Only one week of regular-season play remains in the high school football season, but plenty of scrambling for playoff positions remains. Here’s a look at a few of the key numbers from the weekend past and the one to come:

2 Seconds left as Annapolis Area Christian School’s Ryan Slenk booted a 21-yard field goal Saturday for a 22-21 win over Lutheran that preserved a perfect season.

3 Touchdown passes from Westminster quarterback Tyler Codd to Garrett Bean in the Owls’ 42-13 win over Century on Friday night.

3 Teams tied for the MIAA A Conference lead at 3-1 -- No. 2 Calvert Hall, No. 3 Gilman and Georgetown Prep -- with one game each to go.

4 Touchdown passes thrown by Patterson quarterback Aaron Overton in leading the Clippers to a 45-24 win over Mervo on Friday.

7 Undefeated teams remaining in the metro area -- No. 1 Arundel, No. 7 North Harford, No. 15 South Carroll, Forest Park, Western Tech, Annapolis Area Christian School and Maryland Christian, a team of home-schooled students based in Kingsville. All are 9-0.

14 Teams in The Baltimore Sun’s Top 15 won their games over the weekend.

16 Straight wins for Annapolis Area Christian School -- the area’s longest active streak.

21 Straight points scored by Calvert Hall to rally from 9-7 down in the second half and beat No. 8 McDonogh, 28-15.

64.8 Average yardage on four touchdowns for Long Reach’s Phillip Rhoden in Friday’s 34-32 win over Howard. He rushed for three and also scored on a 75-yard kickoff return.

95th Year for the Gilman-McDonogh game which takes place Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Gilman.

100 Wins at Gilman for coach Biff Poggi, who surpassed former Greyhounds coach Sherm Bristow’s 99 with Saturday’s win over Mount St. Joseph.

122nd Year of the City-Poly rivalry when it continues Saturday at noon at M&T Bank Stadium.

131 Yards of total offense for Poly against a Dunbar defense that shut out the Engineers, 22-0, on Saturday night.

295 Yards passing for Maryland Christian quarterback Christian DiPaola in Saturday’s 30-22 win over Archbishop Curley.

340 Yards rushing for No. 9 Archbishop Spalding’s dynamic duo, K.K. Smith and J.D. Izon, in Friday’s 22-15 win over St. Paul’s.

Posted by Katherine Dunn at 8:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Football
        

The IAAM field hockey teams will begin postseason play Friday, with one A Conference and one B Conference game getting things started with play-in games.

Then the tournament will move in to high gear Tuesday with all the teams in all three conferences playing. The coaches meet tonight to finalize the brackets listed below. Any changes will be updated Thursday.

A-Conference:
(Home teams in bold caps)
Friday, Oct. 29, FIrst Round:

SPSFG (1-11) vs. MCDONOGH (3-8), 3:45
Tuesday, Nov. 2, Quarterfinals:

No.1 seed NOTRE DAME PREP (10-2) vs. winner of SPSFG/McDonogh, 3:45
No. 4 seed ROLAND PARK COUNTRY SCHOOL vs Spalding (5-6-1), 3:45

No. 3 seed GARRISON FOREST (9-2-1) vs Severn (4-7), 3:45
No. 2 seed BRYN MAWR (9-2)vs.St. Mary's (5-7), 3:45
Thursday, Nov. 7, Semifinals, 3:45 at higher seeded team:

Winner of first two above games vs. winner of second two.

Sunday, Nov. 7, Championship Final.


B Conference:

Friday, Oct. 29, first round:
INSTITUTE OF NOTRE DAME vs. Mercy (7-3-2), 3:45
Tuesday, Nov. 2, Quarterfinals:

No. 1 seed GLENELG (11-1) vs winner of Mercy/IND game, 3:45
No. 4 MARYVALE (8-3) vs. Park (4-6-2), 3:45
No. 3 MT.DESALES (7-3-2) vs. Seton Keough (5-4-2), 3:45
No. 2 seed JOHN CARROLL (9-2) vs. Friends, 3:45

Semifinals Thursday, Nov. 4., Winner of first two Quarterfinal games plays winner of second two games at higher seed, 3:45

Finals, Sunday Nov. 7
C-Conference
Tuesday, Nov. 2 First Round:No 5 B. Lutheran (5-6-1) vs. No. 4 PALLOTTI (6-5-1), 3:45

No. 3 CATHOLIC (6-3-3) vs. No. 6 Key, 3:4 at Catholic

No. 7 Oldfields (0-12) vs. No. 2 St. TIM'S (8-4), 3:45 at St. Tim's

Thursday, Nov. 4, Semifinals:
No. 1 AACS vs. winner of No.5 B Lutheran and No. 4 Pallotti, 3:45

Winner of No.3 Catholic/ No. 6 Key vs. winner of No. 7 Oldfields/No. 2 St. Tim's, 3:45 at higher seed

Finals: Semifinal winners play for championship, Sunday, Nov. 7 or TBD if AACS is in final

Posted by Sandra McKee at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The IAAM cross country championships have been canceled today because of inclement weather. The meet will instead be run Nov. 1 at Oregon Ridge.

The state golf tournament is still scheduled to wrap up play today in College Park.

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The IAAM cross country championships have been canceled today because of inclement weather. The meet will instead be run Nov. 1 at Oregon Ridge.

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

While the No. 1 Wilde Lake boys soccer team and No. 5 Severna Park girls came away with District V titles on Tuesday -- defeating No. 2 Arundel and No. 6 Marriotts Ridge, respectively -- the two losing teams also enjoyed benefits that could pay off big in the upcoming region and state playoffs.

The first for both teams was avoiding a long layoff between their regular-season finale and first region playoff games. With both teams earning first-round byes, their first playoff action won't take place until Tuesday, Nov. 2, which would have left close to a two-week gap between games. Instead, they played in intense games that had a playoff-like feel right in the middle of the break.

In Arundel's case, the Wildcats also got to experience a penalty kick shootout (they lost 3-2 after playing Wilde Lake to a 1-1 tie through overtime), which could come about during the playoffs.

Marriotts Ridge coach Robin Grey said that not only did her Mustangs get to play a high-caliber team in Severna Park, which came away with a 1-0 win, but they also got the chance to play on artificial turf at Meade High. All Howard County schools play on natural grass, but the Mustangs could play some playoff games on turf.

Posted by Glenn Graham at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Jenna Albright of Marriotts Ridge and Fallston's Liz Silbernagel are tied for first among girls after the second day of Class 1A-2A competition at the state golf tournament. Both girls shot a 78 on Tuesday at Maryland to tie for the top spot. Albright helped Marriotts Ridge take first place in the team standings -- girls can play with boys in the competition -- with a score of 315, three shots ahead of North Carroll. Chris Yoo's 74 also gave Marriotts Ridge a boost. He's tied with Pikesville's Matt Oshrine for the lowest score among local boys. Yoo and Oshrine are tied for third, three shots behind. All four classes will finish the tournament today at Maryland.

-- Jeff Seidel

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 9:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Golf
        

No. 3 Glenelg (14-1) did what no other team outside of Anne Arundel County had done in six years Monday night when it upset No. 1 Severna Park, 2-1.

After the game Glenelg players voiced the expected excitement over the victory. And Severna Park players, who had completed the regular season without a loss and now go into the postseason with a 13-1-1 record, voiced admiration for the strength of the Glenelg effort.

But Severna Park coach Lil Shelton sounded disdainful in her remarks to reporter Mike Peters of the Annapolis Capital, and may have given the Glenelg Gladiators bulletin board material for the post season. Or did she?

"This is just a tune-up for the states," Falcons coach Lil Shelton said. "That's what I just emphasized. I said, 'This is just an insignificant game. It's nice to win: Whoopee. We're better than Howard County.' But that's all it's good for, really, and another feather in our hat. But who needs feathers? I told the girls, 'We don't have room for that trophy in our trophy case anyway.'"

When the MPSSAA playoffs begin today, Severna Park will be going for its sixth straight Class 4A state title. Shelton might have felt safe in saying what she did. She may have just wanted to charge up her own team, given the Falcons won't see Glenelg in the postseason. The Gladiators play in Class 2A. But they may be a little more inspired anyway.

Posted by Sandra McKee at 5:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

In the past few months, I've written several stories about energy drinks and how they may be potentially dangerous for young athletes to consume before working out or playing games. Several local school systems discourage their use and last month, the Virginia High School League, which governs all public schools in the state, banned their use.

ESPN has investigated energy drinks and their effects on the health of high school athletes and will present its findings tonight at 7 p.m. on E:60. Here is the news release about the program and a short clip from it. It should be worth checking out, especially for the story of the Missouri football player who is lucky to be alive.

A high school football player suffers a seizure, stops breathing and has to be brought back to life by his father. A state poison control center receives calls every day from people suffering side affects after consuming these drinks. In September, the Virginia High School League passed "emergency legislation" banning the use of these drinks "during games and practices", citing "the safety of the athletes". People across the country are beginning to question "How Safe Are Energy Drinks?"

A seven-month E:60 investigation looks into these drinks which are marketed as performance enhancers and used by hundreds of thousands of young athletes before games and workouts. E60 found that scores of teenage athletes have become addicted to energy drinks and suffer everything from cramps, to headaches, to seizures, to heart issues that require surgery. One of those athletes , Missouri high school football player Dakota Sailor, stopped breathing and actually died after consuming two energy drinks, but miraculously was resuscitated by his father, who was an emergency room nurse.

Posted by Katherine Dunn at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Trish (Dewart) Sullivan will return to her alma mater as the new Mount Hebron girls lacrosse coach this spring, athletic director Jeannie Prevosto announced Tuesday.

Sullivan, a two-time All-Howard County defender who played on three state champion Vikings teams in the late 1990's, has coached Reservoir's girls lacrosse team for the past four years, but she couldn't resist the draw of her alma mater. She takes over for Brooke Kuhl-McClelland, who resigned after last spring and later moved on to St. Paul's.

"I'm thrilled," Sullivan, a 1998 Mount Hebron graduate, said. "To me it's like going back home. I feel like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm at a place in my career where I'm really ready for it. I'm really ready to get back to the program that I feel molded me as a player and certainly as a coach. I'm really entering it with a lot of enthusiasm. I'm excited to be back in the community I was brought up in myself."

Sullivan, 30, is the fourth coach in the storied history of a Vikings girls lacrosse program that has won a record 15 state championships -- including 11 in a row between 1997 and 2007 -- and is one of the most successful programs in the nation. Kuhl-McClelland guided the Vikings to six state titles and five national No. 1 rankings in her nine years.

Since it's first season in 1983, the program has gone 373-35-1 under the guidance of P.J. Kesmodel (now coaching at Cape Henlopen, Del.), Chris Robinson (now at McDonogh) and Kuhl-McClelland.

Expectations will be high.

"I'm no stranger to that," Sullivan said. "I feel like that's how I was bred. I have high expectations for myself and the program."

Sullivan, who played college lacrosse at Ohio State, is a guidance counselor at Reservoir. Her husband Josh Sullivan is the girls varsity lacrosse coach at Reservoir.

She said it won't be easy to leave the Reservoir team behind, but she said she believes the players understand why she took the Hebron job.

"They understand this would have been a regret for me if I didn't do it," Sullivan said. "I tell them not to leave any regrets on the field and I've got to take my own advice in life. I felt a deep connection there and I felt I had to be there. I knew that I wanted to be at Hebron one day, but I didn't know one day would be as soon as it is."

Posted by Katherine Dunn at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Girls lacrosse
        

Forest Park coach Damon Bomar, whose team is 8-0 after Friday's 41-0 win over Southwestern, has been named Ravens' High School Coach of the Week.

Friday's shutout is the fifth for the Foresters this season -- more than any other team in the Baltimore Metro area. Having outscored the opposition 318-50, the Foresters are tied with Douglass for first place in Baltimore City's Division II.

In his second season as the Foresters' coach, Bomar has an 18-1 cumulative record, having led Forest Park to the Division II title last season. They fell to Dunbar in the Class 1A South regional championship. The year before Bomar arrived, the Foresters were 2-8.

"I changed the mental focus of the kids," Bomar said in a news release. "It's all about discipline and structure. They were talented, but just undisciplined. I brought in some great coaches and we've been grinding every day. The kids bought into it because they were eager to win."

Against Southwestern, quarterback Andrew Allen threw for three touchdowns and running back Antwon Harmon ran for two. Pat Makall returned a punt for a touchdown.

Bomar joins Hereford's Steve Turnbaugh, Gilman's Biff Poggi, the Howard High coaching staff, Atholton coach Kyle Schmitt, North Harford coach Ken Brinkman and South Carroll coach Steve Luette as Ravens' coaches of the week. One coach will be named the Ravens' High School Coach of the Year at the Dec. 19 game at M&T Bank Stadium between the Ravens and the Saints.

Each weekly winner receives a $2,000 donation for his school's football program.

Posted by Katherine Dunn at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Football
        

High school soccer fans have plenty of options to find some fine games with a number of championship games slated on Tuesday.

Here's a look:

Baltimore County Championships at Franklin High: Boys -- No. 6 Perry Hall vs. Loch Raven, 5 p.m.; Girls -- No. 10 Perry Hall vs. Dulany, 7.

District V Championships at Meade High: Boys -- No. 1 Wilde Lake vs. No. 2 Arundel, 5; Girls -- No. 5 Severna Park vs. No. 6 Marriotts Ridge, 7.

Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference at Bel Air: Girls -- No. 4 C. Milton Wright vs. Patterson Mill; Boys -- No. 13 Bel Air vs. No. 15 Patterson Mill.

Posted by Glenn Graham at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Boys soccer, Girls soccer
        

Elyse Smidinger of Arundel shot a 72 to take the lead among the girls after the first day of competition among Class 3A-4A golfers at the state high school golf tournament Monday at Maryland.

Class 1A and 2A golfers go Tuesday, and all four classes finish Wednesday.

Smidinger has a two-shot lead over Atholton's Bryana Nguyen.

For the boys, Broadneck's Bart George also fired a 72 and is in third place, two shots out of first.

-- Jeff Seidel

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 9:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Golf
        

The National Milk Mustache “got milk?®” campaign recently launched a call for entries for the 14th annual Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Awards. The SAMMY scholarship rewards recognizes 25 student-athletes who excel in academics, athletics, community service, leadership and who refuel with milk.

Milk Mustache celebrity judges will help select 25 winners from across the country who will receive a $7,500 college scholarship, an awards ceremony at Walt Disney World and an opportunity to appear in their own special Milk Mustache ad.

For complete contest rules and applications log onto http://bodybymilk.com.

Posted by Sandra McKee at 8:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Field hockey
        

With just two weeks left in the football regular season, very little has been decided as far as league races and many teams remain in contention for regional playoff berths. Most of those will go down to the wire in Week 10, but here's a look at a few numbers that stand out after last weekend's games:

2 Losses this season for No. 8 McDonogh — both by one point — Saturday’s 13-12 setback to Georgetown Prep and an earlier 35-34 loss to Loyola.

3 Teams leading the race for the Baltimore City Division I title — No. 13 Patterson, Poly and Dunbar — all 5-1.

4 Teams in a heated race for the MIAA A Conference title — No. 2 Calvert Hall, No. 3 Gilman, Loyola and Georgetown Prep — with one conference loss each.

4 Teams in a heated race for the MIAA B Conference title — No. 9 Archbishop Spalding, No. 11 Boys’ Latin, Archbishop Curley and St. Paul’s — with one conference loss each.

5 Shutouts for Forest Park, which has not allowed a point since Oct. 1.

7 Big defensive plays — four sacks and three interceptions — by Calvert Hall in Friday's 33-2 win over Largo.

6 Undefeated teams remaining in the metro area — No. 1 Arundel, No. 7 North Harford, No. 15 South Carroll, Forest Park, Western Tech and Annapolis Area Christian. All are 8-0.

13 Teams in The Baltimore Sun's Top 15 won their games over the last weekend.

15 Straight wins for Annapolis Area Christian School with Friday’s 49-22 win over Pallotti — the area’s longest active winning streak. Next best: the other undefeated teams listed above with eight.

19 Tackles by Atholton’s Adam D’Amico in a 14-0 win over Glenelg — the No. 12 Raiders' third shutout in four games.

20 Points scored by Century wide receiver Brandon Soderstrom in a comeback 28-14 win over North Carroll Friday night.

31.9 Point margin of victory this season for Arundel.

1,885 Yards passing this season for Arundel quarterback Nick Rosati, who is 143-for-224 with 29 touchdowns.

Posted by Katherine Dunn at 8:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Football
        

No. 2 South River, led by sophomore forwards Jennie Milligan and Abbey Lawrence, and No. 6 Broadneck, whose offense has been anchored by senior forwards Jill Funkhouser and Paige Duncan, each placed five players on the Anne Arundel County Coaches' All-County field hockey first time.

No. 1-ranked Severna Park had four players on first team, including sophomore forward Marissa Balleza. But the Falcons kept pace overall, matching South River and Broadneck with each team placing a total of eight players on first, second and honorable mention squads.

Here are the 2010 Anne Arundel County Coaches' All County teams:

First Team
Attack
Jill Funkhouser, Sr., Arundel
Paige Duncan, Sr., Broadneck
Kate Stengel, Sr., Broadneck
Ashley Reid, Sr., Chesapeake
Marissa Balleza, So., Severna Park
Jennie Milligan, So., South River
Abbey Lawrence, So., South River

Midfield
Anna Haley, Jr., Broadneck
Erin Tenneson, Sr., Chesapeake
YuMi Kim, Jr., Meade
Kelsey Fielder, Sr., Severna Park
Kendyl Gardner, Sr., Severna Park
Courtney Thompson, Sr., South River

Defense
Megan O’Donnell, Sr., Annapolis
Jess Canine, Sr., Arundel
Lexi Bristow, Sr., Broadneck
Jillian Griffo, Sr., Severna Park
Stacey Mackintosh, Jr., South River

Goalies
Sophia Openshaw, Sr., Annapolis
Jenna Tribull, Sr., Broadneck
Autumn Reid, Sr., Chesapeake
Shannon Flanagan, Jr., South River

Second Team
Attack
Emilie Howley, Sr., Chesapeake
Danielle Maines, Fr., North County
Carly Tacka, Jr., North County
Madeline Ross, Sr., Severna Park
Heather Homick, Sr., South River

Midfield
Rachel Flanagan, Sr., Arundel
Erin Fischer, Sr., Northeast
Courtney Woolford, So., Northeast
Tori Schultz, Sr., North County
Nell Bragdon, Sr., Severna Park
Alex Watson, So., South River

Defense
Jocelyn Faro, Jr., Broadneck
Sydney LaMarsh, So., Chesapeake
Tierra Ouellette, Jr., Meade
Emily Kotowski, So., Northeast
Kelly Connelly, Jr., Southern
Taylor Bresnahan, So., South River

Goalies
Frankie Wilson, Jr., Arundel
Megan Grimm, Jr., Northeast
Becca Wallace, So., North County

Honorable Mention
Attack
McKenzi Heger, Sr., Arundel
Aislinn Probst, So., Broadneck
Kacy Koolage, So., Broadneck
Megan Diggs, Fr., Glen Burnie
Sarah Ainsworth, Jr., Southern

Midfield
Alyssa McGraw, Jr., Arundel
Ashley Singer, So., Chesapeake
Jordyn Childress, Sr., Glen Burnie
Tiara Glover, Sr., Meade
Lauren Wood, Sr., Southern

Defense
Alexa Wesley, Sr., Annapolis
Talya Stocksdale, So., Chesapeake
Taylor Marcus, Fr., Glen Burnie
Samantha Arcoraci, Sr., North County
Tierney Gormley, Sr., Old Mill
Megan Murray, Sr., Old Mill
Jenny Skrenta, Sr., Severna Park

Goalies
Tara Sinchak, Sr., Glen Burnie
Cait Colletti, Sr., Severna Park
Hannah Daley, So., Southern

Posted by Sandra McKee at 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Fitting of the high level of boys soccer that has been played in Howard County this season, the county title is still up for grabs going into the regular season's final night with three teams still in the hunt. In addition to county bragging rights, a berth in Tuesday District V championship game against Anne Arundel Countty champ Arundel -- set for 5 p.m. at Meade High -- is on the line.

Going into tonight's games, No. 1 River Hill (12-0-1) and No. 4 Wilde Lake (11-0-2) have 9-0-1 county records, while No. 5 Marriots Ridge (12-1) is at 9-1.

Marriotts Ridge is at River Hill, while Long Reach -- which has won one county game this season -- visits Wilde Lake. Both games are set for 7.

River Hill is county champs with a win and a Wilde Lake loss.

Wilde Lake takes the title with a win and a River Hill loss.

Marriotts Ridge is the champs with a win and Wilde Lake loss.

If River Hill and Wilde Lake both win, the two teams will be declared co-champs and a coin flip will determine who represents Howard in the District V championship game.

Posted by Glenn Graham at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Thursday at River Hill, the Marriotts Ridge girls soccer team has a chance to go from spoiler to champion.

At this time last year, the Mustangs put forth a determined front, earning a 0-0 double overtime tie against River Hill that gave Reservoir the Howard County championship and kept the Hawks from their ninth.

This year's meeting — set for 5:30 p.m. in Clarksville — is winner take all.

Marriotts Ridge (10-1-1) and River Hill (12-1) both go into the regular-season finale sharing first place with 9-1 county marks — making the math simple. The winner comes away the county championship and earns the right to play Anne Arundel County champ and No. 5 Severna Park in the District V title game Tuesday at Meade High.

"Our program has come a long way in five years and this is a great way to continue on. To play River Hill for the county championship is a great opportunity. The girls are very excited," said Marriotts Ridge coach Robin Grey, whose team is seeking its first county title.

The Mustangs and Hawks play a similar style, looking to possess the ball and play short passes to feet.

Whichever team consistently gets to the ball first will win.

The Mustangs boast two nine-goal scorers in Maxine Brewer and Katie Kanner, while the Hawks have relied on balanced scoring with set pieces a consistent source of offense. Anna Theisen and Tope Olujobi are the Hawks' primary threats.

"We don't have any one go-to player, just a lot of role players all doing their jobs," River Hill coach Brian Song said. "So if one player is having a tough game, others are stepping up. It's nice in that it gives us a lot more flexibility."

For River Hill, the return of sophomore Haley Emrick will play a big role in trying to contain the Mustangs' strong attack. Injured early in the season, she returned two games ago and has solidified the team's defense.

Posted by Glenn Graham at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

No. 12 Hereford and No.15 Dulaney will play for the Baltimore County field hockey championship Wednesday at Lansdowne at 7 p.m.

Hereford finished the regular season with a 10-2 overall record, while Dulaney was 8-4.

In Harford County, No. 8 Patterson Mill beat North East, 5-0, to win the UCBAC Championship Tuesday. Emily Keesling (2 goals), Christina Claypool (2) and Jaelyn Felts (1)
each scored with assists from Emily Keesling (1) and Sam Rutkowski (2). Huskies goalie
Gabby Brooks had 6 saves.

Meanwhile, the playoff season is drawing near. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association will begin postseason play Tuesday, Oct. 26, and the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland will begin Oct. 29.

Posted by Sandra McKee at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Field hockey
        

After seven weeks of football, six local teams are holding onto first place in the regional points standings.

Arundel (Class 4A East), Franklin (3A North), Western Tech (1A North) and Forest Park (1A South) are all unbeaten at 7-0 while River Hill (3A East) and defending 2A state champ Eastern Tech (2A North) are 6-1.

To check out how your team stands in the race for the four playoff spots in each of the state's 16 regions, click here.

Posted by Katherine Dunn at 2:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Football
        

South Carroll football coach Steve Luette has been named the Ravens High School Coach of the Week.

Luette's Cavaliers moved to 7-0 on Thursday with a 35-0 rout of Manchester Valley. They held the Mavericks to just 28 yards of total offense and have outscored opponents 284-26 this season.

“We stress the whole game plan,” Luette said. “Our defense is playing really well, our offense is scoring a ton of points, and our special teams are putting us in great position to score.”

South Carroll's defense on Thursday forced two turnovers. Senior quarterback Anthony Nardo threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another score, while senior running back Ben McCarty and junior running back Dan Mullen rushed for a touchdown apiece.

“All around, since I’ve been here, this is the most complete and deepest team we’ve had,” said Luette, a second-year head coach who was an assistant with the Cavaliers from 1998-2003. “We’ve got some guys who can step in when needed, and that’s the big difference.”

Luette will be honored along with this season's other winners during the Ravens-Saints game at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 19. Previous honorees this season are North Harford's Ken Brinkman, Atholton's Kyle Schmitt, Hereford's Steve Turnbaugh, Gilman's Biff Poggi and the Howard coaching staff.

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 5:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Football
        

C. Milton Wright wrapped up its regular field hockey season Wednesday with a satisfying 1-0 victory over North Harford. The win came after coach Bonnie Schnell figured out what would motivate her veteran team.

The Mustangs, with a roster that includes 14 juniors and seniors, started the season by climbing up the charts. They made it to No. 10 before losing to John Carroll (2-1 in double overtime), Hereford, 1-0, and Bel Air, 3-0. This week they lost to St. Paul's, 2-1 in overtime.

Wednesday's victory gave the team a 7-6-1 regular season record heading in to the postseason.

The results were not what Schnell had anticipated and she had tried to "sugar coat" close losses, until the St. Paul's loss, when she finally laid it out plainly to her team.

"This team went up and down all season," she said. "I finally figured out the thing to motivate them. It's hard to explain, but I have to consistently remind them about heart and desire. It's not every player, but you can't depend on the same two or three every game. It's a team sport and it's their desire that will decide their fate."

She told her team to look at Bel Air (9-2), a team she believes is less talented than her own, but one that leaves everything it has on the field every game.

"That's a team," Schnell said. "That night they beat us they weren't as talented, but they have heart and soul. They stood up to everything. We had 16 corners and didn't score. That shows me something (about both teams)."

Her squad also lost to Perry Hall and Fallston. "We played better, but they scored," Schnell said.

Schnell reflected that in our current society many expect the motivation to come from the coach, "but the reality is it has to come from the players on the field and on the sidelines.

"Players on the sidelines have to support their team on the field. When they cheer in support that motivates their teammates, who may need the support to motivate themselves. I've been sugar-coating it. But I was point blank with them before our last game, [saying] 'Your lack of desire is the difference.'

"I told them they could continue as they have been and leave their fate in the hands of other teams or they could take control. It was up to them. And I saw a different team against Harford."

Schnell hopes the revelation sticks.

Posted by Sandra McKee at 1:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Field hockey
        

Many area teams have been raising funds to help the fight against cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All are to be commended.

Four schools reported the results of their efforts, with coaches for all teams voicing their surprise and regard for the work put in by their teams to reach beyond their goals.

The Archbishop Spalding and Seton Keough field hockey teams raised more than $4,000, more than double what was raised in past years, for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, while the Bel Air and Patterson Mill varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams raised $4,096 for breast cancer awareness and research at their "Dig Pink" event.

"Our original goal was to raise $2000 so we far exceeded our goal," said Bel Air girls varsity coach Tim Markland. "Our sources of income included online donations at www.side-out.org, corporate sponsors, selling of pink t-shirts and pink wrist bands, raffle of door prizes from local businesses and Chili's pre-game dinner night."

Spalding, Seton Keough, Bel Air and Patterson Mill coaches all stressed their thanks to the JV and varsity programs at the schools, parents, volunteers and all those individuals and businesses who donated to make such successful events.

Posted by Sandra McKee at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Field hockey
        

Calvert Hall entered the week ranked 8th in the USA Today east regional high school football rankings, largely due to last Saturday's thrilling 26-21 victory over Gilman. The Greyhounds were ranked as high as No. 15 in the Super 25 poll, but were dropped after a 33-6 loss to Don Bosco (N.J.) Prep. The Cardinals are the only school from Maryland ranked in the poll. Calvert Hall travels to Georgetown Prep on Friday.

-- Todd Karpovich

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Football
        

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced Tuesday that former River Hill lineman Max Coale was one of five winners of the 2010 National High School Scholar-Athlete Award.

The award is given to the student who best balanced football and academics in five different geographic regions. Coale was the recipient of the award for the East region.

Coale, a three-year starter at offensive and defensive tackle at River Hill, guided the Hawks to Class 2A state championships in 2007 and 2008, and a Class 3A state semifinals appearance as a senior in 2009. River Hill went 40-1 during Coale's time on the Hawks' offensive line.

Coale, a Baltimore Sun first-team All-Metro performer, was a team captain for the Hawks and a standout on River Hill's lacrosse team. He was named the school's top male athlete last spring.

Coale, who now plays football at Princeton, carried a 4.0 grade-point average in high school and earned valedictorian honors in his class of 342.

"Max was a three-year starter for us on the offensive line," River Hill coach Brian Van Deusen said in a news release. "During his time here at River Hill, we won 40 consecutive games, three regional championships and two state championships. Max worked extremely hard in the weight room to improve himself, and he ended up being one of our strongest kids and in the 1,000 pound club. His teammates selected him as a team captain because of his strong work ethic and outstanding leadership qualities.

"Max's accomplishments in the classroom and community are just as impressive. He was a pleasure to coach and is a great role model for the younger players in our program. I think that Max is a perfect example of a scholar-athlete; he focused on academics first and was also able to excel in all of his extra-curricular activities. He is a very intelligent, dedicated, well-balanced individual that is an excellent candidate for this scholar-athlete award."

Baltimore Sun photo of Max Coale by Kenneth K. Lam / Oct. 6, 2009

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 4:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Football
        

Fresh off of North Harford's comeback win over Fallston on Friday, Hawks coach Ken Brinkman has been named the Ravens High School Coach for the Week.

Brinkman guided North Harford to a 36-35 win over the previously undefeated Cougars. The Hawks were down 1 after running back Brandon Bayer scored on a 4-yard run with 47 seconds remaining. Instead of kicking the extra point and playing for overtime, Brinkman went for 2.

“The way Brandon had been running the ball in the second half -- he was just running with a mission,” Brinkman said. “I thought I could put it on his shoulders.”

On the two-point conversion, Bayer got the call and ran it in for the lead. He finished with 127 yards rushing and three touchdowns. North Harford defensive back Nate Brockmeyer intercepted Fallston quarterback Grant Kelly on the ensuing drive to seal the win for North Harford.

Brinkman will be honored along with this season's other winners during the Ravens-Saints game at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 19. Previous honorees this season are Atholton's Kyle Schmitt, Hereford's Steve Turnbaugh, Gilman's Biff Poggi and the Howard coaching staff.

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Football
        

Maybe the biggest factor in No. 4 Calvert Hall's 26-21 upset win over top-ranked Gilman on Friday night was the play of its defense. After giving up 271 yards in the first half, and letting both Greyhounds quarterback Darius Jennings and speedy back Cyrus Jones run wild, the Cardinals switched up their scheme at halftime, with remarkable results.

Gilman managed just 42 yards of offense in the second half. Jennings, who had rushed for 168 yards in the first half, had just 32 the rest of the way.

"We made some adjustments at halftime -- a little bit of an alignment adjustment and a personnel switch," Cardinals coach Donald Davis said. "We kind of flip-flopped a matchup that we thought we could take advantage of, and we did."

The physical game also took its toll on Calvert Hall, which likely will be without top running back and middle linebacker C.J. Williams for several weeks. The junior left with an apparent knee injury on the game's opening possession, and will have an MRI this week, though Davis isn't optimistic.

"There were some things that were telling," he said. "He's just got to get the official word."

As for the finish, it was one for the ages, with Calvert Hall roaring back from a 21-7 deficit with three fourth-quarter touchdowns, including two in the final 1:39. Delando Johnson scored the game-winner with 26.3 seconds left, picking up an errant long snap -- which had sailed over the head of Gilman's punter -- and returning it 20 yards.

At the final horn, several hundred Calvert Hall fans streamed onto the field in an emotional celebration.

"I've never seen anything as crazy as that," Davis said. "It is the wildest finish, certainly, that I've ever been a part of, as a player or a coach."

-- Rich Scherr

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Football
        

River Hill's girls soccer team appeared poised for another solid win with a two-goal lead and only five minutes left against Atholton on Thursday.

The Raiders, however, had other ideas. With two fast goals, the Raiders forced overtime and while the No. 14 Hawks recovered for a 4-3 overtime win, notice has been served: Nothing is coming easy in Howard County this season.

"The top six teams are pretty even and the rest are giving everybody fits," said River Hill coach Brian Song. "I tell my kids over and over, if you don't come ready to play for 80 minutes, you're going to get knocked off."

The county has four teams ranked in The Sun's Top 15 poll and another on the "other teams considered" list.

No. 7 Reservoir (7-1-1) leads the even pack with a 5-0-1 mark and then only defeated last-place Oakland Mills (3-6, 0-6) by a 2-0 count earlier in the week. The Gators have three one-goal wins and a 0-0 tie against No. 13 Glenelg. They will travel to second-place and No. 9 Marriotts Ridge (6-1-1, 4-1) on Friday for a 5:30 start. River Hill (7-1, 4-1) hosts Centennial (6-3, 4-2) Friday night at 7.

Song said the steady stream of regular-season competition will be a big plus for all the Howard teams come playoff time.

Posted by Glenn Graham at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference is stacked with big games in boys soccer this week, starting Tuesday and continuing through Thursday night.

Top-ranked McDonogh (11-1 overall, 5-0 A Conference) has impressively found separation from the rest of the pack by outscoring leagues foes by a combined 18-1 in its five wins.

On Tuesday, No. 6 Loyola (4-3, 3-2) gets a crack at McDonogh, while surging and No. 12 Calvert Hall (5-2-1, 3-1-1) travels to defending league champ and No. 10 Mount St. Joseph (6-2-1, 3-2-1). Both games are set for 4 p.m.

On Thursday, Mount St. Joseph will try to avenge a 3-0 early-season loss to McDonogh at home at 4 and then a packed stadium is expected at Calvert Hall where the Cardinals take on longtime rival Archbishop Curley (5-4-1, 2-3) under the lights at 7 p.m.

Posted by Glenn Graham at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

For guiding Atholton to a stunning upset of No. 3 River Hill on Friday, Raiders coach Kyle Schmitt has been named the Ravens High School Coach of the Week.

Atholton's 10-0 win snapped a 49-game winning streak for River Hill in Howard County play. The victory for the Raiders broke a 13-game losing streak to the Hawks, including a loss in last year's regional championship game.

“It was a tremendous win,” Schmitt said, “not only because of who we beat or the streaks we broke, but because of where we were in the season. It puts us right back in the middle of it.”

Atholton was 2-2 heading into Friday's matchup with River Hill, fresh off a loss to Howard. The Raiders jumped out to a 7-0 lead when quarterback Bryan McMahon scrambled for a 6-yard score. Brett Hass extended Atholton's lead to 10-0 with his 25-yard field with 15 seconds remaining in the first half. The Atholton defense stood strong by forcing three turnovers.

“Our defensive coordinator Jared Albert put together an incredible game plan,” Schmitt said. “Our kids tackled extremely well. River Hill is very sound schematically, so you have to make tackles and make plays when you have the opportunity, and that’s what they did.”

Schmitt, who was named the Ravens High School Coach of the Week last year after Atholton's 34-30 win over Wilde Lake in Week 3, will be honored along with this season's other winners during the Ravens-Saints game at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 19. Previous honorees this season are Hereford's Steve Turnbaugh, Gilman's Biff Poggi and the Howard coaching staff.

Posted by Baltimore Sun sports at 7:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Football
        

The field hockey regular season is rapidly heading toward a conclusion over the next several weeks and things are heating up.

Severna Park, 6-0, is back in a familiar position at No. 1, and undefeated as it goes in to Monday night's game at Broadneck. The Bruins, ranked No.6 in last week's poll, are also undefeated with a 7-0 record.

Boardneck coach Jen Parks said her team faces a "doozy" of a week as it follows up the Severna Park game with one at Annapolis (4-1) Tuesday and another with No. 2 South River (5-1) Thursday.

Annapolis coach Angela Carpita said she is so excited about this season she plans to stay in daily contact with her assistant Lisa Moylan even after she has her baby — who is now four-days overdue.

Out in Carroll County No. 4 Century, 6-0, with a roster full of upper classmen, and No. 7 Westminster, 9-0, are the two teams battling for supremacy. They will meet in a showdown at Westminster Tuesday, Oct. 12.

No. 5 Bryn Mawr (5-2) was stung last week by a 1-0 loss to unranked rival Garrison Forest (7-2-1) and Notre Dame Prep (7-0-1), slowly building a successful program under coach Maggie Huether, has yet to lose.

"We keep waiting to play Bryn Mawr because we know how good they are," said Huether, who — because of rain last week — will have to wait until Oct. 20 to face the Mawrtians and get a measure of her team. "We've got a little talent this year and I'm a nervous wreck."

NDP beat the improving Garrison Forrest squad, 1-0, early in the season. The closest Huether's squad has come to losing was in a 1-1 tie with Patterson Mill, a 6-1-1 squad that is, like NDP, climbing the charts.

"Patterson Mill — their goalie [Gabby Brooks] is fantastic," said Huether. "I think they had three shots on our net all afternoon and we had about 36 on theirs, but could not get the ball past her."

In Howard County No. 3 Glenelg, 7-1, has done nothing but prove the promise it had at the start of the season, while in Harford County No. 9 Bel Air has surprised a few teams with its strong play, sprinting to an 8-0 start.

No. 11 Hereford (5-2) and No. 14 Dulaney (4-3) have been strong in Baltimore County and will face each other Friday.

Meanwhile, No. 10 North Harford (5-2) and No. 12 C.Milton Wright (6-4) have been fighting it out with No. 13 Patterson Mill for supremacy in Harford. During the past week Patterson Mill took a big step forward beating North Harford and C. Milton Wright stumbled against Bel Air.

Playoffs begin for the public schools Oct. 26 and for the privates Oct. 29. By then we'll all know who had the best regular seasons. But, as we know from past experience, the post-season can be a whole different story.

Posted by Sandra McKee at 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The George E. Sonnefeld Foundation, Inc. will award at least one scholarship during the spring of 2011 to an area high school senior golfer. Each award will be for $2,500 and will be paid directly to the college where the award recipient(s) will be attending during the fall of 2011.

Anyone interested in applying should contact his/her athletic director, golf coach, golf course professional, guidance counselor or Susan DiLonardo at 410-841-5670 or DiLonardo2@aol.com.

Posted by Sandra McKee at 4:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Last Saturday, Reservoir held its inaugural Gator Invitational Volleyball Tournament, and the outcome featured some familiar foes.

The tournament was the idea of Reservoir coach Carole Ferrante, and featured defending Class 3A defending state champion Northern-Calvert, defending Class 2A state champion Francis Scott Key, No. 1 River Hill, No. 2 Centennial, No. 15 Severna Park, and Montgomery County’s Good Counsel, ranked No. 2 in The Washington Post.

In the championship finals, River Hill defeated Centennial two sets to none (27-25, 25-17) to take the title. The victory avenged a River Hill loss to the Eagles earlier in the week.

“We exorcised a few demons from earlier in the week,” said River Hill coach Lynn Painter. “We played well from beginning to end in the tournament, and we kind of showed what we were made of today.”

Sarah Okey, a four-year varsity starter, had a big tournament. The senior contributed 32 kills, six blocks, and 19 digs in the games leading up to the finals, then 16 kills and a block in the finals against Centennial.

The tournament capped off a busy week for Okey, who accepted a scholarship to Cornell at the beginning of the week.

Centennial advanced to the finals with a three set victory over Good Counsel (25-23, 16-25, 15-12), while the Hawks advanced with a win over host Reservoir (25-13, 25-21).

In other tournament action, third-ranked Mount de Sales won it’s second consecutive Bulldog Invitational Tournament championship at North Caroline in Denton on Sept. 25. The Sailors defeated fourth-ranked Towson in the championship two sets to one (25-19, 22-25, 15-13). Mount de Sales advanced to the finals by beating No. 11 South River in the semifinals, while Towson advanced by beating No. 12 Broadneck in the other semifinal.

-- Mike Frainie

Posted by Glenn Graham at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

More rain has forced the following games to be postponed Monday at Glenelg:

Boys soccer at Oakland Mills to Monday, Oct. 11 with JV at 4 p.m. and varsity at 5:30 p.m.

JV football at home vs. Hammond to Monday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m.

Posted by Katherine Dunn at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

At the midpoint of the regular season little has been decided in the race to the playoffs, but there have been plenty of surprises with Atholton upsetting River Hill and only six unbeaten teams left in The Sun's Top 15. These statistics caught our attention this weekend:

2 Games postponed until Monday by wet field conditions – No. 12 North Harford at Aberdeen at 6 p.m. and No. 5 Old Mill at Southern at 6:30 p.m.

3 Straight shutouts for No. 6 Calvert Hall – two over ranked teams, then-No. 13 Mount St. Joseph and No. 9 Poly.

4 Teams sitting atop the Howard County standings with 4-1 records – No. 3 River Hill, No. 15 Hammond, Howard and Wilde Lake.

9 Sacks by No. 7 Archbishop Spalding's defense in a 37-0 win over B Conference foe St. Mary’s.

11 Baltimore-area teams still undefeated – No. 2 Arundel, Calvert Hall, No. 8 Boys' Latin, No. 10 McDonogh, No. 11 Franklin, North Harford, South Carroll, Fallston, Western Tech, Annapolis Area Christian and Lutheran.

12 Straight wins for Annapolis Area Christian, the area’s longest active winning streak.

12 Seconds needed for South Carroll’s Ben McCarty to recover a fumble and then rush 73 yards on offense for a touchdown in the Cavaliers’ 21-13 win over Century.

17 Points allowed this season by Calvert Hall – the stingiest defense in The Sun’s Top 15.

19-1 Differential in passing touchdowns for Arundel over its first five opponents.

48 Straight wins against Howard County opponents for No. 3 River Hill until Atholton ended the streak with a 10-0 upset Friday.

62 Tackles recorded for Atholton’s defense in the win over River Hill – 10 by Adam D’Amico.

100 Points scored by Wilde Lake in its last two games, both 50-0 wins.

108 Yards of total offense Friday for Dunbar – good enough to edge City, 14-6.

436 Yards of total offense Friday for Franklin in its 44-7 win over Milford Mill.

Posted by Katherine Dunn at 11:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Football
        

Atholton quarterback Brian McMahon had just one thought Friday night when his screen pass was tipped and River Hill’s Max Williams intercepted the ball and took off down field.

“When the ball got tipped, I thought, ‘That can’t be good,’ but as soon as he intercepted it, I knew I had to stop him,” the junior first-year starter said.

With the host Raiders leading No. 3 River Hill, 10-0, McMahon said it never entered his mind that he might have given up a touchdown and given away the momentum. He just took off.

“I believe we were on their 10 and I tackled him on our 30-yard line,” McMahon said. “I was about seven yards in front of him when he made the pick and he had two blockers in front of him. They pushed me to the left when we were about even, but I ran and caught up to him and jumped on his back. I was glad I saved a touchdown, but I still felt bad about the interception.”

No worries though. The Raiders defense stopped the Hawks on four downs and finished the game with the first shutout over River Hill since 2001, ending a 48-game Hawks' winning streak against Howard County opponents.

For McMahon, who scored the game’s only touchdown on a short keeper in the first quarter, the victory was the highlight of his athletics career.

“We took the knee [on the last play] and then the fans rushed the field. That was really great. Everyone was jumping around and cheering. That was the first time I had ever experienced anything like that.”

The Raiders improved to 3-2 and are one of six teams in the heart of the Howard County title race at 3-2 or 4-1.

“It makes every Friday night more exciting. It’s just a wild season and it’s been a lot of fun,” McMahon said as the Raiders get back to business to prepare for Reservoir at home Friday night. The Gators are also 3-2 and coming off a 21-14 loss to Howard, which is 4-1 along with River Hill, Hammond and Wilde Lake.

Posted by Katherine Dunn at 5:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Football
        

The football games between No. 5 Old Mill and Southern and between Joppatowne and Aberdeen have been postponed until Monday night due to wet field conditions on the natural grass fields at Southern and Aberdeen.

After the deluge of rain, the fields were deemed unplayable for Friday night's scheduled games and neither were rescheduled for Saturday, with administrators opting to go over to Monday.

Old Mill will play at Southern at 6:30 p.m. Joppatowne will play at Aberdeen at 5 p.m.

Posted by Katherine Dunn at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Winters Mill's Homecoming football game against North Carroll, scheduled for Friday night has been postponed until Saturday at 1 p.m.

Steve Speck, Winters Mill athletic director, said that after all of Thursday's rain, field conditions would not be safe for the players since the Falcons' stadium field was recently resodded.

"On a freshly-sodded field, cleats can dig deeply and knees can turn," Speck said, adding that after a day of sun and wind, the field would be in much better shape Saturday.

Ideally, the game would be rescheduled as a night game, Speck said, but with the Homecoming Dance scheduled for Saturday night, a 1 p.m. game should give players and spectators time to get ready for the dance.

Posted by Katherine Dunn at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)