By Andy Walter

SMYRNA — Markell Holman has done his share of moving around.

The teenager moved from Philadelphia to Bear just before high school.

And he’s spent his last three semesters at three different schools — William Penn, Caesar Rodney and Smyrna High.

It hasn’t always been easy.

“When I was younger, and I first start moving around a lot, it’s hard to adapt and keep going to place after place,” said Holman. “But now I’m kind of used to it.

“At some points, I must say, I wish I was at one place. You still miss some of your old brothers ... but it is what it is.”

Holman knows he can’t complain about the way things have worked out for him at Smyrna.

The senior has continued to be one of the top running backs in the state now that he’s with the top-seeded Eagles (10-1), who dumped No. 4 Middletown, 48-0, in the DIAA Class 3A state semifinals on Friday night.

Holman earned all-Class 3A District II first-team honors after running for 1,099 yards and 14 touchdowns in 11 games. The 6-foot, 190-pounder ran for 201 yards and a TD on 23 carries while adding a two-point conversion against Middletown.

But, as much as putting up big rushing numbers is nothing new for Holman, playing for a state-championship contender is a different experience. The Colonials finished only 12-15 in his three seasons there.

“I’ve never been on a winning team in my life,” said Holman. “I used to hate it. Even on a losing team, you and your friends, you still work hard. Knowing that you come up short all the time, it used to hurt.

“The difference between here and most other places is we still work hard and grind even though we’re winning. There’s still high intensity — like we’ve got to get better, one percent, every day.”

The Eagles are glad to have Holman on their side now, naturally. He was a first-team All-Class 3A selection last year at William Penn, playing against Smyrna in the state quarterfinals.

“He’s a good kid,” said Eagles’ coach Mike Judy. “He fit right in. He’s competitive. He likes to practice hard, he likes to work hard. He does well in the classroom. We’re really happy with him.”

Even in an offense known for its big pass plays, Holman knows he has an important role to play. The better he does at running the ball, the less opposing defenses can focus on stopping the pass. It’s been a pretty impressive combination for a team that is averaging 377.5 yards and 37.1 points per game.

“When I get going, and I’m playing my game, they try to stack the box more,” said Holman. “That gives (quarterback) Brian (Wright) more green grass to hit Yamir (Knight) and the rest of our wide receivers. I feel they’re going to think, ‘We’ve got to stop the run now,’ which gives our athletes all day.”

“With the size and burst that he has, it’s a game-changer,” said Judy. “And he’s shifty. He’s a slasher. It creates major problems when he gets going downhill.”

As a senior, Holman will be playing some place new again next season, of course. He’s been considered an NCAA Division I recruit for a while.

Holman announced on social media that he’s going to be taking a visit to Penn State on Saturday.

In the meantime, however, Holman said he’s enjoying being right where he is now.
“There’s a lot of energy, the stakes are higher,” he said. “It makes you feel good because you put in a lot of hard work — blood, sweat and tears — throughout the season. It’s all coming through.

“It feels good to still be able to play when everybody doesn’t get the opportunity.”

Extra points

Including a 21-14 setback on Sept. 16, Smyrna has lost its last six meetings with Middletown. (The Cavs did forfeit a 28-14 win in 2021 because they used an ineligible player.) ... The Eagles’ last victory in the Harvest Bowl rivalry was their 30-27 in the 2017 Division I state championship game. ... Three teams have avenged regular-season losses in the Class 3A state tourney this year. 

Sports editor Andy Walter can be reached at walter@iniusa.org. Follow on Twitter at @DSNSports.