Step Aside SV-DeMatha, Hawks & 'Hounds Will Play

By Sheldon Shealer

For years, fans have been clamoring for a Seneca Valley vs. DeMatha regular-season contest.

Now there's a new state rivalry on the horizon, and this one will take place -- Urbana vs. Gilman.

Urbana athletic director Jeannie Prevosto confirmed Monday that Urbana has a two-year deal with Gilman, and the first contest will kick off the public school season next Sept. 7 at Urbana. In 2002, the Hawks will visit the Greyhounds on Sept. 8.

"It's a win-win situation," Prevosto said. "To get better you have to play games like this."

It's hard sell on Gilman or Urbana getting any better. After all, these teams have the two longest active winning streaks in Maryland. Urbana has won a Frederick County record 28 straight games. Gilman is close behind with 25 straight wins. Urbana is the two-time defending Class 2A state champion and has outscored its three opponents, 151-6 this season. Urbana put four players in college on scholarship last year, including All-State quarterback Zack Mills to Penn State. Gilman opened the year by knocking off then state No. 1 DeMatha. In fact, Gilman became the first team to shut out DeMatha since 1980. The Greyhounds are 4-0 and have outscored their foes, 124-6. Gilman also has a strong track record of placing college-bound players, but most with Ivy League-type programs.

Gilman, however, is carving out one of the most demanding schedules by any Maryland team. The Greyhounds will open the 2001 season at home against DeMatha before playing Urbana one week later.


TOP PERFORMANCES

Jeff Smiley, James M. Bennett, Running Back: Smiley rushed for 384 yards in Bennett's 44-41 victory over Easton, which rates as the No. 4 all-time performance in Maryland. Sam Hess of Hancock set the state record with 446 yards in 1998.

Hassan Muhammad, Cardinal Gibbons, Running Back: Muhammad had 254 yards and four touchdowns on 12 carries. He also had 357 all-purpose yards.

IN CASE YOU WHERE WONDERING

North County 55, Arundel 48. That's no typo! And that's a regulation score. The game took three-and-a-half hours to complete, and the stats were as unbelievable as the score. For starters, the final score is the highest two-team point total on record in Maryland. Secondly, the teams combined for 852 yards -- amazingly 426 yards each! Here are a few more highlights (none defensive, of course): North County's Eric Pinkney in his first game in two years scored four touchdowns (84 kickoff return, 80 punt return, 16 rush, 8 rush); North County's Mike Pfisterer, who's closing in on state passing records, was only 14-of-27 for 178 yards and one TD; Arundel's Paul D'Imperio completed only five passes -- four for touchdowns (58, 53, 35, 17). He ended with 198 passing yards on five completions. (Note -- I have on record two other games where teams combined for at least 100 points: St. James 100, Harpers Ferry 0 in 1925; Frederick 56, Liberty 46 in 1994.)

STREAK BUSTERS

The following winning or losing streaks ended last week:

Seneca Valley's win streak is over at 41 games. The Screaming Eagles were stunned by Einstein, 10-7. Seneca Valley's last loss was the 1996 Class 4A state semifinal, a 37-0 defeat to Sherwood. Seneca Valley's loss turns over the longest active win streak to Urbana at 28 games.

AROUND THE STATE (Week 3 Notes)

Amazing note of the week -- all five members of the Montgomery County 2A/1A League lost games last week by one touchdown: Bethesda-CC lost, 22-16; Blake lost, 13-7; Northwest lost, 31-26; Poolesville lost, 14-7; and Rockville lost, 20-14. ... The No. 13 -- as in points -- has been lucky and unlucky for Northwestern-PG. Northwestern has scored 13 points in each of its three games this year, winning two and losing one. The only other teams in the state to score the same number of points in every game this year (with at least three played) are Aberdeen, which has been held to six points in each of its three losses, and Rising Sun, which has been shut out three straight weeks. ... Middletown has started the season 0-3 for the first time in school history. ... Einstein debuts at No. 18 in this week's A.P. Top 20, marking the first time the Titans have ever achieved a state ranking. ... Bowie is 3-0 for the second straight year, which is an amazing feat since the team lost its star player to rival Suitland during the summer. Bowie faces Suitland this week. Last year, the P.G. 4A League schedule was the undoing of the Bulldogs, which went 1-6 over their final seven games. ... South Hagerstown's victory over Boonsboro marked the first time since 1996 that the Rebels have posted back-to-back victories. ... Since Gilman allowed a touchdown last week, the honor of state's best defense goes to Joppatowne, which has surrendered only three points in three games. That's a figure that should change this week since the Mariners are facing league favorite Fallston. ... The MPSSAA points were released this week, and although it is way to early to speculate, there are a few fun notes: Urbana is 3-0, yet their opponents are a combined 0-9; Allegany leads the state in bonus points with 6.2. After three weeks, the in-state max for bonus points is 6, but the Campers have collected points from a win over Frankfort, which started two weeks earlier. ... Hereford's battle with Catonsville turned out not to be much of a contest at all. The teams were expected to battle for the league title, but following Hereford's 52-6 win Friday, it appears the Bulls are rambling toward another undefeated season in the Baltimore County 2A/1A League. Todd Leitzel led the way, rushing for three touchdowns. ... Laurel had No. 3 Suitland on the ropes until the Rams struck for a pair of late touchdowns in a 14-7 win. Laurel led 7-0 with less than six minutes remaining. ... Josh Brown's bid for another kicking state record fell short. In Urbana's 64-0 victory over Bel Air, Brown attempted a 65-yard field goal. It was on line, but short, touching down just inside the goal line. Brown already holds the state record for field goals in a season with 12. ... No matter how you slice it, McDonogh (or McDonough) is undefeated. The two teams that are often confused for each other are both 3-0. McDonogh of Owings Mills is among the state Top 20. McDonough of Charles County is facing a key contest against league rival Westlake this week. Both McDono(u)ghs haven't finished with winning records in the same year since 1994.

LOOKING AHEAD

Friendly at Seneca Valley, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: What was viewed as a big-time showdown last year has turned into a must-win for both teams this year. Friendly and Seneca Valley are both 2-1. A second loss could prove costly in the bid for a Class 3A playoff spot.

Gaithersburg at Watkins Mill, Thursday, 6:30p.m.: Gaithersburg has climbed to No. 12 in this week's state poll. Watkins Mill is among the others receiving votes.

Elkton at Bohemia Manor, Friday, 7 p.m.: This game could decide the Cecil County title. Last year, Bohemia Manor won this matchup which led to a league title and a unique twist -- the five-team Cecil County League finished in alphabetical order -- Bohemia Manor, Elkton, North East-Cecil, Perryville and Rising Sun.