By Sheldon Shealer
Who better to stop Sherwood than a Sherwood graduate?
Sherwoodís streak of 30 straight victories over Montgomery County opponents other than Seneca Valley ended Friday with a 23-20 loss to Magruder, coached by 1989 Sherwood alumnus Tony Nazzaro.
The victory vaults Magruder into the Associated Press Top 20 for the first time since 1992. The Colonels (3-1) check in at No. 17.
Magruder led 17-7 until Sherwood rallied for a 20-17 advantage with three minutes left in the game. Sherwood elected to squib the ensuing kickoff, and Magruderís Matt Harrison returned it 60 yards for the game-winning score. Magruder also had a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the first half.
ìI hope this gives us some confidence to build on,î said Nazzaro, in his second season at Magruder.
Magruder climbed as high as No. 6 in the 1992 rankings, but losses in two of its next three games dropped the team from the rankings. The Colonels hadnít been heard from again until this week.
The last time Sherwood lost to a Montgomery County opponent other than Seneca Valley was a 9-7 setback to Gaithersburg in 1995.
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TAKE NOTE
When Eleanor Roosevelt opened the season with a 50-0 victory against Riverdale Baptistís recently resurrected program, most people shrugged.
Then, the Raiders beat Woodbridge (Va.), 44-12, and football followers took notice.
Two weeks later, Roosevelt holds the distinction of being the only school in Maryland to score 40 or more points every week this year. The Raiders lead the state in scoring, averaging 46.25 points per game.
SOMEBODY HAD TO WIN: Bladensburg played host to Laurel last week in a game that pitted programs with two of the longest current losing streaks in the state.
In the closing minute, Bladensburg scored a touchdown to tie the game 6-6, then added the two-point conversion for an 8-6 victory, ending a 13-game losing streak. Laurelís losing streak stands at 16.
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STATE STARS
Eastern Tech WR Steve Lawston returned kicks of 82 and 90 yards for touchdowns
and had a 35-yard scoring reception in the team's 33-12 win over Patapsco.
Old Mill RB Kelvin Collins rushed for 238 yards and four touchdowns and had a
fumble recovery in the Patriots' 40-21 win over Arundel.
Bullis RB Surge Tikam rushed for 218 yards and four touchdowns as the Bulldogs
defeated Phelps School (D.C.), 35-8.
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MAJOR MATCHUPS
Northwest (4-0) at Seneca Valley (4-0), Friday, 6:30 p.m. ñ Seneca Valley, ranked No. 1 in Maryland, puts a 30-game win streak on the line against the school that was carved out of its draw area and also is standing at 4-0.
Gaithersburg (4-0) at Magruder (3-1), Friday, 6:30 p.m. ñ Gaithersburg, coming off a 29-7 victory over Watkins Mill, visits No. 17 Magruder, coming off a major victory over Sherwood.
Also: Watkins Mill (3-1) at Sherwood (3-1) on Friday; Eastern Tech (3-1) at Randallstown (3-1) on Saturday.
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DID YOU NOTICE?
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT: Wilde Lakeís 21-20 victory over River Hill on Saturday was the fourth one-point game in three weeks (15 total games) in the Howard County League. Two other games were decided by less than a touchdown.