Sniper attacks, canceled games leave MPSSAA in limbo

By Sheldon Shealer

One week of canceled games, no problem, the system can handle that.

Two weeks ... or more? Now it gets tricky.

Sniper attacks in the D.C. area have grounded high school sports. Thanks to the open playoffs, most fall sports simply will resume when school systems allow. Football is, as always, the exception.

The rule is clear -- a varsity football team must play nine games to be eligible for playoff consideration. If games are canceled and not made up again this weekend, the commonsense approach likely will prevail.

Ned Sparks said Wednesday the MPSSAA, "will have to make some sort of provisions" if more games are lost in the wake of these sniper attacks. Sparks did not speculate on what changes could occur, saying "We're in limbo. If we make a decision today, it might not apply tomorrow."

If no more games are canceled, the season will progress as usual. Teams that lost contests will have their point average reconfigured on the basis of a nine-game schedule -- much like what happened last year following the attacks of Sept. 11.

However, one school -- like last year -- already has fallen behind the state minimum of games. Flowers had a bye week when Northern-Balt. split into two schools and opted to play each other instead of Flowers earlier in the season. At most, Flowers will play eight games during the regular season. Last year, Linganore had the same situation occur after Sept. 11. The state ruled the Lancers would be allowed to divide its points by eight games instead of the minimum nine. Sparks said the same courtesy will be extended to schools this year.

"We're going to do the best we can ... these are strange circumstances beyond our control," he said.

Sparks said if teams lose more games, the football committee or the MPSSAA will consider ways to handle the issue. The problem will not be with regions like 4A South or 4A West, which are all from one county. Sparks said it will be easy to determine region champions. The problems come with the at-large teams. He said, "How can you compare a 6-1 team to an 8-2 team?"

The quick answer is base it on the point average, but without boring you with details regarding fractions of points, even that does not solve the problem. Bonus points are earned based on defeated teams playing at least a nine-game schedule. If teams play eight or fewer, issues arise regarding the prorating of those bonus points. Basically, teams that play fewer games against opponents who play fewer games will be slighted bonus points.

Sparks said the MPSSAA will see how long this sniper attack situation lasts before planning out a new course of action for football. The football playoffs are the last postseason events to start in the fall. The MPSSAA already has moved the date and location of its golf championships. The event was supposed to be held Monday and Tuesday in P.G. County at the University of Maryland. Sparks said Wednesday the golf tournament will be a one-day event played in Frederick on Oct. 28.

RECORD SETTERS

Marcus Mason's bid to become the state's all-time leading rusher was put on hold when Georgetown Prep's game with Ballou was postponed last week. Prep is scheduled to face Episcopal this week.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Allen Rice, St. Vincent Pallotti. Rice rushed for a weekend-best 274 yards and two touchdowns in Pallotti's 40-0 victory over St. James. Rice is helping Pallotti turn the corner. Pallotti, which hasn't had a winning record since 1993, is 4-2 this season.

IN CASE YOU WHERE WONDERING

That wasn't a typo in the Baltimore Sun on Saturday. Yes, Patterson's Terrence Woodard returned a punt five yards for a touchdown that could very likely be the shortest punt return for a TD in state history. Here's what happened: Edmondson was punting from its end zone. The punt hit the blocking back in the back and bounced into the air. Woodard caught the ball and went in from five yards out. Since the punt was not blocked (as defined by an opponent blocking the ball!) nor did the ball hit the ground in a fumble-type situation, meaning it's a punt return for a TD. It was a perfect play considering Edmondson's day. The team bus was involved in an accident on the way to the game, delaying the team's arrival. Then, game officials had to walk the field to make sure all the rats were cleared before play was allowed to start at Patterson Park.

AROUND THE STATE (Week 6 Notes)

He had to wait a little longer than expected, but Annapolis coach Roy Brown collected win No. 100 when Annapolis handled North County, 49-7, on Monday. The game was scheduled for Friday but pushed back in the wake of bad weather and sniper attacks. ... Rising Sun has found its name in the news a little more often that usual this year. The Tigers, who had two forfeit two games for an ineligible player, were back at it on Friday, involved in one of the strangest finishes in memory. Rising Sun and Wilmington (Del.) were tied at 14 when a bank of lights went out. Rising Sun's coach said the field was well-lit enough to play, however, officials suspended the game. Suspended doesn't mean finished, but that's what Friends is considering. Friends was happy with the tie and reported it that way to the Wilmington News-Journal. Rising Sun is seeking to finish the contest, largely because they need a win if playoffs are a possibility. A tie pretty much finishes the team. The Rising Sun coach first offered to play the last 19 minutes on a half-field concept -- having the team with the ball heading toward the end zone with lights. That idea was rejected. Rising Sun asked Friends to return Saturday. Rejected. Rising Sun then asked to continue the game at Friends, either Saturday or Monday. Rejected. As of Wednesday, still no word. Since it's Rising Sun's game and officials suspended it, the MPSSAA might look into working with the Delaware association forcing Friends to finish the game. ... Dundalk has a 10-game win streak and with victories over Milford Mill and Randallstown are in great position to win the Baltimore County 4A/3A title and a possible playoff berth.

LOOKING AHEAD

Assuming games are played as scheduled ...

Damascus at Gaithersburg, Friday. The winner here has a crack at the 4A West region title. The loser has two losses and could become an outsider in the playoff race.

Gilman at Calvert Hall, Saturday. A pair of undefeated teams go head-to-head in a contest that could have a huge impact on the state rankings.

Eleanor Roosevelt at Parkdale, Saturday. This -- like all games -- is a must-win for Roosevelt if the Raiders hope to make the playoffs. Losing last week's games hurts Roosevelt's chances at catching other in the 4A race.

Other Games of Note: Thursday: Joppatowne at Aberdeen. Friday: City College at Dunbar; Seneca Valley at Northwest; Wicomico at Cambridge-S.D. Saturday: Oakland Mills at Glenelg.