Keep looking in the rear-view mirror and risk hitting something
Because we care - The field hockey season is young and already five Henlopen Conference teams - Woodbridge, Indian River, Dover, Laurel and Sussex Central - have a combined record of 3-30. Field hockey is surging in interest and talent in the Cape Region, but in most other places it is dying on the vine with poorly skilled teams, and junior varsity programs being dropped left and right. Sticking with arboreal metaphors, I will go out on a limb and say that talent on Cape teams from high school down through middle school could field five separate teams that would be in the top 20 in the state, three of those in the top 10 and two in the top five.
This train has left the station and with the new stadium the attraction to play at Cape is only going to get stronger. Note: Yes, I am aware that Sussex Tech hockey has won two state titles, rolling over Cape in the process. The Ravens are 5-4 this season. And I'm aware of Tower Hill, Archmere, St. Mark's and Delmar, but for depth of talent, it is Cape and the wave is cresting.
Elation meets deflation - Exuberant, over-the-top, unbridled enthusiasm in the wake of winning can be tough to impossible to stomach if you're on the other side.
A team which, by losing, has launched a group freak-out across the field doesn't quite know where to put itself. I get all that and have been on both sides of that deal many times.
Way back, about 1984, a Cape football team coached by Rob Schroeder upset a Caesar Rodney team coached by John Coveleski when Jeff Lawton took a handoff from Brett Gardner and broke a wing-T sweep to the right to score the winning touchdown. Johnny Coveleski stood in the end zone after the game and endured all the happy Cape people, some his own siblings. He said to me,”We're having people over to the house; I'd like for you to come.” I responded, “I can't coach, it wouldn't be right. I am way too happy you lost.”
Hoopfest - Saturday night, Oct. 15, at the Cape Corral, the Cape Crusaders are hosting a hoopfest and chicken barbecue to raise some money for the community-based youth basketball program and to see who has still got game and $40 per team to prove it. Registration begins at 11 a.m. According to Crusader Commissioner Tom Pederson, there will be 3-on-3 tournaments for middle school and high school boys and girls and an open division for adults. Det. John Miller will be the deejay, and the chicken will be hot and fresh, right off the back of the truck.
Snippets - This Friday night, Oct. 7, my broadcast buddy Anthony Joseph will be doing the play-by-play for the Dover at Sussex Central football game beginning at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard at WAMS 98.3 out of Dover or found on your computer at www.SFMSports.net.
Dave Kergaard will be hosting a free seminar at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11, in the Club Fitness VIP training studio. Members and friends are invited. Dave will discuss 10 things you can do immediately to improve your training and your health. For example, put the hoagie down if you're doing reverse hyper-extended med ball sit-ups. Seriously, Dave is the best and always has time for your personal questions. Call 302-226-4653 and let them know you're coming.
St. Georges Tech, coached by J.D. Maull with locals Kai Maull and Ronnie Burton as assistants, is currently 4-0 and scheduled to play the Hodgson Silver Eagles, also undefeated and likely to remain so, on Saturday, Oct. 22. Former Cape coach Bill Muehleisen, who coached Gilbert Maull as a quarterback, is on the Hodgson staff.
Coach Bill Collick on who did what in the immediate aftermath of Cape's victory over Sussex Tech: “ [It was] one of the best football games I've ever been involved with, and all I can say is if you keep looking into the rear-view mirror, you're going to hit something. I'm looking forward to Milford.”
Cape graduate Brian Myers, son of coaches Sue and John Myers, is a member of the Virginia Intermont College dressage team. Brian finished in first place in the First Level (top level) and the team finished second to open the season at Appalachian State. The 2009-10 team on which he was a reserve rider was the dressage national champion. I know Brian grew up in Highland Acres; I just don't know where he kept his horse.
Lindsay Danz of Rehoboth Beach scored a goal as the Bloomsburg University field hockey team beat C.W. Post 2-0 to go 11-0 on the season. Lindsay had two goals in a 5-1 win over Indiana University of Pennsylvania Oct. 1. The Huskies are the No. 1 Division II team in the country.
Cape field hockey will host Our Lady of Good Counsel of Maryland at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 8. Gabrielle Yore, daughter of former Cape Principal John Yore, plays for Good Counsel. John will be at the game and I'm sure all his friends will be glad to see him. Good Counsel is 6-1 on the season, was the number one girls' lacrosse team in the nation last season, but is not considered a field hockey powerhouse. Question: How bad can they be? Answer: Trap game for Cape; you know these Catholic girls can play! Go on now, git!
