MILLTOWN – Saint Mark’s drove downfield on the opening possession of the 2026 football season, but a field goal was all the Spartans could muster in a 34-3 loss to Cape Henlopen at the Graveyard.
The Spartans have several new players in key positions and brand-new white helmets. Senior Kyle Iudica lined up at quarterback, and classmate Ray Kaczmarczyk was the team’s primary running back. They were key in moving the Spartans to the Vikings’ 13, but on a third down and five, Cape pinned a five-yard loss on Saint Mark’s. Nick Massey came on for the 26-yard field goal with 7:22 to go on a warm, muggy evening.
The Vikings answered with an 80-yard drive that took just 1:38. Senior quarterback Jameson Tingle hurt the Spartans with his legs and his arm. He came out throwing, picking up 14 total yards on the first two plays from scrimmage. The next play was a keeper for 18 yards. After an incomplete pass, Tingle found Aidan Lehmuth down the right side, and he was tackled at the 1. Tingle finished the drive with a dive through the middle.
Cape’s defense tightened up, not allowing the Spartans to cross midfield the rest of the half. They forced three Spartans punts and one fumble, and they steadily built their lead. Saint Mark’s Ziyon Bowen kept the Vikings out of the end zone with an interception at the Spartans’ 1 after the first Saint Mark’s punt, but Cape Henlopen did not miss otherwise.
Lehmuth closed out a 74-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown with 7:31 remaining in the first half that made it 14-3. The series of plays included three straight passes from Tingle that covered 47 yards, then a run from Tingle for 17 to the 2. Lehmuth got the rest.
Cape recovered a fumble at the Spartans’ 20, and after a loss of three on first down, Tingle and Jameson Peace teamed up on a play-action pass for another touchdown. That increased the Vikings’ lead to 20-3 with 4:36 remaining in the half. A few minutes later, Tingle hit Geordan Downing with an 18-yard touchdown pass.
The lone score of the second half came with 29 seconds remaining in the third. Tingle scored on fourth and inches to complete a 75-yard drive.
Cape Henlopen (1-0) is back in New Castle County on Sept. 12 when they visit William Penn for a noon start. Saint Mark’s (0-1) will travel to St. Georges on Sept. 11. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.
Photos by Mike Lang.
