DEPREPS PRESEASON TOP SIXES

DIVISION I

1.Salesianum (12-0) The two-time defending D-I state champions will begin their bid for a three-peat when they host Newark on Friday night at Baynard Stadium at 7:30. Despite the loss of five All-State performers, including stud TE/DE Andrew Szczerba, the Sals offense will still be strong with the return of star senior TB Sal Viscount (who rushed for a school-record 2,286 yards last year) and three starters on the offensive line – Chris Burcham, Andrew Schieffer and Justin Schlotterback. Defensively, senior LB Jeff Vanover will lead the charge as the Sals attempt to put the clamps on Newark TB Brandon Norwood and star WR Shaun Thomas. Since taking over as head coach in 2004, Bill DiNardo has led the school to the winningest three-year stretch in school history. 2006 marked the first time the Sals have ever won at least nine games for three consecutive years and their current 16 game win streak is also a school-record.

2.William Penn (7-4, 7-0 Flight A) The Colonials have won their last 17 Flight A regular season games and they're the favorite to win their third straight outright Conference title in 2007. Leading the charge will be junior tailback Brian Fields, OL/DL John Gibson and LB's Isaiah Fleming, Bryan Randolph, Kyle Gray and Ali Coleman. Fleming led Newark in tackles the last two years before transferring to Penn and Fields was brilliant in 2006, rushing for 1,625 yards and claiming the regular season scoring title with 139 points. The Colonials face a strong opening night test when they travel to Camden to take on Caesar Rodney this Friday at 7:30. The next week, they get a shot at top-ranked Salesianum at home.

3.Glasgow (0-10, 0-7 Flight A) By now, everyone knows the story of how the Dragons 7-3 season unraveled in the week prior to the playoffs when they were forced to forfeit all of their games due to the use of an ineligible player. As a result, the Dragons enter the season with something to prove and with the return of starters at 19 different positions, they should finally make their first postseason appearance since 1992. At his disposal, second-year head coach Shannon Riley has one of the state's most electrifying performers in star running back Barren Griffin and one of the state's most athletic defenses, highlighted by players like All-State DB Malachi Freeman and All-Conference performers Adam Ward (DE), Wayne Wilmore (DT), Corey Harrell (LB), Chaz Yancey (LB) and Andrew Cale (DB). They'll be tested right out of the gate when they face St. Mark's at Baynard Stadium this Saturday at 1:00.

4.Sussex Central (11-1, 5-0 Henlopen North) The Golden Knights rolled through their first 11 games in 2006 before falling to Salesianum 34-17 in the state championship game. They lost eight players that were either selected All-State or All-Conference, but they went deep into their bench during last season's run, so experience won't be as much of an issue as it appears to be on paper. Junior quarterback D.J. Long will finally get a chance to start after playing every third series last season and the team has nice depth at running back with the return of Monte Murray, Tim Showell, Jordan Jones and Zeno Williams. The key to their success will hinge on the performance of the line, which is led by senior tackle Joey Costa. Saturday's opening game road trip to Brandywine presents a serious challenge, especially for the defense, which will have to find a way to put pressure on Bulldogs' quarterback Jeff Tomasetti and keep the ball out of the hands of star WR Matt Marchioni, who had eight catches for 107 yards in last year's meeting (a 16-13 Central victory). The Golden Knights only two losses in the last 14 games have been to two-time defending D-I state champion Salesianum and they went 3-0 against Flight A teams in 2006, knocking off Christiana, Glasgow and Middletown.

5.Middletown (8-4, 6-1 Flight A) The Cavaliers have reached the playoffs for 11 straight years, which is the longest current streak in the state and second on the all-time list to William Penn's run of 14 straight appearances from 1986-99. Offensively, the Cavaliers will have one of the state's top passing attacks with the return of All-Conference quarterback Kenny Anderson, receiver Ryan Gerlitz, tight end Ben Hopkins, and the addition of receiver Cameron Thomas, a transfer from Brandywine. On defense, they return 10 starters, including linemen Ryan Hampe, Lloyd Brown and linebackers Mark Munzer and Sean Adkins. Anderson, who is nursing an injured ankle, might miss this weekend's opener with Boyerton (Pa), but the Cavaliers will be a heavy favorite nonetheless.

6.Newark (6-5, 5-2 Flight A) Last season, the Yellow Jackets made their 12th playoff appearance in the last 13 years, but they struggled with an 0-5 record against playoff teams and their final 6-5 record constituted their worst season winning percentage since they finished 3-7 in 1992. Don't expect a repeat. The early schedule is brutal with games against D-I champion Salesianum and D-II champion Concord, respectively, in the first two weeks. If they have an edge on Sallies, it could be in terms of offensive diversity and on special teams, where they have kicker Alex Carlton and return men Shaun Thomas and Brandon Norwood, who combined to return four kicks for touchdowns last season. If Norwood has a big night running the ball and strong-armed QB Chris Cummings can connect with WR's Thomas and Andrew Young, they could pull the upset and end a three-game losing streak in the rivalry. On defense, DT Chad Davis. LB Marc Tiberi and the rest of the Yellow Jackets have to find a way to limit Sallies TB Sal Viscount, who rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns in last year's 48-14 opening night blowout.

IN THE MIX

Caesar Rodney (5-5, 2-3 Henlopen North) New head coach Mike Schonewolf and his Riders have perhaps the state's toughest early season schedule with games against William Penn, Middletown, Salesianum and Concord in the first four weeks. Following last year's .500 finish, the Riders have a chance to make a big statement when they host William Penn on Friday at 7:30. Offensively, they'll rely heavily on RB Jeremy Millner, and linemen Mike Bork and Brock Lundeen. Defensively, they'll need big games from LB's Joe Babuca and Josh Harris if they're going to slow Colonials' star Brian Fields.

Christiana (4-6, 4-3 Flight A) Star tailback Dallas Brown returns after rushing for 2,034 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2006. New starting QB Josh Tatnall has to get the ball in the hands of WR Herbert Walker and TE Baron May, or defenses will be able to stack the box against the run. The Vikings will face Dover on the road this Friday in one of the weekend's most intriguing matchups. The game will mark the return of Christiana head coach Darwin Manges to his former school. Manges compiled a 37-26 record in six years at Dover and he led the program to the D-I state title game in 2001. The Vikings suffered a key loss during the offseason when promising D-I college prospect Leon Mackey transferred to Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, leaving a big hole on the line.

St. Mark's (9-3) Despite the loss of eight starters on offense and nine on defense, the Spartans should be in the thick of the playoff race come November. They had to replace their entire line, but they return leading rusher Rob DeMasi, All-State WR Jamie Hagan and leading tackler Corey Olsen. They'll be looking to pull off an upset when they face a dangerous Glasgow team on Saturday at Baynard Stadium (1:00). The key will be stopping Dragons' TB Barren Griffin, who finished third in the state in rushing yards per game (163.5 ypg). Offensively, new starting QB Kyle Sullivan will have to find a way to get the ball in the hands of his receivers. The matchup to watch could be Hagan against Dragons' DB Malachi Freeman.

Others deserving mention: Cape Henlopen, Dover, Sussex Tech.

DIVISION II

1.Concord (11-2, 6-0 Flight B) The Raiders rebounded from a 2-2 start in 2006 to win their final nine games and claim their third state championship in the last four years. With the return of players like QB Jon Bacher, TB Josh Morris, FB/LB Paul Worrilow, WR/DB/P Justin Brown, and OL/DL Nick DeMarco (among others) they appear to be locked-and-loaded for a run at a fourth state title. Worrilow, a first team All-State selection at guard and linebacker, will switch to fullback this year, which should take some of the heat off of Morris. The Raiders open at home this Saturday with a matchup against Archmere. The teams split their two meetings last year, with Archmere prevailing 20-16 on opening day and Concord winning 20-13 in the playoff semi-finals.

2.Caravel (10-2) The Buccaneers have reached the D-II title game for three straight years, facing Concord each time. Concord won in 2004 and 2006, while Caravel claimed the title in 2005. Few teams in the state have as much depth and overall team speed as the Buccaneers. Among the players to keep an eye on are QB Brian Potts (22-3 as starter), FB/LB Vinnie Ranauto (over 300 career tackles), HB/DB Travis Perez, TE/LB Kris Enslen, RB/LB Deveon Smith and linemen James Groce and Robert Kennedy. The schedule begins with a game against first-year varsity program Pencader Charter at home this Friday (7:00), followed by what should be one of the best D-II matchups of the early season when the Bucs visit Brandywine in week two.

3.Brandywine (5-5, 4-2 Flight B) The Bulldogs will be looking to put the disappointment of last years' .500 finish behind them when they host D-I power Sussex Central this Saturday at 1:00. New head coach Steve Dent, who came over from Charter, loves to put the ball in the air and he has the personnel on hand to do some major damage. Quarterback Jeff Tomasetti and receiver Matt Marchioni are arguably the best players in the state at their respective positions, but the teams' talent base goes far beyond those two. The Bulldogs have an established running back in Ryan Limbers and one of the leading contenders for Lineman of the Year honors in Penn State commit James Terry. However, the key to the Bulldogs success will lie in improving a defense that surrendered 22 points per game last year.

4.Delmar (11-1, 6-0 Henlopen South) The Wildcats were the only D-II team to go undefeated during the regular season in 2006, but their storybook season ended with a 41-15 loss to Caravel in the playoff semi-finals. The Wildcats will return hungrier than ever this season, led by star All-State selections FB/LB Justin Thomas, SE/S Kerry King and punter Seth Benson. They open with a long bus ride this Friday, travelling North to play Lower Cape May.

5.Hodgson (7-4, 3-3 Flight B) With six consecutive seasons with seven or more victories, this has been one of the state's most consistent programs of the decade. With the return of linemen Eric Duricek and Jerry Evans and the addition of lightning-quick tailback Jamaal Jackson, a transfer from Brandywine, the Silver Eagles traditionally strong ground game should continue to thrive. Promising sophomore QB Jamie Treml will make his first start against Laurel on the road on Friday night at 7:30. Treml will attempt to get the get the ball in the hands of lethal receivers, and twin 6-foot-4 brothers, Jamal and Jamil Merrell. On the defensive side, LB Ricky Johnson and company will have to find a way to slow 255-pound fullback Tyler West of Laurel.

6.St. Elizabeth (5-5) With the return of five starters on the offensive line and seven starters on defense, the Vikings aare primed for a run at their first playoff beth since 2001. At the skill positions, they'll rely on QB Jimmy Cullin, FB Sonny Durham, TB Dionta Gillis and WR Jason Lex for big-time production. Longtime head coach Joe Hemphill, who claimed D-II state titles in 1994 and 1996, sits just six wins away from becoming the state's fifth 200 game winner. The Vikings begin their quest with a visit to Mount Pleasant on Saturday at 10:30. The defense will focus on stopping speedy Green Knights' tailback Gary Gilmer.

IN THE MIX

Archmere (9-2) The Auks were one of the state's most improved teams last year, tripling their win total from 2005 and reaching the playoffs before falling to Concord in the semi-finals. They lost eight players that were named either All-State or All-Catholic, and they have a difficult schedule that includes games with the likes of Concord, Hodgson, Delmar, Glasgow and St. Elizabeth. Still, they return quarterback Frank Kurek and halfback Tyron Davis from an offense that was second in the state in scoring at a clip of 33.2 points per game. They'll need huge games from both if they're going to upset Concord on the road this Saturday. In two games against the Raiders last year, Kurek was highly efficient, completing 15-of-25 passes (60%) for 251 yards and two touchdowns, and he added two touchdowns rushing.

Indian River (8-3, 5-1 Henlopen South) The Indians lost seven All-Conference players, including star twins Perry and Phil Townsend from last year's playoff team. Senior QB Nick Kmetz will lead the charge when the Indians host Henlopen North representative Cape Henlopen and star TB Isaiah Brisco (1,474 yards rushing in 2006) on Friday night. Kmetz completed 65.8% of his passes for 1,185 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. At his disposal will be two of his favorite targets, receiver Danny Bokinsky and TE Trevor Abbott, who combined to make 31 catches for 516 yards and four touchdowns. They'll have to find a way to expose a dangerous Cape secondary that features the likes of Zac Wood, Laquan Hazzard and Stephan Hixon.

Milford (6-4, 3-2 Henlopen North) The Buccaneers move back to D-II and the Henlopen South after spending the last three years in the Henlopen North. With the return of players like WR Theo Bowe (17 catches for 381 yards in 2006), FB/LB Chris Drummond, and LB's Jason Kollock (90 tackles) and Joel Sullivan (70 tackles), along with a schedule that features four winnable D-I games, the Buccaneers could be in line to make their first playoff appearance since 1974. They'll get their first chance to score some of those big D-I playoff points when they host Sussex Tech on Friday at 7:30. Defensively, they'll need to contain Ravens' running backs George Godwin and Jamar Beckett if they're going to come out with the victory.

Others deserving mention: Laurel, McKean, Tower Hill, Woodbridge.