By Andy Walter

SMYRNA — Chip Knapp and Mike Judy go way back.

When they first met, Knapp was the Wesley College offensive coordinator and Judy was just a Dover High lineman looking to get recruited.

By the time Judy finished his career in 2000, he was the Wolverines’ multi-year starting center and a team captain.

“He was a great player, a great teammate and a great leader at Wesley,” said Knapp. “What’s not to like about that? And then watching him become a top high school coach, it’s almost to be expected after what he did at Wesley.

“I have lots of stories about Mike and his teammates and all the fun we had when he played. He and I can easily reminisce for hours about what we experienced together.”

Tonight, the two men will add a new wrinkle to their relationship when Judy’s Smyrna squad hosts Knapp’s Dover team at 7 p.m. A big crowd is expected on the Eagles’ homecoming night.

The showdown between the Senators (2-0 District II, 5-2 overall) and Smyrna (2-0 District II, 4-2 overall) looks like it will decide the first-ever title in Class 3A, District II.

Judy is happy to see that Knapp is having success after Wesley’s athletic department was shut down last year.

“I’m thankful that he’s getting to continue the thing that he loves to do,” said Judy. “But I’m also thankful for his impact on kids. I know the impact that he had on the huge number of players at Wesley over the years.

“If they stick with it, they’re going to be better men because of it. It’s good to see.”

As for the football game itself, both coaches know tonight’s game is going to be huge challenge. Smyrna has won two in a row and five of the last six meetings in the Kent County rivalry.

Just as it is for any of the Eagles’ opponents, the Senators’ task starts with keeping Smyrna from putting up a lot of points. While the Eagles scored ‘only’ 30 points in a comeback 30-24 win at St. Georges two weeks ago, they’ scored as many as 56 in a game this fall.

Smyrna is averaging 31.3 ppg.

“If you make a mistake against Smyrna, they’re going to score,” said Knapp. “They’re going to make you pay.

“I’ve seen it (Smyrna’s offense) but I haven’t broken it down (before). Now that I’ve gotten the chance to really understand what they’re doing, I have a lot of respect for it. You know why the program’s where it’s at — a highly-respected, winning program. And the offense has lot to do with that. You have to do a lot of work to prepare for them.”

At the same time, Dover’s offense had been pretty good, too, in its first season under Knapp. The Senators (28.4 ppg) just tallied a season-high 41 points last week in a 41-25 win over Sussex Central.

Even judging Dover on a six-game schedule, the Senators have doubled their win total from last season in a 2-4 campaign.

“Dover’s a really good team,” said Judy. “They’re very athletic. They’re kind of trending upwards and doing some really good things. They’re scrappy and finding ways to win.

“It’s been kind of cool watching them from afar until you have to play them.”

In past seasons, the loser of tonight’s game might be worried about getting knocked out of an at-large berth in the DIAA state tournament. But, with all 11 Class 3A programs making this year’s state tourney field, there’s a little less pressure.

Still, both coaches say that doesn’t take anything away from the matchup.

Considering how well Knapp and Judy know each other, tonight’s game might be something of a chess match.

“In the 20 years I’ve been out of college, we’ve spoken pretty regularly,” said Judy. “I’ve picked his brain a lot. I’ve asked for advice and he’s always been willing to give it.

“From the program perspective, this is just business. But from a personal standpoint, it’s an important event for me.”

“We get to see where our program is at this point,” said Knapp. “We’re going to have to play very well to win. We’ve shown signs of that but can we do it for a whole game?”

Extra points

Along with Smyrna, Indian River and Laurel are also celebrating Homecoming this weekend. ... Tonight, 302 Sports will be streaming the Dover-Smyrna and Cape Henlopen-Sussex Central games. ... Caesar Rodney, which has totaled only 42 points this year, has scored more than one touchdown in just one contest. Archmere, which hosts the Riders on Saturday, has allowed only 57. ... Class 2A Delaware Military (43.5) is the highest-scoring team in the state, following by St. Elizabeth (41.5) and Laurel (39.5) and Middletown (39.5). ... St. Elizabeth also has the best defensive numbers, giving up 4.2 per game.