Previewing the Delaware Boys State Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Salesianum School and Caravel Academy will both be looking to repeat as state champions in Delaware's two state final games for Division 1 and Division 2 today at Dover High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Salesianum, which is aiming for the program's 21st title, faces a nearby rival in Charter School of Wilmington in the Division 1 final kicking off at noon. It's the third state final appearance for the program; they lost to the Sallies in 2015 and to St. Mark's in 2000.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caravel will face one of the old powers of Delaware soccer in St. Mark's in the Division 2 final at 3 p.m. The final is a repeat of the girls final between the two schools that St. Mark's won back in June. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Mark's has won 11 state titles but hasn't made a final since 2011 and hasn't won one since 2001. Prior to 2013, Delaware had one division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both matches will be broadcast live on the NFHS Network. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Players to Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jake Ross, Senior, Forward, Salesianum</strong><br>Ross had little left to prove after being named the state player of the year and leading the Sallies back to a state title after a rare loss in 2020, but he's had another monster year with only one thing left undone. Charter School of Wilmington did a great job shutting down Sussex Central's attack, but they'll have to reach another level to stop Ross and company. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":64136,"width":423,"height":281,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/11/3BD56375-13C4-4E1C-9E6F-42EC0D079C536N4A3158-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64136" width="423" height="281"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Matthew Capretto</em></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='9534' first='Miles' last='Hood'], Senior, Midfielder, Caravel Academy</strong><br>Caravel has a number of weapons and are a pretty balanced attack but few players can do what Hood does, which is just about anything his coach and teammates need. His athleticism, toughness and ability to read the game make him especially tough to deny when the stakes are raised. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Matthew Capretto, Senior, Forward, Charter School of Wilmington</strong><br>Capretto had a hat trick in Wilmington's 3-0 win over Sussex Central so his confidence probably couldn't be any higher going into a title game than it is now. Capretto's size, speed and finishing ability was too much for Sussex Central, but will it be enough pull off the upset?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='37609' first='Daniel' last='Otlowski'], Junior, Defender, St. Mark's</strong><br>Otlowski scored the opening goal, converted the decisive penalty in the shootout and just about everything else in between for St. Mark's in the shootout win over last year's Division 2 champs. He's active defensively, great in the air and when he chooses to he can outrun opposing team defenders and pull the trigger from distance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='9530' first='Mason' last='Csapo'], Sophomore, Junior, Caravel Academy</strong><br>Csapo is wise beyond his year in how he defends and with his calmness on the ball. He will be tasked with keeping a close watch on a St. Mark's attack that was able to create several mismatches and 1v1 breakaways on Indian River in the semifinal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":64137,"width":414,"height":275,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/11/6N4A5843-2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64137" width="414" height="275"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Paris Pappas</em></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paris Pappas, Senior, Forward, Salesianum</strong><br>Pappas is one of several offensive weapons the Sallies have not named Jake Ross. He can score from just about anywhere and combines well with Ross and his teammates in the final third. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='9502' first='Gavin' last='Newcombe'], Sophomore, Defender, Charter School of Wilmington</strong><br>Newcombe was solid anchoring the back line and was able to win 50-50s and clear his lines well against Sussex Central but will definitely have his work cut out against Ross and the Sallies attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darius Gavris, Senior, Midfielder, Salesianum</strong><br>Gavris is a critical player in the middle of the park who links the defense with the offense and provides a lot of leadership in keeping the team organized and focused. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->