Through six games, the Newark Charter field hockey team has outscored its opponents 37-1. As you might guess, the performances on offense and defense, and in goal, have led the Patriots to a perfect 6-0 record heading into the Middletown game.
“I think the key to our success so far this season has been our experience,” head coach Stacey Spiker said. “We are a very seasoned team. We returned all but two of our starters from last year and have a total of nine seniors on our roster.”
Five of those seniors have committed to play field hockey in college: Kate Ambrose (Lafayette College), Morgan Barnes (Washington College), Amanda Rattay (University of Delaware), Riley Redding (Towson University) and Sophia Walch (James Madison).
Rattay leads the team in scoring with 14 goals, and her four assists rank second. Barnes has found the back of the cage four times, while Walch has tallied a goal and two assists. Ambrose (one goal), Colleen Anson (one goal) and Ella Miller (two goals and four assists) round out the scoring for the senior class. Redding has pitched five shutouts in goal. Junior Audrey Nelson has tallied seven goals and leads the team with eight assists, while sophomore Genevieve Walch has three goals and three assists.
The stats are impressive, but Spiker reiterated the real tests on their schedule are yet to come.
“Over the next few weeks, we will see Caravel Academy, Sussex Academy and two tough conference opponents in Archmere Academy and The Charter School of Wilmington,” she pointed out. “The girls know that this next part of the season cannot be taken for granted and that the conference title is up for grabs. We really try not to get too far ahead of ourselves and to keep our focus on one game and opponent at a time.”
Newark falls
Last year at this time, the Newark football team pitched its biggest upset since the pandemic when the Yellowjackets defeated an Archmere Academy team that would go on to appear in the state title game.
In this year’s matchup, Newark scored first on a Sa’Mier Coleman two-yard run and Mia Carew kicked a PAT and all of a sudden it looked like another upset in the making.
But Newark’s hopes were quickly dashed. Archmere scored the next five touchdowns and cruised to a 43-13 win with the Yellowjackets’ only other score coming when Robert Daniels caught a short touchdown pass from quarterback Keyon Black.
“We are progressing and learning,” Newark coach Tyran Rice said. “We are better than we were since the first game. Our conditioning and effort are keys to us taking a step forward.”
Newark (0-3) hosts Mount Pleasant (2-1) on Saturday.
Christiana shuts out A.I.
Christiana traveled to A.I. du Pont on Friday night and shut out the struggling Tigers, 24-0. With the win, Christiana (2-1) enters its fourth game of the season with a winning record for the first time in more than a decade. The Vikings travel to The Charter School of Wilmington (1-2) on Saturday.
Saint Mark’s wins thriller
Saint Mark’s and Red Lion battled back and forth at “The Graveyard” and when all was said and done, the Spartans pulled out a 36-34 win.
“Kids played hard,” Saint Mark’s coach Joe Wright said. “We got down at the half, came back and caught up as a team.”
Wright singled out James Campbell who “stepped up with some big-time throws” and Eli Burke for having a “monster game on the ground.” Wright also pointed out the effectiveness of the offensive line and the entire defensive unit.
“It all started up front with our line,” he said. “We had a lot of moving parts this week up there, and they played together and communicated well to get us the win. Defense stepped up when needed and were able to get some stops.”
Red Lion quarterback Evan Budinger passed for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Mekhi Corbin was on the receiving end of one of those tosses and scored two rushing touchdowns on his way to 111 total yards on the ground. Judah Barber rushed for one score while racking up 110 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, Corbin had 11 tackles and a fumble recovery, while Barber pitched in with 10 tackles and a sack. Jamarion Ramsey had nine tackles to go along with 74 receiving yards.
“The team is learning how to win,” Anderson reflected on another close loss to a Class 3A team. “Games like this will help us in November. Proud of our boys, who picked up more than 400 yards of offense. We will be OK. Hats off to Saint Mark’s.”
Saint Mark’s (2-1) travels to Caesar Rodney (1-2). Red Lion (2-2) hosts Concord (0-3).
Glasgow improves in loss
Glasgow opened the season with a tough schedule playing up a class against three potential tournament teams. In Week 4, the Dragons faced one of its Class 1A peers and while the Dragons didn’t come away with a win, falling to Tatnall 24-12, they looked like a team that could compete in their district.
“Our kids were really up for the game finally facing a 1A opponent and an opportunity to face the defending champs at home,” Glasgow coach Ricky Brown said. “We did some things early that proved costly, giving up 21 points in the first quarter. However, even though we only gave up three points the rest of the game, we just couldn’t close the gap on a very good and physical Tatnall team.”
Glasgow’s Jamar Smith rushed 14 times for 144 yards and a 34-yard touchdown and Zyaire Tate scored from one yard out to lead the Dragons. Kam Swinney led the defense with 12 tackles, one sack and an interception.
“I definitely see our team prepared each week and getting better every week,” Brown added. “If we eliminate the penalties that are hurting us, you’ll see some wins for the Dragons coming soon.”
Glasgow (0-4) travels to Abessinio Stadium to open up district play against Saint Elizabeth (1-2).
Newark Charter JV wins again
Newark Charter School’s offense scored 40 or more points for the third time in four games and the defense pitched its third shutout as the Patriots rolled to a 48-0 win over Archmere.
The offense racked up 321 yards, while the defense held Archmere to 56. Austin Gbadegbe rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown, and Ajay Bonis carried the ball 10 times for 47 yards and a score. Quarterbacks Logan Matthews and Chase Kennedy each completed four passes and threw a touchdown, one to Maxwell Wiest and the other to Christopher Stokes. Ajay Bonis kicked two PATs and rushed for two others.
In my opinion only …
The new Sixers arena being moved to Center City has been approved by the mayor. It’s a major mistake. … The Sixers have signed Joel Embiid to a three-year, $192 million extension. Time will tell if that’s a major mistake.
Wrapping it up
The Class 3A football and Unified football state championship games have officially been moved to Delaware State University and will be played Nov. 29. Class 1A and 2A title games most likely will be played at Abessinio Stadium on Nov. 30.
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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