Howard claws Delmar’s hopes in state semifinal

DELMAR, De.- The 2nd-seeded Delmar Wildcats saw their season come to an end on Friday night, with a 50-29 loss to #4 Howard at Francis E. Nunvar Stadium.

Delmar dug themselves into a 22-0 hole early in the first quarter, with turnovers and untimely miscues. Howard would cash in on their opening drive with a 1-yard plunge by Kevin Ignudo. On Delmar’s next possession, quarterback Jacob VonArx would be stripped by Karvin Reeves, Reeves would return the fumble 83-yards for another score. Just five minutes after that, another Delmar fumble would lead to Howard freshman Keshaun Watson rumbling 2-yards to pay dirt, to give the road team a 22-0 lead with 3:14 left in the first quarter.

Delmar would get on the board before the quarter came to an end with a VonArx option keeper, to cut the deficit to two scores. After another Ignudo score, Delmar would reel off two touchdowns–one from VonArx to tight end Zach Covington, and the other, a 13-yard fumble return by Jamar Cuffee to pull within 28-22 at the half.

The Orange and Blue would again stall to start the half in the second, with an interception inside their red zone on their first possession. Howard would then turn a controversial moment into a pivotal, game changing one. Ignudo would take the next possession’s hand

off left, where he appeared to be stopped–with a knee on the ground, only to bounce up and keep running for a 44-yard touchdown ruling from the referees.

Howard would go on to outscore Delmar 16-7 after that play to close out the game. Delmar finishes the season with a 9-3 overall record and as a state semifinalist, while Howard will take on Woodbridge in the Division II championship game next weekend at the University of Delaware.