Game #8
#2 St. Mark's Spartans vs Caeser Rodney Riders
Opponent: Caeser Rodney Riders 5 - 2 (Home 1 - 3, Away 1 - 2)
Conference: Henlopen North 2 - 2
When: Friday, October 24th, 2014 7:00 PM
Where: Spartan Stadium, St. Mark's High School, Newark, DE. - Directions
Last Played: 2013 at Caeser Rodney, St. Mark's 19 - Caeser Rodney 17
Weather: 59 degrees, partly cloudy, a light wind with 0% chance of rain
Coach: Mike Schonewolf
Ceaser Rodney Schedule: Link
Caeser Rodney Roster: Link
Conference: Henlopen North 2 - 2
When: Friday, October 24th, 2014 7:00 PM
Where: Spartan Stadium, St. Mark's High School, Newark, DE. - Directions
Last Played: 2013 at Caeser Rodney, St. Mark's 19 - Caeser Rodney 17
Weather: 59 degrees, partly cloudy, a light wind with 0% chance of rain
Coach: Mike Schonewolf
Ceaser Rodney Schedule: Link
Caeser Rodney Roster: Link
Spartans Look To Avoid Hangover Against An Improved Caeser Rodney Team
With perhaps their most difficult games on the schedule behind them, St. Mark's at 5 -2 will look to finish strong and secure an at large berth in the DIAA playoffs. A task that could prove easier said then done. On paper, the Spartans appear to face struggling teams in their last three games with a combined record of 6 - 16. But appearances can be deceiving, and securing victories over these teams could be a tricky proposition. First up, will be the Caeser Rodney Riders, a team St. Mark's defeated 19 - 17 with a last minute field goal at Camden-Wyoming last year. The Riders enter the game with a 2 - 5 record, after starting the season with four straight losses. Depleted by graduation, Caeser Rodney opened the season with a young and inexperienced team . Facing the likes of Salesianum, Middletown, Hodgson, and Cape Henlopen the Riders stumbled out of the starting gate. As the season has progressed, so have the Riders, gaining valuable experience along the way. In those early losses Caeser Rodney proved they were not a team lacking in talent, scorching Salesianum for 275 rushing yards and holding their own with 3rd ranked Middletown. Since their loss to undefeated Cape Henlopen, the Riders have went 2 -1, including a 26 - 15 win over Sussex Central. Last week they hung tight with Sussex Tech for three quarters, before the Ravens pulled away in the fourth. This isn't your ordinary 2 - 5 team, and for St. Mark's, coming off an emotional win over their archrival, could prove to be a dangerous one. It would be natural for the Spartans to suffer somewhat of a hangover after last week, but if it lingers for too long they could find themselves in a tight battle with a hungry and improved team.
Caeser Rodney opened the season with the task of replacing 19 starters including most of their skill players and part of their offensive line. The Riders like to run the ball out of the Wing-T formation and rely heavily on wingbacks Fito Louis, Jordan Downes and fullback Michael Clavier. All three saw action last season and are the heart of the offense. Brian Lewis takes over at quarterback after winning a tight battle in camp. Tim Haugh, Nick Biddle, Sam McKibbin, Kevin Lynch and Jordan Franklin pave the way for the backs, and bring some experience to the offense as well. Caeser Rodney doesn't throw the ball often, but has a capable quarterback when they do and a dangerous playmaker in Rasheed Teasley to go to. Glenn Simms joins Teasley at receiver. The offense can dominate if the Riders get their running game going and can be explosive at times. Inconsistency has kept the unit in the lower rankings of the division, though they have not been shutout this season.
Takoda Bendolph, Michael Clavier, Jordan Franklin and Michael Stone form the most experienced group on defense at linebacker. Troy McNally and Chukwudi Ikwagwu anchor the line, along with Tim Haugh and Sam McKibbin. Rasheed Teasley and Fito Louis bring senior leadership to the secondary. The defense has struggled at times, and ranks in the middle of the pack in division I. The Riders have improved as the season has progressed, their results confirm this. They will bring a nothing to lose mentality into the game Friday night, and if the Spartans aren't prepared, could go from a young and inexperienced team to a dangerous one. Brad Meyers of the News Journal picks the Spartans to prevail 31 - 21. The game will kickoff St. Mark's 2nd annual Alumni Weekend.
Takoda Bendolph, Michael Clavier, Jordan Franklin and Michael Stone form the most experienced group on defense at linebacker. Troy McNally and Chukwudi Ikwagwu anchor the line, along with Tim Haugh and Sam McKibbin. Rasheed Teasley and Fito Louis bring senior leadership to the secondary. The defense has struggled at times, and ranks in the middle of the pack in division I. The Riders have improved as the season has progressed, their results confirm this. They will bring a nothing to lose mentality into the game Friday night, and if the Spartans aren't prepared, could go from a young and inexperienced team to a dangerous one. Brad Meyers of the News Journal picks the Spartans to prevail 31 - 21. The game will kickoff St. Mark's 2nd annual Alumni Weekend.