From The Sun's Stefen Lovelace:

After a 1-3 start, it didn't appear as if the South Carroll football team would make a lot of noise this season. But the Cavaliers won six of their next eight games, including two playoff games, to win the 1A North title.

That second half-resurgence has led to a meeting with reigning 1A state champion Dunbar in the state semifinal on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Poly. For Mihalko, in just his second year coaching the Cavaliers (7-5), just getting this far is an accomplishment.

"It’s very satisfying," Mihalko said. "I’m really proud to be a part of this with them and they work really hard so hopefully we can keep it going."

To keep it going, the Cavaliers will have to defeat a Poets team that is led by the most dangerous running back in Baltimore City in Tavon Austin. Austin, who already has scholarship offers from Maryland, Virginia, Rutgers and Boston College, isn’t Dunbar's only weapon, though.

Its passing game helps Austin to run free.

"They have a tremendous team with a lot of athletes that make a lot of plays," Mihalko said. "They haven’t thrown much but they have a lot of yards in the passing game. It really presents a big challenge for us and we’ll have our hands full."

The combination of Dunbar quarterback Jonathan Perry and wide receiver Sean Farr has been potent. The two have connected 38 times for 1,057 yards and 13 touchdowns.

While unseating the defending champs might be unlikely, Mihalko and his players consider it a success to be in the semifinals.

"It’s a great honor and a great tribute to our kids who work tremendously hard, and we weren’t expected to get to this point," Mihalko said. "They wanted to earn their goals and this is a great tribute to them."