The Games Go On

By Sheldon Shealer

FREDERICK -- The rededication of Frederick High School's stadium Friday turned into a rejuvenation of patriotism and return to normalcy.

Some cried.

Some cheered.

And then there was football, filled with vicious contact and the usual sideline chatter.

For three hours Friday, players from Frederick and Aberdeen -- and elsewhere around the state -- set aside the tragedy that struck the U.S. last Tuesday and tried to get on with life through sports. Frederick won, 19-18, but the outcome hardly mattered.

"This was a way of showing everyone we're fine, we're still moving forward," Frederick coach Vince Ahearn said. "You can hit us, but you can't keep us down."

At games across the state Friday and Saturday, special pre-game ceremonies were held to honor the victims and family members of the terrorist attacks in New York, D.C. and Pennsylvania. Georgetown Prep and Good Counsel players wore U.S. flags on their helmets and the players exchanged a show of fellowship before a Saturday night game in front of a capacity crowd.

At Frederick, plans had already been put in place for a special night, but it took on a new meaning after last Tuesday's events.

Several years of fund-raising has allowed Frederick to upgrade its stadium to a concrete structure with seating for several thousand and a state-of-the-art press box. Although Frederick played at home one week earlier, last Friday was the formal unveiling of the stadium. Invitation cards were sent to important members of the community. After Tuesday's attacks, school officials modified the ceremony, and even purchased a high quality sound system for the playing of the National Anthem followed by "Proud to Be An American."

With part of the crowd holding lighted candles, the pre-game ceremony was moving. One young girl was reduced to tears and cuddled into her mother's arms. Others were visibly shaken. Yet, when the tribute ended there was a loud roar of approval and the game went on.

TOP PERFORMANCES

Marcus Mason, Georgetown Prep. The junior running back had 223 yards on 21 carries in Prep's 35-7 victory over state-ranked Good Counsel. Although he did not score, he set up Prep's first four touchdowns, breaking a 49-yard kickoff return leading to the team's first score and back-to-back runs of 37 and 39 yards set up the go ahead score. He added 23-yard and 15-yard runs to set up two other Prep TDs.

J.J. Outlaw, Mount St. Joseph. The junior receiver had seven catches for 164 yards in the Gaels' 34-26 victory over Bishop McNamara. In the same game, MSJ quarterback Nick Tanis completed 12-of-18 passes for 217 yards.

IN CASE YOU WHERE WONDERING

The football board will be meeting next week with an interesting scenario to discuss. How to handle Linganore's situation? The Lancers had a nine-game schedule and with last week's cancellations, now appear to have only eight games on the schedule. The state rules indicate teams must divide its point total by at least nine for playoff seeding purposes. Such a move would almost eliminate Linganore from the playoff running even if the team goes 8-0. If Linganore's game with Damascus is rescheduled, then there is no problem. If not, the only right thing to do is allow Linganore to divide its point total by eight instead of nine. Although the meeting is a week away, allowing Linganore this flexibility seems to be the way many board members are leaning following Tuesday's round of phone calls.

STREAK BUSTERS

Gilman defeated Loch Raven, 48-14, ending a four-game slide. While a four-game losing streak is not viewed as significant statewide, it is in Gilman's case because before the slide started the Greyhounds had won 29 straight games. Gilman was up 41-0 early in the contest.

Bishop Walsh halted an 11-game losing streak with a 20-13 victory over Turkeyfoot Valley (Pa.).

Cambridge-S.D.'s 12-game regular season win streak was ended in a 20-10 loss to Snow Hill. It is the first regular-season loss for CSD coach Dave Bromwell, who took over the program last year.

Elkton's 14-game win streak ended in a 23-20 overtime loss to Fallston last week. The Golden Elks had won their previous 15 regular-season contests.

Fort Hill's 11-game regular-season win streak was ended in a 20-8 loss to Patuxent.

AROUND THE STATE (Week 2 Notes)

Anne Arundel, Montgomery and Prince George's counties opted not to play high school football last weekend, and each county came up with a different way to deal with the missing games. Anne Arundel County played games Monday at 4 p.m., as to not conflict with a Jewish holiday. P.G. County is planning to make up the contests on Oct. 2, which will cram three games into two weeks for all P.G. County schools. At this point, no final answer has come from Montgomery County, but as of Tuesday, it looked likely that last week's game might simply be canceled and not made up. There is a chance, though, that Montgomery County might attend to reschedule the games. ... Mount St. Joseph made waves by ripping Stuebenville (Ohio) in its season opener. The Gaels then were shut out by Good Counsel. MSJ bounced back last week with a 51-0 win over Oakland Mills and this week with a 34-26 victory over previously undefeated Bishop McNamara. ... Beall's defense has allowed a modest average of 15.0 points per game, however, the Western Maryland school is 0-2. Beall lost 13-8 in Week 1 and 17-16 last week. ... Dunbar, statistically, has the state's most explosive offense. In two games, the Poets have scored 102 points. ... The Patriots have put the "O" back into Old Mill. Although Old Mill averaged more than 25 points a game last year, it was held to 10 or fewer points three times. This year, Old Mill has scored 41 and 42 points in its first two outings.

LOOKING AHEAD

Annapolis at Glen Burnie, Friday. Annapolis, with Eric Venerables expected back, looks to get back on track following a 6-0 loss to state-ranked Broadneck. Glen Burnie, 1-9 a year ago, is now 2-0.

Hereford at Catonsville, Friday. Hereford puts its 23-game regular-season win streak on the line against Catonsville, which has a pair of quality running backs.

It's County vs. Island in the Bayside Conference on Friday as Kent County faces Kent Island. In case you were wondering, Kent Island is not located in Kent County.

Patuxent at Lackey, Friday. Both teams are 2-0 and a win here would be key toward making a run at the SMAC title.

No. 20 Good Counsel at Gonzaga (D.C.), Saturday. Good Counsel begin league play after a 2-1 start for coach Bob Milloy.