There have been plenty of good games, impressive performances and a few results that have made us take a second look at some of the teams across the state. While there are still plenty of questions to be answered—and a lot of football left to play—things are beginning to take shape.
Some divisions are already showing clear separation at the top, while others remain wide open and highly competitive. A few teams have made strong early statements, while others still have an opportunity to make their move in the weeks ahead.
With that in mind, here is where we currently have our Top 5 teams in each division, based on what we’ve seen through the first two weeks of the season.
These rankings are not set in stone. There’s a lot of football still to be played, and every week brings another opportunity for teams to move up, move down or make their case to be included. Here is how we see it currently:
3A
1) Salesianum (2&0): Have been impressive in both victories over Springside Chestnut Hill (PA) and Haverford (PA) out scoring them 65 to 0. LaSalle College HS (PA) will visit Abessinio Stadium on 9/25 in the Sallies next matchup.
2) Middletown (1&1): After splitting their first two games the Cavaliers will travel to face Our Lady of Good Counsel (MD) this Friday 9/18 at 7pm.
3) Smyrna (2&0): The Eagles are 2 & 0 and will get their shot to square up with the two teams currently ranked ahead of them in the next few weeks as they host Middletown on 10/2 and play Salesianum on 10/9 at the University of Delaware. Prior to those two big in state games, they will host Cardinal OHara (PA) on 9/25
4) Caesar Rodney (1&1): We are keeping the Riders here for now as they handled Hodgson easily and their loss was to Easton (MD) who is arguably (them or Stephen Decatur) the best team in the Bayside Conference. The Riders will host Archbishop Curley (MD) this Friday at 7pm.
5) St Georges (2&0): The Hawks have handled their first two opponents (William Penn and Saint Marks) rather easily but will be interested in how this team stacks up going into division play vs some stiffer competition. Next up for St Georges will be Friendship Collegiate (DC) on 9/19 at Noon.
Cape Henlopen, Appoquinimink, and Sussex Central are the remaining three teams that we feel are in that conversation currently
2A
Feel as this is the most competitive district from top to bottom with several teams making the case early that they are vying for a Top 5 position. Not ready to totally restructure our Preseason Top 5 list yet but are some small changes
1) Red Lion (0&1): Opened up vs very good 3A opponent in Smyrna. In addition some questions at QB position as anticipated starter has been deemed non eligible and denied a waiver and will sit the first 30 days. Still believe the defending 2A state champions are in position to be right back in position to win it again. Red Lion will host Long Island Lutheran (NY) at 1pm on 9/19
2) Howard (1&0): The Wildcats are also in anyone’s discussion as possible the top team in 2A. The opened up defeating 3A Hodgson 38 to 6 and then had a bye this past week. They will get rolling again Friday at 6pm as they travel to McKean. The next two games after that should give us a better gauge of where they truly are as they play 3A Appo and a 2A tough opponent in Woodbridge.
3) Lake Forest (1&0): The Spartans had an early bye this past week after defeating North Caroline (MD) opening week 49 to 14. They will have an interesting matchup vs 3A Cape Henlopen on Friday down in Lewes at 7pm. Not that they needed any more motivation but after hearing one of the Cape players in a post game interview after their victory over William Penn saying they predicted 50 to zip after asked about upcoming matchup vs Lake. Some fuel added to the fire for sure
4) DMA (2&0): Starting the season off with a great comeback victory over Woodbridge and then handling Glasgow puts DMA in the mix for the conversation of top 5 teams in 2A. Next two games are home vs Hodgson and Archmere.
5) Sussex Tech (2&0): Initially had them on the outside of our preseason Top 5 even though we talked about the offensive weapons the Ravens have. They host Mount Pleasant at 5:30pm on 9/25 and then travel to face Bohemia Manor (MD) on 10/2.
*Teams all in the conversation are Woodbridge, Archmere, Milford, Polytech, and Laurel
1A is playing out right now how most people predicted with Seaford and Newark Charter leading the way. Few teams making a case to be there at the end in contention.
1) Seaford (2&0): Been pretty much unstoppable offensively in first two games out scoring their opponents 68 to 8. Really underrated defensively also with Tom Turnabaugh having them tuned in. Visit Christiana on the 26th prior to hosting 2A Laurel on 10/2.
2) Newark Charter (2&0): Recently took down Odessa of 2A holding them scoreless in a 13 to 0 victory. Next three games are all home facing Tatnall, Newark, and Conrad.
3) Brandywine (1&1): Their loss coming to Laurel last week. Tough upcoming stretch in next three games as they travel to newly rejuvenated Newark, then DMA and Howard. Curious to see how they compete through this stretch.
4) Concord (1&0): Moves up a spot after defeating Mount Pleasant. Host ECS on 9/19 and then Delcastle on the 26th. This bottom half of 1A will get super competitive in next few weeks
5) St Elizabeth (1&1): Good opening week hard fought victory before being completely overmatched in Week 2 by 2A Archmere. Dealing with some injuries we will see how they bounce back vs Charter in their next matchup
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