Middletown and Smyrna will renew an old tradition when they face off at Middletown’s Bill Billings Stadium on Sept. 18. The annual game, known as the Harvest Bowl, started in 1985 but was stopped after the 2001 season due to Middletown’s move to Division I status after sprawling growth nearly doubled the school’s population.
And while the annual rivalry didn’t get its name until 1985, the schools have a much older history, dating back to their days in the Diamond State Conference, before Smyrna left to join the Henlopen Conference.
But once Middletown moved to Division I, the annual tradition became a lopsided one in favor of the Cavaliers. And so it was decided that after the 2001 season, the schools would no longer meet.
Fast forward to 2007.
The town of Smyrna reaped the benefits of a similar population growth, moving the Eagles into Division I. And now, after completing the first two-year scheduling cycle, the teams’ two coaches are excited to renew the rivalry.
“I am very excited about renewing the Harvest Bowl,” Smyrna coach Clay Lloyd, who played in the game during the early 1990s, said in an e-mail. “It is always very exciting, and both communities have done a great job in supporting their teams in the past.”
Middletown coach Mark DelPercio played in the first Harvest Bowl, and his assistant, Tyler Reynolds, was a player in the last, so he clearly understands and appreciates the tradition of this game.
“Coach Clay Lloyd and I are great friends, and I have the utmost respect for him and his program,” DelPercio said. “This is an exciting game for both communities -- a throwback to the old days of two farming communities just a few miles apart getting excited about one game.”
Caravel football faces tough schedule
When Caravel Academy’s 2009 season (9-3) ended with a loss to Laurel in the semifinals of the Division II State Tournament, not only did the Buccaneers lose that game, but when the final horn sounded, they lost several key players to graduation.
Caravel does return several two-way starters, including Brandon Cheaton, Jordan Hutchinson, Lariffe Seeney and Mark Williams.
“We are looking for a very challenging season,” Caravel coach Mike Aruanno said. “The schedule is incredibly tough this year.”
Caravel opens its schedule at Sussex Central on Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Sussex Central made it to last year’s Division I title game before losing to Caesar Rodney. Other Division I opponents include St. Mark’s and Salesianum, and the Bucs will also travel across the border to face Octara (Pa.) and Chesapeake (Md.).
“We would be considered small in size and in numbers but we are loaded with heart and desire,” Aruanno said. “We will not depend on any star players to succeed. Our successes will truly come from a team effort.”
Timothy commits to Clemson
Giff Timothy, a first-team all-state offensive tackle at Middletown, has verbally accepted a football scholarship offer from Clemson University.
Timothy, who also received offers from Virginia, Utah, Boise State, Rutgers and Maryland, decided on Clemson after making an unofficial visit to the campus last month.
“I was most impressed by the academic support they have there,” said Timothy, who plans to major in sports medicine or physical therapy. “I felt that they get their athletes through college efficiently, and that the guidance counselors they have for student-athletes know what they are doing.”
Timothy will join a Clemson team heading into its first full season under coach Dabo Swinney, who replaced Tommy Bowden six games into the 2008 campaign.
“As far as football goes, I liked the coaching staff,” added Timothy, who is listed at 6-foot-6, 288 pounds. “They made me feel comfortable. I felt like they included me in a lot of stuff during my unofficial visit and really wanted me to be part of the football team. They made me feel like I could really contribute to their program.”
Timothy’s coach, Mark DelPercio, agrees Clemson is the perfect fit for his soft-spoken, humble lineman.
“Clemson University is a great fit for Giff, both academically and on the football field,” DelPercio said in an e-mail. “Giff loves the campus and the atmosphere of Clemson football. We look forward to following a great career.”
News and notes
Former Brandywine football coach Steve Dent, who was relieved of his duties following last season, has taken a position as running backs coach with Cheyney University. … Brian Parker has been named athletic director at his alma mater, Sussex Central.
Jon Buzby is the Delaware correspondent for MaxPreps.com.