SMYRNA — Darryl “Debo” Williams was already leaving Smyrna High as the most decorated defender in school history.
The senior linebacker added another accolade on Monday.
Williams became the first Smyrna player to win the state’s Defensive Player of the Year award as the All-State teams were announced by the Delaware Interscholastic Football Coaches Association.
He was one of seven Henlopen Conference players to earn First Team All-State honors.
Division I state champion Hodgson swept the other major awards. Quarterback C.J. Henry won the state’s Offensive Player of the Year award while Amir Mitchell-Marville was the Lineman of the Year.
Williams was one of three Smyrna players on the First Team. The others were wide receiver Makhi Jackson and defensive tackle Hugo Harp.
Sussex Central High had a pair of players make First Team in guard Chris Lombardi and defensive back Domonique Smith. Vonnie Peace (Dover High) was the First Team’s running back while Hunter VonArx (Delmar High) was honored as one of the First Team’s linebacker.
Williams finished his senior season with a school record 153 tackles. Thirty-two of those tackles were for a loss and he also tallied eight sacks.
Salesianum coach Bill DiNardo, who coached against Williams twice this season, said he was a nightmare to gameplan for.
“I’ve seen some good linebackers come through the state but he’s one of, if not the best one I’ve ever seen,” DiNardo said. “When he gets to the ball, the play ends. When he gets to the ball, bodies fly. He is a tremendous competitor and a tremendous linebacker.”
Williams’ outstanding senior season came after he missed almost half of his junior year due to a knee injury.
Smyrna coach Mike Judy said Williams was able to turn that injury into a positive, though. He made himself an extra coach for the Eagles at the end of the 2018 season and worked on his leadership skills.
“It changed his whole trajectory as a football player,” Judy said. “The leadership he displayed on the field, in the school and in the community has been outstanding. Obviously he’s a great football played but he really polished himself in those areas and it’s been a great pleasure to watch him grow.”
Jackson set a Smyrna school record himself with 18 receiving touchdowns. The senior had 57 receptions this year for 848 yards.
Harp recorded 63 total tackles for the Eagles and led the team in sacks with 11.
Peace made the First Team for the second consecutive season. The Dover senior rushed for 1630 yards in nine games this year.
2019 DIFCA ALL STATE TEAMS
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: C.J. Henry, Hodgson
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Darryl Williams, Smyrna
LINEMAN OF THE YEAR: Amir Mitchell-Marville, Hodgson
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB-C.J. Henry, Hodgson
RB-Javon Peace, Dover
RB-Ethan Potter, Caravel
FB-Darius Hale, Hodgson
WR-Makhi Jackson, Smyrna
WR-Elizjah Lewis, Hodgson
WR-Isaiah Griffin, Middletown
TE-Jaheim Wing, Middletown
C-Blake Harbert, Middletown
G-Nicholas Doe, Hodgson
G-Chris Lombardi, Sussex Central
T-Jermaine Lugo, Howard
T-Audrick Brown, William Penn
DEFENSE
DT-Amir Mitchell-Marville, Hodgson
DT-Hugo Harp, Smyrna
DT-LaTerrian Spruill, Middletown
DE-Tashan Fitzgerald, Hodgson
DE-Jaheim Wing, Middletown
LB-Darryl Williams, Smyrna
LB-Eric Shimko, Hodgson
LB-Josh Parson, Appoquinimink
LB-Hunter VonArx, Delmar
DB-Ny’Ghee Lolley, Hodgson
DB-Ethan Potter, Caravel
DB-De’Quez Walker, Middletown
DB-Domonique Smith, Sussex Central
SPECIAL TEAMS
K-Jacob Jaworski, Wilmington Friends
P-Jacob Jaworski, Wilmington Friends
KR-Ethan Potter, Caravel
SECOND TEAM
QB-Aidan Sanchez, Smyrna
RB-Josh Ames, Hodgson
RB-Andrew Watkins, Salesianum
FB-Isaiah Johnson, Lake Forest
WR-Gabe Evans, Dover
WR-James Collins, Mount Pleasant
WR-Jermaine Earl, Caravel
TE-Zach Covington, Delmar
C-Andrew DeBenedictis-Bayne, Smyrna
G-Gavin Pie, Concord
G-Patrick Methlie, Salesianum
T-Ryan Haines, Salesianum
T-Holden Vidrine, Dover
DEFENSE
DT-Kasim Lewis, Sussex Central
DT-Kristopher Thompson, Lake Forest
DT-Josh Benedict, Woodbridge
DE-Jermaine Lugo, Howard
DE-Zach Covington, Delmar
LB-Jeremyah Combs-Washington, Howard
LB-Ezekiel Brister, Appoquinimink
LB-Talib Wright, Caravel
LB-Jack Healy, Salesianum
DB-Gavin Sembly, Smyrna
DB-Jalen Hill, Dover
DB-James Collins, Mount Pleasant
DB-Ky’eem Williams, Howard
SPECIAL TEAMS
K-Hunter Simmons, Salesianum
P-Ryan Nelson, Delmar
KR-James Collins, Mount Pleasant
THIRD TEAM
OFFENSE
QB-Braden Davis, Middletown
RB-Tyrez Cannon, Woodbridge
RB-Najair Smith, Middletown
FB-Liam Mara, Salesianum
WR-Blaec Sanders, St. Mark’s
WR-Ny’Ghee Lolley, Hodgson
WR-Aaron Lewis, McKean
TE-Grant Lamers, Sussex Tech
C-Tkai Perry, Dover
G-Wakeel Frazier, Howard
G-Kristopher Thompson, Lake Forest
T-Donald Burton, Newark
T-Josh Benedict, Woodbridge
DEFENSE
DT-Waverly DeBraux, Howard
DT-Anthony Diaz, Milford
DT-Nas Parks, Red Lion Christian
DE-Eric Samuels, Dover
DE-James Yelbert, Salesianum
LB-Donovan Delaney, St. Georges
LB-K’Tai Tilley, Sussex Central
LB-Javontae Wayman, Dover
LB-Kevin Custis, Sussex Tech
DB-Jayquon Massey, Woodbridge
DB-Rasheen Caulk, Salesianum
DB-Te’Kwon Dennard, Delmar
DB-Jayden Estes, Appoquinimink
SPECIAL TEAMS
K-Jaan Larkin, Mount Pleasant
P-Jaan Larkin, Mount Pleasant
KR-Kevin Ignudo, Howard
Reach staff writer Tim Mastro at tmastro@newszap.com
