Newark Charter Secures State Tournament Berth During Unified Flag Football Senior Night
Senior night brought a celebration of past titles and a current postseason push for the Newark Charter Patriots. On Monday night on the sideline, the Patriots clinched a spot in the state tournament with a 48-24 victory in their final Unified flag football regular season game.
The evening honored five players and a manager prior to kickoff. At halftime, the program recognized the 2016 state championship team, which secured the school’s first state title across any sport. For Jon Tressler, a member of that 2016 squad who now works as a special education speech pathologist, returning to campus carried profound personal and professional meaning.
It means a lot to my family to be back here at Newark Charter. And it’s nice knowing that winning the state title will always hold a place in our heart and that we’re all still willing to come back years later with our teammates.
Current players are now looking to replicate that championship standard. Senior Luke Heseltine opened the scoring with a reception from Josh Perey, adding to his team-leading 11 touchdowns entering the game.
In the tournament, we have to stay focused and determined. We strive to play every game hard and we strive to win.
Head coach Jake Schneider, now in his 10th season leading the program, emphasized the physical and tactical demands of the upcoming postseason.
It’s just about complete football, playing defense and offense, and conversions are going to matter a ton. They’re pushing each other in practice. When you get in those high-scoring, tight games, you need to be firing on all cylinders. And I think we have a group that will do that.
Crosstown Rivalries Shape Local Gridiron Slate
Beyond flag football, local high school football action featured commanding performances across several districts. Newark Charter (8-0, 2-0) rolled to a 63-0 victory over Williams Early College School (2-7, 1-2). Alex Burrows ran for a touchdown and returned a fumble for another. Chase Kennedy passed for two touchdowns to Damon Saunders and Cayden Anderson, while Austin Gbadegbe, Chase Lednum, Josian Hunt, and Ben Sands each added rushing touchdowns. Charles Beitman connected on six extra points and Conner Mood kicked three.
In other matchups, Christiana (4-4, 1-2) fell 27-12 to Delcastle (3-5, 1-2). Malachi Lynch returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown for the Vikings, and Achilles Van Aulen scooped up a fumble and sprinted 40 yards for another score. Hodgson (2-7, 1-2) dropped a 42-6 decision to Appoquinimink (5-3, 1-1) behind a lone touchdown from Jayden Yancey, while Newark (4-4, 1-2) lost 26-13 to Conrad (4-4, 2-1).
Postseason Matchups Set for Fall Tournaments
Fall state tournaments are ramping up across multiple sports. In the DIAA Girls Volleyball State Tournament, Newark Charter earned the No. 4 seed, Saint Mark’s took the No. 6 seed, and Caravel Academy secured the No. 13 seed. Caravel faced No. 20 Concord, with the victor advancing to play at Newark Charter on Nov 6. Saint Mark’s plays the winner of the matchup between No. 11 St. Georges and No. 22 Delmarva Christian.
In the Division II Field Hockey State Tournament, No. 2-seeded Newark Charter and No. 3 Caravel Academy earned first-round byes. Newark Charter awaits the winner of No. 7 Concord versus No. 10 Sussex Academy, scheduled to play on November 7 at 11:30 a.m. Caravel hosts its second-round game on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. against the winner of No. 6 Wilmington Friends and No. 11 Delaware Military Academy.
