By Andy Walter

FELTON — For close to five decades, two teams dominated the Henlopen Southern Division in wrestling.

For the first 29 years, Smyrna won the South title all but once — with 32 division championships in 38 seasons altogether. Then Milford captured nine of the next 22 crowns.

But with both the Eagles and Buccaneers now in the Henlopen North, other programs are getting the chance to assert themselves in the South.

A year ago, Lake Forest won just its second Henlopen title and first since 2001. Now the Spartans are poised to make it two in a row.

At 3-0 in the South, 6-2 overall, Lake Forest hosts Woodbridge (0-2 South, 2-4 overall) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Spartans’ only other South match is against Laurel on Feb. 4.

Lake Forest coach Mike Hansen doesn’t like to look too far ahead but knows that winning a second-straight South championship would be a nice accomplishment for his program.

“I think it would be a big deal for the guys and the school,” said Hansen. “I think it’s something our kids talk about.

“I don’t talk about it that much. I talk about, you’ve got to win the next match first. And then you’ve got to win the next one. Our older guys understand how I operate.”

The Spartans’ only two losses this winter have been to Division I Cape Henlopen and Milford.

Hansen is hoping his wrestlers get to experience a more normal tournament season in February. Last year, both the DIAA dual meet state championships and Henlopen Conference tournament were canceled by the pandemic.

This season’s dual meet state tournament is slated for Feb. 9 and 12 with the last day being hosted by Smyrna. The Henlopen tourney is scheduled for Feb. 18-19 at Sussex Central.

Even last year’s DIAA individual state tournament wasn’t quite the same because there were no qualifying tourneys.

“I enjoyed the format of the state tournament last year, being a little bigger.” said Hansen. “But, at the same time, I remember even some of my kids said that it felt different because we didn’t earn our way there.

“You always have had to go through a process. Us being in the Henlopen, it’s pretty daunting. It’s a tough tournament to be in these days. To qualify for the state tournament is kind of a big deal.”

Of course, with COVID still in the picture, there’s no telling how the next month will play out.

All Hansen knows is that the Spartans will keep preparing for whatever opportunities come along.

“Our guys have done a good job,” he said. “Now, at this point in the year, we’re trying to make sure we peak at the right time. We want to make sure we’re doing the right things.”

Takedowns

Smyrna has had its last two matches postponed, including a big non-conference showdown with Salesianum. The Sallies’ match still might be rescheduled. Even if it’s not, the Eagles are slated to take on Division II power Caravel on Feb. 5 in their regular-season finale. ... After earning first team All-South for Lake Forest at 126 pounds last winter, Andrew Schean moved back to Cape Henlopen and is wrestling for the Vikings. ... Caesar Rodney standout Brock Conner returned to the mats last week after breaking his leg during football season. The senior 182-pounder posted pins in his first two matches. ... Cape Henlopen hosts Sussex Central on Wednesday night with the Henlopen North rivals having split their last two meetings. Both matches were decided by just two points apiece. ... Caravel won eight individual titles at last weekend’s Canal Classic at Middletown.

Follow Andy Walter on Twitter at DSNSports.