Henlopen Conference


The Henlopen Conference is a high school sports conference comprising public schools in Kent County and Sussex County in lower Delaware. The teams participate in a variety of sports including football, boys and girls soccer, track and field, cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls indoor track, boys and girls outdoor track, wrestling, boys and girls lacrosse, baseball, softball, cheerleading, boys and girls swimming, and field hockey.

Schools and teams

The schools and teams that make up the Henlopen Conference are divided into two divisions, the Henlopen Northern Division and Henlopen Southern Division. Despite the name, the schools are not divided by geographical location, but rather by enrollment numbers, with the larger schools in the Northern Division and the smaller schools in the Southern Division. The conferences are re-arranged every few years based on enrollment numbers.
The current conference alignment for the schools along with the city they are located in are:
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamCityGeographic areas served
Caesar RodneyRidersCamdenCamden, Wyoming, Dover Air Force Base, Magnolia, Woodside
Cape HenlopenVikingsLewesLewes, Rehoboth Beach, Milton, Harbeson, Cedar Creek, Broadkill Beach
DoverSenatorsDoverDover, Cheswold, Hartly, Little Creek, Leipsic
PolytechPanthersWoodsideKent County technical students
SmyrnaEaglesSmyrnaSmyrna, Clayton, Kenton
Sussex CentralGolden KnightsGeorgetownGeorgetown, Millsboro
Sussex TechRavensGeorgetownSussex County technical students

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamCityGeographic areas
DelmarWildcatsDelmarDelmar
Indian RiverIndiansDagsboroDagsboro, Frankford, Bethany Beach, Millville, Ocean View, Gumboro, Angola, Oak Orchard, Selbyville, Fenwick Island
Lake ForestSpartansFeltonFelton, Bowers Beach, Frederica, Harrington, Viola
LaurelBulldogsLaurelLaurel, Bethel
MilfordBuccaneersMilfordMilford, Ellendale, Houston, Lincoln, Thompsonville, Slaughter Beach
SeafordBlue JaysSeafordSeaford, Blades
Sussex Academy of Arts and SciencesSeahawksGeorgetownSussex County - Charter school with lottery-selected admission
WoodbridgeBlue RaidersBridgevilleBridgeville, Greenwood, Farmington

Membership timeline


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Period = from:1958 till:2019
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Colors = id:barcolor value:rgb
id:line value:black
id:bg value:white
id:Full value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports
id:FullxF value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports except for football
id:AssocF value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member for football only
id:AssocOS value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in some sports, but not all
id:OtherC1 value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that has moved to another conference
id:OtherC2 value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that has moved to another conference where OtherC1 has already been used, to distinguish the two
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bar:1 color:Full from:1959 till:1969 text:Bridgeville Mustangs, then merged with Greenwood to become Woodbridge
bar:2 color:FullxF from:1959 till:1960 text:Delmar Wildcats
bar:2 color:Full from:1960 till:2019
bar:3 color:FullxF from:1959 till:1969 text:Felton Green Devils, then merged with Harrington to become Lake Forest
bar:4 color:FullxF from:1959 till:1967 text:Greenwood Foresters, then merged with Bridgeville to become Woodbridge
bar:4 color:Full from:1967 till:1969
bar:5 color:Full from:1959 till:1969 text:Harrington Lions, then merged with Felton to become Lake Forest
bar:6 color:Full from:1959 till:1968 text:John M. Clayton Bears, then merged with Lord Baltimore to become Indian River
bar:7 color:Full from:1959 till:1966 text:Lord Baltimore Lords, then merged with John M. Clayton to become Indian River
bar:7 color:FullxF from:1966 till:1968
bar:8 color:Full from:1959 till:1969 text:Millsboro Blue Devils, then merged with Georgetown and became Sussex Central
bar:9 color:FullxF from:1959 till:1964 text:Milton Warriors, then merged with Lewes and Rehoboth Beach to become Cape Henlopen
bar:9 color:Full from:1964 till:1969
bar:10 color:Full from:1959 till:1969 text:Rehoboth Beach Seahawks, then merged with Lewes and Milton to become Cape Henlopen
bar:11 color:Full from:1959 till:1969 text:Selbyville Rebels, then merged with Indian River
bar:12 color:Full from:1964 till:1980 text:Dover Air Force Falcons, previously of the Diamond State Conference, closed by Air Force in 1980, students sent to Caesar Rodney
bar:13 color:Full from:1968 till:2019 text:Indian River Indians, consolidation of former members Lord Baltimore and John M. Clayton in 1968, then Selbyville in 1969
bar:14 color:Full from:1969 till:2019 text:Woodbridge Blue Raiders, consolidation of former members Bridgeville and Greenwood
bar:15 color:Full from:1969 till:2019 text:Cape Henlopen Vikings, consolidation of former members Milton and Rehoboth Beach with Lewes of the Diamond State Conference
bar:16 color:Full from:1969 till:2019 text:Caesar Rodney Riders, previously of the Diamond State Conference
bar:17 color:Full from:1969 till:2019 text:Dover Senators, previously of the Diamond State Conference
bar:18 color:Full from:1969 till:2019 text:Lake Forest Spartans, consolidation of former members Harrington and Felton with Frederica
bar:19 color:Full from:1969 till:2019 text:Laurel Bulldogs, previously of the Diamond State Conference
bar:20 color:Full from:1969 till:2019 text:Milford Buccaneers, previously of the Diamond State Conference
bar:21 color:Full from:1969 till:2019 text:Seaford Blue Jays, previously of the Diamond State Conference
bar:22 color:Full from:1969 till:2019 text:Smyrna Eagles, previously of the Diamond State Conference
bar:23 color:Full from:1969 till:2019 text:Sussex Central Golden Knights consolidation of former member Millsboro with Georgetown of the Diamond State Conference
bar:24 color:AssocOS from:1992 till:1994 text:Polytech Panthers
bar:24 color:Full from:1994 till:2019
bar:25 color:Full from:1995 till:2019 text:Sussex Tech Ravens
bar:26 color:FullxF from:2015 till:2019 text:Sussex Academy Seahawks
bar:N color:powderblue from:1959 till:2019 text:Henlopen Conference
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text:^"Henlopen Conference Membership History"
  1. > If the chart uses more than one bar color, add a legend by selecting the appropriate fields from the following six options Leave a blank line after the end of the timeline, then add a line with the selected values from the list, separated by a space. <#

    Conference history

The Henlopen Conference was created in the January 1959 as a conference of Sussex County schools with enrollments under 350. The conference began its first interleague conference play with the start of the 1959 high school baseball season. The initial members of the Henlopen Conference were the Bridgeville Mustangs, Rehoboth Beach Seahawks, Milton Warriors, Greenwood Foresters, Delmar Wildcats, Millsboro Blue Devils, John M. Clayton Bears, Lord Baltimore Lords, and Selbyville Rebels. While an initial member of the newly formed conference, the Delmar Wildcats did not join the conference for interleague conference play until the beginning of the 1959–60 basketball season. Two weeks later, on February 3, 1959, the Harrington Lions and Felton Green Devils were admitted, expanding the league into Kent County. The Dover Air Force Base Falcons joined two years after its formation.
In 1969, additional teams were added as the Diamond State Conference, originally formed by the larger schools of Kent and Sussex County, merged with the Henlopen Conference. These were: Smyrna, Dover, Caesar Rodney, Milford, Seaford, Lewes, Georgetown and Middletown; Middletown being the lone member from New Castle County. Lewes and Georgetown were the first schools that decided to migrate from the Diamond State Conference and join and eventually every team from the Diamond State Conference joined the Henlopen Conference. Middletown, as the only New Castle County school, moved to a conference composed entirely of New Castle County schools after one year of playing as an independent because they were barred from joining the Henlopen Conference due to the conference by-laws regarding geography.
Because of the state mandated school district mergers of 1969-70, the teams changed their geographical makeup. Lewes, Milton, and Rehoboth Beach merged to form the Cape Henlopen Vikings. Georgetown, John M. Clayton, and a large part of the Millsboro School District merged to become the Sussex Central Golden Knights. Greenwood and Bridgeville merged to become the Woodbridge Blue Raiders. Harrington and Felton merged with Frederica to become the Lake Forest Spartans. Lord Baltimore and Selbyville were merged with Frankford and Dagsboro to become the Indian River Indians. The Milford School District also joined the conference after merging with the Ellendale and Houston school districts, keeping the Milford Buccaneers name. Magnolia and Oak Point merged with Caesar Rodney in 1969 and Dover Air Force Base high school students were absorbed into the Caesar Rodney High School after the United States government closed down the base's school in the 1980s. The Polytech Panthers and Sussex Tech Ravens joined the conference with the addition of their sports teams when the schools made the transition from vocational trade schools to technical and academic schools. In August 2015, the Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences became the newest school, and first charter school, to join the Henlopen Conference.
Of note is that not all teams joined the conference immediately at its inception, affecting the number of conference championships the teams could have won.

Football

Football history

Since 1969, teams in the Henlopen Conference have won a total of 25 state football championships. The south leads the north in championships 16 to 9. Caesar Rodney leads the northern division with three Division I Championships and Delmar leads the southern division with six Division II Championships. Woodbridge High School was the last team to win a state championship in 2016.
Only three times has the conference swept the Division I and Division II championship. In 1988, Dover from the North and Indian River from the South were the first to do it. In 2008, Caesar Rodney from the North and Milford from the south accomplished the feat. In the 2008 championship games, both Caesar Rodney and Milford defeated Sussex Central and Laurel to win their respective championships, marking the only time the final four teams in the state tournament were from the Henlopen Conference. In the latest occasion, Woodbridge won the Division II championship and Smyrna won the Division I championship in 2016.
Seaford High School is the only school in the conference to win both a Division I and II Championship.

2006 Lake Forest forfeits

In 2006 Lake Forest High School had to temporarily shut down their varsity football team due to allegations of use of painkillers. Lake Forest forfeited their final eight games for that season.

Milford controversy

Prior to the 2007-08 school year, Milford was moved to the Henlopen South while Smyrna joined the Northern Division due to changes in enrollment. On September 30, 2008 those numbers were rechecked and confirmed to determine the assignments for the 2009–10 and 2010-11 school years. With only a total of 8 students separating the seventh and eighth largest schools, with Polytech coming in a 1,164 and Milford at 1,156; the conference assignments were certified to stay the same through June 2011. This included Polytech in the North Division and Milford in the South.
Days prior to the Division 2 Championship game, Polytech High School challenged the enrollment numbers that were submitted by Milford High School. Polytech brought their case to the athletic directors of the Henlopen Conference schools in a monthly meeting, and Milford argued their case as to why the numbers were correct. At the center of Polytech's argument were 17 students of the Intensive Learning Center, a separate school from Milford High School for special needs and mentally challenged students that rented space inside Milford High. The Polytech officials argued that those students were in the building and should be counted, the Milford officials argued that it was a separate school and that the State of Delaware did not count those children in Milford's enrollment nor did Milford receive funding for them.
A vote was held by the athletic directors of the various schools in the conference, all of the directors in the South voted Milford should move up to the North except Laurel High School; all of the directors in the North said Milford should stay down except for Polytech High School, which made it a 6-6 vote as Milford was not allowed to vote. However, the director for Sussex Central wasn't present for the meeting, so the director for Indian River High School was allowed to vote twice as Indian River High School and Sussex Central High School are in the same school district. The director voted two times that Milford move to the North Division and the vote was confirmed.
In December 2008, Milford appealed to the superintendents of the schools comprising the Henlopen Conference. The superintendents voted to uphold the decision of the athletic directors as it was an athletics issue. Milford also appealed to the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association, the governing body for athletics in Delaware schools. The DIAA decided that the matter needed to be handled by the Henlopen Conference and that they would not be involved.
On April 15, 2009, Milford High School filed a lawsuit against the Henlopen Conference in Chancery Court challenging that the vote was against the conference by-laws. In the lawsuit, Milford is listed as seeking "declaratory relief" and to have the vote to change the conference alignments nullified, placing Milford High School back in the South Division. On July 2, that lawsuit was dismissed.

Historical Henlopen Conference football records

1950s

1959 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Conference
SchoolTeamConference RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Bridgeville Mustangs 6 - 06 - 3No Playoffs
Rehoboth BeachSeahawks5 - 15 - 4No Playoffs
MillsboroBlue Devils4 - 26 - 2No Playoffs
HarringtonLions2 - 3 - 13 - 4 - 1No Playoffs
Lord BaltimoreLords2 - 43 - 6No Playoffs
John M. ClaytonBears1 - 4 - 12 - 5 - 1No Playoffs
SelbyvilleRebels0 - 60 - 6No Playoffs

1960s

1960 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Conference
SchoolTeamConference RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Millsboro Blue Devils 6 - 1No Playoffs
Rehoboth Beach Seahawks 6 - 1No Playoffs
DelmarWildcats5 - 2No Playoffs
BridgevilleMustangs4 - 3No Playoffs
John M. ClaytonBears4 - 3No Playoffs
HarringtonLions1 - 6No Playoffs
Lord BaltimoreLords1 - 6No Playoffs
SelbyvilleRebels1 - 6No Playoffs
1961 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Conference
SchoolTeamConference RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Rehoboth Beach Seahawks 7 - 0 No Playoffs
John M. ClaytonBears6 - 1No Playoffs
MillsboroBlue Devils5 - 2No Playoffs
BridgevilleMustangs4 - 3No Playoffs
DelmarWildcats3 - 4No Playoffs
HarringtonLions1 - 5 - 1No Playoffs
SelbyvilleRebels1 - 5 - 1No Playoffs
Lord BaltimoreLords0 - 7No Playoffs
1962 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Conference
SchoolTeamConference RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
MillsboroBlue Devils6 - 0 - 1No Playoffs
John M. ClaytonBears5 - 0 - 2No Playoffs
BridgevilleMustangs4 - 3No Playoffs
DelmarWildcats4 - 3No Playoffs
Rehoboth BeachSeahawks3 - 3 - 1No Playoffs
Lord BaltimoreLords3 - 4No Playoffs
HarringtonLions0 - 6 - 1No Playoffs
SelbyvilleRebels0 - 6 - 1No Playoffs
1963 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Conference
SchoolTeamConference RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
John M. ClaytonBears7 - 08 - 0No Playoffs
MillsboroBlue Devils6 - 17 - 2No Playoffs
BridgevilleMustangs3 - 2 - 25 - 2 - 2No Playoffs
Rehoboth BeachSeahawks3 - 3 - 13 - 3 - 1No Playoffs
HarringtonLions3 - 43 - 5No Playoffs
Lord BaltimoreLords2 - 4 - 13 - 4 - 1No Playoffs
DelmarWildcats1 - 61 - 8No Playoffs
SelbyvilleRebels1 - 63 - 6No Playoffs
1964 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Conference
SchoolTeamConference RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
HarringtonLions8 - 0 - 18 - 0 - 1No Playoffs
BridgevilleMustangs7 - 1 - 17 - 1 - 1No Playoffs
MillsboroBlue Devils5 - 2 - 15 - 2 - 1No Playoffs
Dover Air ForceFalcons5 - 45 - 4No Playoffs
John M. ClaytonBears3 - 3 - 33 - 3 - 3No Playoffs
Rehoboth BeachSeahawks3 - 3 - 33 - 3 - 3No Playoffs
DelmarWildcats4 - 44 - 4No Playoffs
SelbyvilleRebels1 - 6 - 11 - 6 - 1No Playoffs
MiltonWarriors1 - 51 - 5No Playoffs
Lord BaltimoreLords0 - 90 - 9No Playoffs
1965 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Conference
SchoolTeamConference RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Delmar Wildcats 8 - 1 8 - 1 No Playoffs
John M. ClaytonBears7 - 1 - 17 - 1 - 1No Playoffs
Dover Air ForceFalcons6 - 36 - 3No Playoffs
Lord BaltimoreLords5 - 45 - 4No Playoffs
Rehoboth BeachSeahawks5 - 45 - 4No Playoffs
HarringtonLions4 - 54 - 5No Playoffs
MillsboroBlue Devils4 - 54 - 5No Playoffs
BridgevilleMustangs3 - 5 - 13 - 5 - 1No Playoffs
MiltonWarriors2 - 72 - 7No Playoffs
SelbyvilleRebels0 - 90 - 9No Playoffs

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2002 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Sussex CentralGolden Knights5 - 09 - 2Loss in semifinals of Div. I playoffs
Caesar RodneyRiders4 - 16 - 4Failed to make playoffs
DoverSenators3 - 25 - 5Failed to make playoffs
Sussex TechRavens2 - 34 - 6Failed to make playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings1 - 42 - 8Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays0 - 52 - 8Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
DelmarWildcats6 - 010 - 0Won Div. II State Championship
LaurelBulldogs5 - 19 - 2Loss in semifinals of Div. II playoffs
SmyrnaEagles4 - 28 - 2Failed to make playoffs
MilfordBuccaneers2 - 45 - 5Failed to make playoffs
Indian RiverIndians2 - 44 - 6Failed to make playoffs
Lake ForestSpartans2 - 44 - 6Failed to make playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders0 - 62 - 8Failed to make playoffs
2003 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Caesar Rodney Riders 5 - 09 - 2Loss in first round of Div. I Playoffs
Sussex CentralGolden Knights4 - 18 - 2Failed to make playoffs
DoverSenators3 - 25 - 5Failed to make playoffs
Sussex TechRavens2 - 35 - 5Failed to make playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings1 - 42 - 8Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays0 - 53 - 7Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Smyrna Eagles 5 - 19 - 2Loss in semifinals of Div. II playoffs
Indian RiverIndians5 - 17 - 4Loss in semifinals of Div. II playoffs
Lake ForestSpartans4 - 26 - 4Failed to make playoffs
MilfordBuccaneers3 - 35 - 5Failed to make playoffs
LaurelBulldogs3 - 34 - 6Failed to make playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders1 - 52 - 7Failed to make playoffs
DelmarWildcats0 - 61 - 9Failed to make playoffs
2004 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Caesar Rodney Riders 5 – 09 – 2Loss in semifinals of Div. I Playoffs
Sussex TechRavens4 – 17 – 4Loss in first round of Div. I Playoffs
MilfordBuccaneers3 – 27 – 3Failed to make playoffs
Sussex CentralGolden Knights2 – 35 – 5Failed to make playoffs
DoverSenators1 – 43 – 7Failed to make playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings0 – 50 – 10Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Indian RiverIndians 5 – 18 – 4 Loss in semifinals of Div. II Playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders4 – 27 – 3Failed to make playoffs
SmyrnaEagles4 – 27 – 4Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
LaurelBulldogs4 – 27 – 4Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
DelmarWildcats2 – 43 – 7Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays1 – 53 – 7Failed to make playoffs
Lake ForestSpartans1 – 53 – 7Failed to make playoffs

Delaware high school playoffs were expanded from a four team field in both Division I and Division II to six team field for both divisions beginning with the 2004 season.
2005 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
DoverSenators5 – 08 – 3Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs
Caesar RodneyRiders3 – 24 – 6Failed to make playoffs
Sussex CentralGolden Knights2 – 36 – 5Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs
Sussex TechRavens2 – 35 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings2 – 34 – 6Failed to make playoffs
MilfordBuccaneers1 – 44 – 6Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Indian RiverIndians 6 – 09 – 2 Loss in semifinals of Div. II playoffs
LaurelBulldogs5 – 18 – 3Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
DelmarWildcats4 – 28 – 2Failed to make playoffs
Lake ForestSpartans3 – 34 – 6Failed to make playoffs
SmyrnaEagles2 – 45 – 5Failed to make playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders1 – 53 – 7Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays0 – 60 – 10Failed to make playoffs
2006 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Sussex CentralGolden Knights5 – 011 – 1Loss in Div. I Championship Game
MilfordBuccaneers3 – 26 – 4Failed to make playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings3 – 25 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Caesar RodneyRiders2 – 35 – 5Failed to make playoffs
DoverSenators3 – 35 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Sussex TechRavens0 – 52 – 8Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
DelmarWildcats6 – 011 – 1Loss in Div. II Championship Game
Indian RiverIndians5 – 18 – 3Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders4 – 26 – 4Failed to make playoffs
LaurelBulldogs3 – 36 – 4Failed to make playoffs
SmyrnaEagles2 – 43 – 7Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays1 – 52 – 8Failed to make playoffs
Lake ForestSpartans1 – 51 – 9Failed to make playoffs
2007 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Sussex CentralGolden Knights6 – 010 – 2Loss in Div. I Championship Game
Caesar RodneyRiders4 – 26 – 5Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs
Sussex TechRavens4 – 27 – 3Failed to make playoffs
DoverSenators3 – 35 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings3 – 34 – 6Failed to make playoffs
SmyrnaEagles1 – 53 – 7Failed to make playoffs
PolytechPanthers0 – 62 – 8Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
DelmarWildcats6 – 010 – 1Loss in semifinals of Div. II playoffs
Indian RiverIndians5 – 18 – 3Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
MilfordBuccaneers4 – 26 – 4Failed to make playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders3 – 34 – 6Failed to make playoffs
LaurelBulldogs2 – 45 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Lake ForestSpartans1 – 51 – 9Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays0 – 61 – 9Failed to make playoffs
2008 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Sussex CentralGolden Knights6 – 010 – 2Loss in Div. I Championship Game
Caesar RodneyRiders5 – 111 – 1Won Div. I State Championship
DoverSenators4 – 26 – 4Failed to make playoffs
SmyrnaEagles2 – 45 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Sussex TechRavens2 – 44 – 6Failed to make playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings2 – 43 – 7Failed to make playoffs
PolytechPanthers0 – 62 – 8Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Milford Buccaneers 5 – 110 – 2Won Div. II State Championship
LaurelBulldogs5 – 19 – 3Loss in Div. II State Championship Game
Indian RiverIndians4 – 27 – 4Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
DelmarWildcats4 – 28 – 2Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays2 – 42 – 8Failed to make playoffs
Lake ForestSpartans1 – 53 – 7Failed to make playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders0 – 60 – 10Failed to make playoffs

The week one meeting between Milford and St. Marks was ranked the #10 matchup in the nation by MaxPreps.
2009 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Sussex Tech Ravens 5 – 19 – 2Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs
Caesar RodneyRiders5 – 18 – 4Loss in semifinals of Div. I playoffs
MilfordBuccaneers5 – 16 – 4Failed to make playoffs
Sussex CentralGolden Knights2 – 46 – 4Failed to make playoffs
DoverSenators2 – 44 – 6Failed to make playoffs
SmyrnaEagles2 – 42 – 8Failed to make playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings0 – 61 – 9Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
DelmarWildcats 6 – 010 – 3Won Div. II State Championship
LaurelBulldogs5 – 18 – 3Loss in semifinals of Div. II Playoffs
Lake ForestSpartans4 – 27 – 3Failed to make playoffs
Indian RiverIndians3 – 35 – 5Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays2 – 44 – 6Failed to make playoffs
PolytechPanthers1 – 51 – 9Failed to make playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders0 – 63 – 7Failed to make playoffs

2010s

2010 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Sussex CentralGolden Knights 5 – 17 – 4Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs
Caesar RodneyRiders5 – 17 – 4Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs
DoverSenators3 – 36 – 4Failed to make playoffs
Sussex TechRavens3 – 35 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings2 – 45 – 5Failed to make playoffs
SmyrnaEagles2 – 44 – 6Failed to make playoffs
MilfordBuccaneers1 – 53 – 7Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Lake ForestSpartans 5 – 18 – 3 Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
DelmarWildcats4 – 28 – 4Loss in semifinals of Div. II playoffs
LaurelBulldogs4 – 25 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Indian RiverIndians4 – 25 – 5Failed to make playoffs
PolytechPanthers3 – 34 – 6Failed to make playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders1 – 53 – 7Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays0 – 62 – 8Failed to make playoffs
2011 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Sussex CentralGolden Knights6 – 07 – 4Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs
DoverSenators5 – 18 – 4Loss in semifinals of Div. I playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings4 – 28 – 2Failed to make playoffs
Caesar RodneyRiders3 – 33 – 7Failed to make playoffs
SmyrnaEagles2 – 45 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Sussex TechRavens1 – 54 – 6Failed to make playoffs
MilfordBuccaneers0 – 61 – 9Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Indian RiverIndians 6 – 012 – 0 Won Div. II State Championship
DelmarWildcats5 – 19 – 2Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
LaurelBulldogs4 – 24 – 6Failed to make playoffs
Lake ForestSpartans3 – 35 – 5Failed to make playoffs
PolytechPanthers2 – 42 – 8Failed to make playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders1 – 52 – 8Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays0 – 60 – 10Failed to make playoffs
2012 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Sussex CentralGolden Knights5 – 18 – 3Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings5 – 18 – 3Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs
Caesar RodneyRiders5 – 18 – 4Loss in semi-finals of Div. I playoffs
DoverSenators3 – 35 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Sussex TechRavens2 – 43 – 7Failed to make playoffs
SmyrnaEagles1 – 54 – 6Failed to make playoffs
MilfordBuccaneers0 – 63 – 7Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Indian RiverIndians 6 – 09 – 3 Loss in semi-finals of Div. II playoffs
DelmarWildcats5 – 17 – 3Failed to make playoffs
Lake ForestSpartans4 – 25 – 5Failed to make playoffs
LaurelBulldogs3 – 34 – 6Failed to make playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders2 – 42 – 8Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays1 – 51 – 9Failed to make playoffs
PolytechPanthers0 – 61 – 9Failed to make playoffs
2013 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Caesar RodneyRiders6 – 08 – 4Loss in semi-finals of Div. I playoffs
DoverSenators5 – 19 – 3Loss in semi-finals of Div. I playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings4 – 26 – 4Failed to make playoffs
Sussex TechRavens3 – 35 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Sussex CentralGolden Knights2 – 45 – 5Failed to make playoffs
PolytechPanthers1 – 55 – 5Failed to make playoffs
SmyrnaEagles0 – 62 – 8Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Indian RiverIndians 5 – 16 – 5Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
DelmarWildcats5 – 19 – 2Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders4 – 28 – 4Loss in semi-finals of Div. II playoffs
Lake ForestSpartans4 – 26 – 4Failed to make playoffs
LaurelBulldogs2 – 42 – 8Failed to make playoffs
MilfordBuccaneers1 – 51 – 9Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays0 – 63 – 7Failed to make playoffs
2014 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Sussex TechRavens6 – 010 – 2Loss in semifinals of Div. I playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings4 – 28 – 2Failed to make playoffs
SmyrnaEagles3 – 35 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Sussex CentralGolden Knights3 – 35 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Caesar RodneyRiders2 – 42 – 8Failed to make playoffs
DoverSenators2 - 43 - 7Failed to make playoffs
PolytechPanthers1 – 54 – 6Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Lake ForestSpartans6 – 010 – 1Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
LaurelBulldogs5 – 110 – 3Loss in Div. II Championship Game
DelmarWildcats4 – 25 – 5Failed to make playoffs
Indian RiverIndians3 - 34 - 6Failed to make playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders2 – 44 – 6Failed to make playoffs
MilfordBuccaneers1 – 51 – 9Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays0 – 61 – 9Failed to make playoffs
2015 Regular Season Football Standings
Henlopen Northern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
SmyrnaEagles6 – 012 – Won Div. I State Championship
Sussex TechRavens5 – 18 – 3Loss in first round of Div. I playoffs
Sussex CentralGolden Knights4 – 26 – 4Failed to make playoffs
Cape HenlopenVikings3 – 35 – 4Failed to make playoffs
DoverSenators2 – 44 – 6Failed to make playoffs
Caesar RodneyRiders1 - 52 - 8Failed to make playoffs
PolytechPanthers0 – 60 – 10Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Southern Division
SchoolTeamDivision RecordOverall RecordSeason Outcome
Lake ForestSpartans6 – 08 – 3Loss in first round of Div. II playoffs
WoodbridgeBlue Raiders5 – 18 – 4Loss in semifinals of Div. II playoffs
Indian RiverIndians4 – 24 – 6Failed to make playoffs
MilfordBuccaneers3 - 36 - 4Failed to make playoffs
LaurelBulldogs2 – 43 – 7Failed to make playoffs
DelmarWildcats1 – 51 – 9Failed to make playoffs
SeafordBlue Jays0 – 60 – 10Failed to make playoffs

Henlopen Conference Football Championships (By Year)

Of note: Teams with a gold background went on to win the State Championship.
YearHenlopen South Henlopen North
2018WoodbridgeSussex Central
2017DelmarSmyrna
2016WoodbridgeSmyrna
2015Lake ForestSmyrna
2014Lake ForestSussex Tech
2013Indian RiverCaesar Rodney
2012Indian RiverSussex Central
2011 Indian River Sussex Central
2010Lake ForestSussex Central
2009 Delmar Sussex Tech
2008 Milford Sussex Central
2007DelmarSussex Central
2006DelmarSussex Central
2005Indian RiverDover
2004Indian RiverCaesar Rodney
2003Indian RiverCaesar Rodney
2002 Delmar Sussex Central
2001 Delmar Dover
2000 Delmar Caesar Rodney
1999WoodbridgeCaesar Rodney
1998DelmarCape Henlopen
1997DelmarCape Henlopen
1996DelmarCaesar Rodney
1995DelmarCaesar Rodney
1994SeafordCaesar Rodney
1993LaurelSeaford
1992LaurelSeaford
1991Lake ForestCaesar Rodney
1990Lake Forest Caesar Rodney
1989Lake ForestCaesar Rodney
1988 Indian River Dover
1987Indian RiverSeaford
1986Laurel, Indian River, SmyrnaSeaford, Caesar Rodney, Dover
1985 Delmar Seaford
1984Lake ForestCape Henlopen
1983 Seaford Caesar Rodney
1982SeafordDover, Cape Henlopen
1981Lake Forest Seaford
1980Indian RiverCaesar Rodney
1979Indian River Cape Henlopen
1978Dover Air Force Base***Caesar Rodney
1977SmyrnaCaesar Rodney
1976 Delmar Caesar Rodney
1975Smyrna Caesar Rodney
1974SmyrnaMilford
1973SmyrnaCaesar Rodney, Sussex Central
1972Lake ForestDover
1971LaurelDover
1970Indian RiverSussex Central
1969Indian RiverSmyrna

Prior to 1969 there were no North and South divisions, simply an overall champion. They were:
YearHenlopen Conference Champion
1968Indian River
1967Bridgeville
1966Bridgeville
1965Delmar
1964Harrington
1963John M. Clayton
1962Millsboro / John M. Clayton
1961Rehoboth
1960Millsboro / Rehoboth
1959Bridgeville

Note that of those pre-1969 teams listed above, only Indian River and Delmar still exist as school districts today, with Indian River's merger coming prior to the 1969-70 school year.

Total Henlopen Conference Football Championships

Football rivalries

Battle of the Bell Milford vs. Lake Forest – Started in 1969 when the conferences were formed and school districts were consolidated. The winning team keeps the trophy, the bell off a train that used to run between Milford and Harrington, for a year until the next Battle of the Bell.
2013 Battle of the Bell Champion – Lake Forest
Delaware's Oldest High School Rivalry Seaford vs. Laurel – The oldest rivalry game in the state, and said to be the third oldest rivalry in the nation, these two towns are separated by only 6½ miles and a large turn-out is always expected.
2013 Delaware's Oldest High School Rivalry Champion – Laurel
The Civil War Caesar Rodney vs. Dover – A cross-town rivalry game in Dover.
2013 Civil War Champion – Caesar Rodney
The Battle for Georgetown Sussex Tech vs. Sussex Central – A cross-town rivalry game in Georgetown.
2013 Battle for Georgetown Champion – Sussex Tech
The Tech Bowl Sussex Tech vs. Polytech – A rivalry game between Sussex County and Kent County's two technical high schools.
2013 Tech Bowl Champion – Sussex Tech
The Harvest Bowl Smyrna vs. Middletown – A non-conference rivalry game going back to before the Henlopen Conference when the two teams played in the Diamond State Conference.
2012 Harvest Bowl Champion – Middletown
  • Did not play in 2013
Battle for the Lions Club Trophy Delmar vs. Laurel – The two towns are only 9 miles apart along U.S. 13 and the winner takes home a trophy sponsored by the local Lions Club.
2013 Battle for the Lions Club Trophy Champion – Delmar
Intra-district Rivalry Sussex Central vs. Indian River – A rivalry game between the two schools that belong to the Indian River School District. The IRSD is one of the largest districts in the state of Delaware.
2013 Intra-district Rivalry Champion – Sussex Central

Wrestling championships

YearHenlopen SouthHenlopen NorthConference Dual MeetTournament Champion
2011-12PolytechCaesar RodneyNo longer awardedCaesar Rodney
2010-11Seaford, Polytech, Indian RiverSussex CentralNo longer awardedCaesar Rodney
2009-10Sussex CentralNo longer awardedSussex Central
2008-09MilfordCaesar RodneyCaesar RodneySmyrna
2007-08Indian RiverSussex CentralSussex CentralSussex Central
2006-07Caesar RodneyCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney
2005-06Caesar RodneyCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney
2004-05MilfordSussex CentralSussex Central
2003-04LaurelCaesar RodneySussex CentralSussex Central
2002-03SmyrnaCaesar RodneyCaesar RodneySussex Central
2001-02Lake ForestCaesar RodneyCaesar RodneySussex Central
2000-01MilfordCaesar RodneyCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney
1999-00MilfordCaesar RodneyCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney
1998SmyrnaCaesar RodneyCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney
1997SmyrnaCaesar RodneyCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney
1996SmyrnaCaesar RodneyCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney
1995SmyrnaSussex CentralSmyrnaSmyrna
1994SmyrnaDoverDoverDover
1993SmyrnaDoverDoverDover
1992SmyrnaDoverDoverDover
1991SmyrnaDoverSmyrnaDover
1990SmyrnaCape HenlopenSmyrnaSmyrna
1989SmyrnaSussex CentralSmyrnaSmyrna
1988SmyrnaDoverDoverDover
1987SmyrnaDoverSmyrnaDover
1986SmyrnaDoverSmyrnaDover
1985SmyrnaCaesar RodneyCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney
1984SmyrnaCaesar RodneyCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney
1983LaurelCaesar RodneyCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney
1982SmyrnaCaesar RodneyCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney
1981SmyrnaMilfordMilford-
1980SmyrnaMilfordMilford-
1979SmyrnaCaesar RodneySmyrna-
1978SmyrnaCaesar RodneySmyrna-
1977SmyrnaCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney-
1976SmyrnaSussex CentralSussex Central-
1975SmyrnaSussex CentralSmyrna-
1974SmyrnaCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney-
1973SmyrnaCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney-
1972SmyrnaCaesar RodneySmyrna, Caesar Rodney, Sussex Central-
1971SmyrnaSussex CentralSmyrna-
1970SmyrnaSussex CentralSmyrna-
1969---Harrington
1968---?
1967---Delmar
1966---Harrington
1965---Delmar
1964---Millsboro

Prior to 1969 there were no conferences, simply a Tournament Champion. In 1970 the school districts consolidated. Of those pre-1969 teams, only Indian River and Delmar still exist as school districts today, with Indian River's merger coming prior to 1969-70.



Total Division Championships:

Caesar Rodney – 21

Cape Henlopen – 1

Delmar – 0

Dover – 7

Indian River – 2

Lake Forest – 0

Laurel – 2

Milford – 6 *Only team to win championships in both the North & South

Polytech – 0

Seaford – 0

Smyrna – 29

Sussex Central – 7

Sussex Tech – 0

Woodbridge – 0



Conference Dual Meet Championships :

Caesar Rodney – 16

Cape Henlopen – 0

Delmar – 0

Dover – 4

Indian River – 0

Lake Forest – 0

Laurel – 0

Milford – 2 *One of only 2 Sussex County schools to win overall championship

Polytech – 0

Seaford – 0

Smyrna – 12

Sussex Central – 5 *One of only 2 Sussex County schools to win overall championship

Sussex Tech – 0

Woodbridge – 0



Tournament Championships:

Caesar Rodney – 10

Cape Henlopen – 0

Delmar – 2

Dover – 7

Indian River – 0

Lake Forest – 2 *Both won by Harrington prior to 1970 merger

Laurel – 0

Milford – 0

Polytech – 0

Seaford – 0

Smyrna – 4

Sussex Central – 4

Sussex Tech – 0

Woodbridge – 0

Boys basketball championships

YearHenlopen South DivisionHenlopen North DivisionConference Championship GameConference Champion
2016-17WoodbridgeSmyrnaSmyrna 61 - Woodbridge 51Smyrna
2015-16
2014-15
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12Smyrna
2010-11PolytechSmyrnaSmyrna 46 – Polytech 41Smyrna
2009-10PolytechDoverDover 71 – Polytech 55Dover
2008-09WoodbridgeCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney 41 – Woodbridge 35Caesar Rodney
2007-08WoodbridgeSussex CentralWoodbridge 71 – Sussex Central 60Woodbridge
2006-07
2005-06SmyrnaCape HenlopenCape Henlopen 77 – Smyrna 52Cape Henlopen
2004-05
2003
2002Lake ForestSussex TechSussex Tech 58 – Lake Forest 48Sussex Tech
2001Lake ForestSussex CentralSussex Central 59 – Lake Forest 49Sussex Central
2000Lake ForestSussex TechSussex Tech 73 – Lake Forest 62Sussex Tech
1999Lake ForestSussex TechSussex Tech 63 – Lake Forest 50Sussex Tech
1998Indian RiverCape HenlopenCape Henlopen 77 – Indian River 64Cape Henlopen
1997Lake ForestCape HenlopenLake Forest 49 – Cape Henlopen 45Lake Forest
1996Indian RiverCape HenlopenIndian River 74 – Cape Henlopen 72Indian River
1995Indian RiverCape HenlopenIndian River 52 – Cape Henlopen 51Indian River
1994Indian RiverCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney 67 – Indian River 65Caesar Rodney
1993Indian RiverSussex CentralIndian River 58 – Sussex Central 45Indian River
1992Lake ForestDoverDover 53 – Lake Forest 48Dover
1991Indian RiverSeafordIndian River 69 – Seaford 59Indian River
1990Indian RiverSeafordIndian River 65 – Seaford 63Indian River
1989Indian RiverMilfordMilford 82 – Indian River 73Milford
1988WoodbridgeSeafordSeaford 61 – Woodbridge 50Seaford
1987WoodbridgeSeafordSeaford 77 – Woodbridge 63Seaford
1986SmyrnaSeafordSeaford 74 – Smyrna 66Seaford
1985SmyrnaSussex CentralSmyrna 64 – Sussex Central 55Smyrna
1984SeafordCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney 61 – Seaford 60Caesar Rodney
1983WoodbridgeCape HenlopenCape Henlopen 92 – Woodbridge 80Cape Henlopen
1982Lake ForestCape HenlopenCape Henlopen 71 – Lake Forest 57Cape Henlopen
1981Indian RiverCape HenlopenCape Henlopen 67 – Indian River 66Cape Henlopen
1980Indian RiverCape HenlopenCape Henlopen 77 – Indian River 63Cape Henlopen
1979Indian RiverCape HenlopenCape Henlopen 49 – Indian River 36Cape Henlopen
1978Indian RiverDoverDover 55 – Indian River 53Dover
1977Indian RiverDoverDover 61 – Indian River 59Dover
1976Indian RiverCape HenlopenCape Henlopen 78 – Indian River 57Cape Henlopen
1975Indian RiverCape HenlopenCape Henlopen 64 – Indian River 52Cape Henlopen
1974Indian RiverCape HenlopenIndian River 66 – Cape Henlopen 62Indian River
1973WoodbridgeCape HenlopenWoodbridge 63 – Cape Henlopen 62Woodbridge
1972Indian RiverDoverDover 69 – Indian River 53Dover
1971Indian RiverMilfordMilford 47 – Indian River 45Milford
1970Lake ForestMilfordLake Forest 69 – Milford 43Lake Forest

Prior to 1970 the conference was broken down into East and West based on geographic location. An Eastern Division and Western Division Champion was declared and a championship game was played between the two to determine the Henlopen Conference Champion. No division champions were declared in 1960 and 1961, instead the team with the best record was named Henlopen Conference Champion.
YearHenlopen West DivisionHenlopen East DivisionConference Championship GameConference Champion
1969Dover Air Force BaseRehobothDover Air Force Base 77 – Rehoboth 70Dover Air Force Base
1968BridgevilleMiltonBridgeville 65 – Milton 58Bridgeville
1967BridgevilleMiltonMilton 54 – Bridgeville 52Milton
1966FeltonMiltonMilton 60 – Felton 58Milton
1965FeltonMiltonFelton 73 – Milton 58Felton
1964FeltonLord BaltimoreFelton 81 – Lord Baltimore 59Felton
1963FeltonRehobothRehoboth 48 – Felton 44Rehoboth
1962GreenwoodMiltonMilton 46 – Greenwood 38Milton
1961No Division ChampionNo Division ChampionNo GameRehoboth
1960No Division ChampionNo Division ChampionNo GameRehoboth



Note that of those pre-1969 teams listed above, none still exist as an independent school district.



Total division championships:

Caesar Rodney – 3 *Includes 1 won by Dover Air Force Base

Cape Henlopen – 21 *Includes 2 won by Rehoboth and 5 won by Milton

Delmar – 0

Dover – 4

Indian River – 19 *Includes 1 won by Lord Baltimore

Lake Forest – 10 *Includes 2 won by Felton

Laurel – 0

Milford – 3

Polytech – 2

Seaford – 4

Smyrna – 6

Sussex Central – 3

Sussex Tech – 3

Woodbridge – 7 *Includes 2 won by Bridgeville and 1 won by Greenwood
Total Henlopen Conference Championships:

Caesar Rodney – 3 *Includes 1 won by Dover Air Force Base

Cape Henlopen – 15 *Includes 3 won by Rehoboth and 3 won by Milton

Delmar – 0

Dover – 4

Indian River – 6

Lake Forest – 4 *Includes 2 won by Felton

Laurel – 0

Milford – 2

Polytech – 0

Seaford – 3

Smyrna – 3

Sussex Central – 1

Sussex Tech – 3

Woodbridge – 2 *Includes 1 won by Bridgeville

Baseball championships

YearHenlopen South DivisionHenlopen North DivisionConference Champion
2009MilfordSussex CentralSussex Central
2008Indian RiverSussex CentralIndian River
2007Indian RiverCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney
2006Indian RiverCape HenlopenCape Henlopen
2005Indian RiverCape Henlopen????
2004DelmarCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodeny
2003LaurelCape HenlopenCape Henlopen
2002SeafordSussex CentralSeaford
2001SeafordCaesar RodneyCaesar Rodney
2000LaurelSussex Central-

Boys State Championships

The following Henlopen Conference boys teams have gone on to win state championships. Of note, if appears in the division category, all divisions play for the only state championship.

Baseball

Basketball

Cross Country

Football

Golf

Indoor Track

Lacrosse

Outdoor Track*


  • The Middletown Cavaliers won the first outdoor track championship in 1942 as a member of the Diamond State Conference, a precursor to the Henlopen Conference which Middletown is not a part of as they are in New Castle County.
  • * 1977 was the only year for a Division 1 & 2 North and Division 1 & 2 South for outdoor track.

    Soccer


  • 2013 was the first year that soccer was split into two state championships.

    Tennis

Wrestling


  • 1993 was the first year Wrestling was split into two state championships.

    Total Boys State Championships

  • Dover Air Force Base High School shut down operations in the mid 1980s and students were absorbed into Caesar Rodney.

    Girls State Championships

The following Henlopen Conference girl teams have gone on to win state championships. Of note, if appears in the division category, all divisions play for the only state championship. There were no girls championships until the 1973–1974 school year, all championships are post-merger.

Basketball


  • Cape Henlopen won the first girls basketball championship in 1973.

    Cross Country

Field Hockey

Indoor Track

Lacrosse


  • Cape Henlopen's win for lacrosse in 2009 was the first time a public high school had won the girls lacrosse state championship ever in Delaware, which started in 1998.

    Outdoor Track


  • Dover won the first outdoor track championship in 1973.
  • 1977 was the only year for a Division 1 North and Division 1 South outdoor track championship.

    Tennis

Softball


  • Milford won the first softball championship in 1976.

    Total Girls State Championships

Overall state championships

The total number of state championships won by Henlopen Conference teams in both boys and girls sports, in order of championships won:
Cape Henlopen Vikings – 54
Caesar Rodney Riders – 48
Dover Senators – 37
Lake Forest Spartans – 22
Milford Buccaneers – 21
Seaford Blue Jays – 16
Smyrna Eagles – 15
Sussex Central Golden Knights – 8
Delmar Wildcats – 7
Indian River Indians – 7
Woodbridge Blue Raiders – 6
Laurel Bulldogs – 5
Sussex Tech Ravens – 5
Polytech Panthers – 3
Dover Air Force Base – 1

Notable sports alumni

  • Walter "Huck" Betts of Millsboro was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Braves in the 1920s and 1930s, in the pre-draft years.
  • Caleb "Tex" Warrington of Dover played center and guard for the Brooklyn Dodgers football team of the All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1948 out of Auburn University.
  • Carl Elliott of Laurel played defensive end and wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers from 1951 to 1954 out of the University of Virginia.
  • Forest "Spook" Jacobs of Milford was a second baseman for the Philadelphia Athletics, Kansas City Athletics, and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1954–1956, is one of only two players in Major League Baseball history to go 4 for 4 in his first major league game, and is a 1991 inductee to the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.
  • Chris Short of Milford was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers from 1959 to 1973, beginning in the pre-draft years.
  • Carl Ergenzinger of Dover was drafted as a catcher and third baseman in the ninth round for the Houston Astros in 1965, the first year of the formal Major League Baseball Draft.
  • Danny LeBright of Milford was a pitcher for the Houston Astros, making the team in a 1967 tryout.
  • Thomas Sullivan of Dover was drafted as a pitcher in the eleventh round by the Cleveland Indians in 1969.
  • Randy Lee of Laurel was drafted as a pitcher in the 15th round by the Baltimore Orioles in 1970.
  • Renie Martin of Dover was drafted as pitcher in the 9th round by the San Francisco Giants in 1976 out of the University of Richmond.
  • Ralph Jean of Dover was a pitcher drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 33rd round of the 1978 draft.
  • Randy Bush of Dover was drafted as an outfielder by the Minnesota Twins in the 2nd round in 1979 out of the University of New Orleans.
  • Robert Nichols of Delmar was drafted as a pitcher by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 14th round of the 1980 draft.
  • Julie Dayton of Laurel was first team All-American in lacrosse in 1980 and 1981 out of Longwood College, was a ten-year member of Team USA from 1980 to 1990, was the head field hockey coach for University of Virginia and Dartmouth College, and is a 2003 inductee into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.
  • Oliver Maull of Lewes was drafted as a catcher by the Baltimore Orioles in the 26th round of the 1981 draft.
  • Mike Meade of Dover played fullback for the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions from 1982 to 1985 out of Pennsylvania State University.
  • Bob Vantrease of Seaford was drafted as a pitcher by the Oakland Athletics in the 29th round of the 1983 draft out of the University of Delaware.
  • Doug Willey of Bridgeville was drafted as a pitcher by the Atlanta Braves in the 15th round of the 1985 draft out of Essex Community College.
  • Warren McGee of Seaford was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as a pitcher after the 1986 draft.
  • Delino DeShields of Seaford was drafted as a second baseman by the Montreal Expos as the 12th overall pick in the 1st round in 1987 out of Villanova University and is one of only two players in Major League Baseball history to collect four hits in their major league debut, had career totals of 1548 hits, 872 runs scored, 561 RBIs, and 463 stolens bases. He was named the Baltimore Orioles Most Valuable Player in 2000 and is a 2006 inductee into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.
  • Clarence Bailey of Milford played as a fullback for the Miami Dolphins in 1987 out of Hampton University.
  • Pat Wright of Camden was drafted as a catcher by the Oakland Athletics in the 32nd round of the 1988 draft.
  • Michael Neill of Seaford was drafted as an outfielder by the Oakland Athletics in the 2nd round of the 1991 draft out of Villanova University, won an Olympic Gold Medal with the United States Olympic Baseball team, won 5 state championships in Little League, advanced three times to the Little League World Series, 1991 Big East Player of the Year, and is a 2005 inductee to the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.
  • Stoney Briggs of Seaford was drafted as an outfielder by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 8th round of the 1991 draft out of Delaware Technical & Community College.
  • Mark Harris of Camden was drafted as a shortstop by the Chicago White Sox in the 17th round of the 1991 draft.
  • Ben Cephas of Seaford was drafted as an outfielder by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 27th round of the 1992 draft out of Delaware Technical & Community College.
  • Frank Roberts of Seaford was drafted as a pitcher by the Florida Marlins in their inaugural draft in 1993 in the 72nd round.
  • Brad Lee of Lewes was drafted as an outfielder by the Texas Rangers in the supplemental draft in 1994 out of Delaware Technical & Community College.
  • Brian Miflin of Lewes was drafted as an outfielder by the New York Mets in the 50th round of the 1994 draft out of Delaware Technical & Community College.
  • Mike Riley of Seaford was drafted as a pitcher by the San Francisco Giants in the 16th round of the 1996 draft out of West Virginia University.
  • Lovett Purnell of Seaford was drafted as a tight end and wide receiver by the New England Patriots in the 7th round of the 1996 draft and played for the Baltimore Ravens as well, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox, was captain of the West Virginia University football team and named to the WVU All-Century Team, named All-Big East, and played in Super Bowl XXXI, and was a 2007 inductee into the Delaware Sports Museum Hall of Fame.
  • Erik McLaughlin was signed by the Atlanta Braves after a try-out in 1996.
  • Rob Meyers of Felton was signed by the Minnesota Twins after a try-out in 1997.
  • Dave Williams of Camden was drafted as a pitcher by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1998.
  • Luke Petitgout of Georgetown was drafted as an offensive lineman by the New York Giants as the 19th overall pick of the 1999 draft out of the University of Notre Dame.
  • Ian Snell of Dover was drafted as a pitcher by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 26th round in the 2000 draft.
  • Mark Comoli of Millsboro was drafted as a pitcher by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 25th round of the 2001 draft out of Delaware Technical & Community College.
  • Isiah Wright of Dover was drafted as a pitcher by the Montreal Expos in the 15th round of the 2002 draft.
  • Shawn Phillips of Laurel was drafted as a pitcher by Texas Rangers in the 2004 draft out of Delaware State University.
  • Derrick Gibson of Seaford was drafted as a shortstop and pitcher by the Boston Red Sox in the 2nd round of the 2008 draft.
  • Theodis Bowe of Ellendale was drafted as a center fielder by the Cincinnati Reds in the 21st round of the 2008 draft.
  • Jerell Allen of Milford was drafted as a center fielder by the Kansas City Royals in the 11th round of the 2011 MLB draft.
  • Devon Reed of Milford was drafted as a shortstop by the Florida Marlins in the 20th round of the 2011 MLB draft.
  • Nicholas Grant of Milford was drafted as a pitcher by the New York Mets in the 15th round of the 2012 MLB draft.
  • Professional wrestlers Jamin and Mark Pugh, The Briscoe Brothers, of Laurel received honorable mention all-state for football in both their junior and senior years of high school.
  • Carrie Lingo of Rehoboth Beach played field hockey for University of North Carolina Tar Heels where she was a two-time All-ACC honoree, won a National Championship in 1997, was a national runner-up in 2000, and was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary Team as one of the top field hockey players in conference history. After college, she represented the United States in the Pan American Cup, Pan American Games, World Cup, Olympic qualifier and the Beijing Olympics. She was elected to the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
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