History in the house: Reflections on 53 years of Cape football

Smashing Pumpkins - 1979 was a popular wistful pop alternative rock hit reflecting on coming of age in 1979, an homage to youth and all the pain, angst and happiness that goes with it. “An atmospheric sound that seemed to define a generation” (genius.com). At Friday’s football game, I snapped a photo of four kids from Cape’s 1979 state championship football team. Bill Lorah, Bob McVey, Ralph Karl and Bob Adair, a quartet of Linemen for Life who wouldn’t know angst if it bit them on the thigh pad. But they have known sorrow, as seven of their teammates have died since that championship day as well as coaches Bob Cassady and Jim Alderman. The 1979 field hockey team, coached by Carolyn Ivins, and the cross country team, coached by George Pepper, also won state titles that fall, leading to criticisms that Cape was overemphasizing sports at the expense of other programs. 

Talking bout my generation - Football players and family from different eras went down to the track Friday night after the Cape’s big win over Sussex Central. It was like a cross-generational reunion without name tags. Coach Gilbert Maull stood dead central with players Jaden Davis, Zach Savage, Jo Jo Kirby, Zach Dale and Robert Mitchell. I had a flashback to 1975, my first year as a Cape coach under Bill Muehleisen, when the two quarterbacks were Gilbert Maull and Rex Dickerson. Across from the old high school in Lewes is School Lane, but a 2023 GPS won’t give you directions to Memory Lane. You have to wander down that road alone.  

Brothers in arms - Upon their mom’s request, I grabbed a post-game photo of brothers Jayden Messick and LT Messick. LT played at Misericordia University as a freshman this past fall. A handful of players from coach Mike Frederick’s first year (2022) gathered to congratulate the team, including Thomas Gibbs, Ryan Betins, Keishawn Mansfield and Joe Coveleski.  

Rylie’s Smile Foundation - A Black Friday walk and 5K run supports hundreds of families to give children a much-deserved improvement in quality of life. The race drew a light turnout of 70 runners along American Legion Road. The race was won by Bryan Mack in 19:05. Rylie Maedler is now a senior at Cape and is hoping to attend the University of Maryland or Temple University next year. Riley has a killer smile and hopes to have her race next year on Thanksgiving Day. I coached her dad Sean Maedler in 1986. He was part of the all-time high SAT score power five offensive line that also included Jeff Burhnam, Mike Hilligoss, Tom Sombar and Myron Selby.

Snippets - Cape will play Salesianum at Delaware Stadium Friday, Dec. 1. Back in 2003, the Delaware football team won the 1AA national championship. The left tackle on that team was Trip DelCampo. Dr. Trip, now a chiropractor, is the uncle of Cape quarterback Jameson Tingle. Mark Moore and Matt Graviet were also on that Delaware team. They all played under coach Brian Donahue at Cape and made two state tournament appearances. Darrell Dukes sent me a photo of two game jerseys from Cape’s first season in 1970. The team was coached by Frank Coveleski with Don Hanley as an assistant. Halsey Knapp was a manager on the team. Seniors were Steve Zelenski, Mike Zelesnski, Darrel Dukes, Jim Derrickson, John Hazzard, Larry White, Chris Melson, Bill Landon, Craig Hudson, Bill Marsh, Sam Argo, Joe Robinson, Greg Wilson, Mark Fisher, Francis Duffy, Bill Collick, Jimmy Adkins, John Vincent, Jimmy Hastings, Mike Hurley and Fred Sposato. A Cape family finishing the Friendsgiving 5K Thursday in Lewes was the Donovan family of Lorin, Lisa, Keith and Caroline. Keith was the Cape quarterback of the team in 1984 that reached the state final and lost to William Penn 35-14. Cape is the only all-inclusive public school in the state football finals. The Vikings play Salesianum in the 3A final. The 2A final is Caravel vs. Archmere, while the 1A final is Tatnall vs. Charter. Charter is technically public, but not all-inclusive. Go on now, git!