Football: A dozen teams remain unbeaten
After four weeks of competition, a dozen local football teams remain undefeated. Four teams – Archbishop Spalding, Edmondson, Joppatowne and St. Mary’s – suffered their first losses this weekend. Those who continue to boast a zero in the L column kept their records perfect in a variety of ways. Here’s a look.
NO QUESTION
No. 2 Calvert Hall 41, Coolidge, D.C. 7
The Cardinals used their bench liberally all game long and scored their first touchdown less than two minutes into the game when John Mooney hit Erik Evans with a five-yard touchdown pass. Back-up quarterback Mooney threw for two touchdowns and Jamal Goodman ran for two. Calvert Hall has the area’s longest active winning streak at seven games.
Next up: At Gilman on Oct. 7 at 2:30 p.m. The Cardinals have next weekend off before they head to Gilman for their MIAA A Conference opener. Calvert Hall, the defending A Conference champ, has won two straight over the Greyhounds. Last year: Calvert Hall 26, Gilman 21.
No. 3 Old Mill 49, Northeast 0
Rob Chesson scored three first-quarter touchdowns and the blitz was on. Chesson finished with four touchdowns, three rushing and one on a punt return. After a hard-fought 10-0 season-opening win over Broadneck, the Patriots outscored their next three opponents 150-16 with three shutouts.
Next up: At Meade on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The Mustangs (2-2) played Arundel tight before falling 28-12 two weeks ago and dropped their season opener to Southern by a point. Last year: Old Mill 34, Meade 8.
No. 15 Catonsville 35, Franklin 7
The Comets avenged three straight losses to the Indians in a big way. Sean Lipscomb forced a fumble on the Indians’ first play from scrimmage, resulting in an Aaron Jones to Deniko Carter 24-yard touchdown pass two plays later. D’Andre Lane ran for 135 of the Comets rushing yards.
Next up: Hereford at home Friday at 7 p.m. The Comets continue through the heart of their Baltimore County Class 4A-3A schedule with the always-competitive Bulls (2-2), who are coming off a big 26-6 win over Eastern Tech. Last meeting: Hereford 23, Catonsville 0 in 2008.
Aberdeen 36, Joppatowne 0
The Eagles went 1-9 last season, but new coach Johnny Brooks, who took Havre de Grace to the state Class 1A title game last fall, has them flying high. Quintel Kelly caused a fumble, Eric Briggs caught it in the air and ran about 65 yards for the opening touchdown as they dealt the Mariners their first loss of the season. Quarterback Kenny Faulcon then threw for four touchdowns as the Eagles offense continues to roll, averaging 40 points per game.
Next up: North Harford at home Friday at 7 p.m. In a battle of what could be Harford County’s top two teams, the Eagles will try to keep their offense rolling as their defense attempts to thwart the Hawks’ option offense. Last year: North Harford 42. Aberdeen 6.
Glenelg 41, Oakland Mills 14
Nick Crabill scored two of the Gladiators three first-quarter touchdowns, including one on an 83-yard kickoff return to get his team off to a fast start. The junior running back finished with three rushing touchdowns. With four wins, the Gladiators are just one away from matching last season’s win total.
Next up: At Hammond on Friday at 7 p.m. in next weekend’s only matchup of unbeaten teams, While the Gladiators are officially unbeaten thanks to Atholton having to forfeit its season opener (which the Raiders won 39-0 on the field), they have a convincing 28-0 win over Wilde Lake. Last season: Hammond 26, Glenelg 14.
WHEW!!
No. 5 Arundel 31, South River 30
South River’s two-point conversion attempt failed with about four minutes to go in the game and the Wildcats held on for the win. Arundel quarterback Cooper Hibbs threw three first-half interceptions, but settled down to score two third-quarter touchdowns, including an 11-yard pass to Dillon Tighe, which held up as the game winner. The win kept the Wildcats on pace for a potential showdown of undefeated teams when they host Old Mill on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Up next: At North County on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The Knights are 2-2, but suffered a 67-0 loss to Old Mill two weeks ago. Last meeting: Arundel 50, North County 34 in 2008.
No. 13 Hammond 12, No. 8 River Hill 9
The Harford County rivals slugged it out in the mud as the Golden Bears scored their second win over River Hill in as many seasons. The two shared the county title last season, but the Bears have the upper hand now after winning a ball-control game in which the Hawks turned it over six times. Akili Moore had two interceptions and ran one back 100 yards for the first touchdown.
Next up: Glenelg at home Friday at 7 p.m. The Gladiators are also 4-0 thanks to Atholton’s season-opening forfeit and this matchup will determine who reigns alone atop the Howard County standings. Last season: Hammond 26, Glenelg 14.
Fallston 21, Bel Air 14
In a rain-soaked game on the artificial turf at Bel Air, the Cougars scored all of their points in the first half, getting on the board initially with John Hetterman’s 53-yard pass to Ryan Umpleby.
Next up: Havre de Grace at home Friday at 7 p.m. The Warriors reached the state Class 1A final last season and are 3-1. Last year: Havre de Grace 41, Fallston 27.
Overlea 12, Randallstown 8
The Falcons fell behind 8-6 with four minutes to go, but Kevin Berry hit Ashantee Washington on a post pattern with 39 seconds left for the game winner. Dequan Pettway, who caught a 44-yard pass from Berry to set up the final touchdown, intercepted a pass on the Rams next series to preserve the win. Overlea coach Craig Rollins said this is the first 4-0 start for the Falcons since the 1990s.
Next up: C. Milton Wright at home Saturday at 2 p.m. The Falcons will host the Mustangs for Homecoming as both teams filled in their bye week with this out-of-county game. Last meeting: Unknown.
EVEN CLOSER THAN IT LOOKS
No. 10 Poly 12, Edmondson 0
Both stellar defenses held in the first half, but Donovan Riley picked off three passes in the second half, ran one back for a touchdown and caught a 29-yard pass from Darrell Milburn as the Engineers notched their third shutout and dealt the Red Storm its first loss in a Baltimore City Division I showdown. Poly has allowed just six points this season.
Next up: Douglass at home, Friday, 7 p.m. Poly’s defense likely will be far too much for the Ducks, who have yet to win a game although they scored on Edmondson in an 18-8 loss two weeks ago. Last meeting: Poly 36, Douglass 19 in 2007.
TOO SOON TO TELL
While every other team mentioned here is 4-0 Milford Mill and Patterson remain 3-0 after Friday afternoon’s rainouts. Both games are rescheduled for Monday:
Millford Mill at Perry Hall, 6
Patterson Mill at Perryville (also 3-0), 6
