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Central football shuts out Riders in DIAA playoffs

Sussex Central’s Kristopher Shields runs through a giant hole opened by his offensive line for a touchdown. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
November 22, 2021

The Sussex Central football squad used a strong running game and a tenacious defense to shut out Caesar Rodney 35-0 Nov. 19 in Georgetown.

Central was led by Kristopher Shields, who rushed 14 times for 98 yards. Patrick Henry ran for 73 yards on 10 carries. Renldo Handy rushed eight times for 45 yards. Malik Bell rushed five times for 28 yards. Zimir Gardner ran the ball three times for 17 yards, while Trazmeer Willis picked up seven yards on two carries.

Shields tallied three touchdowns, while Henry had one. Bell scored his first varsity touchdown on a 14-yard run.

Kyle Custis led the defense with seven tackles, while Justin Negron made six. Linebackers Diego Rodriguez and Ivan Neal tallied interceptions in the blowout victory. Caesar Rodney was sacked four times by the Golden Knights’ defense.

“I felt our guys did a great job of not overlooking an opponent that we had success with the week before,” said Golden Knights head coach John Wells. “The natural tendency is to overlook a team in that situation. The defense really played well Friday night.”

The Golden Knights move on to play Sallies in Wilmington Saturday, Nov. 27, while the Riders finish their 2021 campaign at 0-11.

The Riders’ Clay Friend runs for a short gain.
Sussex Central’s Kristopher Shields is brought down by Caesar Rodney’s Will Anthony and Joshua Dyer.
Central’s Patrick Henry makes a cut and runs upfield.
Patrick Henry just misses a completion downfield.
Andrew Long runs for a long gain for the Knights.
Central’s Kristopher Shields drags Riders defender Jovantae Nelson for a first down.
Kristopher Shields runs for a Central first down.
Ibrahim Leyva-Fojaco boots a Central extra point.
Riders junior Tahirou Balde gets a hand from Central’s Kyle Custis.
Riders QB Clay Friend looks downfield.
Central’s Andrew Long runs around the end for a long gain.
Patrick Henry runs up the sideline for the Knights.
Central coach John Wells gives a play to Zimir Gardner.
Central’s Kristopher Shields cuts upfield.
CR quarterback Clay Friend runs away from Central’s Kyle Custis.
CR head coach Dan Candeloro speaks with Riders sophomore Aiden Cain.
Central head coach John Wells speaks with junior Andre Sheppard.
Caesar Rodney’s Andre Moore hands off to Willie Davis.
Receiving the Crown Trophy Academic Awards are Sussex Central’s Diego Rodriguez-Costa, left, and Caesar Rodney’s Benjamin Dawson.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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