By Andy Walter

DOVER — Chip Knapp has never gone into a football game planning to lose.

And he doesn’t expect to start now.

But the first-year Dover High head coach also realizes there are some big challenges in front of him as the Senators get ready to start a new season.

Dover’s players have only had the summer to adjust to Knapp — and vice versa. Plus, the Senators are taking on a more demanding schedule as part of the newly formed Class 3A alignment.

So there will be a bit of diving into the unknown when Dover opens its season Friday with a 7 p.m. contest at Arundel, Maryland.

“We’ll learn a lot this Friday when we play an actual game,” said Knapp, who coached at Wesley College for over 30 years. “I’m sure there are going to be some kinks along the way that we have to work out.

“Our goal is to continue to improve throughout the season and then be in a good place come playoff time.”

Things won’t change too much for Dover offensively.

Knapp, the former longtime Wesley offensive coordinator, has worked with veteran Senator assistant coach Jason Hunt before. Dover also returns first-team All-Henlopen North tight end Elijah Sessoms — who has already verbally committed to Delaware — and veteran quarterback Jordan Moran.

Moran, who also kicks and punts, is working his way back after recovering from an off-season foot injury. Dover also returns senior linemen Byron Evans, Logan Smith, Darius Bush and Ethan Roth.

“Wesley had had an influence on what they’ve done here,” said Knapp. “So offensively, it’s not a big stretch from what we’re doing to what they’ve done in the past.”

Other returning players for the Senators include WR Micah Davis, DB/WR Tyir Trott, DB/RB Tyron Abrams, DB/WR Julien Bumbrey and OLB/TE Julius Bumbrey.

“I think we have a good senior group with some good leadership,” said Knapp. “Our starting 22 are pretty good. I feel good about that.

“We have some key players that we need to keep healthy throughout the year. If we can do that, I think we can compete with a lot of people this season.

“They definitely seem to be listening to what I have to say,” he added. “They’re responding to the coaching and to the other things — the culture we’re trying to get to. So far, so good. They’ve been very coachable.”

Defensively, the Senators have a first-team All-North lineman in J.J. Kilby among their returning players. Knapp said he’s tried to keep the defense straightforward this fall.

“Defensively, it’s a new system with an eye on keeping it simple, letting our guys be in the right position and play,” he said.

With the DIAA Class 3A state tournament being open this season, Dover will have time to figure things and still have a chance of accomplishing something at the end of the year. It will be the Senators’ first state tourney appearance since 2018.

Knapp knows he still has a lot to learn about Dover’s opponents and coaching high school football in general. He’s always tried to be optimistic, though.

“In my experiences before, I always go into the game thinking we’re going to do well,” said Knapp. “That hasn’t changed.

“I think with us, it’s just trying to get better, stay healthy and then be someone that people don’t want to play in the playoffs. That’s kind of our goal. If we can do that then I think it will be a successful season.”

Extra points

Knapp will see some familiar faces at Arundel with former Wesley captains Austin Eagle and his brother, Andrew, both on the coaching staff there ... Dover’s open date falls on the last weekend of the regular season (Nov. 12-13), giving the Senators an extra week to get ready for the state tournament. ... Moran was a first-team kicker and a second-team punter on the All-Henlopen North team last season.