How do you pronounce that?

By Sheldon Shealer

The question was simple. The answer, considering the topic, was predictable.

"So," I asked Hereford coach Steve Turnbaugh, "is it 'Her-ferd' or 'Hear-ferd?"

"Neither," he countered. "It's 'Hair-ferd.'"

Figures!

Despite closing in on its sixth straight playoff appearance, Hereford remains the most mispronounced school in Maryland. This week, I'll get the low-down on the correct pronunciations of the following schools: Beall, Catoctin, DuVal, Havre de Grace and Overlea.

So what makes Turnbaugh the authority on Hereford? He's one of a handful of football coaches in Maryland who actually coach the high school he attended. Since he's a local -- that was good enough for me.

Perhaps the one school that rivals Hereford in terms of being mispronounced is Havre de Grace.

Even coach John Brooks is a little confused because he said the locals have several different takes -- 'Haver-de-Grace' or 'Harver-de-Grace' or Have-e-Grace' or 'Have-da-Grace' and/or 'Had-da-Grace.' Brooks, however, is sticking with the following: 'Harv-de-Grace.'

As for the rest of the list:

Beall is pronounced 'Bell' not 'Beel.'

Catoctin is 'Ka-tock-tin' not 'Cant-oc-tin.'

DuVal is 'Do-Val' ('val' like in value) not 'Da-val' or 'Do-Vol' ('vol' like volume).

And finally, Overlea is 'Over-lee' not 'Over-lay.'

So now that's in order, I can't wait for the new high school to open in Frederick. I understand it will be named Tuscarora.

TOP PERFORMANCES

Leave it to Arundel and North County to raise the bar offensively. Last year, these teams hooked up for a 55-48 shootout, won by North County. This year's meeting, although both programs have new coaches, was equally as explosive. North County junior Billy Largent set a state record with 430 passing yards on a 16-of-30 performance with four touchdowns in a 55-32 loss. Largent also rushed for 68 yards, including a 76-yard TD run (sacks losses dropped his rushing total below 70). North County's Greg Scott hauled in seven passes for 265 yards (the state's third-highest total ever) with TD catches of 63, 77, 60 and 32 yards. Not to be outdone, Arundel quarterback Jason Lively was 23-of-37 with 323 yards and four TDs, and the multi-sport star also rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Chuck Markiewicz was on the winning end of both the Arundel-North County shootouts -- last year as North County's coach, this year as Arundel's coach.

This week's top rushing performance belongs to Marcus Mason of Georgetown Prep, and oh what damage he could have done against Episcopal (Va.). Mason was pulled four minutes into the third quarter with the Little Hoyas ahead by a big margin. When he left the game, Mason had 338 yards on 10 carries with three touchdowns. He averaged 12 yards per minute played. Prep won 41-10.

IN CASE YOU WHERE WONDERING

Currently there are six undefeated teams in Class 2A, and none of those teams go head-to-head in the regular season, making possible that all six could finish the regular season 10-0. There has never been more than four undefeated teams in any class of the state playoffs. There have been, however, four undefeated teams in the Class 2A playoffs the past two years.

STREAK BUSTERS

Riverdale Baptist stopped an eight-game slide two days shy of its last victory. Riverdale defeated Bishop Ireton (Va.), 36-18, on Friday. Riverdale's last win was Oct. 21, 2000 at Bergen Tech (N.J.). ... Damascus' six-game regular-season win streak ended in a 32-6 loss to defending Class 4A state champion Gaithersburg. ... In Gwynn Park's 28-7 victory over Fairmont Heights a week ago, FH became the first visiting team since 1999 to score at Gwynn Park during a regular-season game.

AROUND THE STATE (Week 7 Notes)

Gaithersburg played itself right back into playoff contention with a 32-6 victory over Damascus. Gaithersburg, the defending state champions, jumped from 18th to 12th in the Class 4A points standings. With a number of head-to-head contests remaining between the Top 12 teams, the Trojans still have a shot to climb back into the Top 8. ... The state coaches association is making a format pitch to the MPSSAA for an expanded playoff format, but the cost could be one regular-season game on every team's schedule. The plan is for Maryland schools to have a nine-game regular-season schedule, while replacing the 10th week with the first round of postseason play (taking 16 teams per class). ... Bishop McNamara is 5-0 against non-Maryland teams, 0-3 against instate opponents. ... Of the 13 schools with "North" in its name are a combined 32-55 this season. Only four have winning records.

LOOKING AHEAD

No. 17 Patuxent at No. 8 Calvert, Friday. These two undefeated schools will likely settle the SMAC title on Friday. Patuxent was the only team that defeated Calvert last during Calvert's run to the Class 3A state title. Calvert has won 11 straight games since that setback. Patuxent, meanwhile, won its last six games last year to finish 8-2, which wasn't good enough to qualify for the playoffs. This year's 7-0 start gives Patuxent a 13-game win streak, the fifth-longest active streak in the state.

No. 14 Old Mill at No. 19 Meade, Friday. Both 4A teams stand at 6-1 and a victory is almost a must to make the playoffs this year. Old Mill is 15-2 in its last 17 regular season games. Meade, one of this year's surprise teams, went 5-5 last year and has topped that win total already.

No. 4 Eleanor Roosevelt at Largo, Saturday. Roosevelt figures to be challenged by a 5-2 Largo team that still has playoff aspirations. Last week, Roosevelt put an end to Parkdale's postseason hopes. They can do the same this week with Largo.

No. 20 Middletown at Boonsboro, Saturday. Nothing new here -- once again these teams will battle for the MVAL crown. Since 1993, Middletown and Boonsboro have accounted for all but one MVAL title. Middletown enters with a 7-0 mark. Boonsboro is 6-1.