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Counting down Delaware's top 15 high school football stadiums. Here are 6 through 10

kevin tresolini, delaware news journal
·3 min read

High school football season has ended, leaving behind another fabulous fall of intense competition on the field and festive gatherings in the stands.

State champions Salesianum in DIAA Class 3A, Caravel in Class 2A and Tatnall in 1A will certainly have the happiest memories to treasure, along with their students, staff, fans and alumni.

Laurel quarterback Koby Shockley gets a pass off under the rush of Caravel defensive end James Steel in the Buccaneers’ 21-3 win over the Bulldogs, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.
Laurel quarterback Koby Shockley gets a pass off under the rush of Caravel defensive end James Steel in the Buccaneers’ 21-3 win over the Bulldogs, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

But so will those who played football or witnessed games from Delmar, Delaware's southernmost sporting outpost, to Archmere up north and everywhere in between.

Visiting a high school football stadium has long been a popular routine for many First State sports fans. They are quite inclined to pack the stands, sit on an adjacent hill or, in a unique tradition preferred by some, collect around the fences that often surround the field.

Whether they had family members or friends who played on that team, marched in the band, cheered from the sideline or simply attended that school, it's the place to be. There are few more popular community gathering sites.

Caravel junior center Dwight Williams sets up to snap the ball in the Buccaneers’ 36-0 win over the Wildcats, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 in a Class 2A DIAA football semifinal at Bob Peoples Stadium.
Caravel junior center Dwight Williams sets up to snap the ball in the Buccaneers’ 36-0 win over the Wildcats, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 in a Class 2A DIAA football semifinal at Bob Peoples Stadium.

With that in mind, Delaware Online/The News Journal, where we love doing rankings, has decided to put together a list of the top 15 high school football stadiums in Delaware. This is, keep in mind, the opinion of one, gleaned from a lengthy stint visiting such venues with some influence from colleagues. Differing opinions are welcomed.

Remember though, there is no bad place to watch a high school football game in Delaware. But these are the stadiums ranked sixth through 10th in our top 15:

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The Dover fan base celebrates as the Senators take a 27-10 lead on a long TD run by Nahseem Cosme in the fourth quarter of the Senators' 27-16 win against Salesianum in Dover, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.
The Dover fan base celebrates as the Senators take a 27-10 lead on a long TD run by Nahseem Cosme in the fourth quarter of the Senators' 27-16 win against Salesianum in Dover, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.

10. Dover Stadium, Dover

The new Dover High School opened in 2014 and with it one of the state’s biggest and best stadiums that’s not much more than an hour’s drive from anywhere else.

Best recent win for the home team: 27-16 over Salesianum Sept. 29.

Best player to call it home: Jordan Magee, quarterback/safety/linebacker, 2015-18.

Archmere's Cole Fenice leads the team on to the field in Archmere 56-28 win over Woodbridge, Saturday, Novermber 25, 2023 in a Class 2A DIAA football semifinals in Claymont, DE.
Archmere's Cole Fenice leads the team on to the field in Archmere 56-28 win over Woodbridge, Saturday, Novermber 25, 2023 in a Class 2A DIAA football semifinals in Claymont, DE.

9. Coaches Field, Archmere

Archmere’s long tradition of football success is reflected in the name of this field, which has a visually appealing panorama at the only Delaware high school where a future U.S. president put on shoulder pads.  

Best recent win for the home team: 56-28 over Woodbridge Nov. 25 in the DIAA Class 2A semifinals.

Best player to call it home: Pat Udovich, offensive tackle/linebacker, 1981-84.

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The Laurel band performs in front of the home crowd at halftime of Caravel’s 21-3 win over the Bulldogs, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.
The Laurel band performs in front of the home crowd at halftime of Caravel’s 21-3 win over the Bulldogs, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

8. Schollenberger Field, Laurel

Many of the small town’s residents have made this the place to be on Friday nights, with those crowds long stirring up a nice home-field edge for their beloved Bulldogs.

Best recent win for the home team: 34-20 over Lake Forest on Senior Night Nov. 3.

Best player to call it home: Javier White, running back/defensive back, 2018-21.

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William Penn defensive end KYLE WALLACE (89) applies pressure on Middletown quarterback DREW FRY (8) in the pocket in the second quarter of a week two DIAA game between Middletown and William Penn, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 at Bill Cole Stadium in New Castle, DE.
William Penn defensive end KYLE WALLACE (89) applies pressure on Middletown quarterback DREW FRY (8) in the pocket in the second quarter of a week two DIAA game between Middletown and William Penn, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 at Bill Cole Stadium in New Castle, DE.

7. Bruce Reynolds Field/Bill Cole Stadium, William Penn

This was once the place to be on a Saturday afternoon. Though the Colonials aren’t the state power they once were, it’s still a supreme site for football competition and a tough place for the visiting team.

Best recent win for the home team: 34-27 over Caesar Rodney in the 2023 season opener Aug. 31.

Best player to call it home: Lloyd Badson, running back/linebacker, 1988-91.

Caravel senior Vandrick Hamlin III and sophomore Charles Broadard celebrate a touchdown in the Buccaneers’ 36-0 win over the Wildcats, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 in a Class 2A DIAA football semifinal at Bob Peoples Stadium.
Caravel senior Vandrick Hamlin III and sophomore Charles Broadard celebrate a touchdown in the Buccaneers’ 36-0 win over the Wildcats, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 in a Class 2A DIAA football semifinal at Bob Peoples Stadium.

6. Bob Peoples Stadium, Caravel

After Caravel’s early 1980s opening, this stadium and the football teams successes helped put the school on the map and made this a frequent destination for football followers.

Best recent win for the home team: 36-0 over Howard in the 2023 Class 2A semifinals Nov. 24.

Best player to call it home: Darnell Savage, running back/defensive back, 2011-14.

Have an idea for a compelling local sports story or is there an issue that needs public scrutiny? Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Ranking Delaware high school football stadiums 6 through 10