Sussex Tech's Jordan Marvel will play for the Gold all-star team Saturday. (Special to Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)

NEWARK — Jordan Marvel did not play a down of regular season football this year.

The Sussex Tech linebacker was robbed of his senior season by a torn knee he suffered in a preseason scrimmage.

Or so he thought.

There’s one more game left for Marvel to play. He will be suiting up for the Gold team in Saturday’s Blue-Gold senior all-star football game (6 p.m. at Delaware Stadium).

After a long rehab, Marvel was cleared to play several months ago. Two days later he was called into Sussex Tech coach Mark Quillin’s office.

Quillin smiled and told Marvel he had some good news.

“As soon as he said that my stomach got all bubbly,” Marvel said. “I knew what it was. It was so cool. Hearing that news, it’s been a long year definitely, but it made it all worth it.”

Marvel was injured in a preseason scrimmage against William Penn on Aug. 22. He was trying to make a tackle and in a freak accident stumbled and tore everything there is to tear in the knee.

Marvel injured the ACL, MCL, PCL and his meniscus. He had his surgery on Sept. 24 and started the rehab process at First State Orthopedics.

He didn’t know for sure if he could play in the all-star game, but made it his goal during his recovery.

“Of course day one I was down on myself,” Marvel said. “I had to stop feeling sorry for myself. I knew Blue-Gold would be my only chance. I pushed real hard during the offseason and being around the game during the season really helped me a lot. Pretty much every day I’ve been working to get my strength back and I think I’m ready to go.”

While he didn’t have any senior year highlights to show, Marvel was hopeful he had done enough in his three prior seasons of high school football to earn a bid.

“I knew I had work my butt off for the last four years,” Marvel said.

And Smyrna High coach Mike Judy, who is the head coach of the Gold team this year, knew exactly who he was.

Judy said when he learned Marvel was given a clean bill of health after completing his rehab it was an easy decision.

“From the first meeting we had I was impressed,” Judy said. “He’s a quality kid. He’s respectful and he’s got his stuff together. Then obviously his film doesn’t lie, he’s a great player. I’m really thankful he was cleared.”

Marvel still stayed around the game despite not being able to suit up.

He was named one of Sussex Tech’s captains and tried his best to impact the game from the sidelines. Marvel would have been one of just six returning starters for the Ravens, so he took his leadership role seriously.

“I knew they were still counting on me,” Marvel said. “They were looking for someone to lead them. I tried to coach them up and motivate them. A lot of the wins we had this year were pure heart.”

Seeing the game from a different perspective has inspired Marvel to pursue a career as a coach. He accepted an assistant coaching position at Sussex Tech for the upcoming season.

Marvel will be a freshman at Delaware Tech, allowing him to stay close to Georgetown for football practices with the Ravens.

Before that though, he has to play in his first official game of his senior season, and the last one of his life.

“I’m pumped man,” Marvel said. “It’s been a long time coming. It’s been tough. I’m so excited to be here and have this opportunity. It’s been an honor to even be here.”