In any given year there are always teams that surprise even the most knowledgeable football expert. Sometimes it’s because teams play better than expected and in other situations it’s because they haven’t performed to the expectations placed on them in the preseason.
Two teams, one in each of Delaware’s two divisions, are playing at a level which, quite frankly, nobody expected. Not because of a perceived lack of talent — nothing could be further from the truth — but rather because one school moved up a level, while the other is playing in just its third varsity season. The state playoffs are a distinct possibility as each team enters the homestretch of its season.
Milford High School
Following a change in enrollment through a much-publicized and scrutinized process, the Buccaneers became the first Division II state champions to move up a level to Division I when they moved to the Henlopen North Conference for the 2009 season.
And while everyone believed the Milford program would be competitive in its new conference, not even the most "in-the-know" folks predicted the Bucs would sit near the top of the conference (4-3, 3-1) at this point in the season.
"I feel the biggest impact is the consistency we've had with the staff and building a solid program," Milford coach Mike Tkach said. "It's not like Division II was a pushover. There are very solid teams that we played every single week the last several years."
It also helped that the Bucs returned five offensive and six defensive players from last year’s team, which finished its championship season 8-2 (5-1 Henlopen South). Included in that core group are Brandon Legrand (RB), Marques Jones (QB) and Jerell Allen (WR). In the trenches on both sides of the ball the Bucs are led by seniors Joe McIlvain and Zach Gonzalez.
Tkach’s first task coming into preseason camp back in August was to shift the focus from the controversial move, which involved a failed lawsuit by the Milford School District to remain in the Henlopen South, to football and the task at hand.
"We really tried to keep the negative of the situation out of our kids’ heads and continue focusing on getting bigger and faster this summer and improving each week," said Tkach, who is in his eighth season as head coach and ninth overall. "We had no control over the courts and unfortunately the decision was made against us."
With the legal aspects now a distant memory, Milford is focused to prove that maybe the courts made the right decision by moving the Bucs to the Henlopen North. After all, based on the current standings, not even the best lawyer could argue against it.
Pencader Charter
In just its third varsity season and with just its second graduating class, the Titans find themselves on the verge of the Division II playoffs with a 3-1 Blue Hen Flight B Conference record (5-2 overall).
"The coaches bought into my offensive and defensive philosophies, the kids come from good parents, and the administrators and faculty are always lending a helping hand and supporting the team," said coach Rahsaan Matthews, who is a student advisor and assistant athletic director at the 3-year-old charter school.
It’s also no coincidence that Pencader boasts one of the most talented running backs in the state in senior Jerome Smith, who has verbally committed to Syracuse.
"Our goal is to win the state championship," Smith said shortly after committing to the Orangemen. "I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen."
And like any good team, the Titans aren’t just a one-man show. In fact, Matthews hesitated to name even a few players because of his belief that every member of his team contributes in some way.
"Darrell Miller-Smith, who is leading the state right now with 10 touchdown receptions, is a big key to our offense," said Matthews, who was a quarterback at William Penn High and Delaware State University. "(Running back) Kellen Raison gives us a change of pace with Jerome, and twins Brandon (QB) and Brian Norman (WR) are two of the most talented kids I've ever coached or been around. … I truly feel like every man on this team is important to our success."
Matthews is a firm believer that Pencader, which was 2-8 in 2007 and 7-3 last year when it just narrowly missed the Division II playoffs, is building a program, not just a team for a run to this year’s state championship.
"We have a very talented group of juniors and a nice core group of sophomores. So by no means do I think we'll be in rebuilding mode next year. I believe the hard work in the offseason and the valuable lessons our reserves are learning from our senior class will only propel them to reach higher goals than this class."