Advertisement

District 1A-2 football preview: Brandywine looks for turnaround in new class

brad myers, delaware news journal
·6 min read

The Brandywine football team’s buses are going to rack up some extra mileage the next two years.

The Bulldogs, along with Conrad, were moved down to Class 1A for this scheduling cycle and placed in District 1A-2 — where the other six teams are all located below the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal.

That is absolutely fine with Brandywine coach Isaiah Mays, a self-described “country man at heart who lives in the city.”

Kameron Campbell (left) and Crisdon Wright (center) are among the key returnees for Brandywine, which will compete in District 1A-2 for the first time this season.
Kameron Campbell (left) and Crisdon Wright (center) are among the key returnees for Brandywine, which will compete in District 1A-2 for the first time this season.

“I love going down south, so I’m excited to do that a little bit more often,” Mays said. “I try to always have a scrimmage somewhere pretty far so our kids can get used to playing kids that are downstate and the different environment that it brings.”

The Bulldogs already have scrimmaged at Milford during the preseason and will make trips to Early College HS@DSU, Indian River, First State Military Academy and Polytech for district games.

“Overall, it’s going to be better for our kids,” Mays said. “Just to get a new challenge, new opponents. I’ll meet some new coaches.”

The Bulldogs went 0-9 as a Class 2A team last season, struggling against a schedule loaded with seven playoff teams. The move to 1A – the lowest of the state’s three divisions – should lead to a better chance to win.

“We’ve got to do what’s best for the program,” Mays said. “Hopefully, this will be something that helps get us to that next level.”

Here is a team-by-team look at the District 1A-2 race, in predicted order of finish:

1. Indian River Indians

COACH: Phillip Townsend.

LAST YEAR: 5-6, lost in first round of Class 1A playoffs.

RETURNING STARTERS: OL-DL Austin Grise, sr.; OL-LB Collin King, sr.; OL-DL K-P Axel Olguin-Hernandez, sr.; RB-DB Jayvion Chandler, jr.; RB-LB Alex Butts, sr.; WR-LB Nick Butts, sr.; OL-DL Luke Hitchens, jr.; TE-DE Bryce Johnson, sr.; WR-DB Tyz’Juan Juardo, sr.; WR-DE Rashad Hopkins, sr.; RB-DB Kyree Knight, jr.; QB-DB Dylan Grise, so.; WR-DB Darnell Stokes, so.; WR-DB Bobby Ribinsky, sr.; TE-DL Luke Pietschmann, sr.

Dylan Grise, who started at quarterback as a freshman last season, returns with more experience for Indian River.
Dylan Grise, who started at quarterback as a freshman last season, returns with more experience for Indian River.

KEY NEWCOMERS: RB-LB Adler Calhoun, so.; WR-DB Weston Warner, so.; TE-DE Alex Behornar, so.; WR-DB Michael Peranteau, so.; OL-DL Kyle Truitt, so.; OL-DL Jacob Killen, so.; RB-DB Davon Handy, so.; RB-DB Torrin Dickens, so.; OL-DL Zaki Drummond, so.

OUTLOOK: The Indians have been very competitive in Class 1A the last two years, and with 15 starters returning this could be the year to break through and win the District 1A-2 title and contend for a state championship.

2. Seaford Blue Jays

COACH: Austin Perry.

LAST YEAR: 8-4, lost in Class 1A semifinals.

RETURNING STARTERS: RB-DB Jazonte Levan, sr.; LB-RB Jakob Keglovitis, sr.; LB-RB Noah Keglovitis, so.; OL-DL James Schultz, sr.; OL-DL Roman Maddox, sr.; LB-RB Shamir Sampson, sr.; RB-DB Zahir Seymore, so.

Speedy Jazonte Levan (22) could be tough to stop for Seaford this season.
Speedy Jazonte Levan (22) could be tough to stop for Seaford this season.

KEY NEWCOMERS: RB-DB Zy'Auyre Handy, fr.; WR-DE Justin Jackson, sr.; WR-DB Alex Jean, sr.; OL-DL Deandre Smith, fr.

OUTLOOK: Levan, who set a state record in the 200-meter dash last spring, could be the best big-play threat in 1A. The loss of a couple of key transfers may slow the Blue Jays early, but Seaford could still be a dangerous team capable of making a big playoff run in Perry’s first year as head coach.

3. Conrad Red Wolves

COACH: Chet Walters.

LAST YEAR: 4-6.

RETURNING STARTERS: QB Gabe Welsh, jr.; OL-DL Thomas Moyer, sr.; OL-DL Jacob Barry, jr.; TE-LB Charlie Shute, so.; RB-LB Nyaire Coleman, jr.; WR-DB Yandiel Ramirez, so.

Gabe Welsh enters his third season as Conrad's starting quarterback.
Gabe Welsh enters his third season as Conrad's starting quarterback.

OUTLOOK: With Welsh entering his third year as starting QB, the Red Wolves have the potential to take a big step forward after moving down from Class 2A.

4. Brandywine Bulldogs

COACH: Isaiah Mays.

LAST YEAR: 0-9.

RETURNING STARTERS: WR-DB Crisdon Wright, sr.; C-LB Dominc Antonelli, sr.; TE-LB Matthew Barton, sr.; OL-DL Albert Chidembo, jr.; OL-DL Aiden Warrington, jr.; RB-DB Kameron Campbell, sr.; WR-DE Jaylan Walker, sr.

Defensive end Jaylan Walker (right) is among the returning starters for Brandywine.
Defensive end Jaylan Walker (right) is among the returning starters for Brandywine.

KEY NEWCOMERS: WR-DB Kahseer Williams, jr.; RB-LB Zhyaire Jackson, so.; WR-DB Anthony Drummond, jr.; OL-DL Aaron Wing Jr., sr.; OL-DL Tyler Miller, jr.; TE-LB Vincent Alessandrine, sr.; OL-DL Khalir Reed, sr.; RB-LB Brennan Grundy, so.; QB-DB Chase Beauparlant, fr.; WR-DB Dylan Walker, jr.

OUTLOOK: The road trips get longer but the district opponents get easier for the Bulldogs, who could challenge for a 1A playoff spot in their first year moving down from 2A.

5. St. Andrew’s Saints

COACH: Patrick Moffitt.

LAST YEAR: 4-7, lost in first round of Class 1A playoffs.

RETURNING STARTERS: TE-DE Yasir Felton, sr.; WR-DB Griffin Patterson, sr.; QB Frank Nasta, sr.; OL James Owens, sr.; LB Noah Viering, sr.; WR-RB-DB Spencer Fairbanks, jr.; WR-DB Luke Ketzner; jr.; OL Tyrus Roney, jr.; OL Grey Durham, jr.; LB Ray Quinones, jr.; OL Sam White, so.

St. Andrew's returns an experienced quarterback in Frank Nasta.
St. Andrew's returns an experienced quarterback in Frank Nasta.

KEY NEWCOMERS: WR-DB Cai Romaine, jr.; WR-DB Jamo Hancock, so.

OUTLOOK: The Saints should put points on the board behind Nasta, Felton and Patterson. If the defense improves, St. Andrew’s could make the 1A playoffs for the third straight year.

6. Polytech Panthers

COACH: David Eilers.

LAST YEAR: 3-7.

KEY RETURNEES: WR Jalen Anderson, sr.; QB Isaac Balcerak, jr.; LB Kenny Valcin, jr.; OT-DE Tommy Reynolds, jr.

OUTLOOK: Panthers continue to strive for a 1A playoff spot, and it could happen this year in a wide-open district race.

7. First State Military Academy Bulldogs

COACH: Jeff Braxton.

LAST YEAR: 3-7.

RETURNING STARTERS: QB-FS Phillip Price, jr.; RB-LB Mark Lawrence, jr.; WR-DB De’Jere Johnson, jr.; WR-DB Damier Bryan, so.; OL-DE Jarrett Waltz, so.; TE-DE Zachery Robinson, sr.

Mark Lawrence returns at running back for First State Military Academy.
Mark Lawrence returns at running back for First State Military Academy.

KEY NEWCOMERS: OL-DL Levi Martineau, sr.; OL-DL T.J. Felder, jr.; OL-DL Jonython Bailey, jr.; OL-DL Caden Allanband, so.; TE-LB Marc Briggs, so.

OUTLOOK: With more experience returning than in the past, the Bulldogs have reason to be optimistic this fall.

8. Early College HS@DSU Hornets

COACH: Zach Hortsmyer.

LAST YEAR: 0-10.

KEY RETURNEES: WR Joshua Devonish, sr.; G Malyki Holtzman, fr.; DB Tyson Fenderson, fr.

OUTLOOK: The Hornets have yet to win a game since starting a varsity program two years ago. But the eighth- and ninth-graders pressed into duty then are gaining age and experience, and a breakthrough could come soon.

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

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware high school football: Team-by-team District 1A-2 preview