Who: Delaware Military Academy 3 - 3 (Home 2 - 1, Away 1- 2)
Media Rank: TNJ: # 9 , WDEL: #9
National Rank: #5704 State Rank: #16
Conference: Diamond State, Conference Record: 2 - 1
When: Friday October 19th 7:00 PM
Where: Spartan Stadium - Link
Series: Saint Mark's leads the series 4 - 3
Last Played: 2017, Delaware Military won 33 - 21
Weather: Game time temps: High of 56, low of 55. Cloudy with a 15% chance of rain. 8mph winds.
Media Coverage: 302 Sports Streaming - Link
Coach: Mike Ryan
Schedule: Link
Roster: Link
** CalPreps rankings.
Media Rank: TNJ: # 9 , WDEL: #9
National Rank: #5704 State Rank: #16
Conference: Diamond State, Conference Record: 2 - 1
When: Friday October 19th 7:00 PM
Where: Spartan Stadium - Link
Series: Saint Mark's leads the series 4 - 3
Last Played: 2017, Delaware Military won 33 - 21
Weather: Game time temps: High of 56, low of 55. Cloudy with a 15% chance of rain. 8mph winds.
Media Coverage: 302 Sports Streaming - Link
Coach: Mike Ryan
Schedule: Link
Roster: Link
** CalPreps rankings.
There will be much at stake when Saint Mark's and Delaware Military Academy meet Friday night for the eighth consecutive contest between the burgeoning gridiron rivals. Both squads are coming off disappointing losses to top Division II foes, that have put their once promising seasons in jeopardy. It is an important game for both teams, and with possible postseason implications will be under the media spotlight. All of this should motivate the clubs this week as they prepare for the contest. However for the Spartans nothing should add more fuel to the fire than pride. Not a single member of this team has ever beat DMA. After Saint Mark's won the first four games in the series, the Seahawks have taken the last three. And with a win Friday night Delaware Military could not only tie the series, but put themselves among elite company. In the forty-seven year old Spartan program history only five schools (Archmere, Dover, Newark, Salesianum, and William Penn) have defeated Saint Mark's four times (or more) in a row. While the game is not a must win situation for either team, for the loser, the road to the playoffs becomes much more perilous. The Seahawks, at 3 - 3 have a pretty clear path if they get past the Spartans. And if they fall, they could still possibly qualify at 6 - 4 due to a strong schedule. Saint Mark's, at 4 - 2 could probably afford another loss, however with the opponents they have remaining it would put them in a difficult position. There is indeed much at stake for both these teams, and no shortage of reasons from which to draw motivation. However when you're the squad on the wrong side of a three game losing streak, the desire to win simply becomes a matter of pride.
Despite graduating fifteen seniors from last years 9 - 2 team, Delaware Military Academy opened the 2018 season with the expectation of qualifying for a fourth consecutive playoff berth. The Seahawks looked to be on the right path, winning three straight out of the gate before their fortunes took a turn for the worse. With injuries to key players and facing tougher competition, Delaware Military would go on to lose their next three contests. It is unfamiliar territory for the program which hasn't suffered a similar streak since 2011. Getting back to full health, the Seahawk team that Saint Mark's sees in The Graveyard Friday night will closer resemble the group that opened the season, than the one that has struggled of late. Injured in their 20 - 7 loss to St. Elizabeth, versatile star Corahn Alleyne has played sparingly over the past few weeks. With a combined thirteen touchdowns on the year, Allenye is an integral cog in the Delaware Military wheel. His absence is felt on both sides of the ball. That is not to say the Seahawks are a one man team. Quarterback Joe Deal is a capable passer with multiple targets in Dior Boyd and Andrew Hudson. Their lines aren't as dominant as those in the recent past, however they are solid with decent size. Their defense was stifling early in the season, but has dropped off some, likely due to injuries and stiffer competition. They have a good kicker in Mike Ruggeri, and with Alleyene at returner, their special teams can be spectacular. Not knowing their health status, especially that of Alleyne, makes it difficult to gauge how good a squad the Spartans will face. But it is safe to say it will be better than the team that gave Archmere a scare before falling last week. The game should be a classic battle between two teams playing with a sense of urgency, and a bit of desperation.