It’s that time of the fall, when cross country has reached the postseason and others are getting close. Volleyball has reached the last week of the regular season, field hockey is getting close, and football has just a few more weeks before the playoffs start.
In volleyball, the Catholic trio of Padua, Saint Mark’s and Ursuline will be closing out the regular season against each other as they get ready for the state tournament. Archmere and Saint Mark’s field hockey look like they’ll be in the Division II state tournament field, but they still have to get through the final week and a half.
The four Catholic high schools that play football all have big games — they all seem big. It’s homecoming at Saint Mark’s, while Archmere hosts a pivotal game. Salesianum and St. Elizabeth are on the road.
Cross country, meanwhile, gets the tournament season started with the Diamond State Athletic Conference championships on Monday at White Clay Creek.
Some events require tickets, which are often available only online. Game dates and times are always subject to change.
Girls
Volleyball
Monday, Oct. 21
St. Elizabeth (4-9) at Delaware Military (7-6), 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Ss. Peter and Paul (3-7) at Gunston, 5 p.m., ESIAC semifinals
Tower Hill (11-1) at Archmere (7-6), 6 p.m.
Saint Mark’s (11-2) at Padua (9-4), 7:30 p.m. The final week of the regular season always includes the threesome of Saint Mark’s, Padua and Ursuline getting together to close it out before the postseason arrives. The Pandas have played one of the toughest schedules in the state, and that continues against perhaps their biggest rival.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Newark Charter (9-3) at St. Elizabeth, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Archmere at First State Military (1-10), 4:45 p.m.
Padua at Ursuline, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26
St. Michaels at Ss. Peter and Paul, 10 a.m.
Saint Mark’s at Ursuline, 12:30 p.m. The regular season ends today with a few matches, including this one at Ursuline’s renovated gym. The battle could come down to the back-line defense since both teams feature strong play at the net. Tournament seedings will be determined shortly after this match concludes.
Field hockey
Monday, Oct. 21
MOT Charter (3-8) vs. St. Elizabeth (4-7), 3:30 p.m. at Chase Fieldhouse
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Saint Mark’s (10-3) vs. Padua (3-9), 3:45 p.m. at Chase Fieldhouse
Archmere (9-4) at Tower Hill (7-5), 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Hodgson (3-7-1) at Ursuline (5-7), 3:45 p.m.
St. Elizabeth at Wilmington Christian (7-5), 4 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Conrad (8-5) vs. St. Elizabeth, 3:30 p.m. at Chase Fieldhouse
Tatnall (5-6-1) at Archmere, 3:45 p.m.
Saint Mark’s at Sussex Academy (10-3), 5:30 p.m.
Ursuline at Delaware Military (4-8), 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 25
Odessa (9-2) vs. Padua, 5:15 p.m. at Chase Fieldhouse
Cross country
Monday, Oct. 21
Archmere at Diamond State Athletic Conference championship, 3:30 p.m. at White Clay Creek State Park, Newark
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Padua, Saint Mark’s and Ursuline at Catholic Conference championship, 7 p.m. at Abessinio Stadium
Boys
Football
Friday, Oct. 25
Salesianum (6-1) at Middletown (6-1), 7 p.m. The Sals and Cavaliers battle, with the winner getting the edge in the race for the Class 3A District 1 championship. Cavalier Stadium will be packed to watch the top two defenses in terms of points allowed in Class 3A, and they can score some points on offense as well.
William Penn (2-5) at Saint Mark’s (3-4), 7 p.m. The Spartans return home after four straight on the road. They’ll have homecoming against the Colonials, who have lost four straight but have a pretty stingy defense. Saint Mark’s is getting some players back from injury as they hope to return to the win column.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Howard (4-3) at Archmere (6-1), 11 a.m. Archmere and Howard sit atop Class 2A District 2 as this highly anticipated matchup arrives. Howard has a freshman quarterback who has dazzled at times; the Wildcats have won four straight, scoring 44 points per game in the last three. The Auks bring a multi-pronged rusing attack that helps the team control the pace.
St. Elizabeth (3-4) at Tatnall (7-0), 2 p.m. The Vikings bounced back with a win in their last game against a tough Christiana team, and the assignment is even harder this week with undefeated Tatnall on the road. The Hornets score nearly 40 points per game with a balanced running and passing attack. The Vikings will turn, as usual, to their group of running backs for yards and points. A win would give the Vikings a path to the Class 1A District 1 title.
Soccer
Monday, Oct. 21
Ss. Peter and Paul (2-8) at First State Military, 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Wilmington Charter (9-2) at Saint Mark’s (6-4), 3:30 p.m. The Spartans have challenged themselves this season, playing a number of Division I teams, and they have two this week, beginning at home against the Force. Charter is the highest-scoring team in the state, and they allow just a goal a game. The Spartans will need defense and goalkeeping at the top of their game.
Salesianum (6-4-1) at Caravel (9-3), 6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Park at Ss. Peter and Paul, 4 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 24
MOT Charter (2-9) at Archmere (6-6-1), 3:45 p.m.
St. Elizabeth (0-11) at Conrad (9-1-1), 3:45 p.m.
Saint Mark’s at Salesianum, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 25
Ss. Peter and Paul at St. Vincent Pallotti, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Odyssey (6-4-1) at Salesianum, 3:30 p.m.
St. Elizabeth at Delaware Military (1-10), 5:30 p.m.
Cross country
Monday, Oct. 21
Archmere and St. Elizabeth at Diamond State Athletic Conference championship, 3:30 p.m. at White Clay Creek State Park, Newark
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Salesianum and Saint Mark’s at Catholic Conference championship, 7 p.m. at Abessinio Stadium
