A new era begins for Saint Mark’s football, as the Spartans welcome a veteran coach and return to DIAA Class 2A after a two-year stint in Class 3A. The Spartans will kick off the season with a Week 0 visit to Cape Henlopen on Aug. 28. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
The Spartans have been hard at work learning the offense and defense of Bill DiNardo, who takes the reins this season at the Graveyard. DiNardo has been out of coaching for two years after a successful tenure at Salesianum, with Middletown and Caravel before that.
Saint Mark’s will be replacing a fair number of starters, including quarterback, where Brett Greene is expected to be the starter. Greene, a junior, got some game action last season because of injuries to the starter. He’ll have Elijah Burke and Ta’Son Wallace in the backfield behind him, along with John Nich.
Despite moving to Class 2A, the Spartans open with consecutive games against 3A opponents, including the season debut at Cape Henlopen. They’ll be in the Graveyard for the first time the next Friday, when St. Georges — led by former Spartans head coach John Wilson — pays a visit. Saint Mark’s has just four home games, including the reigning Class 1A state champion Indian River, who moved up this year. Their challenging schedule also takes them to Archmere, always a spirited battle.
Schedule
Home games in CAPS. All games begin at 7 p.m. except where noted
Aug. 28: Cape Henlopen
Sept. 5: ST. GEORGES
Sept. 13: Archmere, 2 p.m.
Sept. 20: William Penn, noon
Sept. 26: INDIAN RIVER
Oct. 3: Delaware Military
Oct. 10: POLYTECH
Oct. 24: Milford
Oct. 31: ODESSA
Photos by Mike Lang.
