The Henlopen Conference is a high school sports conference comprising public schools in Kent County and Sussex County in lower Delaware. The teams participate in a variety of sports including football, boys and girls soccer, track and field, cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls indoor track, boys and girls outdoor track, wrestling, boys and girls lacrosse, baseball, softball, cheerleading, boys and girls swimming, and field hockey.
The schools and teams that make up the Henlopen Conference are divided into two divisions. The Henlopen Northern Division and Henlopen Southern Division. Despite the name, the schools are not divided by geographical location, but rather by enrollment numbers, with the larger schools in the Northern Division and the smaller schools in the Southern Division. The conferences are re-arranged every few years based on enrollment numbers.
The current conference allignment for the schools along with the city they are located in are:
Henlopen Northern Division
School | Team | City | Geographic areas |
---|---|---|---|
Caesar Rodney | Riders | Camden | Camden, Wyoming, Dover Air Force Base, Magnolia |
Cape Henlopen | Vikings | Lewes | Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Milton, Harbeson, Cedar Creek, Broadkill Beach |
Dover | Senators | Dover | Dover, Cheswold, Hartly, Little Creek |
Milford | Buccaneers | Milford | Milford, Ellendale, Houston, Lincoln City, Thompsonville, Slaughter Beach |
Smyrna | Eagles | Smyrna | Smyrna, Clayton, Leipsic |
Sussex Central | Golden Knights | Georgetown | Georgetown, Millsboro |
Sussex Tech | Ravens | Georgetown | Sussex County technical students |
Henlopen Southern Division
School | Team | City | Geographic areas |
---|---|---|---|
Delmar | Wildcats | Delmar | Delmar |
Indian River | Indians | Dagsboro | Dagsboro, Frankford, Bethany Beach, Millville, Ocean View, Gumboro, Angola, Oak Orchard |
Lake Forest | Spartans | Felton | Felton, Bowers Beach, Frederica, Harrington, Viola |
Laurel | Bulldogs | Laurel | Laurel |
Polytech | Panthers | Woodside | Kent County technical students |
Seaford | Blue Jays | Seaford | Seaford, Blades, Bethel |
Woodbridge | Blue Raiders | Bridgeville | Bridgeville, Greenwood, Farmington |
The Henlopen Conference as it is today was created in the mid-1960s. Of the schools now comprising the Henlopen Conference, most were original members of the Diamond State Conference, which then consisted of Middletown, Smyrna, Dover, Caesar Rodney, Milford, Seaford, Lewes, and Georgetown. Lewes and Georgetown defected first, with every team but Middletown eventually ending up in the Henlopen Conference. Middletown, the only New Castle County school, moved to a conference composed entirely of New Castle County schools with the school district mergers of 1969-70 when it became a part of the Appoquinimink School District.
The original teams of the Henlopen Conference were the Rehoboth Beach Seahawks, Milton Warriors, Lewes Pirates (from Diamond State), Greenwood Foresters, Dover Air Force Base Falcons, Harrington Lions, Felton Green Devils, Delmar Wildcats, Millsboro Blue Devils, John M. Clayton Bears, Laurel Bulldogs, Lord Baltimore Lords, Selbyville Rebels, and Georgetown Golden Knights (from Diamond State).
With the school district mergers of 1969-70, several teams changed. Lewes, Milton, and Rehoboth Beach merged to form the Cape Henlopen Vikings. Georgetown, John M. Clayton, and a large part of the Millsboro School District merged to become the Sussex Central Golden Knights (the other portion of Millsboro was absorbed into Cape Henlopen). Greenwood and Bridgeville merged to become the Woodbridge Blue Raiders. Harrington and Felton merged with Frederica to become the Lake Forest Spartans. Lord Baltimore and Selbyville were merged with Frankford and Dagsboro to become the Indian River Indians. The Milford School District also joined the conference after merging with the Ellendale and Houston school districts, keeping the Milford Buccaneers name. Magnolia and Oak Point merged with Caesar Rodney in 1969 and Dover Air Force Base high school students were absorbed into the Caesar Rodney High School after the United States government closed down the base's school in the 1980s, although the school had always been run by the Caesar Rodney School District through contract. The Sussex Tech Ravens (early 1990's) and Polytech Panthers (2007) joined the conference with the addition of their sports teams when the schools made the transition from vocational trade schools to technical and academic schools.
Of note is that not all teams joined the conference immediately at its inception, affecting the number of conference championships the teams could have won.
Since 1969, teams in the Henlopen Conference have won a total of 22 state football championships. The south leads the north in championships 15 to seven. Caesar Rodney leads the northern division with three Division I Championships and Delmar leads the southern division with six Division II Championships. Indian River was the last team to win a state championship in 2011.
Only twice has the conference swept the Division I and Division II championship. In 1988, Dover from the North and Indian River from the South were the first to do it. In 2008, Caesar Rodney from the North and Milford from the south accomplished the feat. In the 2008 championship games, both Caesar Rodney and Milford defeated Sussex Central and Laurel to win their respective championships.[1]
Seaford High School is the only school in the conference to win both a Division I and II Championship.
In 2006 Lake Forest High School had to temporarily shut down their varsity football team due to allegations of use of painkillers. Lake Forest forfeited their final eight games for that season.[2][3]
Prior to the 2007-08 school year, Milford was moved to the Henlopen South while Smyrna joined the Northern Division due to changes in enrollment. On September 30, 2008 those numbers were rechecked and confirmed to determine the assignments for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years. With only a total of 8 students separating the seventh and eighth largest schools, with Polytech coming in a 1,164 and Milford at 1,156; the conference assignments were certified to stay the same through June 2011. This included Polytech in the North Division and Milford in the South.[4]
Days prior to the Division 2 Championship game, Polytech High School challenged the enrollment numbers that were submitted by Milford High School. Polytech brought their case to the athletic directors of the Henlopen Conference schools in a monthly meeting, and Milford argued their case as to why the numbers were correct. At the center of Polytech's argument were 17 students of the Intensive Learning Center, a separate school from Milford High School for special needs and mentally challenged students that rented space inside Milford High. The Polytech officials argued that those students were in the building and should be counted, the Milford officials argued that it was a separate school and that the State of Delaware did not count those children in Milford's enrollment nor did Milford receive funding for them.
A vote was held by the athletic directors of the various schools in the conference, all of the directors in the South voted Milford should move up to the North except Laurel High School; all of the directors in the North said Milford should stay down except for Polytech High School, which made it a 6-6 vote as Milford was not allowed to vote. However, the director for Sussex Central wasn't present for the meeting, so the director for Indian River High School was allowed to vote twice as Indian River High School and Sussex Central High School are in the same school district. The director voted two times that Milford move to the North Division and the vote was confirmed.
In December 2008, Milford appealed to the superintendents of the schools comprising the Henlopen Conference. The superintendents voted to uphold the decision of the athletic directors as it was an athletics issue. Milford also appealed to the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association, the governing body for athletics in Delaware schools. The DIAA decided that the matter needed to be handled by the Henlopen Conference and that they would not be involved.
On April 15, 2009, Milford High School filed a lawsuit against the Henlopen Conference in Chancery Court challenging that the vote was against the conference by-laws. In the lawsuit, Milford is listed as seeking "declaratory relief" and to have the vote to change the conference alignments nullified, placing Milford High School back in the South Division.[5][6] On July 2, that lawsuit was dismissed.[7]
Henlopen Northern Division[8]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Caesar Rodney | Riders | 5 - 0 | 9 - 2 | Loss in semi-finals of Div. I Playoffs |
Sussex Tech | Ravens | 4 - 1 | 7 - 4 | Loss in first round of Div. I Playoffs |
Milford | Buccaneers | 3 - 2 | 7 - 3 | Failed to make playoffs |
Sussex Central | Golden Knights | 2 - 3 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Dover | Senators | 1 - 4 | 3 - 7 | Failed to make playoffs |
Cape Henlopen | Vikings | 0 - 5 | 0 - 10 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Southern Division[9]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Indian River | Indians | 5 - 1 | 8 - 4 | Loss in semi-finals of Div. II Playoffs |
Woodbridge | Blue Raiders | 4 - 2 | 7 - 3 | Failed to make playoffs |
Smyrna | Eagles | 4 - 2 | 7 - 4 | Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs |
Laurel | Bulldogs | 4 - 2 | 7 - 4 | Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs |
Delmar | Wildcats | 2 - 4 | 3 - 7 | Failed to make playoffs |
Seaford | Blue Jays | 1 - 5 | 3 - 7 | Failed to make playoffs |
Lake Forest | Spartans | 1 - 5 | 3 - 7 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Northern Division[10]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dover | Senators | 5 - 0 | 8 - 3 | Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs |
Caesar Rodney | Riders | 3 - 2 | 4 - 6 | Failed to make playoffs |
Sussex Central | Golden Knights | 2 - 3 | 6 - 5 | Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs |
Sussex Tech | Ravens | 2 - 3 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Cape Henlopen | Vikings | 2 - 3 | 4 - 6 | Failed to make playoffs |
Milford | Buccaneers | 1 - 4 | 4 - 6 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Southern Division[11]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Indian River | Indians | 6 - 0 | 9 - 2 | Loss in semi-finals of Div. II playoffs |
Laurel | Bulldogs | 5 - 1 | 8 - 3 | Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs |
Delmar | Wildcats | 4 - 2 | 8 - 2 | Failed to make playoffs |
Lake Forest | Spartans | 3 - 3 | 4 - 6 | Failed to make playoffs |
Smyrna | Eagles | 2 - 4 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Woodbridge | Blue Raiders | 1 - 5 | 3 - 7 | Failed to make playoffs |
Seaford | Blue Jays | 0 - 6 | 0 - 10 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Northern Division[12]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sussex Central | Golden Knights | 5 - 0 | 11 - 1 | Loss in Div. I Championship Game |
Milford | Buccaneers | 3 - 2 | 6 - 4 | Failed to make playoffs |
Cape Henlopen | Vikings | 3 - 2 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Caesar Rodney | Riders | 2 - 3 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Dover | Senators | 3 - 3 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Sussex Tech | Ravens | 0 - 5 | 2 - 8 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Southern Division[13]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Delmar | Wildcats | 6 - 0 | 11 - 1 | Loss in Div. II Championship Game |
Indian River | Indians | 5 - 1 | 8 - 3 | Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs |
Woodbridge | Blue Raiders | 4 - 2 | 6 - 4 | Failed to make playoffs |
Laurel | Bulldogs | 3 - 3 | 6 - 4 | Failed to make playoffs |
Smyrna | Eagles | 2 - 4 | 3 - 7 | Failed to make playoffs |
Seaford | Blue Jays | 1 - 5 | 2 - 8 | Failed to make playoffs |
Lake Forest | Spartans | 1 - 5 | 1 - 9 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Northern Division[14]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sussex Central | Golden Knights | 6 - 0 | 10 - 2 | Loss in Div. I Championship Game |
Caesar Rodney | Riders | 4 - 2 | 6 - 5 | Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs |
Sussex Tech | Ravens | 4 - 2 | 7 - 3 | Failed to make playoffs |
Dover | Senators | 3 - 3 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Cape Henlopen | Vikings | 3 - 3 | 4 - 6 | Failed to make playoffs |
Smyrna | Eagles | 1 - 5 | 3 - 7 | Failed to make playoffs |
Polytech | Panthers | 0 - 6 | 2 - 8 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Southern Division[15]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Delmar | Wildcats | 6 - 0 | 10 - 1 | Loss in semi-finals of Div. II playoffs |
Indian River | Indians | 5 - 1 | 8 - 3 | Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs |
Milford | Buccaneers | 4 - 2 | 6 - 4 | Failed to make playoffs |
Woodbridge | Blue Raiders | 3 - 3 | 4 - 6 | Failed to make playoffs |
Laurel | Bulldogs | 2 - 4 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Lake Forest | Spartans | 1 - 5 | 1 - 9 | Failed to make playoffs |
Seaford | Blue Jays | 0 - 6 | 1 - 9 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Northern Division[16]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sussex Central | Golden Knights | 6 - 0 | 10 - 2 | Loss in Div. I Championship Game |
Caesar Rodney | Riders | 5 - 1 | 11 - 1 | Won Div. I State Championship |
Dover | Senators | 4 - 2 | 6 - 4 | Failed to make playoffs |
Smyrna | Eagles | 2 - 4 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Sussex Tech | Ravens | 2 - 4 | 4 - 6 | Failed to make playoffs |
Cape Henlopen | Vikings | 2 - 4 | 3 - 7 | Failed to make playoffs |
Polytech | Panthers | 0 - 6 | 2 - 8 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Southern Division[17]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Milford | Buccaneers | 5 - 1 | 10 - 2 | Won Div. II State Championship |
Laurel | Bulldogs | 5 - 1 | 9 - 3 | Loss in Div. II State Championship Game |
Indian River | Indians | 4 - 2 | 7 - 4 | Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs |
Delmar | Wildcats | 4 - 2 | 8 - 2 | Failed to make playoffs |
Seaford | Blue Jays | 2 - 4 | 2 - 8 | Failed to make playoffs |
Lake Forest | Spartans | 1 - 5 | 3 - 7 | Failed to make playoffs |
Woodbridge | Blue Raiders | 0 - 6 | 0 - 10 | Failed to make playoffs |
The week one meeting between Milford and St. Marks (Wilmington, Delaware) was ranked the #10 matchup in the nation by MaxPreps.[18]
Henlopen Northern Division[19]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sussex Tech | Ravens | 5 - 1 | 9 - 2 | Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs |
Caesar Rodney | Riders | 5 - 1 | 8 - 4 | Loss in semi-finals of Div. I playoffs |
Milford | Buccaneers | 5 - 1 | 6 - 4 | Failed to make playoffs |
Sussex Central | Golden Knights | 2 - 4 | 6 - 4 | Failed to make playoffs |
Dover | Senators | 2 - 4 | 4 - 6 | Failed to make playoffs |
Smyrna | Eagles | 2 - 4 | 2 - 8 | Failed to make playoffs |
Cape Henlopen | Vikings | 0 - 6 | 1 - 9 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Southern Division[20]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Delmar | Wildcats | 6 - 0 | 10 - 3 | Won Div. II State Championship |
Laurel | Bulldogs | 5 - 1 | 8 - 3 | Loss in semi-finals of Div. II Playoffs |
Lake Forest | Spartans | 4 - 2 | 7 - 3 | Failed to make playoffs |
Indian River | Indians | 3 - 3 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Seaford | Blue Jays | 2 - 4 | 4 - 6 | Failed to make playoffs |
Polytech | Panthers | 1 - 5 | 1 - 9 | Failed to make playoffs |
Woodbridge | Blue Raiders | 0 - 6 | 3 - 7 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Northern Division[21]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sussex Central | Golden Knights | 5 - 1 | 7 - 4 | Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs |
Caesar Rodney | Riders | 5 - 1 | 7 - 4 | Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs |
Dover | Senators | 3 - 3 | 6 - 4 | Failed to make playoffs |
Sussex Tech | Ravens | 3 - 3 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Cape Henlopen | Vikings | 2 - 4 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Smyrna | Eagles | 2 - 4 | 4 - 6 | Failed to make playoffs |
Milford | Buccaneers | 1 - 5 | 3 - 7 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Southern Division[22]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lake Forest | Spartans | 5 - 1 | 8 - 3 | Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs |
Delmar | Wildcats | 4 - 2 | 8 - 4 | Loss in semi-finals of Div. II playoffs |
Laurel | Bulldogs | 4 - 2 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Indian River | Indians | 4 - 2 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Polytech | Panthers | 3 - 3 | 4 - 6 | Failed to make playoffs |
Woodbridge | Blue Raiders | 1 - 5 | 3 - 7 | Failed to make playoffs |
Seaford | Blue Jays | 0 - 6 | 2 - 8 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Northern Division[23]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sussex Central | Golden Knights | 6 - 0 | 7 - 4 | Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs |
Dover | Senators | 5 - 1 | 8 - 4 | Loss in semi-finals of Div. I playoffs |
Cape Henlopen | Vikings | 4 - 2 | 8 - 2 | Failed to make playoffs |
Caesar Rodney | Riders | 3 - 3 | 3 - 7 | Failed to make playoffs |
Smyrna | Eagles | 2 - 4 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Sussex Tech | Ravens | 1 - 5 | 4 - 6 | Failed to make playoffs |
Milford | Buccaneers | 0 - 6 | 1 - 9 | Failed to make playoffs |
Henlopen Southern Division[24]
School | Team | Division Record | Overall Record | Season Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
Indian River | Indians | 6 - 0 | 12 - 0 | Won Div. II State Championship |
Delmar | Wildcats | 5 - 1 | 9 - 2 | Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs |
Laurel | Bulldogs | 4 - 2 | 4 - 6 | Failed to make playoffs |
Lake Forest | Spartans | 3 - 3 | 5 - 5 | Failed to make playoffs |
Polytech | Panthers | 2 - 4 | 2 - 8 | Failed to make playoffs |
Woodbridge | Blue Raiders | 1 - 5 | 2 - 8 | Failed to make playoffs |
Seaford | Blue Jays | 0 - 6 | 0 - 10 | Failed to make playoffs |
Of note: Teams with a gold background went on to win the State Championship.
Year | Henlopen South (Div II) | Henlopen North (Div I) | At-Large Div I or II State Champion [25] |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Indian River | Sussex Central | |
2010 | Lake Forest | Sussex Central | |
2009 | Delmar | Sussex Tech | |
2008 | Milford | Sussex Central | Caesar Rodney (Div I) |
2007 | Delmar | Sussex Central | |
2006 | Delmar | Sussex Central | |
2005 | Indian River | Dover | |
2004 | Indian River | Caesar Rodney | |
2003 | Indian River | Caesar Rodney | |
2002 | Delmar | Sussex Central | |
2001 | Delmar | Dover | |
2000 | Delmar | Caesar Rodney | |
1999 | Woodbridge | Caesar Rodney | |
1998 | Delmar | Cape Henlopen | |
1997 | Delmar | Cape Henlopen | |
1996 | Delmar | Caesar Rodney | |
1995 | Delmar | Caesar Rodney | Lake Forest (Div II) |
1994 | Seaford | Caesar Rodney | |
1993 | Laurel | Seaford | Sussex Tech (Div II) |
1992 | Laurel | Seaford | |
1991 | Lake Forest | Caesar Rodney | Laurel (Div II) |
1990 | Lake Forest | Caesar Rodney | |
1989 | Lake Forest | Caesar Rodney | |
1988 | Indian River | Dover | |
1987 | Indian River | Seaford | Laurel (Div II) |
1986 | Laurel, Indian River, Smyrna | Seaford, Caesar Rodney, Dover | Laurel (Div II) |
1985 | Delmar | Seaford | |
1984 | Lake Forest | Cape Henlopen | |
1983 | Seaford | Caesar Rodney | |
1982 | Seaford | Dover, Cape Henlopen | |
1981 | Lake Forest | Seaford | |
1980 | Indian River | Caesar Rodney | |
1979 | Indian River | Cape Henlopen | |
1978 | Dover Air Force Base*** | Caesar Rodney | |
1977 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Dover (Div I) |
1976 | Delmar | Caesar Rodney | |
1975 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | |
1974 | Smyrna | Milford | |
1973 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney, Sussex Central | |
1972 | Lake Forest | Dover | |
1971 | Laurel | Dover | |
1970 | Indian River | Sussex Central | |
1969 | Indian River | Smyrna |
(*** Dover Air Force High School shut down operations and merged with Caesar Rodney High School. The two schools have always been in the same school district.)
Prior to 1969 there were no North and South divisions, simply an overall champion. They were:
Year | Henlopen Conference Champion |
---|---|
1968 | Indian River |
1967 | Bridgeville (Woodbridge) |
1966 | Bridgeville (Woodbridge) |
1965 | Delmar |
1964 | Harrington (Lake Forest) |
1963 | John M. Clayton (Indian River) |
1962 | Millsboro / John M. Clayton (Sussex Central / Indian River) |
1961 | Rehoboth (Cape Henlopen) |
1960 | Millsboro / Rehoboth (Sussex Central / Indian River) |
1959 | Bridgeville (Woodbridge) |
Note that of those pre-1969 teams listed above, only Indian River and Delmar still exist as school districts today, with Indian River's merger coming prior to the 1969-70 school year.
School | Division | Total | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Caesar Rodney | North | 18 | Most all time in Northern Division |
Cape Henlopen | North | 7 | Includes two wins by Rehoboth |
Delmar | South | 12 | Last Championship in 2009 ( State Champions) |
Dover | North | 6 | Last Division Championship was in 2005 |
Dover AF | n/a | 1 | *** Please see note above |
Indian River | South | 14 | Includes two won by John M Clayton – Most all time in the Southern Division |
Lake Forest | South | 7 | Includes one won by Harrington |
Laurel | South | 4 | Last Division Championship was in 1993 |
Milford | North | 2 | One in the North; One in the South |
Poly Tech | South | 0 | Join the league in 2007 |
Seaford | South | 9 | Six in the North; Three in the South |
Smyrna | North | 6 | One in the North; Five in the South |
Sussex Central | North | 10 | Includes two won by Millsboro |
Sussex Tech | North | 1 | Only Championship was in 2009 |
Woodbridge | South | 4 | Includes three won by Bridgeville |
Battle of the Bell Milford vs. Lake Forest - Started in 1969 when the conferences were formed and school districts were consolidated. The winning team keeps the trophy, the bell off a train that used to run between Milford and Harrington, for a year until the next Battle of the Bell.
2011 Battle of the Bell Champion - Lake Forest (19-14)
Delaware's Oldest High School Rivalry Seaford vs. Laurel - The oldest rivalry game in the state, and said to be the third oldest rivalry in the nation, these two towns are separated by only 6½ miles and a large turn-out is always expected.
2011 Delaware's Oldest High School Rivalry Champion - Laurel (37-0)
The Civil War Caesar Rodney vs. Dover - A cross-town rivalry game in Dover.
2011 Civil War Champion - Dover (14-6)
The Battle for Georgetown Sussex Tech vs. Sussex Central - A cross-town rivalry game in Georgetown.
2011 Battle for Georgetown Champion - Sussex Central (16-3)
The Tech Bowl Sussex Tech vs. Polytech - A rivalry game between Sussex County and Kent County's two technical high schools.
2011 Tech Bowl Champion - Sussex Tech (48-7)
The Harvest Bowl Smyrna vs. Middletown - A non-conference rivalry game going back to before the Henlopen Conference when the two teams played in the Diamond State Conference.
2011 Harvest Bowl Champion - Middletown (36-6)
Battle for the Lions Club Trophy Delmar vs. Laurel - The two towns are only 9 miles apart along U.S. 13 and the winner takes home a trophy sponsored by the local Lions Club.
2011 Battle for the Lions Club Trophy Champion - Delmar (37-28)
Intra-district Rivalry Sussex Central vs. Indian River - A non-conference game between the two schools. Both schools belong to the the Indian River School District. The IRSD is one of the largest districts in the state of Delaware.
2011 Intra-district Rivalry Champion - Indian River (47-17)
Year | Henlopen South | Henlopen North | Conference Dual Meet | Tournament Champion |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009-10 | ||||
2008-09 | Milford | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | Smyrna |
2007-08 | Indian River | Sussex Central | Sussex Central | Sussex Central |
2006-07 | Caesar Rodney | |||
2005-06 | Caesar Rodney | |||
2004-05 | Milford | Sussex Central | Sussex Central | |
2003-04 | Laurel | Caesar Rodney | Sussex Central | Sussex Central |
2002-03 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | Sussex Central |
2001-02 | Lake Forest | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney |
2000-01 | Milford | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney |
1999-00 | Milford | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney |
1998 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney |
1997 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney |
1996 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney |
1995 | Smyrna | Sussex Central | Smyrna | Smyrna |
1994 | Smyrna | Dover | Dover | Dover |
1993 | Smyrna | Dover | Dover | Dover |
1992 | Smyrna | Dover | Dover | Dover |
1991 | Smyrna | Dover | Smyrna | Dover |
1990 | Smyrna | Cape Henlopen | Smyrna | Smyrna |
1989 | Smyrna | Sussex Central | Smyrna | Smyrna |
1988 | Smyrna | Dover | Dover | Dover |
1987 | Smyrna | Dover | Smyrna | Dover |
1986 | Smyrna | Dover | Smyrna | Dover |
1985 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney |
1984 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney |
1983 | Laurel | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney |
1982 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney |
1981 | Smyrna | Milford | Milford | None |
1980 | Smyrna | Milford | Milford | None |
1979 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Smyrna | None |
1978 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Smyrna | None |
1977 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | None |
1976 | Smyrna | Sussex Central | Sussex Central | None |
1975 | Smyrna | Sussex Central | Smyrna | None |
1974 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | None |
1973 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney | None |
1972 | Smyrna | Caesar Rodney | Smyrna, Caesar Rodney, Sussex Central | None |
1971 | Smyrna | Sussex Central | Smyrna | None |
1970 | Smyrna | Sussex Central | Smyrna | None |
1969 | None | None | None | Harrington |
1968 | None | None | None | ? |
1967 | None | None | None | Delmar |
1966 | None | None | None | Harrington |
1965 | None | None | None | Delmar |
Prior to 1969 there were no conferences, simply a Tournament Champion. In 1970 the school districts consolidated. Of those pre-1969 teams, only Indian River and Delmar still exist as school districts today, with Indian River's merger coming prior to 1969-70.
Total Division Championships:
Caesar Rodney - 21 (most all time in the North)
Cape Henlopen - 1
Delmar - 0
Dover - 7
Indian River - 2
Lake Forest - 0
Laurel - 2
Milford - 6 *Only team to win championships in both the North & South (2 in North, 4 in South)
Polytech - 0
Seaford - 0
Smyrna - 29 (Most by any school, in any conference, in any sport in the state)
Sussex Central - 7
Sussex Tech - 0
Woodbridge - 0
Conference Dual Meet Championships (Overall Champion):
Caesar Rodney - 16 (most all time)
Cape Henlopen - 0
Delmar - 0
Dover - 4
Indian River - 0
Lake Forest - 0
Laurel - 0
Milford - 2 *One of only 2 Sussex County schools to win overall championship
Polytech - 0
Seaford - 0
Smyrna - 12
Sussex Central - 5 *One of only 2 Sussex County schools to win overall championship
Sussex Tech - 0
Woodbridge - 0
Tournament Championships:
Caesar Rodney - 10 (most all time)
Cape Henlopen - 0
Delmar - 2
Dover - 7
Indian River - 0
Lake Forest - 2 *Both won by Harrington prior to 1970 merger
Laurel - 0
Milford - 0
Polytech - 0
Seaford - 0
Smyrna - 4
Sussex Central - 4
Sussex Tech - 0
Woodbridge - 0
Year | Henlopen South Division | Henlopen North Division | Conference Championship Game | Conference Champion |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010-11[26] | Polytech | Smyrna | Smyrna 46 - Polytech 41 | Smyrna |
2009-10 | Polytech | Dover | Dover 71 - Polytech 55 | Dover[27] |
2008-09 | Woodbridge | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney 41 - Woodbridge 35 | Caesar Rodney |
2007-08 | Woodbridge | Sussex Central | Woodbridge 71 - Sussex Central 60 | Woodbridge |
2006-07 | ||||
2005-06 | Smyrna | Cape Henlopen | Cape Henlopen 77 - Smyrna 52 | Cape Henlopen |
2004-05 | ||||
2003 | ||||
2002 | Lake Forest | Sussex Tech | Sussex Tech 58 - Lake Forest 48 | Sussex Tech |
2001 | Lake Forest | Sussex Central | Sussex Central 59 - Lake Forest 49 | Sussex Central |
2000 | Lake Forest | Sussex Tech | Sussex Tech 73 - Lake Forest 62 | Sussex Tech |
1999 | Lake Forest | Sussex Tech | Sussex Tech 63 - Lake Forest 50 | Sussex Tech |
1998 | Indian River | Cape Henlopen | Cape Henlopen 77 - Indian River 64 | Cape Henlopen |
1997 | Lake Forest | Cape Henlopen | Lake Forest 49 - Cape Henlopen 45 | Lake Forest |
1996 | Indian River | Cape Henlopen | Indian River 74 - Cape Henlopen 72 | Indian River |
1995 | Indian River | Cape Henlopen | Indian River 52 - Cape Henlopen 51 | Indian River |
1994 | Indian River | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney 67 - Indian River 65 | Caesar Rodney |
1993 | Indian River | Sussex Central | Indian River 58 - Sussex Central 45 | Indian River |
1992 | Lake Forest | Dover | Dover 53 - Lake Forest 48 | Dover |
1991 | Indian River | Seaford | Indian River 69 - Seaford 59 | Indian River |
1990 | Indian River | Seaford | Indian River 65 - Seaford 63 | Indian River |
1989 | Indian River | Milford | Milford 82 - Indian River 73 | Milford |
1988 | Woodbridge | Seaford | Seaford 61 - Woodbridge 50 | Seaford |
1987 | Woodbridge | Seaford | Seaford 77 - Woodbridge 63 | Seaford |
1986 | Smyrna | Seaford | Seaford 74 - Smyrna 66 | Seaford |
1985 | Smyrna | Sussex Central | Smyrna 64 - Sussex Central 55 | Smyrna |
1984 | Seaford | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney 61 - Seaford 60 | Caesar Rodney |
1983 | Woodbridge | Cape Henlopen | Cape Henlopen 92 - Woodbridge 80 | Cape Henlopen |
1982 | Lake Forest | Cape Henlopen | Cape Henlopen 71 - Lake Forest 57 | Cape Henlopen |
1981 | Indian River | Cape Henlopen | Cape Henlopen 67 - Indian River 66 | Cape Henlopen |
1980 | Indian River | Cape Henlopen | Cape Henlopen 77 - Indian River 63 | Cape Henlopen |
1979 | Indian River | Cape Henlopen | Cape Henlopen 49 - Indian River 36 | Cape Henlopen |
1978 | Indian River | Dover | Dover 55 - Indian River 53 | Dover |
1977 | Indian River | Dover | Dover 61 - Indian River 59 | Dover |
1976 | Indian River | Cape Henlopen | Cape Henlopen 78 - Indian River 57 | Cape Henlopen |
1975 | Indian River | Cape Henlopen | Cape Henlopen 64 - Indian River 52 | Cape Henlopen |
1974 | Indian River | Cape Henlopen | Indian River 66 - Cape Henlopen 62 | Indian River |
1973 | Woodbridge | Cape Henlopen | Woodbridge 63 - Cape Henlopen 62 | Woodbridge |
1972 | Indian River | Dover | Dover 69 - Indian River 53 | Dover |
1971 | Indian River | Milford | Milford 47 - Indian River 45 | Milford |
1970 | Lake Forest | Milford | Lake Forest 69 - Milford 43 | Lake Forest |
Prior to 1970 the conference was broken down into East and West based on geographic location. An Eastern Division and Western Division Champion was declared and a championship game was played between the two to determine the Henlopen Conference Champion. No division champions were declared in 1960 and 1961, instead the team with the best record was named Henlopen Conference Champion.
Year | Henlopen West Division | Henlopen East Division | Conference Championship Game | Conference Champion |
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1969 | Dover Air Force Base | Rehoboth | Dover Air Force Base 77 - Rehoboth 70 | Dover Air Force Base |
1968 | Bridgeville | Milton | Bridgeville 65 - Milton 58 | Bridgeville |
1967 | Bridgeville | Milton | Milton 54 - Bridgeville 52 | Milton |
1966 | Felton | Milton | Milton 60 - Felton 58 | Milton |
1965 | Felton | Milton | Felton 73 - Milton 58 | Felton |
1964 | Felton | Lord Baltimore | Felton 81 - Lord Baltimore 59 | Felton |
1963 | Felton | Rehoboth | Rehoboth 48 - Felton 44 | Rehoboth |
1962 | Greenwood | Milton | Milton 46 - Greenwood 38 | Milton |
1961 | No Division Champion | No Division Champion | No Game | Rehoboth |
1960 | No Division Champion | No Division Champion | No Game | Rehoboth |
Note that of those pre-1969 teams listed above, none still exist as an independent school district.
Total division championships:
Caesar Rodney - 3 *Includes 1 won by Dover Air Force Base
Cape Henlopen - 21 *Includes 2 won by Rehoboth (does not included 1960 & 1961) and 5 won by Milton (Most in the North Division and all time)
Delmar - 0
Dover - 4
Indian River - 19 *Includes 1 won by Lord Baltimore (Most in the South Division)
Lake Forest - 10 *Includes 2 won by Felton
Laurel - 0
Milford - 3
Polytech - 2
Seaford - 4 (3 in North, 1 in South)
Smyrna - 4
Sussex Central - 3
Sussex Tech - 3
Woodbridge - 7 *Includes 2 won by Bridgeville and 1 won by Greenwood
Total Henlopen Conference Championships:
Caesar Rodney - 3 *Includes 1 won by Dover Air Force Base
Cape Henlopen - 15 *Includes 3 won by Rehoboth and 3 won by Milton
Delmar - 0
Dover - 4
Indian River - 6
Lake Forest - 4 *Includes 2 won by Felton
Laurel - 0
Milford - 2
Polytech - 0
Seaford - 3
Smyrna - 2
Sussex Central - 1
Sussex Tech - 3
Woodbridge - 2 *Includes 1 won by Bridgeville
Year | Henlopen South Division | Henlopen North Division | Conference Champion |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Milford | Sussex Central | Sussex Central |
2008 | Indian River | Sussex Central | Indian River |
2007 | Indian River | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney |
2006 | Indian River | Cape Henlopen | Cape Henlopen |
2005 | Indian River | Cape Henlopen | ???? |
2004 | Delmar | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodeny |
2003 | Laurel | Cape Henlopen | Cape Henlopen |
2002 | Seaford | Sussex Central | Seaford |
2001 | Seaford | Caesar Rodney | Caesar Rodney |
2000 | Laurel | Sussex Central |
The following Henlopen Conference boys teams have gone on to win state championships (includes pre-merger teams).
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State Championships:
Caesar Rodney - 23
Cape Henlopen - 27
Delmar - 6
Dover - 13
Dover A.F. - 1
Indian River - 4
Lake Forest - 15 (Includes 3 Cross Country won by Harrington)
Laurel - 3
Milford - 10
Polytech - 0
Seaford - 10
Smyrna - 7
Sussex Central - 3
Sussex Tech - 1
Woodbridge - 4
The following Henlopen Conference girls teams have gone on to win state championships. There were no girls championships until the 1973–1974 school year, all championships are post-merger.
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State Championships:
Caesar Rodney - 11
Cape Henlopen - 14
Delmar - 0
Dover - 10
Indian River - 1
Lake Forest - 6
Laurel - 0
Milford - 5
Polytech - 1
Seaford - 6
Smyrna - 1
Sussex Central - 3
Sussex Tech - 3
Woodbridge - 0
The total number of state championships won by Henlopen Conference teams in both boys and girls sports, in order of championships won:
Cape Henlopen Vikings - 41
Caesar Rodney Riders - 36
Dover Senators - 23
Lake Forest Spartans - 21
Seaford Blue Jays - 16
Milford Buccaneers - 15
Smyrna Eagles - 8
Sussex Central Golden Knights - 6
Delmar Wildcats - 6
Indian River Indians - 5
Sussex Tech Ravens - 5
Woodbridge Blue Raiders - 4
Laurel Bulldogs - 3
Polytech Panthers - 1
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