2025 Sports in Review

In 2025, Milford said goodbye to former Athletic Director Jed Bell but then welcomed John Castrese into the Milford family. Castrese, like all athletic directors, has taken on a taxing and almost thankless position. The one thing that has remained constant was the mission, using athletics as part of the educational process. While sports results are nice, the emphasis on education is paying dividends as the Milford community continues to enjoy the benefits of a dedicated and committed group of coaches and staff.

Looking back on the entirety of 2025, the key is to look beyond the records and the box scores. Instead, it is important to look at the growth and development of our student athletes.

Boys Basketball: Last season a young Milford squad finished with a 12-8 record, failing to qualify for the State tournament. This season however, coach Lamarr Shorts has his team off to a 7-0 start with huge games still remaining in the season against Smyrna, Cape and Dover, along with the rest of the Henlopen Conference. This young, energetic squad has played full out so far this season. The question to be answered is, can they keep up this top-quality brand of basketball?

Girls Basketball: Last season, Milford was scouring the hallways trying to find enough players just to field a squad. This year, coach Shantel Hazzard has more players, loaded with underclassmen. While winless so far, look for improvement as the season progresses.

Football: First year coach Rod Milstead set about changing the culture of Milford football. While a 3-7 record might not be cause for celebration, it was what was happening within the program that bodes well for the future. Accountability was the order of the day, as with each passing week improvement could be seen. The one thing that was always evident was a positive attitude, something that Milstead can hang his hat on going forward.

Field Hockey: In what was thought to be a transitional year, coach Andrea McPike managed to qualify the team for the State tournament. While the Buccaneers would fall in an opening round heartbreaker, the stability offered by McPike and young talent coming into the program, look for this program to continue their increased quality. As an item of note, Milford placed three players on the All-State team.

Cross Country: Coach Lance Skinner had his boys’ squad post a 6-1 record, while the girls posted a 4-3 mark. Junior Eli Parfitt once again was the leader of the boys’ squad and is poised for a solid senor year. On the girls’ side sophomore Baylee Gray turned in a solid year. This continues to be an enthusiastic program, rooting for and making each other better.

Soccer: With coach Todd French returning and instituting a new system, the growing pains were obvious as the Bucs finished with a 5-15 season. The future is the key for this squad, which despite their slow start, never gave up. Expect this program to continue to improve next season.

Volleyball: Coach Kimberly Seeney had a squad that struggled with a 3-12 record. Volleyball has a history of not being able to compete at a high level. However, with a never give up attitude, eventually this will become a program of quality.

Swimming: This program, with Agoston Szabo at the helm has seen an influx of young talent this season, specifically on the boys’ side. With both the boys’ and girls’ programs hovering around .500, the future is looking brighter.

Wrestling: Once again it looks as if coach Don Parsley has reloaded. While it is early in the season, a 38-26 home victory against Smyrna is a positive sign for Milford. Senior Gregory Lockett is a team leader and highly ranked in the heavyweight division. Keep a close eye on this squad as big things lay ahead.

Girls Wrestling: In a growing sport, not only in Delaware but throughout the country, the future is unknown. There is great interest in the sport and with 12 wrestlers on the squad, all underclassmen, it will be fun to watch this sport grow.

Baseball: Milford finished last season with a 6-12 record, not exactly what was hoped for. With coach Milford graduate Devon Reed at the helm this season, look for the Bucs to rebound and turn in a solid season in the upcoming year.

Softball: With Kevin Barkley at the helm, Milford qualified for the State tournament last season before bowing out in the first round. With Milford returning a vast majority of players from last season, look for more improvement from this squad.

Boys Lacrosse. With Blake Faulkner coaching, Milford turned in a respectable season with hope for the future.

Girls Lacrosse: With a 10-5 record, this is a program that has continued to improve. Despite a first-round tournament exit, look for this program to continue to improve.

Tennis: Both the boys’ and girls’ teams had a tough year. The hope is that things can be turned around.

Girls’ Soccer: With a 2-12-1 record there is certainly room for improvement. Like all sports, soccer has its ebbs and flows. There is nowhere to go but up from here.

Track and Field: With quality athletes, this is a program to keep an eye on this upcoming season.

Congratulations to the Milford Central Academy Field Hockey team for their back-to-back undefeated seasons!

There were also individual achievements to acknowledge among Milford athletes.

Eli Parfitt posted a time of 4:27.61 during the “Meet of Champions” this year, setting a new school record, breaking one set by Patrick Helmick in 2010.