Smyrna head coach Michael Judy has led the Eagles to two consecutive Delaware State Championships. Photo by Al Thompson

By MATT SANTOLERI

Walter Payton once said “When you’re good at something, you’ll tell everyone. When you’re great at something, they’ll tell you.”

Coach Judy and his Smyrna Eagles football team are allowed to bask in that praise after capping off another incredible season with their second DIAA State Championship in as many years with a 36-14 win over Middletown.

The Eagles finished 12-0, riding a remarkable 22-game winning streak dating back to last year to the take the state title.

Smyrna, for the second consecutive year, has been name the Footballstories Delaware Team of the Year.
The Eagles played old fashioned smash mouth football with junior Will Knight running for 241 yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries.

Delaware Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Nolan Henderson went 3 of 9 for 18 yards against Middletown. Henderson entered the game with 2,313 yards and 32 touchdowns on the year.

He seemed unfazed by the lack of production in the passing game, being quoted “I don’t care if I throw the ball once, as long as we come out with the win.” Henderson and Knight join fellow teammates wide receiver Emon Roberts, offensive tackle Jerren Carter, linebacker Josh Hutchinson, and kick returner/running back Leddie Brown Jr with earning First Team All-State honors.

They came into the 2016 with a target on their back as defending champions. Going into 2017 shpuld be no different, in fact one can only imagine that target getting bigger.

Footballstories Delaware Final Top Ten Teams for 2016
1. Smyrna (12-0)
2. Middletown (11-1)
3. Woodbridge (13-0)
4. Salesianum (8-4)
5. William Penn (10-2)
6. Sussex Central (7-4)
7. Concord (7-4)
8. Wilmington Friends (11-2)
9. Caravel (8-4)
10. Cape Henlopen (7-3)
Best of the Rest: Milford (8-2), St. Georges Tech (9-3), Glasgow (10-1), St. Mark’s (6-4), Delaware Military Academy (8-3).