The Home Stretch: Division II

[ReturnOfTheGate]

We're down to about 10-12 teams who actually have playoff aspirations, with 5 fighting for the final two spots in the expanded tournament, so here's a quick look at what each team has done so far and what they have left:

1. AI DuPont (6-0, 3-0 Flight B)
Points to date: 28 = 4.67
Remaining schedule: v McKean 10/26, @ Brandywine 11/3, v Dickinson 11/9
Possible bonus points left: 2 (Howard and McKean getting to 7 wins)
Potential final point total/index: 42 = 4.67
Looks like the Tigers won’t need the Christiana continuation, so whatever happened in that first half will be lost to history. A 4.67 index is likely good enough for the top seed and beating a team with that kind of offense at home is hard to do. Unless it’s Delmar, of course.

2. Delmar (7-0, 3-0 Henny South)
Points to date: 30 = 4.29
Remaining schedule: vs. Laurel 10/26, @ Milford 11/2, @ Woodbridge 11/9
Possible bonus points left: 2 (Woodbridge and Milford getting to 7 wins)
Potential final point total/index: 44 = 4.4
The most dangerous 8 seed in the history of the expanded D2 tournament will play at least two home games in their cozy stadium before 12/1, so barring catastrophe, Delmar’s road to UD looks pretty solid.

3. Friends (6-1, 1-0 conference)
Points to date: 27 = 3.89
Remaining schedule: @ St. Andrew’s 10/27, vs. Tower Hill 11/10
Possible bonus points left: 2 (Academy of the New Church gets to 9 wins, Tower Hill and Woodbridge get to 7)
Potential final point total/index 38 = 4.222
Friends has a big win in hand over Woodbridge and another humdrum five against lesser opponents. Still, this is a team that now they’ve discovered a passing game, can give opponents problems.

4. Tower Hill (6-1, 2-0 SPL)
Points to date: 27 = 3.89
Remaining schedule: vs. Conrad @ McKean 10/26, @ Dickinson 11/2, @ Friends 11/10
Possible bonus points left: 2 (Friends gets to 7 wins, Harford Tech gets to 9)
Potential final point total/index 41 = 4.1
I’ve made no bones about the SPL scheduling being suspect and how Tower Hill doesn’t even try to schedule up, but if they beat Friends, a home game might actually serve them well.

5. Archmere (6-1, 2-0 DSC)
Points to date: 25 3.57
Remaining schedule: @ Red Lion 10/26, vs. Charter 11/2, @ FSMA 11/8
Possible bonus points left: 3 (Dover gets to 9 wins, DMA gets to 7)
Potential final point total/index: 42 = 4.2
Archmere has been the hottest team in Division II after a loss to a really good Dover team and they have a chance to shake up the whole tournament.

6. Howard (5-2, 3-1 Flight B)
Points to date: 24 3.43
Remaining schedule: @ Mount Pleasant 10/27, vs. Christiana 11/1, @ Glasgow 11/9
Possible bonus points left: 5 (Hodgson and AI getting to 9 wins, McKean and St. Georges getting to 7)
Potential final point total/index: 41 = 4.1
Howard suffered a tough loss to AI on Saturday, but if they take care of business going forward, they should finish no worse than 5th. Lose one of these last 3 and it could be trouble.

7. McKean (5-2 overall, 2-2 Flight B)
Points to date: 22 = 3.14
Remaining schedule: @ AI 10/26, vs. Mount Pleasant 11/2, @ Christiana 11/10
Potential bonus points left: 3 (AI getting to 9 wins, Howard to 7)
Potential final point total/index: 36 = 3.6
Would be a great story if the Highlanders could make their first state tournament appearance in 36 years, but they need to win at least two of these last three and get some help from teams behind them in the points index. Still, it’s fun to talk about.
8. Woodbridge (5-2 overall, 4-0 Henny South)
Points to date: 21 = 3
Remaining schedule: @ St. Mark’s 10/26, @ Indian River 11/2, vs. Delmar 11/9
Possible bonus points left: 3 (Delmar and Dover getting to 9 wins, Friends getting to 7)
Potential final point total/index: 36 = 3.6
Barring Bummy’s bus-ride curse and lapse of concentration against IR, Woodbridge’s game against Delmar looks to be a chance for them to move up a couple of spots in the points rankings. Lose two of three and they could be on the outside looking in, but I don’t see that happening. Very dangerous for any home team in the first round.

9. Milford (4-3 overall, 2-1 Henny South)
Points to date: 21 = 3
Remaining schedule: vs Indian River 10/26, vs. Delmar 11/2, @ Lake Forest 11/9
Possible bonus points left: 3 (DMA and Woodbridge getting to 7 wins, Delmar getting to 9)
Potential final point total/Index: 37 = 3.7
Don’t look now, but the Buccanners are making things in the bottom half interesting. Would need a win against Delmar to put them in great shape, but if Woodbridge runs into trouble at Delmar the final weekend of the season, it could be their spot.


10. DMA (4-3 overall, 3-1 DSC)
Points to date: 20 = 2.86
Remaining schedule: vs. FSMA 10/27, vs. Newark 11/2, vs. Conrad 11/10
Possible bonus points left: 4 (Milford getting to 7 wins, Archmere and Hodgson getting to 9)
Potential final point total/index 38 = 3.8
Barring a loss to Newark, DMA is in, just a matter of where they end up. Either way, if Corahn Alleyne is close to 100 percent, I wouldn’t want to be the team that plays them.

11. St. Mark’s (4-3 overall, nonconference)
Points to date: 18 = 2.57
Remaining schedule: vs. Woodbridge 10/26, vs. St. E 11/2, @ Sallies 11/9
Possible bonus points left: 6 (Sallies, Howard, DMA and Woodbridge getting 7 wins, Archmere getting to 9)
Potential final point total/index: 38 = 3.8
Another year, another Spartan collapse. They have to win these last 3 games to have a shot and I honestly don’t see that happening for them. The saga continues.

12. St. Elizabeth (4-3 overall, nonconference)
Points to date: 17 = 2.43
Remaining schedule: @ Academy of the New Church 10/27, @ St. Mark’s 11/2 vs. Newark 11/9
Possible bonus points left: 6 (St. Mark’s, DMA and Friends getting to 7 wins, ANC and Archmere getting to 9)
Potential final point total/index: 36 = 3.6
St. E had a promising start but a mid-season struggle has them looking to next year unless some wild things happen above them AND they have to take care of their own business.

 

[MightyMik]

Got StE record wrong. 4-3 (loses to #2 Delmar, #3 Friends, #5 Archmere). Hardest D2 schedule this year?

 

[BackinBlack86]

points are right though

 

[ReturnOfTheGate]

Got StE record wrong. 4-3 (loses to #2 Delmar, #3 Friends, #5 Archmere). Hardest D2 schedule this year?

Fixed now. And yeah, St. E had a tough one, but for Dooley to get this team to possibly 6-4/7-3 in his first year says a lot about that school heading in the right direction.

 

[bbmvp]

Looking at points and I only count 21 for Milford, how are you getting 22?
1, 0, 6, 4, 4, 0, 6

 

[zappa3]

I am also getting 38 as a potential for Friends... can you double check

 

[ReturnOfTheGate]

27 points for Friends, two wins more wins (8) = 35. ANC is already at 7 wins, so they can only give Friends one more point if they get to 9. Tower Hill gets to 7, that's the other bonus point. If Tower beats them, then you get 2, but that takes away 2 points for a win, so it'd be 35. Most Friends can get by winning out and ANC getting to 9/Tower Hill getting to 7 is 37.

 

[SouthDude]

Here how it will play out:
SEED
1. AI 9-0
2. Delmar 10-0
3. Friends 8-1
4. Archmere 9-1
5. Howard 8-2
6. Woodbridge 7-3
7. Tower Hill 8-2
8. DMA 7-3

 

[ReturnOfTheGate]

Woodbridge could only finish 8-2 if they beat Delmar, so Delmar would have to be 9-1.

 

[Rockem sockem]

Woodbridge will not beat Delmar. Delmar will win by at least 17.

 

[ReturnOfTheGate]

Even if Woodbridge loses to Delmar, they'll likely be the final team in because of bonus points and a SOS tiebreaker with McKean.

 

[SouthDude]

Your Right, fixed

 

[delawarenole]

Here how it will play out:
SEED
1. AI 9-0
2. Delmar 10-0
3. Friends 8-1
4. Archmere 9-1
5. Howard 8-2
6. Woodbridge 7-3
7. Tower Hill 8-2
8. DMA 7-3

AI vs DMA & Archmere vs Howard would be good games

 

[Ikeyfbst2]

Looking at points and I only count 21 for Milford, how are you getting 22?
1, 0, 6, 4, 4, 0, 6

I liked the first version where you had Milford with that extra point.

 

[WayneJay]

27 points for Friends, two wins more wins (8) = 35. ANC is already at 7 wins, so they can only give Friends one more point if they get to 9. Tower Hill gets to 7, that's the other bonus point. If Tower beats them, then you get 2, but that takes away 2 points for a win, so it'd be 35. Most Friends can get by winning out and ANC getting to 9/Tower Hill getting to 7 is 37.

The 38th point for Friends could be WB getting to 7 wins. You have WB at 7 wins as a possibility for their other opponents, but you didn't include them on your list of possibles for Friends.

Nice piece of work, btw !!!

 

[bbmvp]

St. Marks and WB is an interesting game this week. If St. Marks wins, that would make the Delmar game for WB a must win. The 8 seed literally looks like the only remaining spot open, unless something crazy happens over the next 3 weeks. It would be a shame if a team like McKean snuck in. DMA would get an automatic bid for winning their conference, correct?

 

[BackinBlack86]

Diamond State does not get auto-bid for football.. at least not yet

 

[ReturnOfTheGate]

I'd rather see McKean in than Tower Hill.

But DMA's in good shape anyway - have FSMA/Newark/Conrad left and potential bonus points from Archmere and Hodgson.

And Wayne Jay's right, I forgot about Woodbridge while calculating Friends, so their highest point total can be 38.

 

[Titanium Shadow]

For Delmar:

1) If Delmar beats Milford (4 wins 3 losses), then Milford can't get to 7 wins so you shouldn't count a potential bonus point from Milford when figuring maximum points for Delmar.

2) Two of Delmar's other opponents, St. Mary's (5 wins 3 losses) and St. Elizabeth (4 wins 3 losses), have the possibility of getting to 7 wins. No idea how likely that is, but it gives Delmar the potential of 3 total bonus points from Woodbridge, St. Mary's and St. Elizabeth.

 

[FSMAtothechip]

McKean would lose by 50 to whatever team they faced in the playoffs... just saying...would rather see FSMA baby

 

[Rockem sockem]

AI needs to have their points divided by 10. Yes they didn’t forfiet after that whole dibacle but they should still receive a punishment as a team for their behavior. DIAA should look into revising points based upon no forfeiture but still dividing by original scheduled games.

 

[fanoffootball123]

Mckean would most likely beat FSMA.

 

[36RaiderD]

Is Brandywine not also in the hunt at 4-3? Have no idea what the points look like there.

 

[VoiceofReason247]

There is really only one spot left but only a couple of teams realistically will will make the cut. Unless there are some surprises.

1-6 locked in just playing for seeding.

7) McKean (Out) Will need a lot of help because they will not receive many bonus points but they will probably lose their next 2 games and probably will lose to Christiana as well
8) Woodbridge (Probably eye on St. E's) The have to win this week against St. Marks both teams are fighting for their lives. Beating St. Marks then IR will place them in the playoffs and set them up for another week 10 show down with Delmar for a higher seed and the division. The lose to Delmar after winning the previous two games they are taking a road trip to Delmar in the quarters.
9) Milford (Walking the plank) They have to beat Delmar. Strangers things have happened but this does not appear to be one of them. A Woodbridge this weekend win would give them another bonus point they need Woodbridge to lose to have a chance and if both they and Woodbridge finish 6-4 they would tie and points and Woodbridge beat them winning the tie breaker.
10) DMA (In) Barring a collapse against FSMA, Newark, Conrad. DMA will be in the playoffs at 7-3 with 4 bonus pts from Hodgson and Archmere and plus the DSC gift of Charter and D1 points for beating Newark finishing with 3.7 and them in the 6th or 7th seed.
11) St. Marks (On life support) Beating Woodbridge will help them and many other teams but the only way for them to make the playoffs is to win out. They need the 6 points from Sallies.
12) St. E's (The WILDCARD) They beat Mount, squeaked past Laurel surprised people with win against DMA and beat a low Glasgow. Is this team good enough to win 2 of their last 3. If they win one of their next 2 and beat Newark they will push Woodbridge to beat Delmar and if they do not they knock Woodbridge out of the playoffs and possibly leap frog to the 7th spot.

1. AI 9-0
2. Delmar 10-0
3. Friends 8-1
4. Archmere 9-1
5. Howard 8-2
6. DMA 7-3
7. Tower Hill 8-2
8. St. E's 6-4 winning tie breaker over Woodbridge due to SOS

 

[VoiceofReason247]

The importance of scheduling the top two seeds will have at most 5 teams .500 or better and no more than 1 team .701 or better on their schedule.

 

[bbmvp]

Voice, if WB loses this week to St. Marks. I am just going to go on a limb and say they would lose to Delmar as well. If that is the case and they finish 6-4, plus Milford finishes 6-4, I believe Milford would have more pts because of 2 D1 wins.

 

[VoiceofReason247]

Like I said Milford is walking the plank. If Woodbridge went 6-4 then Milford loses bonus points. Neither a 6-4 Woodbridge (3.0) or Milford (3.2) make it.

If Woodbridge loses to St. Marks they have to beat Delmar to get in as Division champs. The only team with a chance to get in with a 6-4 record is St. E’s (3.4) and maybe Brandywine if they were to beat AI and Mount causing a 3 way tie a top the Blue Hen.

 

[bball fan 4ever]

All this talk about Woodbridge losing to St. Marks is a joke. Coach Manlove will have his team ready to go against the Spartans. This Summer I attended the 7on7 Tournament and Woodbridge out played St. Marks. If this is any indication of how the game will go the Spartans will have no chance of beating the Raiders. Hummmmm......didn't St. Marks loose there best receiver that went to St.E'S. enough Said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[prepfootballstars]

All this talk about Woodbridge losing to St. Marks is a joke. Coach Manlove will have his team ready to go against the Spartans. This Summer I attended the 7on7 Tournament and Woodbridge out played St. Marks. If this is any indication of how the game will go the Spartans will have no chance of beating the Raiders. Hummmmm......didn't St. Marks loose there best receiver that went to St.E'S. enough Said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No on the receiver best is relative. Best maybe in his household but best compared to the best receiving player on St Marks’s no.

 

[fanoffootball123]

St Marks may lose to Woodbridge but it has nothing to do with a 7on7 tourney . All joking aside it should be a good game . I don’t think either team is all that great. Both are pretenders for sure.

 

[VoiceofReason247]

@bball fan 4ever You talking 7v7???? Lol!!!! I was at the tournaments at DE turf. Several teams look better than this season’s record. Last year the tournament finished. I believe the was like final 4 teams were Like Sallies, Delmar, Poly and Brandywine. 1 playoff team

 

[Rockem sockem]

All this talk about Woodbridge losing to St. Marks is a joke. Coach Manlove will have his team ready to go against the Spartans. This Summer I attended the 7on7 Tournament and Woodbridge out played St. Marks. If this is any indication of how the game will go the Spartans will have no chance of beating the Raiders. Hummmmm......didn't St. Marks loose there best receiver that went to St.E'S. enough Said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHA you actually think that 7 on 7 is a good indicator of a football season? Woodbridge thrives off the run and play action passes. 7 on 7 does nothing with run or play action. How does that correlate with one another? Plus defenses for 7 on 7 only scheme for pass. Again no accountability for the run. You sir need to understand the purpose of 7 on 7!

 

[ReturnOfTheGate]

I've seen St. Mark's twice this season and each time, they've gone off the rails, yelling at each other, coaches yelling at the refs, this is not a team that can pull it together. Woodbridge seems to be better disciplined so as long as the bus ride doesn't zap em, they'll win Friday.

 

[bball fan 4ever]

After doing my homework I see Woodbridge is more battle tested than St. Marks. St. Mark's has played:
Howard (6-1)
De. Military (4-3)
Archmere (6-1)

On the other hand Woodbridge has played:
Dover (6-1)
Friends (6-1)
Plays Delmar last game of regular season

Any other questions/comments!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ReturnOfTheGate]

Howard's 5-2.

 

[bball fan 4ever]

St. Marks has no answer for: Kane, Haynes, Massey, Wescott and Keeler

 

[prepfootballstars]

St. Marks has no answer for: Kane, Haynes, Massey, Wescott and Keeler

TJ butter/ Wescott should be a good matchup

Joey Cartwright / Keeler good match up considering how well Cartwright climbs to the second level. Love keelers ability to diagnose the play Cartwright shows great feet and good ability to fit up in space

Center for St marks also does This well


Not many teams have one person capable of shutting down Kane by them selves so it will have to be a team effort

Coaching will play a role. Some of you don’t agree but personal wise not many teams are that far separated from each other. Scheme plays a huge role every week when talent is equal.

 

[7nonstop3]

Stretch my salty stick out

 

[Ikeyfbst2]

bump

 

[DE-Sussex]

Got StE record wrong. 4-3 (loses to #2 Delmar, #3 Friends, #5 Archmere). Hardest D2 schedule this year?

Would argue Lake Forest has a strong argument for this...
Lake is sitting at 3-4 with their losses coming to #1 AI, #2 Delmar, #3 Friends, & #8 Woodbridge