Baltimore Area MPSSAA Report – Week 7

And down the stretch they come. As the leaves wave in the air and fall to the ground, and the arctic air begins to shift, Maryland scholastic public school players are two weeks away from the post-season journey. A journey that 128 of the MPSSAA’s 180 teams will embark on, in the association’s first expansion since 2003, when the regional format was implemented, and the amount of playoff berths grew from 32 to 64.

As autumn sets in, many of the pre-season Baltimore area contenders are in the position they were thought to be back in August, with few exceptions.

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Baltimore County

Coach Anthony Burgos defending state champion Franklin Indians were thought to be the ‘cream of the crop’ in Baltimore County, and remain so, riding a 17 game win streak versus MPSSAA county competition, posting a 56-4 record in county play since midway through the 2013 season, and 69-6 in their last 75 games versus county opponents. Since the 2012 opener, the Tribe are 78-9 against MPSSAA competition.

The Indians play Baltimore Metro #4 Mt St Joe this week, before hosting Woodlawn in Week 9. Since splitting two games with the privates to open the season – a win over St Anthony’s NY, and a loss to Baltimore Metro #2 McDonogh, the Indians have outscored their five county opponents, 232-31 (46.4-6.2). Vernon Brown, who threw for 1,805 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2018, after being called upon just days before the season, has thrown for 1,435 yards and 24 touchdowns in the first 7 games of this season.

The defending State Champion Indians are projected to be an overall re-seeded 6 seed in this year’s 3A playoffs, should they find victory in the first two rounds of the playoffs, and appear to be headed for a Baltimore bash in the quarterfinal with Mervo, the highly probable 3 seed. There is also a chance that River Hill edges the Indians for the 6 seed, which would push the Tribe to the 7 slot, and a likely rematch of last year’s state final, at Linganore, versus the Lancers.

Milford Mill, who in pre-season appeared to be the second best team in the county, just ahead of New Town, are the 2nd highest ranked team in the County, and will likely head into the post-season as the 2nd highest ranked team in the county, just ahead of the Titans, as expected. The Millers look to have a shot in the new re-seeded quarterfinal round, and it appears they likely will take an overall 5 seed into November, barring any wild upsets, with a road trip to Walkersville as the probable destination in a 2A quarterfinal. New Town, with their forfeit to Sparrows Point for using an ineligible player, probably cost themselves a 6 seed, and will likely be handed an 8 seed, with a trip to top 10 Douglass PG a likely scenario in the quarterfinal round.

The Millers are 6-0 outside of their 42-7 loss to Franklin, but not as formidable as last year’s team, who split two games with the state champion Indians last season. The Millers hold their opponents to a very respectable 14.2 points per game this season, compared to a stout 8.8 points per game last season. Last year’s Millers defense and special teams units were playmaking units, scoring 13 touchdowns in 11 games, while this year’s edition has managed 3 scores in 7 games. Jordan Morant, who recorded his first 100 yard game in week 6, followed that up with 228 yards and 4 touchdowns on 25 carries, in the Millers 28-12 victory over Arcadia last weekend.

The Titans have outscored their 6 opponents 240-48 (on the field) since their heartbreaking 14-12 loss to Milford Mill in the opening week, and should handle Overlea and Eastern Tech in Weeks 8 and 9 respectively. Douglass PG would be a whole ‘nother matter in Week 10, with undefeated Eagles boasting two Top 25 wins (30-0 v Old Mill, 32-19 v Potomac), and two other top 50 wins.

Coach Justin Payne’s Parkville Knights caught many by surprise when they were ranked among the Top 50 in the pre-season, but the Putty Hill Avenue crew has put together a 7-0 season, and seemed poised to grab a 1 seed in the 4A North, barring an upset to Kenwood in Week 10. The Knights are projected the overall 4 seed in 4A, behind the Quince Orchard – Northwest winner, Wise, and the South River – Old Mill winner. From there, the Knights quarterfinal opponent could very likely be the Quince Orchard – Northwest loser in week 8.

Dundalk, who has won three straight games after losing three straight games (Concordia Prep, Franklin, Douglass PG), look to head into November with a 5 game win streak, with a possible rematch with Franklin in Week 11, should the Owls survive the opening round. In 2015, the Owls lost to Franklin 37-18 (lost 49-10 this season) in the regular season, before stunning the Indians, 20-14, in the regional final. Then again, the Owls were led by Darrius Sample in 2015, who accounted for 39 touchdowns that season, a mark that won’t be matched by any public school player in the area this season.

The Comets of Catonsville, who are coming off back-to-back 1-9 seasons, are 5-2 this season, and could grab a 4 seed should they survive Randallstown in Week 9, and if they were to advance another week, would likely have a rematch with Parkville in Week 11. The Comets are projected to play either Blair or Einstein in the opening round, barring any upsets. Loch Raven, now 6-1 after stunning the Comets this week in their 28-8 win, look to grab a 1 seed in the 1A “South”, while Randallstown are headed for a 4 seed in the region, possibly pitting a rematch with the Raiders in week 11, after the Rams took the first meeting, 22-7, in Week 5.

1 4 Franklin (6-1)
2 14 Milford Mill (6-1)
3 15 New Town (5-2**)
4 33 Parkville (7-0)
5 48 Dundalk (4-3)

Baltimore City

The City teams and league have and has gone pretty much as planned, seven weeks in, with Mervo and Dunbar reigning above the league competition, with the Mustangs holding on to their projected semi finalist contender status, while the Poets remain a viable State Title contender in 1A, if not favorite.

The Poets have assured themselves of advancing to the post-season for the 18th straight season, the second longest streak in MPSSAA history, trailing Damascus’ current mark of 21 (soon to be 22), and tying Old Mill’s mark, that ran from ‘99 through 2016. With two wins in the regional rounds, the Poets would become the first school in MPSSAA history with 60 playoff victories, despite not joining the association until its 21st year of existence. Mervo, meanwhile,has all but assured themselves of their 6th straight season of 9 wins or more, a year after knocking off Howard and Paint Branch on the road in last season’s regional playoffs.

Edmondson looks to be the 2 seed in the 1A North, behind Dunbar, and are projected to be the overall 4 seed in 1A, should the Red Storm get past the two regional rounds. The Black Knights of City College are poised to make the post-season for the first time in 5 years, and likely will advance as a 4 seed, with a possible re-match with Mervo in Week 11.

At the outset, Lake Clifton and Lewis were thought to be the two best teams in the city’s Division II, and have been, now #1 will be on the line this week, when the Falcons play host to the Lakers. Last year, ‘Lake’ edged out Lewis 28-22, before the Falcons returned the favor in the first round of the playoffs, winning another one score game, 14-7, before being eliminated by Dunbar in the regional final.

1 7 Mervo (7-0)
2 17 Dunbar (6-1*)
3 47 Edmondson (5-2)
4 ** City College (4-3)

UCBAC

Elkton and Harford Tech have lived up to their billing as the two top teams in Harford County, with both boasting undefeated records, at 7-0. The two will meet in Week 9 in the regular season finale. The Golden Elks eliminated the Cobras in last year’s post-season, 21-14, in the opening round of the playoffs. The Elks have beaten their six UCBAC opponents by an average of 34.8 points per game this season, while the Cobras have won 20 of their last 21 games versus UCBAC opponents, with their only blemish being the one-score loss to the Golden Elks in last year’s regionals.

Nolan Null continues to lead the Golden Elks passing attack, and has averaged more than 200 yards passing in his 19 games over the last two seasons, throwing for 46 touchdowns over that span. Trevin Ewing is averaging 167.3 all-purpose yards per game, with 11 touchdowns, while Tashawn Watters is averaging 130 all-purpose yards per game, also scoring 11 touchdowns, not including 3 passing touchdowns in just 6 attempts.

Sophomore Kelvin Mendez has bolstered the Cobras running game, leading the area’s public school players with 1,120 rushing yards, adding 10 touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Hunt has thrown for 1,380 yards and 12 touchdowns, 7 of those going to Terrill Lowery, who has 33 receptions for 630 yards through the first seven weeks.

Patterson Mill seems poised to grab the 1 seed in the 1A East, and if the Huskies were to move through the regionals, they are projected to make a trip to Fort Hill in the re-seeded quarterfinal round. Nathan Vujanic has thrown for 18 touchdowns against just 2 interceptions for the Huskies. Rising Sun (6-1) looks headed for a showdown with the Bayside Conference’s #2 team, Parkside, in the opening round, barring any upsets, and if they were to knock off the Rams, would almost assuredly have a date in Elkton, in Week 11. The Tigers and Golden Elks have not and will not meet in the regular season, with the former in the Susquehanna Division, and the latter in the Chesapeake Division of the UCBAC.

1 9 Elkton (7-0)
2 37 Harford Tech (7-0)

Anne Arundel

What was thought to be a four-way race in Anne Arundel, has turned into a two-way race, with South River and Old Mill settling it all (ok, all but settling it all) this week in Edgewater. The Seahawks have raced out to a 7-0 record, after holding off Broadneck, 48-41, last weekend, coming back from a 33-21 halftime deficit, scoring 20 straight points in the third quarter.

Coach Ed Dolch’s Seahawks, who took 34-19 victory in a Week 10 winner-take-all game for playoff berth last season, is led by senior quarterback David Foust, who has thrown for 1,693 yards and 21 touchdowns this season, and Delvin Johnson, who has rushed for more than 1,053 yards and 11 touchdowns. Johnson rushed for 234 yards and two touchdowns in the Old Mill win, while Foust threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns. The Seahawks, who lost their top two players from last year, Joey Foy and Karon Lewis, did return 16 starters from a team that played in a 4A regional final last year. The Seahawks are averaging 46.0 points per game, 4th best among the MPSSAA’s 180 teams.

Old Mill, meanwhile, has won 6 straight since its 30-0 opening week loss to now 7-0 Douglass of Prince George’s County. The Patriots have beaten three of the five best teams in the county along the way – Arundel, Meade, and Broadneck – and now get to exact revenge on the Seahawks for extinguishing their playoff hopes in week 10 last November. The Pats 18 year post-season run from ‘99 through 2016 is tied for the second longest consecutive streak in MPSSAA history, trailing only Damascus’ current run of 21. Joey Graves and Caron Tull lead the Patriots rushing attack.

Arundel, who returned both their quarterback that threw for 2,851 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2018, and their top rusher who rushed for 749 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, sits at 4-3, losing a one point game to Old Mill, and a one-possession game to South River. Austin Slye, the Cats gunslinger, has thrown for 1,603 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, while Jordan Andrews has rushed for 763 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Broadneck brought back its star quarterback of last season, but lost his top target, the top target in the MPSSAA, Ethon Williams, as well as three All-County lineman, and it’s shown, with the Bruins sporting a 3-4 record. The Bruins did give South River it’s toughest test of the season last week, losing a 48-41 shootout. Joshua Erlich, the former Governor’s son and Bruins sophomore sensation, has thrown for 1,535 yards and 16 touchdowns through seven weeks.

Meade, behind the leadership of Mike Francis, has a 5-2 record, and look to be 7-2 come playoff time. Francis stepped down as Old Mill’s basketball coach in the Spring to take the head football job at his alma mater.

South River is on its way to the 1 seed in the 4A East should they win out, and earn either the overall 1 or 2 seed in 4A, should the Hawks win their two regional playoff games. Arundel and Broadneck play in Week 9, and seem destined to play again in Week 10, with the winner likely taking on Meade in Week 11.

1 12 South River (7-0)
2 22 Old Mill (6-1)
3 40 Arundel (4-3)
4 43 Meade (5-2)
5 ** Broadneck (3-4)

Howard County

For the first time in 15 years, Howard County wasn’t thought to have 1 of the top 5 teams in any classification, dating back to River Hill’s 9 year run from ‘05-13, and through the last half-dozen years with Howard and Glenelg. Solid teams in 2019, not spectacular. In August, it looked to be 3-way race for the County title, and it still is, with River Hill and Glenelg playing par for the course, and Marriotts Ridge supplanting once promising Long Reach among the top 3. The Hawks, Gladiators and Mustangs all have one county loss, with the Hawks knocking off Glenelg last weekend by 4, the Gladiators beating the Mustangs by 7 in Week 1, and the Mustangs edging the Hawks in overtime in Week 5.

Coach Brian Van Deusen’s 4-time state champion River Hill Hawks stand at 6-1, with its only defeat coming at Marriotts Ridge, on a 2-point conversion in overtime. The Hawks Beau Brade became the second player in county history to record 400 tackles in his high school career, trailing only former Hawks great, Zach Martin, who finished with 476 tackles. Brade, Anthony Behrmann, and Zach Igwebe have combined for almost 1,900 rushing yards, and have scored 22 touchdowns.

Glenelg lost its first county game last weekend, to the Hawks, and sit at 4-3, with a pair of out-of-county losses to Westminster and Urbana. The Gladiators not only had to replace Head Coach Bruce Shaffer, but the second all-time leading rusher in MPSSAA history, Wande Owens. The Gladiators Kyle Dry has rushed for 755 yards and 8 touchdowns through the first seven weeks.

Marriotts Ridge is 5-2, with its defense leading the way, allowing less than 14 points per game, and holding 6 of their 7 opponents to 14 points or less. Coach Marcus Lewis’ #StangGang is led by 6’2 260 junior defensive tackle Jeff Baxter and 6’5 205 UConn commit Nick Harris. Jaylin Moore has been the playmaker for the Mustangs this season, who lost their top overall prospect, junior Kameron Young, for the season, due to his ineligibility. Of the Mustangs seven games, five have been decided by 7 points or less. Howard, who has made six straight playoff appearances, and have won four 4A regional titles in five years, are in jeopardy of not making the post-season, sitting now as a 9 seed.

Oakland Mills is 5-2 and have won 5 of their last 6 games. The Scorpions have been led by quarterback Kai Castle, who has rushed for more than 1,100 yards and has scored 16 touchdowns this season. Hammond is 4-3, after coming into the season having won just 6 of their last 38 games. The Bears knocked off Oakland Mills in the opening week of the season, 34-21.

It appears River Hill will be the 1 seed in the 3A East, with Wilde Lake as their probable opponent in round one. Marriotts Ridge will be the 2 or 3 seed if they get past Mt Hebron and Atholton in Weeks 8 and 9. If Westminster beats Liberty, then the Mustangs would likely be the 3 seed. Should the Owls lose to Liberty, the Mustangs would likely be the 2 seed, and have back-to-back games with Atholton. Glenelg, the defending 2A runner-up, looks to be the 2 or 3 seed, depending on the Westminster-Liberty result. Should the Lions beat the Owls, the Gladiators would go to Liberty. If not, the Lions would go to Glenelg. Oakland Mills, in the same region, are projected to go to Middletown in the first round.

1 19 River Hill (6-1)
2 46 Glenelg (4-3)
3 ** Marriotts Ridge (5-2)
4 ** Oakland Mills (5-2)

Carroll County

Liberty and Westminster settle things in Carroll County this week, when the Lions host the Owls, which will not only have an impact on the county championship, but have big implications on their respective playoff seeds, both in region, and in the re-seeded quarterfinal round in their respective classifications.

Coach Larry Luthe’s Liberty Lions lost its first two games, but has responded by riding a five game winning streak since, including a 24 point win over Marriotts Ridge, and a 25 point win over Century. Westminster also lost its first two games, before also embarking on a five game winning streak, including a win over Glenelg, and a 35 point shutout of Century, the county’s third best team.

Nate Kent, the 2018 Carroll County Player of the Year, leads the Lions again this year, and is coming off a game where he threw for 193 yards and rushed for 150 yards on 11 carries in a win over South Carroll. The Owls are led by Erick Stranko, who thrives on both sides of the ball, as their leading rusher and leading tackler.

1 31 Liberty (5-2)
2 35 Westminster (5-2)