A veteran Archmere football team takes the field Sept. 7 against St. Elizabeth in search of the program’s third trip to the state championship game in the last four years. The Auks face a challenging road to get there, but coach John Bellace and his staff have the talent to make a run.
The Auks must replace several quality players at skill positions, including quarterback, where John Orsini will start. Orsini got some playing time at the position last year but spent most of his snaps elsewhere. Ryan Hagenburg figures to be a workhorse in the backfield, and Christian Wittmeyer will be among several targets for Orsini when the Auks pass. Jack Chesman anchors the line.
As usual, Archmere will be taking on a solid slate of opponents. They’ll travel to Saint Mark’s early before a three-game homestand that includes the team that beat them for the Class 2A state championship last year, Caravel. Howard also visits. The regular season wraps with a trip to Wilmington Friends.
Home games in CAPS
Sept. 7: vs. St. Elizabeth at Abessinio Stadium, 11 a.m.
Sept. 13: at Saint Mark’s, 7 p.m.
Sept. 21: NEWARK, 11 a.m.
Sept. 28: CARAVEL, 11 a.m.
Oct. 5: DELAWARE MILITARY, 11 a.m.
Oct. 10: at Mount Pleasant, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 19: TOWER HILL, 2 p.m.
Oct. 26: HOWARD, 11 a.m.
Nov. 1: at Odessa, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 9: at Wilmington Friends, 1 p.m.
Photos by Mike Lang.