2000 Preview Senior Leaders Key to Seaford's Season Ron Dickerson got quite a rude welcome back into the Henlopen Conference in 1999. Following a one-year hiatus, Dickerson, one of the most successful coaches in Delaware history with more than 180 wins, suffered through a 2-8 campaign in his 26th season with the Blue Jays. Seaford did end the 1999 season on a positive note, however, with an upset of rival Laurel that should have given the Blue Jays some optimism for the 2000 season. "The kids really worked hard over the summer," said Dickerson. "We've had excellent practices and three weeks of pre-season. They have an excellent attitude." Leading Seaford this year will be returning first team all-conference defensive lineman Aaron Irvine, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior, and second team all-conference offensive lineman Chris Tull, also a senior. Gone, however, are first-team all-conference running back Jeron Handy and first-team all-conference defensive back Courtney Griffin. Dickerson will rely on a handful of runners to make up for Handy's absence. At fullback, Dickerson will use Brian Battson, Matt Davis and Aaron White, while the halfback spot will be manned by Jermaine Pitts and Arnoldo Moya. Nick Pegelow will be the starting quarterback, replacing graduated Jon Pentoney. Head Coach: Ron Dickerson (27th year) 1999 Record: 1-6 Henlopen North, 2-8 overall Career Record: 183-81-9 Key Returning Players: Matt Davis, Sr., RB-HB Aaron Irvine, Sr., C Chris Jackson, Sr., QB Jehmaine Pitts, Sr., HB Mike Stuart, Sr., OL Brandon Stump, Sr., T Chris Tull, Sr., G John Flagg, Jr., G Daniel Lloyd, Jr., RB Nick Pegelow, Jr., QB Bill Whitaker, Jr., T Quentin, Speight, Sr., SE Key Players Lost: Jeron Handy, RB Courtney Griffin, DB Jon Pentoney, DB Jason McCluskey, LB Key Newcomers: Arnoldo Moya, Sr., HB Brian Batson, Jr., FB Eric Cook, Jr., E Calvin Handy, Jr., T Tom Adamski, So., SE Virgil Greene, So., HB Nick Dunk, Jr., K-P Ben Hastings, So., LB Erik Profile, So., LB Corey Savage, So., E John Wheatley, So., E Aaron White, So., FB Jason Enders, So., G Grant Gray, So., G Strengths: Dickerson is anxious to see what his seniors can produce on the field this season. "We have, I think, really good senior leadership." Those seniors include Aaron Irvine, a first team all-conference defensive lineman last year, and guard Chris Tull, a second team all-conference offensive lineman in 1999. Concerns: Dickerson is most concerned about the Blue Jays' lack of experience. Although they have good seniors, the Blue Jays' varsity roster includes 22 sophomores. "They're good football players," said Dickerson of the sophomores, "but experience is a major factor in athletics. They're working hard, but they will make some mistakes." Dickerson on the Henlopen South: "I think it will be very strong with Delmar, Woodbridge, Lake Forest and Laurel. I think overall it will be stronger than the North. It's definitely not an advantage for us. As a matter of fact, we've done this three times now (moving from the North to the South), and what happens is when we go from the North to the South and we haven't played a lot of these teams, we don't know what they do offensively and defensively. Plus, we have no idea about their personnel." Seaford Index | Sports Index | News Index

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