The Middletown High football team plans to compete with the state's elite once again this season. Here is a closer look at this year's Cavaliers:
Coaching staff: Mark DelPercio is the head coach, assisted by Scott Thompson, Tyler Reynolds, Brian Timpson, Jay Myers, Ryan Gerlitz, Craig Devries, Zach Blum, Regi Ashley, Justin Comegys and Hal Moyer.
Last season: 7-3.
Seniors: Michael West (RB); Anthony Dowd (OLB); Aaron Clark (FB-ILB-P-K); Matt Lenoir (CB); Michael Royston (G); Francis Reeves (DE); Steve Fox (T); Logan Daviston (TE-DE); Will Baker (G); Ryan Bricker (DT); Michael Capasso (WR-TE).
Juniors: Jordan Griffin (RB-S); Lou Prado (WR); Michael Thompson (C); Cody Spence (DL); Aaron Brant (WR); Seth Reed (OLB); Cherokee Hill (OLB); Willie Doan (ILB); Quest Reeves (CB); Jonathan Whitehead (CB).
Sophomores: Jamar Baynard (RB); Kenny Hensley (DL); Nick Digati (T-ILB); Jacob Smulski (DE); Thomas Davis (QB).
Freshmen: Darius Wade (QB); Chris Godwin (WR).
Outlook: Middletown High’s most consistent winner for the past decade and a half plans to keep the football rolling after just missing last year’s Division I state tournament. There’s enough returning varsity talent and reinforcements from successful junior varsity and freshmen squads to make it happen, along with Friday night-ready freshmen Wade and Godwin.
Several veterans are proven performers who made all-Blue Hen Conference Flight A honorable mention last fall – Francis Reeves, Clark, West, Prado and Fox.
“We fully anticipate being in the mix as far as the top Division I teams in the state go,” head coach DelPercio said. “We don’t have a ton of depth, but that’s high school football. Most teams are that way unless there are 200 kids to choose from.”
Quarterback Wade will pilot a potentially quick-strike offense that features speedsters West and Griffin running to the outside, and fullback Clark grinding away at the middle. There’s also Baynard, one of the varsity newcomers who will help the Cavs reload instead of rebuild.
The all-important offensive line returns two starters – Fox and Thompson – and isn’t as big as past units. New starters Royston, Daviston, Baker and DiGati hit the weightroom with their game faces on during offseason workouts, and did everything possible to bulk up.
“We’re not as big as the last couple years, but we’re quicker,” DelPercio said. “Pound for pound, we’re very strong up front. All six guys dedicated themselves to being in the weight room and it shows. They’ve also become a very cohesive group, and will do fine as a group.”
