Come get these memories! Friday night at the Sussex County Castle

Pink Lloyd - I told my wife: “Sussex Central football coaches refer to their home field as The Castle, but I don’t see any towers, spires or moats; maybe Country Castle would be more apt.” Susan said: “Perhaps it’s because they are the Knights.” And I added, “I got a good photo of Pink carrying out the down marker for a measurement. Lloyd Mears, aka Pink Lloyd – just the greatest nickname – and he doesn't need no education.” "Pink on Wear Pink Night,” Susan said, citing a connection I completely missed. Mears is in the Delaware Track & Field Hall of Fame. So am I. It’s an item neither of us can sell on the sidelines. Mears ran on a 1972 Delaware track & field mile relay team that ran 3:14.2 at the Penn Relays, the fastest time ever run by four Delaware residents. The time converts to 3:13 for 4-by-400 meters. Mears ran leadoff with a split of 48.6 seconds. Mears retired as a longtime basketball official, but when you go to The Castle, you get Pink on a down marker and Tommy Marvel on the public address. “Hey, baby!” 

Don’t ask, don't tell - A good, close game blew wide open for Cape at The Castle Friday night when the Knights scored 14 unanswered points on a 28-yard touchdown run by Kevon Moore-Briddell and an eight-yard interception return by William Abbott. The rescue trucks parked beyond the south end zone snapped a snippet of sirens and lights, bringing me back to 1987 when No. 1-ranked and unbeaten Cape lost at Indian River and red lights in a dense fog had me pulling over, and I was defensive coordinator and not in a pickup truck. Sussex Central recovered the ensuing left-footed midrange kickoff. Their sideline players leaped into next week. “I can’t believe they went onside kick,” said Techno Goober and Punkin Chunkin President Frank Payton to me from behind his mirrorless camera. “Trust me, that was not planned, and I wouldn’t even ask coach John Wells if he called that.” Wells did call a timeout and told his team to take a knee and run out the clock. Coach Jim Alderman, back in 1980, recovered an onside kick against Indian River when leading 45-0. I did ask him at that time, “Do you expect heat for doing that?” Jimbo replied, “I figured it was a good time to practice in a game situation with the element of surprise.”  

Bodie blowed up the jet sweep - Bodie Frederick, my great-nephew, blew up the Sussex Central Wing-T jet sweep and got his name announced by Tommy Marvel. It took me back to 1965 at Temple Stadium, when the Owls hosted the University of Delaware. Dave Nelson, aka the Admiral, was head coach of the Blue Hens. There were 10,000 fans in the stands. I made a play and had my name announced by legendary hall of famer Dave Zinkoff. I am a flashback photographer without the flash. I don't need it. Coach Mike Frederick: “Just two years ago, [Bodie] asked me if the defensive end played offense or defense. Your brother would be enjoying the hell out of this. Just watching Bodie enjoy it so much.” 

Judi and Katie - Dr. Judi Brittingham, now the acting principal at Sussex Central High School, and Katie DelCampo Tingle are best buddies since they met in my not-ready-for-primetime civics class as freshmen, back before cellphones and the internet. Judy's son Isaiah is a swimmer for Hood College, while Katie's son Jameson is the Cape quarterback. 

“Ricky, Don’t Lose That Number” - The University of Delaware's 2003 national championship team was honored last weekend, and 40 players took the field before the North Carolina A&T game won by Delaware 21-6. I was on the Chattanooga charter for that championship game flying out of Wilmington airport as evidently the Hooters party plane was available that Friday. I saw a photo of the reunion and spotted Trip DelCampo and Mark Moore, so I commented “Nos. 72 and 53.” Trip responded, “Yep!” “Come Get These Memories,” a Motown classic from 1962. 

Snippets - Delmar hockey (10-1) is at Cape (11-1) at 6 p.m., Thursday. Cape has outscored opponents 70-4, while Delmar holds an 84-6 scoring advantage. Cape honored Delmar football and wrestling athlete Carter Figgs with a Delmar Strong Cape jersey draped over the bench Friday night. Figgs lost his life in a car accident Oct. 7. Cape coach Jason Feather, the equipment guy, made it happen. Go on now, git!