The Smyrna Eagle band marches out onto the field for the Division 1 championship game with Salesianum Saturday. (Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)
Smyrna quarterback Nolan Henderson (2) gets a block from teammate William Knight (25) and keeps the ball for a gain in the first half.
A Smyrna fan shows his feelings when the Eagles were down 18-6 in the first half.
Smyrna fans cheering on the Eagles in their game with Salesianum.
The Smyrna stands erupt when the Eagles scored a touchdown to knot the score 26-26.
Smyrna quarterback Nolan Henderson on the sidelines with an assistant coach just before going into overtime.
The final score of the Delaware Division 1 championship game Saturday.
Smyrna warming up before the game.
Smyrna co-captains head out for the coin toss before Saturday’s game against Salesianum.
Smyrna cheerleaders ready for the opening kickoff.
Smyrna coaches pep up the players after regulation game ended tied 26-26.
Smyrna’s Phillip Nix gets an arm full of cheerleaders after the Eagles won the Division 1 championship game with Salesianum Saturday.
Smyrna head coach Mike Judy embraces Eli Hutchison after the game with Salesianum ended Saturday. Hutchison made the tackle that stopped Sallies from scoring a touchdown in overtime.
Smyrna’s Charlie Taylor (1) tries to block Colby Reeder (28) of Salesianum to give teammate William Knight some running room.
William Knight of Smyrna (25) is stopped by Sallies defender Colby Reeder (28). .
Eagles running back William Knight is stopped after a short gain by a pair of Salesianum defenders.
Smyrna’s Charlie Taylor (1) returns a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown in the 2nd half.
Sallies defender Evan Mullin (44) can’t stop William Knight of Smyrna from powering his way into the end zone to tie the score 26-26.
Sallies running back Colby Reeder is stopped by Diron Accoo (22) of Smyrna.
Eagles defender Rodney Ruff gets into the Sallies backfield to sack quarterback Zachary Gwynn for a loss late in the 4th quarter.
William Knight of Smyrna score’s the winning touchdown in overtime.
Smyrna linebacker Eli Hutchinson (38) makes the game-winning tackle against Salesianum.
Smyrna head coach Mike Judy and his Smyrna Eagles celebrate their 32-26 overtime win over Salesianum for the Division I state championship Saturday in Newark.) Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)
Smyrna co-captain Brandon Bishop is handed the Division 1 championship trophy.
Members of the Smyrna High football team celebrate with the trophy at Delaware Stadium following the Eagles’ dramatic 32-26 overtime victory over Salesianum in the Division I state championship game Saturday afternoon, the school’s first Division I title in football.
Evan Gallaher (72) celebrates with one of his coaches.
NEWARK – In a moment that should go down as one of the greatest in Smyrna High’s athletic history, the underdog Eagles stunned Salesianum, 32-26, in overtime on Saturday afternoon to win its first Division I state championship in football at Delaware Stadium.
In front of a sea of red-clad Smyrna fans, Eagles linebacker Eli Hutchinson shot through a gap and brought down Sallies star running back at the five yard line on a fourth-and-goal play from the one.
Smyrna’s players sprinted down the field in celebration after the stop as the Eagles’ half of the crowd, which was estimated at about 12,000, roared in celebration.
The hard-earned victory, in which Smyrna trailed 18-6 at halftime, avenged a memorable 76-56 loss to the Sals in September. That was the only loss of the season for the Eagles, who finish the season 12-1.
Sophomore running back Will Knight gave Smyrna its first and only lead of the contest when he scored on a fourth-and-goal from the one of the Eagles’ overtime possession.
Afterward, the Smyrna crowd broke into a chant of ‘Judy, Judy’ in honor of second-year head coach Mike Judy, the Dover High and Wesley College grad.
“I’m not going to say I could see this coming,” said Judy. “But I definitely know, with this team and the talent that we have and the hard work that they do, if the chips fell our way, this is the outcome.”
“I can’t even begin to explain how proud I am of these guys,” said senior receiver Brandon Bishop. “It probably won’t sink in until 10 years from now how amazing this was. I’m so glad that I got to do it with this group of guys that I grew up with and my community behind us.”
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