The excitement in Tyran Rice’s voice was evident when I talked to him about Newark High’s first spring workouts with him as head coach that took place toward the end of the school year.
“I was pleased overall, and I thought that things went well with kids learning a new offense and defense,” Rice said of the 30 or so players who attended the five-day mandatory safety camp. “They also have to get accustomed to [the coaches] from an expectation standpoint. We are relatively young and have to stay committed during the offseason.”
Rice is counting on two juniors in particular, Jason Henn and Sa’Meir Coleman, to help instill that commitment into their teammates as summer workouts begin.
“Both have very strong work ethics and leadership skills,” Rice commented about the two-way players. “They are there for everything you ask them to do. We have a lot to learn and a lot of work to do.”
That learning process will start with a coaching staff that includes a mix of previous Newark assistant coaches as well as some new faces.
Rice, who served as Newark’s defensive coordinator for the past five years under former head coach Jody Russell, will move to the other side of the ball and call the plays on offense. Corey Wallace, a former Yellowjacket who also coached under Russell, will serve as defensive coordinator. Cary Beverly, who played running back at Delaware, also returns as an assistant coach. New to the coaching staff are former Hodgson player Erwin Watters, former Delaware State lineman Joel Harris and former William Patterson University cornerback Darrius Flowers.
The staff will oversee a summer workout program that includes lifting three days a week and competing in the New Castle County 7-on-7 flag football league. This all leads up to the first day of practice on Aug. 5, which will be the earliest teams have ever been allowed to begin preseason. And that’s something Rice is excited about.
“We will have more time to prepare,” Rice explained. “We will have time to teach and develop kids, and I think we’ll need that time. We have a totally new offense and defense. Unlike previous seasons, there won’t be players there who already know the offense or defense and can help the new players. It’s going to be brand new to everyone.”
Rice said he also plans to maximize their time by holding double sessions, at least early on in camp, which is something the Yellowjackets didn’t do last summer. He’s also trying to increase the number of players trying out for the team.
“We are shaking the bushes inside the building for any athletes from other sports teams or anyone that looks like they may be interested,” he said. “We will bring them out, try to teach them the game. You just have to get them committed.”
One thing’s for sure, Rice and his staff are committed to doing everything they can in their power to try and return Newark to one of the top Class 2 football programs in the state. But Rice is also a realist and realizes it won’t happen overnight.
“The journey may be bigger than the destination with us, at least this year,” Rice said. “I’m not looking to try and win a state championship right off the bat, but just trying to make sure we are getting better each and every time out on the field. If we can do that, then I’ll be happy with where we end up.”
Newark High conference all-stars
Congratulations to the following Newark High School student-athletes for their selection to Blue Hen Conference all-star teams. Second-team selections are Wayne Pike (3B) and Tyler Blevins (utility) for baseball and Miranda Hans on the soccer team. Honorable mention nominees are Ellison Spaulding and Jack Robson (baseball), Sam Donahue (softball), Gretchan Schnell (girls lacrosse), Mia Carew (girls soccer) and Davian Hampton (boys volleyball).
UD QB in UFL
Former UD quarterback Nolan Henderson completed his rookie season with the Houston Roughnecks of the UFL, which is a new league formed by the merger of the USFL and XFL leagues. In five games, Henderson threw for 531 yards and rushed for 143, scoring three touchdowns. He finished fifth in the league with a 58.1% completion percentage and his success prompted head coach C.J. Johnson to declare at the end off the season, “We found our quarterback.”
In my opinion only …
The greatest tribute the NBA can give Jerry West is to admit that its logo is created with his image, and then hope that in this day and age the family doesn’t sue the league for using his likeness all these years. … The Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl ring includes 529 diamonds and 38 rubies to total 14.8 carats. That could purchase a lot of food for any third-world country, or for homeless people here in America. Just saying. … Charles Barkley announced his retirement from television after next year’s NBA season when TNT’s contract with the NBA ends. I can’t imagine it’s the last time we will see the “Round Mound of Rebound” on the airways. At least, I hope not.
Wrapping it up
The annual DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star football game is June 21 at Delaware Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. as the top seniors in the state play in their last high school football game, and for many, their last competitive tackle football game ever. Tickets start at $12 and are available at www.dfrc.org or can be purchased at the gate. The game will also be broadcast on Fox Sports 1290. … Former University of Delaware and Middletown High School pitcher Chad Kuhl was called back up to the majors by the Chicago White Sox. Kuhl briefly left the big leagues to help care for his wife during her successful battle against cancer.
Until next time … have a great sports week!
Have a sports tidbit to share? Email JonBuzby@hotmail.com and follow on “X” @JonBuzby.
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