The Newark High girls volleyball team heads into the home stretch of its season on a three-game winning streak and having won four of its last five games.
The winning streak, which is the longest since the 2019 season, included wins against Early College School at DSU (3-0), Delcastle (3-1) and Glasgow (3-0).
“Despite our slow 0-5 start, the girls have stuck with it and believe in themselves,” said first-year head coach Dave Johnston, who took over the helm after the third game of the season. “The match against Glasgow is the perfect example. We fell behind significantly in the first set, 5-16, rallied, won it, and that set the tone for the remainder of the match. It’s fun to coach a team that resets and focuses on winning the next point.”
Newark closes out its season next week at home against Middletown (Oct. 24) and then road matches at Hodgson (Oct. 26) and McKean (Oct. 27).
“It would be great for this group of girls, especially the seniors, to go out on a high note,” Johnston added.
Senior captains Hanna Huddleston and Mary Fatorma, along with seniors Alyssa Thomason and Sa’Mya Armstrong will be celebrated before the Middletown game.
Yellowjackets pick up key district win
Newark High celebrated homecoming by picking up a key District 1 win with a 42-8 victory over Conrad School of Sciences (1-5, 0-4). The Yellowjackets jumped out to a 20-0 lead after one quarter behind rushing touchdowns by Markee Ellerbee (4 yards), Damian Wright (57) and Jyaire Townsend (16). Ellerbe and Townsend scored again in the second quarter to extend Newark’s lead to 35-0 at the half. Shaun Whyte scored Newark’s final touchdown on a 15-yard run in the third quarter.
“Great homecoming win,” coach Jody Russell said. “I thought we played better and eliminated mistakes across the board. Offensively, we improved from our worst outing of the year. The defense was suffocating.”
Samir Rollins had three sacks, and Matt Barlow, Matt Lazear and Dajour White each had one to lead the defensive effort.
Newark (4-2, 3-1) travels to McKean on Friday night for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
Local gridiron roundup
Saint Mark’s, coming off its lone loss of the season against Archmere the week before, celebrated homecoming with a 35-3 win over Concord (1-5, 1-2). The Spartans (6-1, 3-0) have a big District 1 game at Delaware Military Academy (3-2, 3-0) on Friday at 7. DMA will play without head coach Nick Lincoln, who was suspended 30 days by the DIAA for not thoroughly investigating the ejection of one of his players who then illegally played in the next game that ultimately resulted in a forfeit against Howard.
Caravel Academy played in its closest game of the season and came away with a 28-16 win over Woodbridge (1-5, 1-2). Craig Miller carried 27 times for 225 yards and three touchdowns. Caravel (6-0, 3-0) hosts Lake Forest (5-1, 2-1) for its homecoming game on Friday night at 7. Lake Forest has won all three games it has played above the canal this season.
Lake Forest celebrated its homecoming below the canal on Saturday morning by taking down Red Lion Christian Academy 33-13 in Felton. Red Lion (3-3, 2-2) heads back to lower Delaware on Friday night to take on Sussex Tech (3-3, 1-2).
Christiana’s woes continued as the Vikings were shut out by Tatnall, 54-0. Christiana (0-6, 0-3) will try to pick up its first win on Saturday against Glasgow (1-5, 0-3). The Dragons lost to St. Andrews 25-16. Mason Lowman scored on a 6-yard run and Thomas Williams caught a 65-yard pass from Bryant Shelton for the Dragons’ two touchdowns.
Hodgson was down early but rallied late and fell just short of a big comeback when the clock expired as they were marching down the field and left the Silver Eagles on the wrong side of a 27-21 score against St. Georges (2-4, 1-2). Brysheam Davis caught five passes for 100 yards for the Silver Eagles. Hodgson (1-6, 0-3) plays at Appoquinimink (3-3, 2-1) on Friday at 7. Please be aware that if you do not already have a ticket for the game at Appoquinimink, there are no game-day ticket sales per the district’s new football stadium entry policy.
In my opinion only
There are a lot of people who for a lot less money could have coached Notre Dame football to a 3-3 record.
Wrapping it up
The all-time leader in points and assists for the Wilmington University men’s basketball program, Jermaine Head, has signed a professional contract to play with BC Iverioni Gori. The franchise is in the third tier of the Georgia Super League, located in Gori, Georgia. Georgia is an Eastern European country located on the east coast of the Black Sea.
Until next time … have a great sports week!
Have a sports tidbit to share? Email JonBuzby@hotmail.com and follow on Twitter @SportsBuzzPost.
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