Seaford football state championship team honored during ring ceremony

The Seaford Class 1A State Football Championship team was honored in a ring ceremony held at Ben Sirman Gymnasium last week.

Opening the ceremony, Assistant Superintendent Jason Cameron recapped the overtime 21-20 win over Newark Charter. The Seaford NJROTC presented the Colors and Seaford Superintendent Sharon DiGirolamo congratulated the athletes, highlighting their hard work, discipline, and belief in each other.

“The championship represents countless hours of preparation, perseverance, and commitment. My challenge to you, our student athletes, what will you do next with the skills that you have learned through this championship?” said DiGirolamo.

Representing the Seaford School Board, President Kimberly Hopkins congratulated and recognized the love poured into the players by coaches and the numerous family members and community who stood behind this team throughout the year.

Seaford High Principal Dr. Susan Harrison said, “Every so often there comes along a team that challenges expectations and changes the trajectory of the school and its community. This team is that team. It takes a special mix of raw talent, strong coaching, unwavering belief and love, and it takes the ability to ignore the negativity and focus on what you can’t control. I’m so proud of you guys. I hope you never forget this feeling, and I hope you use this feeling to propel you to the next great thing. Never forget who you are, winners and where you’re from, Seaford.”

Coach Glenn Phillips, who in one year changed the entire culture of Seaford football, said, “To the teachers and administrators here at Seaford High School, thank you for supporting us, working with us, and providing resources for our student athletes. Teaching is a thankless job, but you show up every day for our kids.” 

Phillips thanked his wife Carly and daughter Madison as well as his family who supported him in his journey, “Being a football coach’s wife is hard at times, but you held it down, allowed me to pour my heart and soul into this program. To my parents for always believing in me, supporting me no matter what, and to my dad, thanks for being a role model and molding us into who we are today.” 

Phillips spoke of thankfulness and gratitude to all involved and said, “Last, but not least, the boss, Vince Evans, thank you for your vision, your support. Thank you for having my back when sometimes I didn’t make it easy. We have become family, and I’m proud to call you my friend.”

Phillips turned his attention to the family and the players. “Adversity doesn’t define us. What defines us is the person that gets back up and locks it back in this season, we asked a lot of our players. There were early mornings when the alarm went off too soon. There were late nights where bodies were sore and the doubts were loud. There were moments when it wasn’t easy. Our players gave more than ever. You gave trust, you gave belief. You showed up for each other, when showing up was hard, you learned how to lead, you learned how to follow, you learned how to fight for something bigger than yourselves. I’ve coached for a long time, and I can say honestly, this group is special to the families in the room. Thank you for letting us push our kids. Thank you for understanding the hours, the pressures and the expectations. Thank you for loving them on the tough days and reminding them why they started. This championship belongs to you as much as it belongs to us,” he said.

Phillips said of his staff: Rayce Boyer, Tom Turnbaugh, Alan Lubinecki, Andy Demarest, Joe Paleen, RJ Parker, Stephon Short, Mike Greenlief, James Schultz, Jamont Matthews, Duncan Stevens, and Luke Long, “I’ve watched you pour yourselves into the athletes. You corrected them, you challenged them, believed in them, even though they struggled to believe in themselves. I am grateful beyond words, to stand beside you, you help shape young men of character, and that matters more than any trophy.”  

Phillips thanked the community. “We didn’t just win this championship, we gave this community something we’ll never forget,” said Phillips.

Seaford players Doubensly Saint Jean spoke for the team, thanking the district and said, “Thank you for hiring these amazing coaches who have been great role models to us.” 

Each player and staff member was recognized and presented with a box that held the championship ring. Principal Harrison gave the count for the players and coaches to open the boxes to reveal their championship rings. 

Seaford finished the season 12-1 and Coach Glenn Phillips was named DIAA Class 1A Coach of the Year, Vincent “Meat” Evans III was 1A Offensive Player of the Year, and Ty’Aire Buffalo was named Class 1A Defensive Player of the Year.