Henlopen Conference

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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.

Schools and Teams

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 alignment 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
Polytech Panthers Woodside Kent County technical students
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, Selbyville, Fenwick Island
Lake Forest Spartans Felton Felton, Bowers Beach, Frederica, Harrington, Viola
Laurel Bulldogs Laurel Laurel
Milford Buccaneers Milford Milford, Ellendale, Houston, Lincoln City, Thompsonville, Slaughter Beach
Seaford Blue Jays Seaford Seaford, Blades, Bethel
Woodbridge Blue Raiders Bridgeville Bridgeville, Greenwood, Farmington

Conference History

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 1990s) 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.

Football

Football History

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.

2006 Lake Forest Forfeits

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]

Milford Controversy

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 Conference Football Records (Since 2004)

2004 Regular Season Football Standings

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

2005 Regular Season Football Standings

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

2006 Regular Season Football Standings

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

2007 Regular Season Football Standings

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

2008 Regular Season Football Standings

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]

2009 Regular Season Football Standings

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

2010 Regular Season Football Standings

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

2011 Regular Season Football Standings

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

2012 Regular Season Football Standings

Henlopen Northern Division

School Team Division Record Overall Record Season Outcome
Sussex Central Golden Knights 5 - 1 8 - 3 Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs
Cape Henlopen Vikings 5 - 1 8 - 3 Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs
Caesar Rodney Riders 5 - 1 8 - 4 Loss in semi-finals of Div. I playoffs
Dover Senators 3 - 3 5 - 5 Failed to make playoffs
Sussex Tech Ravens 2 - 4 3 - 7 Failed to make playoffs
Smyrna Eagles 1 - 5 4 - 6 Failed to make playoffs
Milford Buccaneers 0 - 6 3 - 7 Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division

School Team Division Record Overall Record Season Outcome
Indian River Indians 6 - 0 9 - 3 Loss in semi-finals of Div. II playoffs
Delmar Wildcats 5 - 1 7 - 3 Failed to make playoffs
Lake Forest Spartans 4 - 2 5 - 5 Failed to make playoffs
Laurel Bulldogs 3 - 3 4 - 6 Failed to make playoffs
Woodbridge Blue Raiders 2 - 4 2 - 8 Failed to make playoffs
Seaford Blue Jays 1 - 5 1 - 9 Failed to make playoffs
Polytech Panthers 0 - 6 1 - 9 Failed to make playoffs

2013 Regular Season Football Standings

Henlopen Northern Division

School Team Division Record Overall Record Season Outcome
Caesar Rodney Riders 6 - 0 8 - 4 Loss in semi-finals of Div. I playoffs
Dover Senators 5 - 1 9 - 3 Loss in semi-finals of Div. I playoffs
Cape Henlopen Vikings 4 - 2 6 - 4 Failed to make playoffs
Sussex Tech Ravens 3 - 3 5 - 5 Failed to make playoffs
Sussex Central Golden Knights 2 - 4 5 - 5 Failed to make playoffs
Polytech Panthers 1 - 5 5 - 5 Failed to make playoffs
Smyrna Eagles 0 - 6 2 - 8 Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division

School Team Division Record Overall Record Season Outcome
Indian River Indians 5 - 1 6 - 5 Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
Delmar Wildcats 5 - 1 9 - 2 Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
Woodbridge Blue Raiders 4 - 2 8 - 4 Loss in semi-finals of Div. II playoffs
Lake Forest Spartans 4 - 2 6 - 4 Failed to make playoffs
Laurel Bulldogs 2 - 4 2 - 8 Failed to make playoffs
Milford Buccaneers 1 - 5 1 - 9 Failed to make playoffs
Seaford Blue Jays 0 - 6 3 - 7 Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Conference Football Championships (By Year)

Of note: Teams with a gold background went on to win the State Championship.

Year Henlopen South (Div II) Henlopen North (Div I)
2013 Indian River Caesar Rodney
2012 Indian River Sussex Central
2011 Indian River Sussex Central
2010 Lake Forest Sussex Central
2009 Delmar Sussex Tech
2008 Milford Sussex Central
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
1994 Seaford Caesar Rodney
1993 Laurel Seaford
1992 Laurel Seaford
1991 Lake Forest Caesar Rodney
1990 Lake Forest Caesar Rodney
1989 Lake Forest Caesar Rodney
1988 Indian River Dover
1987 Indian River Seaford
1986 Laurel, Indian River, Smyrna Seaford, Caesar Rodney, Dover
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
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 / Cape Henlopen)
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.

Total Henlopen Conference Football Championships

School Division Total Notes
Caesar Rodney North 19 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 16 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 11 Includes two won by Millsboro
Sussex Tech North 1 Only Championship was in 2009
Woodbridge South 4 Includes three won by Bridgeville

Football rivalries

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.

2013 Battle of the Bell Champion - Lake Forest (33-7)

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.

2013 Delaware's Oldest High School Rivalry Champion - Laurel (46-6)

The Civil War Caesar Rodney vs. Dover - A cross-town rivalry game in Dover.

2013 Civil War Champion - Caesar Rodney (42-18)

The Battle for Georgetown Sussex Tech vs. Sussex Central - A cross-town rivalry game in Georgetown.

2013 Battle for Georgetown Champion - Sussex Tech (28-27)

The Tech Bowl Sussex Tech vs. Polytech - A rivalry game between Sussex County and Kent County's two technical high schools.

2013 Tech Bowl Champion - Sussex Tech (35-28)

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.

2012 Harvest Bowl Champion - Middletown (47-19)

  • Did not play in 2013

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.

2013 Battle for the Lions Club Trophy Champion - Delmar (21-20)

Intra-district Rivalry Sussex Central vs. Indian River - A rivalry game between the two schools that belong to the Indian River School District. The IRSD is one of the largest districts in the state of Delaware.

2013 Intra-district Rivalry Champion - Sussex Central (29-27)

Wrestling championships

Year Henlopen South Henlopen North Conference Dual Meet Tournament Champion
2011-12 Polytech Caesar Rodney No longer awarded Caesar Rodney
2010-11 Seaford, Polytech, Indian River Sussex Central No longer awarded Caesar Rodney
2009-10 Sussex Central No longer awarded Sussex Central
2008-09 Milford Caesar Rodney Caesar Rodney Smyrna
2007-08 Indian River Sussex Central Sussex Central Sussex Central
2006-07 Caesar Rodney Caesar Rodney Caesar Rodney
2005-06 Caesar Rodney Caesar Rodney 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

Boys basketball championships

Year Henlopen South Division Henlopen North Division Conference Championship Game Conference Champion
2010-11[25] Polytech Smyrna Smyrna 46 - Polytech 41 Smyrna
2009-10 Polytech Dover Dover 71 - Polytech 55 Dover[26]
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
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

Baseball championships

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

Boys State Championships

The following Henlopen Conference boys teams have gone on to win state championships (includes pre-merger teams). Of note, if (I/II) appears in the division category, all divisions play for the only state championship.[27]

Baseball

Div I/Div II School Year
I/II Dover Senators 1972
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 1975
I/II Seaford Blue Jays 1980
I/II Seaford Blue Jays 1983
I/II Seaford Blue Jays 1986
I/II Sussex Central Golden Knights 1989
I/II Seaford Blue Jays 1993

Basketball

Div I/Div II School Year
I/II Milford Buccaneers 1971
I/II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1975
I/II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1976
I/II Indian River Indians 1980
I/II Indian River Indians 1981
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 1984
I/II Seaford Blue Jays 1997

Cross Country

Div I/Div II School Year
II Harrington Lions 1963
II Harrington Lions 1966
II Harrington Lions 1969
II Dover Air Force Base Falcons 1971
II Lake Forest Spartans 1973
II Lake Forest Spartans 1974
II Lake Forest Spartans 1975
II Lake Forest Spartans 1976
II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1977
II Woodbridge Blue Raiders 1978
II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1979
II Sussex Central Golden Knights 1980
II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1982
II Lake Forest Spartans 1983
II Lake Forest Spartans 1986
II Lake Forest Spartans 1992
II Lake Forest Spartans 1993
II Lake Forest Spartans 1996
II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1999
II Cape Henlopen Vikings 2001

Football

Div I/Div II School Year
I Caesar Rodney Riders 1975
II Delmar Wildcats 1976
I Dover Senators 1977
I Cape Henlopen Vikings 1979
I Seaford Blue Jays 1981
II Seaford Blue Jays 1983
II Delmar Wildcats 1985
II Laurel Bulldogs 1986
II Laurel Bulldogs 1987
I Dover Senators 1988
II Indian River Indians 1988
I Caesar Rodney Riders 1990
II Laurel Bulldogs 1991
II Sussex Tech Ravens 1993
II Lake Forest Spartans 1995
II Delmar Wildcats 2000
II Delmar Wildcats 2001
II Delmar Wildcats 2002
I Caesar Rodney Riders 2008
II Milford Buccaneers 2008
II Delmar Wildcats 2009
II Indian River Indians 2011

Golf

Div I/Div II School Year
I/II Dover Senators 1985
I/II Dover Senators 1986
I/II Dover Senators 1988
I/II Dover Senators 1989
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 1990
I/II Dover Senators 1991
I/II Dover Senators 1992
I/II Dover Senators 1993
I/II Dover Senators 1994
I/II Dover Senators 1995
I/II Dover Senators 1996
I/II Dover Senators 1997
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 1998
I/II Dover Senators 1999
I/II Dover Senators 2000
I/II Dover Senators 2003
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 2011
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 2012
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 2013

Indoor Track

Div I/Div II School Year
I/II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1984
I/II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1985
I/II Seaford Blue Jays 1991
I/II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1993
I/II Dover Senators 1995
I/II Dover Senators 1998
I/II Dover Senators 2002
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 2013

Lacrosse

Div I/Div II School Year
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 1996
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 1997
I/II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1998
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 1999
I/II Cape Henlopen Vikings 2001
I/II Cape Henlopen Vikings 2002
I/II Cape Henlopen Vikings 2006
I/II Cape Henlopen Vikings 2008

Outdoor Track*

Div I/Div II School Year
I Seaford Blue Jays 1965
I Dover Senators 1969
I Cape Henlopen Vikings 1971
I Cape Henlopen Vikings 1972
I Cape Henlopen Vikings 1973
I Cape Henlopen Vikings 1975
I Dover Senators 1975
II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1976
I Dover Senators 1976
I** Dover Senators 1977
II** Seaford Blue Jays 1977
II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1978
II Woodbridge Blue Raiders 1979
I Dover Senators 1980
II Woodbridge Blue Raiders 1981
II Woodbridge Blue Raiders 1982
II Lake Forest Spartans 1984
I Cape Henlopen Vikings 1986
II Milford Buccaneers 1986
II Lake Forest Spartans 1987
II Smyrna Eagles 1990
II Smyrna Eagles 1991
II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1992
II Cape Henlopen Vikings 1993
I Dover Senators 1995
II Cape Henlopen Vikings 2000
II Cape Henlopen Vikings 2002
I Dover Senators 2004
II Milford Buccaneers 2005
II Milford Buccaneers 2009
II Milford Buccaneers 2011
I Caesar Rodney Riders 2013
  • The Middletown Cavaliers won the first outdoor track championship in 1942 as a member of the Diamond State Conference, a precursor to the Henlopen Conference which Middletown is not a part of as they are in New Castle County.
    • 1977 was the only year for a Division 1 & 2 North and Division 1 & 2 South for outdoor track.

Soccer

Div I/Div II School Year
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 1994
II Indian River Indians 2013
  • 2013 was the first year that soccer was split into two state championships.

Tennis

Div I/Div II School Year
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 2001
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 2005
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 2011
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 2012

Wrestling

Div I/Div II School Year
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 1975
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 1978
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 1979
I/II Milford Buccaneers 1980
I/II Milford Buccaneers 1981
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 1982
I/II Caesar Rodney Riders 1985
II Smyrna Eagles 1993
II Smyrna Eagles 1994
II Smyrna Eagles 1996
I Caesar Rodney Riders 2001
I Caesar Rodney Riders 2003
II Smyrna Eagles 2003
I Caesar Rodney Riders 2004
II Milford Buccaneers 2004
I Caesar Rodney Riders 2005
II Smyrna Eagles 2005
I Caesar Rodney Riders 2006
I Caesar Rodney Riders 2007
I Sussex Central Golden Knights 2008
II Milford Buccaneers 2009
I Caesar Rodney Riders 2011
I Caesar Rodney Riders 2012
II Polytech Panthers 2012
I Smyrna Eagles 2013
  • 1993 was the first year Wrestling was split into two state championships.

Total Boys State Championships

School Baseball Basketball Cross Country Football Golf Indoor Track Lacrosse Outdoor Track Soccer Tennis Wrestling School Totals
Caesar Rodney 1 1 0 3 5 1 3 0 1 4 13 32
Cape Henlopen 0 2 5 1 0 3 5 11 0 0 0 27
Dover 1 0 0 2 14 3 0 7 0 0 0 27
Lake Forest 0 0 12 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 15
Milford 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 10
Seaford 4 1 0 2 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 10
Smyrna 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 6 8
Delmar 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
Indian River 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5
Woodbridge 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 4
Laurel 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Sussex Central 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
Polytech 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Sussex Tech 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Dover Air Force* 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Conference Totals 7 7 20 22 19 8 8 31 2 4 25 153
  • Dover Air Force Base High School shut down operations in the mid 1980's and students were absorbed into Caesar Rodney .

Girls state championships

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.

Sport School Year
Basketball Cape Henlopen Vikings 1973
Basketball Polytech Panthers 2003
Div. 2 Cross Country Lake Forest 1990
Div. 2 Cross Country Lake Forest 1993
Div. 2 Cross Country Cape Henlopen 1999
Div. 2 Cross Country Seaford Blue Jays 2000
Div. 1 Cross Country Caesar Rodney Riders 2001
Div. 2 Cross Country Lake Forest Spartans 2001
Div. 1 Cross Country Caesar Rodney Riders 2002
Field Hockey Cape Henlopen Vikings 1979
Field Hockey Cape Henlopen Vikings 1995
Field Hockey Milford Buccaneers 1996
Field Hockey Caesar Rodney 2004
Field Hockey Sussex Tech 2009
Field Hockey Sussex Tech 2010
Field Hockey Cape Henlopen 2011
Indoor Track Dover Senators 1992
Indoor Track Dover Senators 1993
Indoor Track Dover Senators 1995
Indoor Track Dover Senators 2000
Sport School Year
Lacrosse Cape Henlopen 2009
Lacrosse Cape Henlopen 2010
Lacrosse Cape Henlopen 2011
Lacrosse Cape Henlopen 2012
Outdoor Track Dover Senators 1973
Div. 1 South* Outdoor Track Caesar Rodney Riders 1977
Div. 1 Outdoor Track Caesar Rodney Riders 1978
Div. 1 Outdoor Track Caesar Rodney Riders 1979
Div. 1 Outdoor Track Caesar Rodney Riders 1980
Div. 2 Outdoor Track Lake Forest Spartans 1983
Div. 2 Outdoor Track Seaford Blue Jays 1984
Div. 2 Outdoor Track Seaford Blue Jays 1985
Div. 2 Outdoor Track Seaford Blue Jays 1986
Div. 1 Outdoor Track Dover Senators 1993
Div. 1 Outdoor Track Dover Senators 1994
Div. 1 Outdoor Track Dover Senators 1998
Div. 1 Outdoor Track Dover Senators 1999
Div. 1 Outdoor Track Dover Senators 2000
Div. 1 Outdoor Track Caesar Rodney Riders 2001
Div. 2 Outdoor Track Lake Forest Spartans 2001
Div. 1 Outdoor Track Caesar Rodney Riders 2002
Div. 2 Outdoor Track Cape Henlopen Vikings 2002
Sport School Year
Div. 2 Outdoor Track Cape Henlopen Vikings 2003
Div. 2 Outdoor Track Cape Henlopen Vikings 2004
Div. 2 Outdoor Track Cape Henlopen Vikings 2005
Div. 2 Outdoor Track Milford Buccaneers 2006
Div. 1 Outdoor Track Cape Henlopen Vikings 2011
Softball Milford Buccaneers 1976
Softball Lake Forest Spartans 1979
Softball Smyrna Eagles 1993
Softball Sussex Central Golden Knights 1995
Softball Indian River Indians 1998
Softball Caesar Rodney Riders 2003
Softball Sussex Central Golden Knights 2005
Softball Sussex Tech Ravens 2007
Softball Sussex Central Golden Knights 2008
Softball Milford Buccaneers 2009
Tennis Seaford Blue Jays 1991 (tied)
Tennis Cape Henlopen Vikings 1991 (tied)
Tennis Seaford Blue Jays 1992
Tennis Milford Buccaneers 1997
Tennis Caesar Rodney Riders 2011
  • 1977 was the only year for a Division 1 North and Division 1 South outdoor track championship.
  • Cape Henlopen won the first girls basketball championship in 1973.
  • Dover won the first outdoor track championship in 1973.
  • Milford won the first softball championship in 1976.
  • Cape Henlopen's win for lacrosse in 2009 was the first time a public high school had won the girls lacrosse state championship ever in Delaware, which started in 1998.[28]

State Championships:
Caesar Rodney - 11
Cape Henlopen - 15
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

Overall state championships

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 - 42
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 - 6
Sussex Tech Ravens - 5
Woodbridge Blue Raiders - 4
Laurel Bulldogs - 3
Polytech Panthers - 1
[29]

Notable sports alumni

  • Walter "Huck" Betts of Millsboro was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Braves in the 1920s and 1930s, in the pre-draft years.
  • Caleb "Tex" Warrington of Dover (Dover Senators) played center and guard for the Brooklyn Dodgers football team of the All-America Football Conference (the precursor to today's American Football Conference in the National Football League) from 1946 to 1948 out of Auburn University.
  • Carl Elliott of Laurel (Laurel Bulldogs) played defensive end and wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers from 1951 to 1954 out of the University of Virginia.
  • Robert "Spook" Jacobs of Milford (Milford Buccaneers) was a second baseman for the Philadelphia Athletics, Kansas City Athletics, and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1954–1956, is one of only two players in Major League Baseball history to go 4 for 4 in his first major league game (the other being Delino DeShields of Seaford, DE), and is a 1991 inductee to the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.
  • Chris Short of Milford (Milford Buccaneers) was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers from 1959 to 1973, beginning in the pre-draft years.
  • Carl Ergenzinger of Dover (Dover Senators) was drafted as a catcher and third baseman in the ninth round for the Houston Astros in 1965, the first year of the formal Major League Baseball Draft.
  • Danny LeBright of Milford (Milford Buccaneers) was a pitcher for the Houston Astros, making the team in a 1967 tryout.
  • Thomas Sullivan of Dover (Dover Senators) was drafted as a pitcher in the eleventh round by the Cleveland Indians in 1969.
  • Randy Lee of Laurel (Laurel Bulldogs) was drafted as a pitcher in the 15th round by the Baltimore Orioles in 1970.
  • Renie Martin of Dover (Dover Senators) was drafted as pitcher in the 9th round by the San Francisco Giants in 1976 out of the University of Richmond.
  • Ralph Jean of Dover (Dover Senators) was a pitcher drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 33rd round of the 1978 draft.
  • Randy Bush of Dover (Dover Senators) was drafted as an outfielder by the Minnesota Twins in the 2nd round in 1979 out of the University of New Orleans.
  • Robert Nichols of Delmar (Delmar Wildcats) was drafted as a pitcher by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 14th round of the 1980 draft.
  • Julie Dayton of Laurel (Laurel Bulldogs) was first team All-American in lacrosse in 1980 and 1981 out of Longwood College, was a ten-year member of Team USA from 1980 to 1990, was the head field hockey coach for University of Virginia and Dartmouth College, and is a 2003 inductee into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.
  • Oliver Maull of Lewes (Cape Henlopen Vikings) was drafted as a catcher by the Baltimore Orioles in the 26th round of the 1981 draft.
  • Mike Meade of Dover (Dover Senators) played fullback for the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions from 1982 to 1985 out of Pennsylvania State University.
  • Bob Vantrease of Seaford (Seaford Blue Jays) was drafted as a pitcher by the Oakland Athletics in the 29th round of the 1983 draft out of the University of Delaware.
  • Doug Willey of Bridgeville (Woodbridge Blue Raiders) was drafted as a pitcher by the Atlanta Braves in the 15th round of the 1985 draft out of Essex Community College.
  • Warren McGee of Seaford (Seaford Blue Jays) was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as a pitcher after the 1986 draft.
  • Delino DeShields of Seaford (Seaford Blue Jays) was drafted as a second baseman by the Montreal Expos as the 12th overall pick in the 1st round in 1987 out of Villanova University and is one of only two players in Major League Baseball history to collect four hits in their major league debut (the other was Milford's Spook Jacobs), had career totals of 1548 hits, 872 runs scored, 561 RBIs, and 463 stolens bases. He was named the Baltimore Orioles Most Valuable Player in 2000 and is a 2006 inductee into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.
  • Clarence Bailey of Milford (Milford Buccaneers) played as a fullback for the Miami Dolphins in 1987 out of Hampton University.
  • Pat Wright of Camden (Caesar Rodney Riders) was drafted as a catcher by the Oakland Athletics in the 32nd round of the 1988 draft.
  • Michael Neill of Seaford (Seaford Blue Jays) was drafted as an outfielder by the Oakland Athletics in the 2nd round of the 1991 draft out of Villanova University, won an Olympic Gold Medal with the United States Olympic Baseball team, won 5 state championships in Little League, advanced three times to the Little League World Series, 1991 Big East Player of the Year, and is a 2005 inductee to the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.
  • Stoney Briggs of Seaford (Seaford Blue Jays) was drafted as an outfielder by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 8th round of the 1991 draft out of Delaware Technical & Community College.
  • Mark Harris of Camden (Caesar Rodney Riders) was drafted as a shortstop by the Chicago White Sox in the 17th round of the 1991 draft.
  • Ben Cephas of Seaford (Seaford Blue Jays) was drafted as an outfielder by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 27th round of the 1992 draft out of Delaware Technical & Community College.
  • Frank Roberts of Seaford (Seaford Blue Jays) was drafted as a pitcher by the Florida Marlins in their inaugural draft in 1993 in the 72nd round (the draft was extended for the expansion teams).
  • Brad Lee of Lewes (Cape Henlopen Vikings) was drafted as an outfielder by the Texas Rangers in the supplemental draft in 1994 out of Delaware Technical & Community College.
  • Brian Miflin of Lewes (Cape Henlopen Vikings) was drafted as an outfielder by the New York Mets in the 50th round of the 1994 draft out of Delaware Technical & Community College.
  • Mike Riley of Seaford (Seaford Blue Jays) was drafted as a pitcher by the San Francisco Giants in the 16th round of the 1996 draft out of West Virginia University.
  • Lovett Purnell of Seaford (Seaford Blue Jays) was drafted as a tight end and wide receiver by the New England Patriots in the 7th round of the 1996 draft and played for the Baltimore Ravens as well, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox, was captain of the West Virginia University football team and named to the WVU All-Century Team, named All-Big East, and played in Super Bowl XXXI, and was a 2007 inductee into the Delaware Sports Museum Hall of Fame.[30]
  • Erik McLaughlin (Polytech Panthers) was signed by the Atlanta Braves after a try-out in 1996.
  • Rob Meyers of Felton (Lake Forest Spartans) was signed by the Minnesota Twins after a try-out in 1997.
  • Dave Williams of Camden (Caesar Rodney Riders) was drafted as a pitcher by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1998.
  • Luke Petitgout of Georgetown (Sussex Central Golden Knights) was drafted as an offensive lineman by the New York Giants as the 19th overall pick of the 1999 draft out of the University of Notre Dame.
  • Ian Snell (aka Ian Oquendo) of Dover (Caesar Rodney Riders) was drafted as a pitcher by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 26th round in the 2000 draft.
  • Mark Comoli of Millsboro (Indian River Indians) was drafted as a pitcher by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 25th round of the 2001 draft out of Delaware Technical & Community College.
  • Isiah Wright of Dover (Dover Senators) was drafted as a pitcher by the Montreal Expos in the 15th round of the 2002 draft.
  • Shawn Phillips of Laurel (Laurel Bulldogs) was drafted as a pitcher by Texas Rangers in the 2004 draft out of Delaware State University.
  • Derrick Gibson of Seaford (Seaford Blue Jays) was drafted as a shortstop and pitcher by the Boston Red Sox in the 2nd round of the 2008 draft.
  • Theodis Bowe of Ellendale (Milford Buccaneers) was drafted as a center fielder by the Cincinnati Reds in the 21st round of the 2008 draft.
  • Lee Carlson of Milford (Milford Buccaneers) was drafted as a center field by the Kansas City Royals in the 11th round of the 2011 MLB draft.
  • Professional wrestlers Jamin and Mark Pugh, the Briscoe Brothers, of Laurel (Laurel Bulldogs) received honorable mention all-state for football in both their junior and senior years of high school.

References

  1. ↑ http://php.delawareonline.com/sports/stateChamps_nosort.php?wasSubmitted=yes&champ=%25&sport=Football&year=1942+and+2011
  2. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Forest_High_School_(Delaware)
  3. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/league/uk1HT80Vd0mP-kzg3MojJA/standings-henlopen---southern.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.milfordbeacon.com/archive/x1157494127/Milford-staying-in-the-Henlopen-South-for-two-more-years
  5. ↑ http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009904210341
  6. ↑ http://www.milfordbeacon.com/news/x360589211/District-sues-to-stay-in-Henlopen-South
  7. ↑ http://www.milfordbeacon.com/news/x631612597/Judge-dismisses-suit-to-keep-Milford-High-School-in-Division-II
  8. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/league/dz8ZYA0-pkmTtJUOoaYsyA/standings-henlopen-northern.htm
  9. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/league/6RqxcKPYAEmBO5gBjjItXQ/standings-henlopen-southern.htm
  10. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/league/F-0re_jyjUu3N0Wk_zEdwA/standings-henlopen-northern.htm
  11. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/league/3lTAaBqQI06F5BMpx_KkDA/standings-henlopen-southern.htm
  12. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/league/P88c6UWTREysGXicbtHeEA/standings-henlopen---northern.htm
  13. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/league/uk1HT80Vd0mP-kzg3MojJA/standings-henlopen---southern.htm
  14. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/league/Vkp_Q8QAeUaRBXnkI3-vOw/standings-henlopen---northern.htm
  15. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/league/fTeia2JT3E-mlx0M_vTihA/standings-henlopen---southern.htm
  16. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/local/league/standings.aspx?leagueid=06c46b7b-8cac-41be-9cd0-274d10d2b4a8&ssid=2f36027d-d6f6-4509-aba9-adad5cc85b5e
  17. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/league/EC3MDkcRsky0y2fLGSYozg/standings-henlopen---southern.htm
  18. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/news/FK-GB54QEd6OEwAcxJTdpg/maxpreps-top-10-games-of-the-week.htm
  19. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/local/league/standings.aspx?leagueid=5dfcc05e-4889-44e1-b0bb-c5ec6af7f3fc&ssid=f11d21e3-d9ab-4c9b-974b-ff4fcfed5c76
  20. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/local/league/standings.aspx?leagueid=2cf7541e-c220-475b-8f2a-d98fd47419c2&ssid=f11d21e3-d9ab-4c9b-974b-ff4fcfed5c76
  21. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/local/league/standings.aspx?leagueid=7b5764a0-e3b2-4550-89a0-0d56a981474d&ssid=12962347-09a5-472f-9657-920aeaafd78b
  22. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/local/league/standings.aspx?leagueid=337fbec5-12f6-49ea-9e5e-d3954224bf16&ssid=12962347-09a5-472f-9657-920aeaafd78b
  23. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/local/league/standings.aspx?leagueid=ed0a7e69-e148-426b-8aa4-b39c6a25275d&ssid=f28cd02d-9746-48e9-a74b-fffef375b19a
  24. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/local/league/standings.aspx?leagueid=0fa53d02-7cca-4bd3-bde4-37237c7f9cfe&ssid=f28cd02d-9746-48e9-a74b-fffef375b19a
  25. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/poly-panthers-(woodside,de)/basketball-winter-10-11/schedule.htm
  26. ↑ Brian Citino, "Senators earn top honors in Henlopen" Dover Post, March 2, 2010, found at Dover Post. Accessed March 4, 2010.
  27. ↑ http://php.delawareonline.com/news/evergreen/sports/champs/
  28. ↑ http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090522/SPORTS14/905220408/1002/SPORTS&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL
  29. ↑ http://php.delawareonline.com/sports/champs.php
  30. ↑ http://www.desports.org/inductees-2007.html

Coordinates: 38°58′20″N 75°32′31″W / 38.9722°N 75.5420°W / 38.9722; -75.5420

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