By Andy Walter

It’s been a while since Indian River High played a big late-season football game.

The last time the Indians made the DIAA state tournament was in 2013.

So just to be playing for something meaningful right now is pretty exciting for IR.

“It definitely makes it a lot different as a coach,” said Indians’ coach Phillip Townsend. “You can go to practice and you can talk about winning the district or winning in the playoffs. It kind of gives you something to look forward to. It allows the team to set goals and try to achieve those goals.”

At the moment, IR (3-0 District II, 3-3 overall) and Laurel (4-0 District II) are both vying for the title in the newly-formed Class 1A, District II. The two squads will settle things in Dagsboro on Nov. 5.

But even if it doesn’t take the district crown, the Indians are a shoo-in to make the eight-team Class 1A state tournament. IR plays at First State Military (0-5, 2-5) on Saturday at 11 a.m.

On a squad that includes 10 freshmen and nine sophomores, Townsend thinks this group’s best days are still ahead of it. IR has 43 players listed on its varsity roster,

“We’re a good Class 1A team,” he said. “But I still have freshmen and sophomores starting on both sides of the ball right now because our roster numbers are low.

“You deal with COVID issues, you deal with injuries, you deal with kids who come out and then realize that football is not their sport. ... Moving forward, I feel like our numbers are just going to continue to increase. It’s going to be good for the game of football.”

The Indians, who close the schedule against Early College, should be able to post the program’s first winning regular season since going 6-4 in 2-13.

Townsend, though, would like to think IR has shown progress even in some of its losses.

On Oct. 7, the Indians fell only 14-7 to St. Elizabeth in Wilmington. The unbeaten Vikings (7-0) have scored at least 42 points against every other opponent this fall.

And IR was missing five starters most of the week in practice due to COVID protocols for that game.

“We stress to our players that wins are great but you can always get something out of a loss,” said Townsend. “I was pleased with the way we played St. E’s. They’re a very good, disciplined team. To be honest, I am hoping we get a rematch with them in the playoffs.”

The Indians know they’ll have to be at their best when they face Class 1A’s other top team, Laurel, in two weeks. IR has lost two in a row to the Bulldogs, including a 35-0 setback last fall.

“Next week is going to be the biggest week of our season,” said Townsend. “Laurel is putting together a really good season. Nobody in district play has really challenged them.”

Townsend said that just playing a full season this fall seems a lot longer after last year’s pandemic-shortened campaign. But the Indians would also like to make this campaign last as long as they can.

“I think everybody kind of got spoiled last year,” said Townsend. “Going from last year to this year, and still having all the COVID stuff to deal with, this has been a very, very long season. It has its challenges that come along with that.

“Every week is a new week. Every week is a new challenge. You’ve just got to prepare to win.”

Extra points

Smyrna has won its last three meetings with Salesianum, which it faces on Friday night in Wilmington. ... Senior running back Wayne Knight has scored 17 of Smyrna’s 29 offensive touchdowns. ... In the running-clock era, Laurel’s 71-0 win over First State Military last Saturday was an eye-catcher. The Bulldogs tallied 50 first-half points and twice scored on kickoff returns. ... Laurel’s Mike Gonzalez-Perez booted nine PAT kicks in the win. ... During pre-game warmups, Dover’s players have been wearing white t-shirts with cut-off sleeves and the No. 55 on the back. They are in honor of offensive line coach Mark Young, who passed way suddenly earlier this season. ... The Senators, who have scrimmaged William Penn from time to time, are playing a real game against the Colonials on Friday night for the first time since the 2011 Division I state tournament.