Coach Bill Collick begins last year on August football field

Bill Collick is at home on the football field, from preseason two-a-day practices to the bright lights of Friday nights. Coach Collick leads by the power of his personality combined with a high character that puts trust in his coaches and players. Collick is always aware of a bigger world spinning around the football field. He knows local issues down to the family level and is tuned into national politics as well. Coach is an Afro-American leader with a 40-year track record. Name a Delaware sports Hall of Fame and he’s been inducted. OK, maybe not basketball.

Collick is entering his eighth season as head coach of Cape football after serving 10 years in the same capacity at Sussex Tech. He came to the Ravens after a successful career at Delaware State, where he was head football coach and athletic director.

“It looks like this will be my last year coaching football, but perhaps I’ll stay on as discipline dean [at the high school],” Collick said. “Cape has always been home to me. I like my job and being in a position to help kids.”

Fall football practice started Aug. 15 and by Saturday, Aug. 19, the Vikings will be in a three-way scrimmage with McKean and Seaford that begins at 3:30 p.m.

The Parkers - John and John Jr., who were defensive and offensive coordinators last season - are both gone.   

Varsity assistants are Curtis Thomas, Mike Tkach, Billy Collick, Gilbert Maull, Bo Gooch, Ken Hardy, Brad Ellingsworth and Kyle McCoy.

“We have about 75 athletes and we will field varsity, junior varsity and freshmen teams,” Collick said.

Opening day is Saturday, Sept. 9, at Lower Cape May Regional across the bay at 1 p.m.