Football Team Clinches District Title and #2 Seed for Playoffs
The Archmere football team had a lot on the line when they met Wilmington Friends at home on Coaches' Field on Saturday, November 11th. Not only was it Senior Day, but the Class 2A district title was still up for grabs, as was a top 3 spot in the DIAA State Tournament rankings. After falling behind early against the defending 2A Champions, the Auks took total control, rolling to a 42-14 victory in front of a spirited home crowd and the second seed in the postseason playoffs.
Per calculations explained by Mike Lang of the Dialog, "The Auks entered the game in a tie with Friends and Howard for the 2A-2 lead, but a win would give them first place outright since they would have defeated both the Quakers and Wildcats. Friends would have needed to defeat the Auks by 38 points to force a three-way tie, so it was no surprise to see Archmere keep the ball on the ground and chew up some clock."
Brendan Burke '24 scored on the Auks' first drive, which was immediately answered by a Wilmington Friends touchdown. The two teams went back and forth until right before the half, when the Quakers were forced to punt and Archmere took over at its own 27 yard line. From then on, a dominant Archmere defense kept the Quakers from scoring for the rest of the game, while Quarterback Miles Kempski '24 and his offense led a strong running game.
Miles Kempski '24 passed for 100 yards and ran for 71. PJ Blessington '24 combined for 124 yards rushing and receiving and two touchdowns, while Brendan Burke '24 had 89 on the ground. Blessington and Christian Wittmeyer '25 led the defense with nine tackles each. Jack Bradley '25 had six tackles and went six-for-six on extra points in place of the injured Cole Fenice '24.
Archmere will host No. 7 Red Lion on Saturday, November 18 at 11:00 a.m. in the Quarterfinals of the Class 2A tournament.
Full game details and pictures
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Brendan Burke '24 scored on the Auks' first drive, which was immediately answered by a Wilmington Friends touchdown. The two teams went back and forth until right before the half, when the Quakers were forced to punt and Archmere took over at its own 27 yard line. From then on, a dominant Archmere defense kept the Quakers from scoring for the rest of the game, while Quarterback Miles Kempski '24 and his offense led a strong running game.
Miles Kempski '24 passed for 100 yards and ran for 71. PJ Blessington '24 combined for 124 yards rushing and receiving and two touchdowns, while Brendan Burke '24 had 89 on the ground. Blessington and Christian Wittmeyer '25 led the defense with nine tackles each. Jack Bradley '25 had six tackles and went six-for-six on extra points in place of the injured Cole Fenice '24.
Archmere will host No. 7 Red Lion on Saturday, November 18 at 11:00 a.m. in the Quarterfinals of the Class 2A tournament.
Full game details and pictures
Archmere Academy is a private, Catholic, college preparatory co-educational academy,
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.
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