 tackles, 15 TFL), FB Malik Bell (531 yards, 5 TDs), RB Jajuan Sturgis (491 yards, 5 TDs), RB-DB Will Harmon (530 yards, 4 TDs; 54 tackles, 2 INT), LB Justin Negron (120 tackles, 7 TFL).

ANALYSIS: Rematch of a 31-30 Appoquinimink victory at Appo on Oct. 6, when the Jaguars erased a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Daniel McConomy, perhaps the state’s top running back, has returned from injury since then and should give Appo another boost. But the Jaguars will have to stop Sussex Central’s grind-it-out offense enough to get some possessions. A No. 2 vs. No. 7 matchup wouldn’t seem to indicate it, but this may be the tightest 3A game of the first round.

PREDICTIONS: Brad Myers – Appoquinimink 27-24. Kevin Tresolini – Sussex Central 24-20. Matt Kalin – Sussex Central 24-20.

Defensive end James Steel (left) is a major defensive presence for Caravel.
Defensive end James Steel (left) is a major defensive presence for Caravel.

Class 2A

No. 8 Delaware Military Academy at No. 1 Caravel

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.

Delaware Military Academy (5-5)

COACH: Matt Carre.

KEY WINS: Delmar 28-14, Newark 28-14.

KEY LOSSES: Salesianum 44-21, Sussex Central 17-7, Archmere 14-12, Red Lion Christian 14-13, Caravel 16-8.

KEY PLAYERS: QB-DE Odell Teel (771 yards, 5 TDs passing; 581 yards, 5 TDs rushing, 10 tackles, 3 TFL), RB Edward Emmens (668 yards, 11 TDs), RB-LB Josh Roy (394 yards, 6 TDs rushing, 45 tackles, 6 TFL), WR-DB Malcolm Roy (26 catches, 518 yards, 3 TDs; 23 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 INT), OL-DL Cael DeNigris (37 tackles, 11 TFL), DE Christopher Trumbull (32 tackles, 11 TFL, 9 sacks).

Caravel (10-0)

COACH: John Reed.

KEY WINS: Hodgson 28-13, Howard 56-34, Laurel 21-3, Archmere 28-2, DMA 16-8, Red Lion Christian 31-6.

KEY LOSSES: None.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Truman Auwerda (743 yards, 12 TDs passing), RB Jordan Miller (1,069 yards, 16 TDs), RB Craig Miller (385 yards, 5 TDs in 5 games), WR-DB Vandrick Hamlin (23 catches, 458 yards, 11 TDs, 4 punt return TDs, 43 tackles, 2 INT), LB Brock Rhodes (49 tackles, 11 TFL), LB Bryce McKinnon (51 tackles, 6 TFL), DE James Steel (33 tackles, 11 TFL, 8 sacks).

ANALYSIS: Rematch of a 16-8 Caravel win on this same field on Nov. 3, the Bucs’ closest game of the season. Caravel, the state’s only undefeated team, is 5-0 against Class 2A playoff opponents and also owns a win over Class 3A No. 4 seed Hodgson. The Bucs held DMA to 98 total yards, with the Seahawks’ only score coming on Malcolm Roy’s 90-yard kickoff return. But the DMA defense obviously played well that night, too, and may be able to keep it close again.

PREDICTIONS: Brad Myers – Caravel 28-14. Kevin Tresolini – Caravel 31-14. Matt Kalin – Caravel 35-7.

Howard's Rahsaan Matthews is among the most prolific passers in Delaware high school football history.
Howard's Rahsaan Matthews is among the most prolific passers in Delaware high school football history.

No. 5 Howard vs. No. 4 Wilmington Friends

WHEN, WHERE: 1 p.m. Saturday, Abessinio Stadium

Howard (7-3)

COACH: Dan Ritter.

KEY WINS: Woodbridge 60-22, Wilmington Friends 50-21.

KEY LOSSES: Hodgson 43-12, Caravel 56-34, Archmere 13-6.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Rahsaan Matthews Jr. (2,791 yards, 37 TDs passing; 293 yards, 3 TDs rushing), WR Jalen Johnson (61 catches, 1,380 yards, 21 TDs), WR Robert Kelly (41-660-10), RB-LB Amir Maddrey (208 yards, 2 TDs rushing; 24-300-1 receiving, 64 tackles, 4 TFL), LB Syncere Tate (37 tackles, 3 TFL), DB Elijah Mancinelli (29 tackles, 1 INT), OT Deven Jones.

Wilmington Friends (8-2)

COACH: Rob Tattersall.

KEY WINS: Tatnall 22-8, Delmar 24-0, Woodbridge 28-12.

KEY LOSSES: Howard 50-21, Archmere 42-14.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Ryan Tattersall (891 yards, 13 TDs passing; 484 yards, 4 TDs rushing), RB-SS Andrew McKenzie (1,038 yards, 12 TDs rushing; 386 yards, 7 TDs passing; 17-200-1 receiving; 59 tackles, 3 INT), WR-CB Jason Hughes (40-680-9 receiving, 39 tackles, 2 INT), TE-DE Avery Gaines (12-202-5 receiving, 31 tackles, 3 sacks), K Kato Connor (8-12 FG, 35-36 XP), DE Hayden Morrison (42 tackles, 2

ANALYSIS: Rematch of a 50-21 Howard win on Oct. 7 at Friends. Matthews is among the most prolific passers in Delaware high school history, and he threw for 158 yards and three touchdowns that day. But the Wildcats also had a big afternoon on the ground, as Syncere Tate ran for 168 yards. The Quakers’ defense will have to do a better job all around to have a chance this time.

PREDICTIONS: Brad Myers – Howard 38-24. Kevin Tresolini – Howard 36-28. Matt Kalin – Friends 24-22.

No. 6 Laurel at No. 3 Woodbridge

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.

Laurel (6-4)

COACH: Joey Jones.

KEY WINS: Caesar Rodney 24-19, Delmar 27-7.

KEY LOSSES: Sussex Central 36-21, Caravel 21-3, Woodbridge 24-8,

KEY PLAYERS: RB-LB Xavier Limehouse (1,043 yards, 9 TDs rushing; 66 tackles, 11 TFL), RB-DE Patrick Belle (753 yards, 7 TDs rushing; 45 tackles, 10 TFL), QB Koby Shockley (457 yards, 8 TDs rushing), LB Royce Scotton (84 tackles, 8 TFL).

Woodbridge (8-2)

COACH: Marvin Dooley.

KEY WINS: Laurel 24-8, Milford 52-30, Delmar 34-6.

KEY LOSSES: Howard 60-22, Wilmington Friends 28-12.

KEY PLAYERS: RB-LB Traci Johnson (1,559 yards, 24 TDs; 39 tackles, 12 TFL), RB-LB Quincy Risper (258 yards, 2 TDs; 81 tackles, 10 TFL), WR Ji’Kare Banks (9 catches, 120 yards, 3 TDs), DT Kam Johnson (77 tackles, 31 TFL).

ANALYSIS: Rematch of a 24-8 Woodbridge win on this same field on Oct. 6. The Blue Raiders’ first two TDs that night came on fumble returns from Kam Johnson, who has scooped and scored an amazing five times this season. Expect Traci Johnson to carry it 30 times and the Woodbridge defense to clamp down on the Bulldogs again.

PREDICTIONS: Brad Myers – Woodbridge 22-8. Kevin Tresolini – Woodbridge 27-20. Matt Kalin – Woodbridge 27-20.

Archmere QB Miles Kempski guides an attack that has helped the Auks win six straight games.
Archmere QB Miles Kempski guides an attack that has helped the Auks win six straight games.

No. 7 Red Lion Christian at No. 2 Archmere

WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday

Red Lion Christian (7-3)

COACH: Ken Anderson.

KEY WINS: DMA 14-13, Newark 51-0.

KEY LOSSES: Cape Henlopen 21-14, Caravel 31-6.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Evan Budinger (1,658 yards, 15 TDs passing), RB-LB Mehki Corbin (419 yards, 8 TDs rushing, 79 tackles), RB Giovanni Ramirez (408 yards, 5 TDs rushing), RB-LB Jacque Wilson (581 yards, 6 TDs rushing, 127 tackles), WR Jahsiear Rogers (29 catches, 642 yards, 8 TDs), TE-DE Shane Caleb (13-189-3 receiving, 93 tackles, 14 TFL), OT-DT Carter Sareyka.

Archmere (7-3)

COACH: John Bellace.

KEY WINS: DMA 14-12, Howard 13-6, Wilmington Friends 42-14.

KEY LOSSES: Saint Mark’s 34-30, Newark 28-22, Caravel 28-2.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Miles Kempski (1,062 yards, 11 TDs passing; 369 yards, 4 TDs rushing), RB-LB Cole Fenice (610 yards, 9 TDs rushing, 48 tackles, 14 TFL), RB-LB P.J. Blessington (328 yards, 3 TDs rushing, 74 tackles, 9 TFL), WR Drew Duncan (19 catches, 351 yards, 4 TDs), WR Gavin Lee (11-269-6).

ANALYSIS: Red Lion Christian has been tested with a young lineup tackling a tough schedule, with a couple of losses as impressive as the Lions’ wins. Archmere has won six straight since a 1-3 start, and the Auks dominated Class 2A No. 4 seed Wilmington Friends 42-12 last week. Expect that momentum to continue, although Red Lion Christian could hit a couple of deep passes.

PREDICTIONS: Brad Myers – Archmere 31-21. Kevin Tresolini – Archmere 34-20. Matt Kalin – Archmere 30-13.

Rahshan LaMons is a dangerous running and passing threat for top-seeded Tatnall.
Rahshan LaMons is a dangerous running and passing threat for top-seeded Tatnall.

Class 1A

No. 8 First State Military Academy at No. 1 Tatnall

WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday

First State Military Academy (6-4)

COACH: Jeff Braxton.

KEY WINS: Seaford 25-13, Conrad 27-20, Brandywine 27-7.

KEY LOSSES: Charter of Wilmington 16-13, Polytech 35-6, Indian River 28-6.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Nate Price (994 yards, 20 TDs passing), RB-LB Mark Lawrence (835 yards, 7 TDs rushing, 13-286-4 receiving, 37 tackles), WR D.J. Johnson (27-312-7 receiving), DE Zach Robinson (14 tackles).

Tatnall (9-1)

COACH: Brendon Ireton.

KEY WINS: St. Andrew’s 53-7, Tower Hill 55-7, Charter of Wilmington 52-0.

KEY LOSS: Wilmington Friends 22-8.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Rahshan LaMons (597 yards, 12 TDs passing, 1,279 yards, 22 TDs rushing), RB-DB Micah Stamper (412 yards, 7 TDs rushing, 173 yards, 4 TDs receiving), DE-G Jack Homer (75 tackles, 15 sacks), LB Jayden Minor (43 tackles).

ANALYSIS: It has been a fun ride to the Bulldogs’ first postseason playoff appearance in school history. But Tatnall was competitive in a season-opening loss to Class 2A No. 4 seed Wilmington Friends, then downright dominant against everyone else. Expect that trend to continue.

PREDICTIONS: Brad Myers – Tatnall 41-14. Kevin Tresolini – Tatnall 42-14. Matt Kalin – Tatnall 37-8.

Indian River's Jayvion Chandler rates among the state's top Class 1A running backs.
Indian River's Jayvion Chandler rates among the state's top Class 1A running backs.

No. 5 Brandywine at No. 4 Indian River

WHEN: 5 p.m. Saturday.

Brandywine (5-5)

COACH: Isaiah Mays.

KEY WIN: Indian River 38-28.

KEY LOSSES: First State Military Academy 27-7, Polytech 24-21, St. Andrew’s 35-21.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Crisdon Wright (845 yards, 12 TDs passing, 583 yards, 10 TDs rushing), RB Kameron Campbell (589 yards, 5 TDs rushing), WR Kasheer Williams (22 catches, 483 yards, 5 TDs), LB-TE Matt Barton (82 tackles, 10 TFL).

Indian River (7-3)

COACH: Phillip Townsend.

KEY WINS: St. Elizabeth 20-14, Polytech 25-14, St. Andrew’s 42-7, First State Military Academy 28-6.

KEY LOSSES: Delmar 35-14, Seaford 23-6, Brandywine 38-28.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Dylan Grise (629 yards, 5 TDs passing), RB Jayvion Chandler (1,082 yards, 12 TDs), RB Darnell Stokes (476 yards, 9 TDs), RB Davon Handy (640 yards, 5 TDs), G-LB Collin King (99 tackles).

ANALYSIS: Rematch of a 38-28 Brandywine victory on this same field on Oct. 13. That launched the Bulldogs to Delaware Online’s No. 1 statewide ranking in Class 1A, but they are 1-3 since. The Indians, meanwhile, are 4-0 since. That includes a 42-7 win over St. Andrew’s, which defeated Brandywine 35-21 two weeks later. Put all of that together and it certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see either team win this one.

PREDICTIONS: Brad Myers – Indian River 21-20. Kevin Tresolini – Indian River 20-14. Matt Kalin – Indian River 28-17.

Cole Andrews has had a solid season as a freshman as quarterback at St. Elizabeth.
Cole Andrews has had a solid season as a freshman as quarterback at St. Elizabeth.

No. 6 St. Elizabeth at No. 3 Charter of Wilmington

WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday

St. Elizabeth (5-5)

COACH: Mike Lemon.

KEY WINS: Glasgow 58-22.

KEY LOSSES: Indian River 20-14, Charter of Wilmington 18-0, Tatnall 41-6.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Cole Andrews (1,014 yards, 12 TDs passing), RB Jihad Brown (883 yards, 12 TDs), WR-RB Gavin Andrews (388 yards, 4 TDs rushing, 23-491-7 receiving), LB Chase Milnes (72 tackles, 14 TFL).

Charter of Wilmington (7-3)

COACH: Brian Winnington.

KEY WINS: First State Military Academy 16-13, Glasgow 10-0, St. Elizabeth 18-0.

KEY LOSSES: Polytech 40-0, Tatnall 52-0.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Roman Paoli (930 yards, 12 TDs passing), RB-DB John Foley (608 yards, 3 TDs rushing), WR-DE Brady Harach (349 yards, 3 TDs rushing, 14-257-4 receiving, 55 tackles, 18 TFL), TE-LB L.J. Aldas (22-351-5 receiving, 135 tackles, 29 TFL), DT Bobby Cardone (81 tackles, 20 TFL).

ANALYSIS: Rematch of an 18-0 Charter win on this same field on Oct. 14, the fourth in a streak of five shutouts by the Force defense. This just feels like all of the indicators of a close, low-scoring game.

PREDICTIONS: Brad Myers – Charter 14-8. Kevin Tresolini – Charter 14-6. Matt Kalin – St. Elizabeth 21-20.

Polytech's Noah Walker (7) has gained more than 1,200 yards on the ground this season.
Polytech's Noah Walker (7) has gained more than 1,200 yards on the ground this season.

No. 7 Glasgow at No. 2 Polytech

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.

Glasgow (4-6)

COACH: Ricky Brown.

KEY WIN: McKean 13-6.

KEY LOSSES: Sussex Tech 37-6, Woodbridge 36-0, Tatnall 22-0, Charter of Wilmington 10-0.

KEY PLAYERS: RB Jamar Smith (648 yards, 2 TDs), OT-LB Kameryn Swinney, DT Ish Lane, DB-RB Damir Bean, WR Gavin Mason, DB Karim Alexander.

Polytech (9-1)

COACH: David Eilers.

KEY WINS: Charter of Wilmington 40-0, First State Military Academy 35-6, St. Andrew’s 36-14, Brandywine 24-21.

KEY LOSS: Indian River 25-14.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Isaac Balcerak (1,401 yards, 11 TDs passing, 232 yards, 3 TDs rushing), RB Noah Walker (1,227 yards, 18 TDs), WR Jalen Anderson (20-366-3), LB Josh Deacon (64 tackles, 6 TFL), LB Matt Deacon (40 tackles, 2 TFL), LB Kenny Valcin (80 tackles).

ANALYSIS: As a Division I school playing in Class 1A, it’s kind of hard to call Polytech a Cinderella story. But this will be the first postseason football game in school history, so this group of Panthers clearly has gone farther than any in the past. Glasgow has put together a remarkable turnaround, winning four straight after an 0-6 start. But the Dragons may not have enough to keep that going.

PREDICTIONS: Brad Myers – Polytech 28-14. Kevin Tresolini – Polytech 30-12. Matt Kalin – Polytech 34-12.

LAST WEEK’S RECORDS: Myers 17-6, Tresolini 18-5, Kalin 15-8.

SEASON RECORDS: Myers 184-53 (.776), Tresolini 181-56 (.764), Kalin 176-61 (.743).

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on X (aka Twitter): @BradMyersTNJ

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware high school football: Game-by-game quarterfinal capsules