High school fall sports are in their third full week of competition, with some teams nearing the halfway mark of their schedules. There are plenty of good games on the docket for both girls and boys, with some solid choices especially in volleyball. Saint Mark’s and Ursuline will meet for the first time before the Raiders pack their suitcases and head out of town.
In field hockey, Archmere hosts a key Diamond State Athletic Conference battle. And in flag football, each of the three Catholic schools meets a team new to competition this season.
On the boys’ side, the soccer schedule includes a visit from Saint Mark’s to Archmere. Those two schools host big football games as well this weekend, matchups that could showcase potential state tournament meetings.
Check schedules before heading out to watch.
Girls
Field hockey
Tuesday, Sept. 23
Padua (3-1) at Saint Mark’s (2-1), 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Newark Charter (4-0) at Archmere (4-1), 3:45 p.m. After a season-opening loss to Division I power Smyrna, in which they allowed eight goals, Archmere has done a 180. The Auks have allowed just two goals in their four wins, three of which have come on the road. They’ll face a tough test from Newark Charter, which has outscored its opponents, 15-3, in its four wins.
Thursday, Sept. 25
Sanford (2-4) vs. Padua, 3:30 p.m. at Chase Fieldhouse
Friday, Sept. 26
Ursuline (1-3) at Concord (4-2), 3:30 p.m.
Holly Grove at SS. Peter and Paul (4-2), 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27
Saint Mark’s at Caravel (5-1), noon. The Spartans feature several players who can score, but their biggest key in this matchup might be the defense and goalie Cat Jones. She’ll have to deal with Bucs weapons Hailey Haynes and Carson Peace.
Volleyball
Tuesday, Sept. 23
Saint Mark’s (4-1) at Ursuline (2-3), 7 p.m.
Appoquinimink (4-0) at Padua (2-3), 7 p.m. The Pandas’ young lineup continues its challenging schedule against the Jaguars. Appo is led by Jaslyn Dawkins, one of the most feared hitters in the state. Defensive specialists Abby Madigan and Reagan Maus will need to be at the ready at all times.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Red Lion (4-1) at St. Elizabeth (0-5), 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 25
Padua at Wilmington Charter (1-4), 5 p.m.
SS. Peter and Paul (6-1) at Salisbury Christian, 5 p.m.
Cape Henlopen (3-2) at Saint Mark’s, 6 p.m. Saint Mark’s welcomes the Vikings to New Castle County for what could be an epic battle. Cape features hitter Harper Mamele, while the Spartans have a bunch of hitters, including freshman Gia Pezzullo. The Vikings entered this week having played consecutive five-set matches, so they’re no strangers to marathons.
St. Elizabeth at Archmere (6-1), 6:15 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 26
Ursuline at Ursuline Academy Sisters Tournament, St. Louis
Saturday, Sept. 27
Ursuline at Ursuline Academy Sisters Tournament, St. Louis
Cross country
Saturday, Sept. 27
Padua at Carlisle Invitational, 9 a.m. at Carlisle (Pa.) High School
Archmere, Saint Mark’s and Ursuline at Six Flags Wild Safari Invitational, Jackson, N.J.
Soccer
Tuesday, Sept. 23
Salisbury School at SS. Peter and Paul (6-1), 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 25
SS. Peter and Paul at Salisbury Christian, 4 p.m.
Flag football
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Cape Henlopen (0-2) vs. Ursuline (0-2), 6:15 p.m. at Saint Mark’s
Padua (1-1) vs. William Penn (1-1), 6:15 p.m. at Delaware Military Academy
Newark Charter (1-1) at Saint Mark’s (1-1), 7:30 p.m.
Boys
Football
Friday, Sept. 26
Indian River (4-0) at Saint Mark’s (2-2), 7 p.m. Two teams new to Class 2A this season battle under the lights in the Graveyard. Indian River moved up after winning the 1A title last season, and the Indians have come out swinging. They have experience on offense in running backs Davon Handy and Darnell Stokes, along with quarterback Dylan Grise. Saint Mark’s has won its last two games behind the quarterback tandem of Bret Greene and Terron Tippens.
Sussex Central (2-1) at Salesianum (1-2), 7 p.m. Salesianum plays its first Class 3A game after sticking close to two Pennsylvania powers. Jasir Gaymon ran for 143 yards on 17 carries at Malvern Prep (Pa.), and Brady Nabb has been effective at quarterback. The Golden Knights are coming off a shootout loss against Hodgson. Malachi Hayes leads their multi-pronged rushing attack.
Saturday, Sept. 27
Lake Forest (3-0) at Archmere (2-1), 11 a.m. Lake Forest is averaging around 40 points per game with Jackson Parson starting at quarterback. The Spartans will make their first trip outside of Kent County to battle the Auks, who have a talented defense led by Kevin Kozicki and Ryan Hagenberg. The Auks’ offense benefited from the return of quarterback John Orsini last week, while Michael Donovan continued his strong season in the win over Delaware Military Academy.
Soccer
Tuesday, Sept. 23
St. Elizabeth (0-1) at Dickinson (2-3), 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Archmere (1-2-1) at Newark Charter (1-2), 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 25
Salesianum (2-2) at Boulder (Colo.), 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 26
Saint Mark’s (4-1) at Archmere, 3:45 p.m.
St. Paul’s at SS. Peter and Paul (5-1), 4 p.m.
St. Elizabeth at Red Lion (0-5), 7:15 p.m.
Cross country
Saturday, Sept. 27
Archmere and Saint Mark’s at Six Flags Wild Safari Invitational, Jackson, N.J.
Salesianum at Salesianum Invitational, 10 a.m. at Brandywine Creek State Park
