The high school football season is almost here, and Smyrna’s varsity squad will soon get the chance to show what it can do.
The Eagles will kick off the season on Friday with a road game at Red Lion Christian Academy.
A week later, on Sept. 17, Smyrna will host Middletown in the second edition of the renewed Harvest Bowl. The two teams played each other for the first time since 2001 last year in Middletown, and now the non-conference rivalry is coming back to Smyrna.
Smyrna’s homecoming game will be Oct. 8 against Delaware Military Academy.
The Eagles have been putting in a lot of hard work to prepare for the challenges ahead.
During winter workouts, the team averaged about 45 athletes in the weight room, said head coach Clay Lloyd.
That work ethic has carried over to the preseason practices.
“I think our effort’s been good,” Lloyd said. “We have a bunch of good kids, and we’re working to make them great football players. As far as attitude, I can’t ask for anything more.”
The Eagles will be led by three captains this fall: senior quarterback Mark Wright; Demetrius Williams, starting tight end and defensive lineman; and Malik Brooks, a stalwart on both the offensive and defensive lines.
Carlton Nash is back as the lead rusher in the ground game.
Lloyd said the Eagles expect to have a balanced attack this fall, with the ability to throw and run the ball.
The team’s primary goal is to have a winning record this year, Lloyd said. All other team goals begin with achieving that one.
Meanwhile, Smyrna’s football program continues to grow. The new Smyrna Middle School team began play a year ago, and now the high school has a new freshman team in place this fall.
Smyrna’s student athletes have certainly shown an interest in the sport.
Coach Lloyd said the program now has about 150 players in grades 7-12.
The Eagles also have plenty of coaches helping out.
The varsity and J.V. teams are guided by head coach Clay Lloyd, Dan Wagner, Mike Judy, Andrew Mears, Kenny Brown, and volunteers Henry Wagner, Coy Miller and Torrie James.
The new freshman squad is led by head coach Mike Feldman, Brian Nabb, Mike Zulkowski, Jake Emerson and Chaka Sellers.
“We definitely have a lot of men in the community and former alumni willing to put in a lot of time and effort,” Lloyd said.
2010 Smyrna High varsity football schedule
A Red Lion Christian Sept. 10 7 p.m.
H Middletown Sept. 17 7:30 p.m.
A Milford Sept. 24 7:30 p.m.
H Dover Oct. 1 7:30 p.m.
H Del. Military Acad. Oct. 8 7:30 p.m.
A Sussex Central Oct. 15 7:30 p.m.
H Sussex Tech Oct. 22 7:30 p.m.
H Delcastle Oct. 29 7:30 p.m.
A Caesar Rodney Nov. 5 7:30 p.m.
A Cape Henlopen Nov. 12 7:30 p.m.
