Marveling at Magruder

By Sheldon Shealer

Name the only team to knock off two programs that spent time in the Maryland AP Top 10 this year.

Are you thinking Seneca Valley? Wrong. How about DeMatha, Urbana or Eleanor Roosevelt? Nope. Nope. Nope.

The answer is unranked Magruder.

In fact, the 4-3 Colonels almost made it three big-time victories as it pushed Sherwood to overtime before falling, 17-10.

Magruder, under new coach Ed Ashwell, opened the season by stunning defending state champion and then state No. 4 Gaithersburg, 7-6. Last Friday, Magruder took out Damascus, 10-7. Although Damascus was ranked No. 12 last week, the Hornets had reached as high as No. 7 this year.

"I really try to prepare the guys the same way each week," said Ashwell, who is no newcomer to the noteworthy victory. Last year he coached Einstein, which ended Seneca Valley's win streak at 41 games. "Sometimes the kids get more fired up (for) one opponent (over another).

"Sometimes we stress certain games over others, but for now on I'll stress 'em all," Ashwell said with a laugh.

Friday's game did not start out promising for Magruder. The team won the toss and choose to kickoff with the wind at its back, hoping the defense could stop Damascus on downs and gain field position. Instead, on the Hornets' second play, Damascus delivered an 80-yard pass-and-run touchdown and a 7-0 lead. "I thought, 'There goes that strategy,'" Ashwell said.

Magruder tied the game in the second quarter on a 2-yard scoring run by Greg O'Donovan. The Colonels went ahead 10-7 in the second half on a 37-yard field goal by Cory Allen. The winning play nearly did not happen because with fourth-and-4 at the Damascus 20, Ashwell was preparing to go for it -- forgetting he had a very accurate place-kicker. Allen has converted 3 of 5 field goal attempts this season and all eight PAT tries.

In the closing five minutes, Magruder's defense held off two Damascus' drives that started in Colonels territory, sealing the Colonels' first two-game win streak under Ashwell.

Magruder has played in six games this season decided by a touchdown -- winning four, losing two. The wins are over Gaithersburg (7-6), Kennedy (15-12), Springbrook (21-13) and Damascus (10-7). The losses are to Whitman (7-0) and Sherwood (17-10).

Oddly, despite a 4-3 record, the Colonels are still in the playoff race thanks to the bonus points collected from the Damascus and Gaithersburg victories. In fact, only 10 Class 4A schools have accumulated more bonus points than Magruder and eight of those teams have at least six victories.

Ashwell, who has guided Glenelg and Einstein to playoff appearances, has high expectations for the Magruder program, which hasn't made a playoff appearance since a state runner-up finish in 1989. The headline-grabbing victories this year gives Ashwell hope.

"I'm still learning these guys," Ashwell said. "I'm happy, but I'm a little disappointed. I'm happy we've won some big games. I'm unhappy that we haven't won more games."

TOP PERFORMANCES

Justin Barnes, Oakland Mills. The senior rushed for 250 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries in Oakland Mills' 26-0 victory over Long Reach. The Scorpions have won five straight games.

Kevin Ganascioli, Glenelg. Ganascioli scored six touchdowns in Glenelg's 46-36 victory over Mount Hebron. Ganascioli, who finished with 219 rushing yards, has scoring runs of 43, 45 and 65 yards. He added a touchdown reception of 14 yards and a kickoff return for 99 yards to complete the six-TD performance.

Keith Williams, Glen Burnie. Williams had 362 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns in the Gophers' 35-8 victory over Chesapeake-AA.

IN CASE YOU WHERE WONDERING

Hereford again will be fighting history once the Class 2A state playoffs get underway. The highly rated Baltimore County team will be among the favorites in the 2A title hunt. However, no Baltimore County school has ever claimed a Class 2A (previously known as Class B) state title.

STREAK BUSTERS

Calvert's 11-game win streak ended in an 18-14 loss to league rival and undefeated Patuxent, which stretched its undefeated streak to 14. Patuxent was the last team to defeated Calvert, before the team got hot and swept to the Class 3A title last year. ... Boonsboro's 27-7 loss to Middletown snapped a six-game win streak. ... Dundalk ended Woodlawn's six-game win streak in a 22-14 decision last week. ... Severn's five-game win streak was halted in a 21-20 loss to Sidwell Friends (D.C.). ... J.M. Bennett halted an 11-game losing streak in a 15-12 victory over Washington. ... Howard ended a nine-game losing streak with a 28-21 victory over winless Atholton. ... Havre de Grace snapped a six-game losing streak with a 27-20 victory over North Harford.

AROUND THE STATE (Week 8 Notes)

The use of an eligible player has caused many of forfeits in recent years, but none in memory seem to match the situation at Churchill. The Bulldogs forfeited both of its wins when it was discovered a junior was playing under another student's identity. In published reports, Churchill coach Ernie Williams said the player submitted another student's paperwork in the preseason, which included signed permission slips and required forms regarding insurance and a passed physical. ... Since a season-opening loss, Randallstown has won seven straight games, outscoring its opponents 299-12. ... Undefeated Wicomico has shut out its last five opponents and twice has topped 60 points in a game. ... Two Howard County contests -- Wilde Lake over Centennial and Howard over Atholton -- were decided by a touchdown, pushing the season total to seven league contests (out of 35) decided by 7 or fewer points. Three other games have been decided by 8-10 points.

LOOKING AHEAD

No. 2t Urbana at Westminster, Friday. Urbana puts its 45-game win streak on the line at Westminster. The last time the Hawks visited Westminster, the Owls took an early lead before the Hawks rallied for a victory. Urbana is 7-0 and Westminster is 7-1. Both have strong playoff possibilities.

No. 8 Bullis Prep at No. 24 Allegany, Saturday. Allegany is currently the No. 1 team in the Class 1A points standings, and the Campers will put it on the line against Bullis, winners of 18 straight games.