Last season, Saint Mark's and Archmere Academy went toe to toe in a gridiron classic, that was billed as a match between possible playoff contenders. The teams, both unbeaten in divisional play and ranked, put on a performance that justified their pregame hype. For the Auks, the
34 -28 overtime win helped propel them to a 9 -1 regular season finish, and their first postseason appearance since 2014. For Saint Mark's, the loss stung, and seemed to hang with them throughout the remainder of the season. Fast forward a year to the day, and the teams will meet again under almost identical circumstances. Both squads are once again unbeaten and ranked. And just as it was last season, the Saturday matinee showdown is being viewed by some in the media as a litmus test for playoff contention. Indeed, there is a feeling of familiarity surrounding the contest. But when it comes to the teams that will face off for the 19th meeting between the catholic schools, much is different from those that clashed last year.
34 -28 overtime win helped propel them to a 9 -1 regular season finish, and their first postseason appearance since 2014. For Saint Mark's, the loss stung, and seemed to hang with them throughout the remainder of the season. Fast forward a year to the day, and the teams will meet again under almost identical circumstances. Both squads are once again unbeaten and ranked. And just as it was last season, the Saturday matinee showdown is being viewed by some in the media as a litmus test for playoff contention. Indeed, there is a feeling of familiarity surrounding the contest. But when it comes to the teams that will face off for the 19th meeting between the catholic schools, much is different from those that clashed last year.
Both squads saw heavy losses to graduation, but entered the new season optimistic their younger players could fill the gaps. That faith, thus far, has been rewarded with both teams owning spotless records. In many ways, they have looked similar, against comparable competition. Both squads feature balanced offenses with multiple weapons, and have been stingy on defense. Though only eleven players who started in last season's contest return, many others saw action in the game that ignited a rivalry. With the first fourteen meetings between the teams being inter-divisional, and spread out over four decades, a true rivalry had never really taken hold. That was expected to change with Saint Mark's move to Division II, and the squads squaring off on an annual basis.
"We do like our rivalry with Saint Mark's, a team that we love playing. That should be a challenge." - Tom Carney (The Dialog, September 6th, 2019)
With the Spartans winning the first three contests after the series renewal, the budding rivalry was calm on the surface, while rip currents developed in the Archmere community. Fueled by pride, and perhaps itching for some respect, the Auks focused on beating Saint Mark's, and they succeeded. With that victory in The Graveyard last September, Archmere turned a casual rivalry into something true. Something that will last and intensify if the teams continue to play. The meetings between the squads won't just be games to look forward to, they will become dates with which to circle. As evident by Tom Carney's reply to Mike Lang in an interview for a preseason article in The Dialog. When discussing the Auk's upcoming schedule Carney replied;"We do like our rivalry with Saint Mark's, a team that we love playing. That should be a challenge." Yes, a new rival has the focus of those in Claymont. It may have taken a little longer across town, but that lingering sting is speeding things up.
Against the Auk's. Saint Mark's defense will face the most balanced offense they have seen this season. They are averaging over 300 yards a game, and it is split, almost down the middle between the ground and the air. QB Tom Carney has passed for close to 500 yards, spreading the ball around to seven different receivers. Their ground game is led by backs Matt DiGregorio and Michael Mallamaci. Carney joins in on the run averaging 10 carries a game, and having played tight end last season, could be utilized in trick plays. DiGregorio's brother Kevin is a standout on a stingy defense that gives up less than 11 points a game. Fellow linebackers Matt McDougal and Mike Kelly join him as the units top tacklers. Veterans Dan Rogers, William Van Belle, and Vaughn DiBattista anchor their lines.. They have solid special teams with a good kicker in Chris Albero. On paper the teams look evenly matched, and mirror each other in numerous areas. With a hot day forecast, and playing on turf, the team with better depth might have a slight advantage. I would expect a game much like last year's. With the team that's offense executes better, defense plays more disciplined, and as a group, makes fewer mistakes to come out on top.