ADVERTISEMENT

2A Top Teams Over Last Five Years…

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would read someone posting on DEpreps that Archmere is the top football program in D2/2A/whatever. What a time to be alive.

Gotcha. I take it this hasn’t always been the norm?

Also. Do you agree? Or who do you think has been the top team of the past five years?
 
I was curious if things changed much midway through so I calculated all of this years records and records against all of the “top teams”.

No real surprise. Caravel at 7-0 looks to be the class of 2A again and is beating up on all of 2A. Archmere and Woodbridge are both 6-1. Seems like Friends/Howard/DMA/Tower are all sorta inconsistent this year. Some ups and downs for those teams.

Archmere seems to widen its gap a bit in terms of playing the most challenging schedule (they will play 6 of the top 8 teams in the regular season) which is the most.

Thoughts?
 
BELOW RESULTS ARE CURRENT FROM 2019 TO OCTOBER 24 2024

Team — Record — Winning %

Caravel — 53 - 9 — .855
Archmere — 55 - 12 — .821
Friends — 43 - 15 — .741
**St Marks — 30 - 11 — .731
Woodbridge — 45 - 16 — .734
Howard — 43 - 19 — .694
Tower Hill — 33 - 20 — .623
DMA — 34 - 22 — .607
 
Edited to add each team’s records against the top eight teams mentioned above from 2A over the past five years at the suggestion of @connor11. This was super interesting and kind of eye opening.

Team — Total Games Played — Record — %

DATA BELOW FROM 2019 TO OCTOBER 24, 2024

Archmere — 35 — 25 - 10 — .714
Caravel — 19 — 13 - 6 — .684
Woodbridge — 23 — 14 - 9 — .609
Friends — 23 — 11 - 12 — .478
Howard — 24 — 11 - 13 — .458
**St Marks — 15 — 7 - 8 — .467
DMA — 17 — 4 - 13 — .235
Tower Hill — 16 — 1 - 15 — .063
 
Exactly. I wouldn't base too much on 5 years.

I’m not really basing much of anything on this. I did this to try to put some numbers to “the talk” around this page (and in conversations). And maybe some of that talk is tainted by locals historic experiences. Not being from here, I have no idea who’s who, so I didn’t want the bias of the past to taint what’s actually happening in recent years.

What would be different if I went back and did the past 10 years? Why is my recent “findings” flawed? I look at as these are just factual findings from the past 5.5 years…it is what it is. No?
 
Every school in Delaware is a school choice except for a few in certain districts that are full. It's a tired argument... You being new and all missed the era when school choice and bussing was enacted missed the days when Newark High School dominated in the 90's when all the player from Wilmington and wherever choiced and bussed there. In those day the only private school that was good was Sallies and maybe St Marks..due to numbers but all the other private schools sucked because they were rich kids and the Tech Schools were for other kids who didn't play sports but wanted to be refrigerator repairmen or auto mechanics .. The scholarship chasing was never thing back then it was a back up plan if the sports thing didnt pay out
 
  • Like
Reactions: DelaNewb
I’m not really basing much of anything on this. I did this to try to put some numbers to “the talk” around this page (and in conversations). And maybe some of that talk is tainted by locals historic experiences. Not being from here, I have no idea who’s who, so I didn’t want the bias of the past to taint what’s actually happening in recent years.

What would be different if I went back and did the past 10 years? Why is my recent “findings” flawed? I look at as these are just factual findings from the past 5.5 years…it is what it is. No?
Oh no, it's not a maybe regarding some biases, it's a fact. One regular on the threads has nothing but disdain for private schools and any of their success on the field, except when it's Sallies (and maybe Caravel). For some regulars, it had to hurt pretty bad when AA won in 2021 and WFS in 2022 as these are the two schools that put out a quality product each year and also have seriously high academics. Academics is the one thing missing from this discussion on top teams.
 
Every school in Delaware is a school choice except for a few in certain districts that are full. It's a tired argument... You being new and all missed the era when school choice and bussing was enacted missed the days when Newark High School dominated in the 90's when all the player from Wilmington and wherever choiced and bussed there. In those day the only private school that was good was Sallies and maybe St Marks..due to numbers but all the other private schools sucked because they were rich kids and the Tech Schools were for other kids who didn't play sports but wanted to be refrigerator repairmen or auto mechanics .. The scholarship chasing was never thing back then it was a back up plan if the sports thing didnt pay out

I can understand all of this! I guess what I don’t really understand is I’m not making any argument or statement. So when you say it’s a “tired argument”, not really sure what you’re referencing.

What I find so odd in DE is that private/catholic/independent schools are in the same conferences with public schools. Frankly, it seems like an unfair equation…especially in 2024 when it seems pretty clear that private/catholic/independent schools have more resources.

Separate leagues would give public schools that might have been traditionally strong in past years an opportunity to compete against other similar teams with similar resources.

But the way it sits now, it seems to me that at least in 2A, private/catholic/independent schools have an advantage and their records show.
 
For some regulars, it had to hurt pretty bad when AA won in 2021 and WFS in 2022 as these are the two schools that put out a quality product each year and also have seriously high academics. Academics is the one thing missing from this discussion on top teams.

This is what has surprised me the most out of my research. I understand Archmere and Friends to be highly academic schools where sports are secondary. And maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think these schools have students who attend these schools on athletic scholarships? And kids aren’t transferring in for sports?

The fact that they can sustain athletic excellence in todays climate of “scholarship kids” without playing that game while remaining “academics first” institutions is seriously impressive.
 
tough call who was the best team
Howard 20/2021
Archmere 21/2022
Friends 22/2023
Friends had an unbelievable team last year, but offensively they were kinda one dimensional
Howard has the best offense i have seen in 20/2021
Archmere had an unbelievable defense and a balanced offensive attack.
tough call but I have it
Archmere
Howard
Friends
Caravel last year and this year should be in the discussion
 
  • Like
Reactions: DelaNewb
Caravel last year and this year should be in the discussion

Absolutely! Back to back undefeated seasons? Back to back state champs?

2021 — 9-2
2022 — 12-1 (loss in state champs)
2023 — 13-0 (state champs)
2024 — (projected) 13-0 (state champs)

What a run! 47-3 over 4 years! Wow.

Has there been a better run in 2A?
 
Absolutely! Back to back undefeated seasons? Back to back state champs?

2021 — 9-2
2022 — 12-1 (loss in state champs)
2023 — 13-0 (state champs)
2024 — (projected) 13-0 (state champs)

What a run! 47-3 over 4 years! Wow.

Has there been a better run in 2A?

Just curious…I don’t know much about Caravel as a school. How are their academics?
 
Last edited:
Absolutely! Back to back undefeated seasons? Back to back state champs?

2021 — 9-2
2022 — 12-1 (loss in state champs)
2023 — 13-0 (state champs)
2024 — (projected) 13-0 (state champs)

What a run! 47-3 over 4 years! Wow.

Has there been a better run in 2A?
They should move up to Class 3. See how good they are then.
 
Sallies would beat Caravel this year. Not sure about last year. Like I said if they're so good then move up. Not proving anything by beating up on Concord, Newark and Delcastle.
 
Caravel was the best team in the state last year regardless of class and is the best team in the state this year as well. They would've run all over everyone last year and more so this year.
They’re not beating Sallies, Middletown or Central this year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EJS313
Not that I have any dog in this fight but I would have liked to Laurel's '20 and '21 state championship teams play in in 2A. I believe they would held their own. Maybe not have won the championship but maybe could have upset a few dreams in the process. Caravel definitely needs to move up to 3A they have no real competition in 2A.
 
  • Like
Reactions: fanoffootball123
Caravel could only move to 3A if they request it. They don't have the enrollment numbers to be moved up under the current system.. Caravel enrollment is in the 300 range.. St M near 1k and Caravel would not be able to beat Sallies, Middletown or CentraL . Probably not even Smyrna... the size difference is too much, not sure what some of you are watching
 
  • Like
Reactions: MTownCavs09
The big difference from 2A and 3A is in 2A a few stud players can make a huge difference. 3A actually has competition for starting positions and the teams are deeper and bigger.. that is due to numbers not a few recruits. Not that the top top 3A teams don't have a few recruits but they have them and numbers.. Big difference.... too add the difference in 1A is 1 stud player can make a difference..
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MTownCavs09
Can't believe nobody was reporting on the Appo vs MT game on here. I am watching it now.. currently 17-7 Appo and MT just fumbled in Appo territory... Two Drummond to Rodgers TDs and FG fpr Appo right before HT
 
Last edited:
Coach Blum gambles 4th and goal on 3 electing to not tie it and Parker scores..set up by Appo fumble deep in own territory 21-17 MT 7:38
 
Drummond with long run then a NFL type read and throw TD pass to Griffin...PAT NG 23-21 Appo
 
MT with the pick.. Drummond forces it on 3rd down... MT wins and Appo will have to wait to slay the dragon..
 
Caravel could only move to 3A if they request it. They don't have the enrollment numbers to be moved up under the current system.. Caravel enrollment is in the 300 range.. St M near 1k and Caravel would not be able to beat Sallies, Middletown or CentraL . Probably not even Smyrna... the size difference is too much, not sure what some of you are watching
BIB, we must not be watching the same games, Caravel would give Sallies a very good game and would beat the rest of D1 , i think they have one common opponent and both of them beat them by nearly the same number. And I am not sure about Caravel having to request to go up because of small enrollment, that is not the way I understand the system to work, enrollment is only one of 3 or 4 things that are considered
 
BIB, we must not be watching the same games, Caravel would give Sallies a very good game and would beat the rest of D1 , i think they have one common opponent and both of them beat them by nearly the same number. And I am not sure about Caravel having to request to go up because of small enrollment, that is not the way I understand the system to work, enrollment is only one of 3 or 4 things that are considered
I've been following this thread for a while and would like to give a suggestion. If Caravel is tired of feasting on the local schools, why not schedule a few competitive PA schools for one or two games at the start of the season. Garnet Valley is right across the line and might be a good test or maybe Ridley or Strath Haven. Give em a call....
 
  • Like
Reactions: Uncle Bumfuzzled
BIB, we must not be watching the same games, Caravel would give Sallies a very good game and would beat the rest of D1 , i think they have one common opponent and both of them beat them by nearly the same number. And I am not sure about Caravel having to request to go up because of small enrollment, that is not the way I understand the system to work, enrollment is only one of 3 or 4 things that are considered

"Using a 50/50 blend of enrollment and winning percentage, the DIAA's Subcommittee said they singled out Newark, Howard, Saint Mark's, and Sussex Tech as potential promotion teams.

Part of the DIAA's rules were that no team in the bottom half of enrollment in Delaware would be required to move up, which disqualified small successful private schools including Archmere, Friends, and Caravel."
 
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT