2022 Baltimore Metro High School Football Report: Week 1

Headliners; St Frances shines on the national stage; Mervo suffers unspeakable tragedy, again; Milford Mill makes a statement; Devin Roche and the Dunbar Poets continue to roll; Dundalk and Westminster Owl Up; Fights in the crowd ends game in HoCo.

National

The St Frances Panthers national title hopes are alive and well. Seven days after requiring resuscitation, those hopes came back to life with the Panthers dominating performance Saturday night in the Dallas Metroplex, dismantling nationally ranked DeSoto, 47-7. Last week, the Panthers needed a comeback game-winning drive (and some breaks) to put away East St Louis IL in the shadows of the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. 

Everything is big in Texas, they say, and nothing may be bigger than football. The Panthers of East Baltimore went into the ‘Lonestar State’ and dominated the Eagles on both sides of the ball, amassing more than 500 yards of offense, and holding the nationally ranked #33 Eagles scoreless in the final 46-plus minutes of the game. 

The Eagles, who boast a pair of Texas Longhorns commits at running back and receiver, used an 80 yard kickoff return to open the game and set up their first and only score of the game. From there, the Panthers scored seven straight touchdowns and 47 unanswered points. 

Junior quarterback Michael Van Buren completed 12 of 20 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with Bowie senior transfer Ryan Manning for a pair of scores, and Franklin senior transfer Mekhi Workman for the other. Senior Durrell Robinson rushed for 199 yards and three touchdowns, and junior DeJuan Williams added 115 yards and a score. The defense registered five sacks, four turnovers, and limited the Longhorns prospects-led offense to 189 yards. 

The Panthers have a bye week next week, before traveling to the Florida Panhandle to take on the Florida 8A defending state champion, Venice, in a Thursday night showdown. The Indians offer the #6 edge rusher in the country, 6’4 230 Damon Wilson, who holds offers from Alabama Georgia, Ohio State, and Clemson, among dozens, and another four-star recruit in safety Elliott Washington, a Penn State commit. 

After Venice, the Panthers travel to South Carolina to take on #41 Dutch Fork, before heading to Hawaii to play #37 Kahuku, a defending state champion, to close out September. Should the Panthers come out unscathed after playing five nationally ranked teams in the first six weeks of the season, the Panthers will head into October no lower than the #2 ranking in the country, with #1 St John Bosco CA and #2 Mater Dei CA meeting on the final weekend in September.

MIAA A

The Spalding Cavaliers bounced back from an opening week loss with a commanding 38-3 win over Broadneck, in the second game of a home-and-home series with the Bruins. The Cavaliers opened up a 16-3 halftime lead into a 38-3 victory, a year after producing a 44-13 rout over the Bruins. After allowing 48 points to Don Bosco Prep last week, the Cavs held the Bruins out of the end zone, a season after the Bruins averaged 39 points per game. 

Sophomore quarterback Malik Washington threw for two touchdowns, senior Gavin Scruggs ran for two scores, and senior Hakim Simms added another score on the ground. The Cavaliers host Pennsylvania ‘21 state finalist Imhotep Charter, the #2 ranked team in Pennsylvania, next weekend. The Panthers topped Pennsylvania’s #4 ranked team, Bishop McDevitt of Harrisburg, 19-14, on the road last weekend.  

While the Cavaliers rebounded from a loss, Calvert Hall, Mt St Joe, and McDonogh, all lost last weekend, following an opening week win. 

The Cardinals of Calvert Hall fell short in a high scoring affair with Life Christian Academy of Virginia, 37-30. Senior Noah Brannock connected on 18 of 26 throws, for 178 yards and a score, and added three touchdowns and 59 yards on 15 carries on the ground. Sophomore John Asuquo rushed for 119 yards and a score on 26 attempts for the Cards. For the Eagles, Georgia State commit Dorian Fleming accounted for four touchdowns, two sacks, and four quarterback hurries. The Cardinals head to Nashville this weekend to take on 3-0 Lipscomb Academy. The Mustangs are ranked #5 in MaxPreps Xcellent Top 25 rankings, and #1 in Tennessee. 

The Gaels of Mt St Joe hosted Cleveland private power St Ignatius, and took a 14-0 lead, after capitalizing on two turnovers, before the Wildcats scored 21 unanswered points and took a 21-14 win back home to Ohio. Zion Williams rushed for the first score, after the Gaels recovered a muffed punt at the six yard line. On the following possession, the Gaels recovered a fumble at the Wildcats 35 yard line, before Winston Watkins connected with Trey Goodridge in the end zone for a 14-0 lead. Penalties, pressure on Watkins, and not capitalizing on huge plays doomed the Gaels. 

After going up 14-0, the Gaels gave up 45 yards in penalties on the Wildcats next possession, as the ‘Cats cut the margin to 14-7. To begin the second quarter, Williams went for a 73 yard run, before a sack prevented the Gaels from scoring. The Wildcats scored on their first play of the second half to tie the score. A roughing the kicker penalty by the Gaels allowed the Wildcats to put together what would be the game-winning drive, punctuated by a trick play for the winning score. The Gaels travel to Franklin this weekend, as the Indians recover from a 42-7 loss to Milford Mill. McDonogh couldn’t muster any offense against Gonzaga in the nation’s capital, falling 24-6. McDonogh freshman quarterback Braeden Palozzo tossed a five yard touchdown pass to sophomore Jefferson Exinor Jr for the Eagles only score. The Eagles play at Concordia Prep on Thursday night. 

Loyola throttled New Town, 48-6, in the season openers for both. Junior Ezra Carter took the opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown, the first of his two touchdowns, and the Dons never looked back. Senior Zeke Jackson produced both a ‘scoop 6’ and an interception for Loyola. Dons sophomore quarterback Bradley Seiss threw for three scores, including one to Carter. The Dons host Georgetown Prep this weekend, after the Little Hoyas pulled out a 16-14 win over Pallotti, in their respective season openers. Gilman stymied Curley, 21-3, to move to 2-0. Senior Matt Parker threw two second half touchdown passes, and the Hounds special teams produced a blocked field goal, a blocked punt, and a return of a muffed punt for a score. With a victory over Lawrenceville School in New Jersey this weekend, the Greyhounds can move to 3-0 for the first time since 2008 – a season when the Biff Poggi-led Hounds beat DeMatha, 21-14, in week two, but won just three of their final seven games to finish 6-4.

MIAA B

Concordia Prep rebounded from a 27-21 loss to Gilman in week one with a 48-0 shutout of Pikesville. Senior quarterback Jordan Brooks threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score, with junior Keyshawn Mister catching one of the touchdowns, and adding an 80 yard run from behind center. The Saints host McDonogh on Thursday night. St Mary’s registered a solid 32-6 victory over Bullis at home last weekend, holding the Bulldogs scoreless over the last three quarters. Pat Cary rushed for 126 yards and four scores on 18 carries for the Saints. Senior transfer Carson Petibon completed 10 of 17 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown. 

Baltimore City

For the second time within twelve months, tragedy struck the Mervo team, school, and community. Just short of eleven months since then 17 year old junior Elijah Gorham passed away, Mustangs junior running back Jeremiah Brogden was murdered, gunned down in the school parking lot, shortly after school was dismissed for the day on Friday. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, a Mervo alum’, was on his way to school to celebrate the Mustangs opener following their championship season. The Mustangs game with Edmondson was quickly scratched. The Mustangs dedicated their 2021 championship season to Gorham, their fallen teammate. 

Dunbar picked up where they left off last season, running up and down the field, and firing up running clocks. The Poets trounced Digital Harbor, 54-0, after staking a 38-0 edge at intermission. Senior Devin Roche scored three touchdowns, one of six Poets to find the end zone. The Poets won 11 of their 12 victories on the field in ‘21 by 30 points or more. The Poets have won twenty straight games versus Baltimore City competition, since losing the opener in ‘19 to Mervo, 20-14. City College was upended in their opener at Glen Burnie, 20-16. This week, the Black Knights host Mervo. Junior Jahmari Powell-Wonson caught three receptions for 76 yards, threw a 20 yard touchdown pass, returned a kickoff 36 yards, and produced 11 and 22 yard runs from the quarterback position in the loss for the Black Knights. 

Baltimore County

The annual showdown between Franklin and Milford Mill on opening weekend was one of the three marquee matchups across the MPSSAA in week one, joining the Northwest-Damascus and Wise-North Point games. This trio of games each matched one established program against another, and one that’s produced great success in recent memory against another that’s produced success in recent memory. Franklin, Damascus, Wise, and Northwest, have all won multiple state titles over the last decade, while Milford Mill has played in two state title games in the last four post-seasons, and North Point advanced to the 4A state championship in ‘18, a year after advancing to their first 4A state semifinal. 

But unlike the other two contests, where both came down to the final play, this was a one-way rout. It wasn’t completely surprising, given the youth and turnover at Franklin, but is was an extremely uncommon, and the +35 point margin in the Millers 42-7 victory over the Indians was the largest over their league rivals in the 21st century. The Indians had won 12 of the last 15 meetings between the two, with the Millers pulling out a pair of five point wins, and an overtime victory. The Indians scored on their first drive, and from there, it was all ‘Green & White’, as the Millers ran off 42 unanswered points. 

Junior quarterback Deshawn Purdie overcame an early interception that turned into an Indians score and threw three touchdowns in his first game as a Miller, with all three going to senior Daysen Shell. Sean Williams, who came over from Mt St Joe with Purdie, ran for a 31 yard score. The Millers defense sacked Indians freshman quarterback Zander McCracken four times – three by senior Emmanuel Gee, and as a unit, produced five turnovers. Shell, in addition to his three touchdowns, set up another with a 56 yard kickoff return. Junior linebacker Malachi Barnes registered an interception, a fumble recovery, and a sack. The Millers host Hereford, 36-0 winners over Eastern Tech, Friday night. 

Dundalk looks poised to make another deep run in the 4/3A playoffs after their 35-7 win over Century. The Owls lost a lot to graduation from their ‘21 state finalist team that went 12-1, but they did retain a handful of core members that will lead them while the newcomers and youngsters adjust. Senior running back Jordan Fiorenza, a MPSSAA All-State honorable mention selection as a junior, rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Ja Bonner, a senior transfer from Wilde Lake, threw for two touchdowns for the Owls. Senior outside linebacker Dale Martin recorded four solo tackles, six assists, a tackle for loss, and four quarterback hurries. Senior inside linebacker Kevaun Briscoe made ten tackles, eight assisted, two tackles for loss, and a sack. Owls coach Tom Abel III won his first game as a head coach. 

Woodlawn pulled out a 12-6 overtime win over Parkville in their donnybrook of an opener. Kenwood faced a tall task in their opener with Linganore, and while the Bluebirds were within striking distance at halftime, trailing 21-14, they ended with a 50-20 loss to the Lancers. Junior Malaki Washington threw three touchdown passes in the Bluebirds loss. As mentioned above, in Loyola’s brief, New Town will look to rebound from a 48-7 loss to the Dons when they travel to Overlea this weekend, while Hereford will need to temper some emotion after coming off a 36-0 win over Eastern Tech, as the Bulls take on a whole other level with the Millers from Milford Mill.

Anne Arundel

To Broadneck’s credit, most programs won’t take on the likes of Spalding, a top-level team in a top-level private school league. Last year’s 44-13 loss to the Cavaliers was followed by a win streak that carried the Bruins to an overtime in a 4A state quarterfinal, before falling short to Flowers. This 38-3 loss shouldn’t produce any fallout in the Bruins league slate that begins Friday night at South River. Camrin Catterton connected on 21 of 34 passes for 190 yards, with two interceptions in the Spalding loss. Senior Machi Evans made seven receptions for 75 yards, and took two kick returns for 28 yards, twice. The Bruins head to South River Friday night.

Arundel traveled to Dover, Delaware for the second matchup of a two game home-and-home series with the Senators, and for the second season in a row, the Wildcats escaped with a narrow victory. Trailing 13-7 at halftime, junior Gavin Kamachi threw a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter to take the lead. The Senators returned the kickoff following the second score for a touchdown, to cut the margin to 21-19, but failed on the two-point conversion. The Cats topped the Senators at Arundel last season, 28-27. Kamachi completed 24 of 37 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Miles Gilmore caught eight passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. This week, the Cats take on another of the ‘First State’s’ best, when they host Smyrna, a Delaware state finalist in ‘21. Last season, the Wildcats took a 56-6 drubbing in Smyrna. 

Old Mill had a MPSSAA top five passing unit in ‘21, but the Patriots used the ground game and stiff defense to take a 35-0 win over North County. Keondre Green rushed for 137 yards and two scores on 18 carries, and Max Jones added 73 yards and a touchdown on ten carries. The Pats passing game wasn’t abandoned, as Aiden Day hooked up with Keyshaun Green for a pair of touchdowns through the air. This week, the Patriots host defending 1A state champion Fort Hill, a year after the Pats traveled to Cumberland and came back with a 28-13 loss in week two. The Sentinels won their opener, 36-7, over Northern. Senior Tavon Willis rushed for three touchdowns (had another touchdown reception called back) for ‘Big Red’, and senior Mikey Allen added two more scores on runs of 88 yards and 50 yards. 

South River hosted Westminster in week one and were blanked at home, 33-0. The Seahawks now travel to Broadneck to take on the Bruins, who themselves are coming off of a week one defeat. Chesapeake was forced to move their game with Western Tech to Monday, because of a gas leak by the school. Two county teams that struggled last year, Glen Burnie and Crofton, posted impressive wins in week one, with the Gophers pulling out a 20-16 win over City College, and the Cardinals taking a decisive 28-12 win over Laurel. Glen Burnie finished 2-7 last season, and Crofton, 1-8, while both the Black Knights and Spartans won eight games last season. 

Howard

Atholton is expected to challenge for a Howard County crown, a title they shared last year, but will have to wait for their first victory, after a fight outside of their game with Wilde Lake was halted midway through the third quarter with the Raiders holding a commanding 22-0 lead. The first commotion appeared to occur on the track on the Wilde Lake side, but a disturbance on the corner of the track on the Atholton side caused a number of Raiders to sprint over to the scene. There are no reports of the players being involved, other than heading toward the chaos. Howard County Police were called, and the game was eventually ended. No word yet on a final resolution to the stoppage. The Raiders go to Glenelg this weekend, a season after handing the Gladiators their only league loss. 

The Gladiators bounced Hammond, 35-8, after racing out to a 21-0 first quarter lead. Senior Ethan Sotka rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns on ten carries. River Hill capitalized on Long Reach turnovers in the Hawks 16-6 win over the Lightning. After the first turnover, the Hawks Omar Hassan tossed it to Matthew Behrmann, who broke two tackles on his way to a 30 yard touchdown. On defense, Hassan took a ‘pick 6’ back to give the Hawks a 13-3 lead. After the Lightning cut it to 13-6, Vishaal Gudapati nailed a 27 yard field goal with 1:27 remaining to buy insurance for the Hawks, giving the Hawks a ten point lead. River Hill hosts Howard this week, while Long Reach goes to Reservoir, who beat Mt Hebron, 9-7. Oakland Mills shook off cobwebs to come back and beat Centennial, scoring 19 unanswered points to take a 25-14 win over the Eagles. Scorpions quarterback Cyrus Thomas-Ray ran for the go-ahead touchdown, and the following and final one afterward. Oakland Mills hosts rival Wilde Lake on Friday. 

Carroll

South Carroll carried momentum from their 12-1 season in ‘21 into their ‘22 season opener, posting a 35-0 shutout over Brunswick. AJ Rodrigues rushed for three touchdowns, while quarterback Carter Mazalewski rushed for two scores, and threw for 105 yards. Westminster went to Edgewater for their opener and shutout South River, 33-0, posting one of the more notable victories in the area. Owls senior Mason Fisher caught a touchdown, and came up with an interception on defense. Owls quarterback Kyrece Walker threw for a score and ran for a score. The road in September doesn’t lighten up for Westminster, as the Owls take on Linganore this weekend, a 3A state finalist in ‘21, then South Carroll, a 2/1A state finalist, followed by Dundalk, a 4/3A state finalist. 

Liberty also came away with an impressive opening weekend victory, with the Lions 34-14 win over Walkersville, a respected Frederick County program, coached by Joe Polce. Lions coach Larry Luthe captured his 100th win with the victory, in his tenth season at Liberty, after ten seasons at Mt Hebron. Junior Seth Jacobs rushed for 162 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Senior Jack Pelliciotti threw for 152 yards and a touchdown, and ran for two scores. Senior Austin Cirri connected on two field goals for the Lions. The Lions host Boys Latin on Friday night. 

UCBAC

After finishing second in the MPSSAA in scoring last year at 42.9 points per game, Fallston kept the production coming in their 45-22 week one win over Overlea. Senior Aiden Dixon accounted for two touchdowns, and grabbed an interception on defense. Cougars coach Keith Robinson, now in his 19th season as a head coach, began his head coaching career at Overlea, where he spent six seasons coaching the Falcons. Bel Air put up some fireworks in their 48-7 win over Havre de Grace, a year after suffering a 26-0 shutout loss to the Warriors in the 2021 opener. In this one, Bobcats senior Jay Perez threw for five touchdowns, completing 15 of 20 passes 237 yards. Senior Tre Dennis, the Bobcats top all-around player, caught a pair of touchdowns and added two interceptions on defense. 

Edgewood went to Mt Carmel and shut out the Cougars, 15-0, and now direct their attention to Havre de Grace, who pulled out a 40-38 win over Rising Sun in a high-scoring shootout. Senior Eli Latshaw threw for five touchdowns for the Golden Elks, against three interceptions. Three of those touchdown passes went to senior Isaiah Huffstutler. The Golden Elks fell behind 17-0 midway though the second quarter before roaring back. The Golden Elks needed an interception late to hold off the Tigers. Harford Tech blanked Sparrows Point, 35-0, and Joppatowne shut out Loch Raven, 38-0, and now travels to Perryville, to face the Panthers, who are coming off a 36-29 victory over North Harford in the opener. Senior Zach Ayers threw for a pair of touchdowns for the Panthers, and his pivotal ‘pick 6’ gave the Panthers a 29-22 lead. In the Joppatowne win, Steven Robinson rushed for 159 yards and a score on 11 carries, and quarterback Anthony Wilson threw three touchdown passes.