Camp Opens
Though Preparation For The 2016 -17 Season Began Long Before
St. Mark's football team opened their preseason camp Monday August 15th to prepare for the upcoming season. That they did so in the middle of the summer's worst heatwave is probably not something the players are enthusiastic about. However it could serve them well if long range weather forecasts predicting a warmer than normal fall become a reality. While Monday marked the first official day for fall sports teams to begin practice, preparations for the athletes started long before. Those that don't participate in winter sports usually start off season conditioning almost immediately after the conclusion of the previous season. And in football, players and coaches are permitted to participate in a summer developmental league.
Delaware's version of 'spring football' is more limited than other states but it does allow backs and recievers to work on their passing game under supervision of their coaches. The teams are allowed a limited number of organized practices and are able to compete in tournaments and leagues. In northern Delaware the league of choice for many teams, is the New Castle County High School Touch Football League. Which is where one could find the Spartans competing this summer. After a years absence St. Mark's was back honing their game against the likes of Salesianum, Caravel, and D.M.A. The team fared well going 7 - 4, and finishing 5th in the 16 team league. The success should give the Spartans a boost entering camp, however the real benefit is the extra time it gives the coaches to work with some of their players. You can see a photo gallery from some of the 7 on 7 games following the article.
And for those who like to take in practice that more closely resembles the actual game , the Spartans will compete in three scrimmages this preseason. The first is 10:30 AM, this Saturday (8/20) against the Rams
at Dickinson High School (directions). Then on Friday 8/26, they will compete in a tri scrimmage with Glasgow and Elkton High School, 6:30 PM at Glasgow High School (directions). They will wrap up their camp on Thursday 9/1 at home with a scrimmage at 6:00 PM against the Concord Raiders (directions)
at Dickinson High School (directions). Then on Friday 8/26, they will compete in a tri scrimmage with Glasgow and Elkton High School, 6:30 PM at Glasgow High School (directions). They will wrap up their camp on Thursday 9/1 at home with a scrimmage at 6:00 PM against the Concord Raiders (directions)