Maryland High School Football State Championships: Finals This Weekend

Middletown High School football – 2013 state semifinals game against Kent Island. Credit: Wayne Lee Dutrow – used by permission

The fall 2013 Maryland preps sports schedule will come to a final conclusion with the crowning of state champions in football in the four divisions of public schools competition. The final games are played at the Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium.

Here is the schedule of games …

• CLASS 3A: Thurs., 12/5 @ 7 PM – Franklin vs. Linganore
• CLASS 4A: Fri., 12/6 @ 7:30 PM – Northwest vs. Suitland
• CLASS 1A: Sat., 12/7 @ 12 Noon – Fort Hill vs. Douglass of Baltimore
• CLASS 2A: Sat., 12/7 @ 3:30 PM – Middletown vs. Patuxent

Class 2A – Middletown vs. Patuxent

The most successful and storied football program at this time in the state of Maryland is that of Middletown High School from Frederick County.  They are making their fourth consecutive trip to the state finals and have won 35 consecutive games, including state titles in 2011 and 2012. Along the way they have garnered five consecutive regional championships.

Their coach Kevin Lynott was voted as the best high school football coach in Maryland recently. In a USA Today-sponsored contest, he was also the runner-up in their Best Coach in the Nation poll. Lynott is one of those character-based coaches of excellence who knows how to connect with high school kids and make the game a true life education experience.

The Middletown Knights have really no weaknesses in their game. The defense is especially strong and has allowed only 96 points on the entire season.

It would seem that the Kent Island Buccaneers might have been able to penetrate it, having a running back by the name of Evan Greenwood who entered the semifinals game with over 2100 yards and 32 touchdowns. The Knights held him to 75 yards on 24 carries, while also capturing three turnovers.

Their finals opponent comes in with stellar numbers as well. 13-0 Patuxent High School packs a powerful running game averaging 320 yards per contest and 35 points per game. In the semifinals, they thrashed Patterson 42-8.

Class 1A – Fort Hill vs. Douglass of Baltimore

In the state of Maryland, the class 1A division is the smallest – with schools of roughly 900 or less students in grades 9-12. But there is nothing small about football in Cumberland where the Fort Hill Sentinels are 13-0. The stadium in Cumberland is far bigger than many college fields, and certainly the crowds are more numerous and passionate as well. The tough people of far Western Maryland LOVE football!

Fort Hill earned the long trip out of the mountains to the state finals with a 42-0 romp over Surrattsville. Their three state playoffs wins (over Surrattsville, North Carroll and Manchester Valley) were by a combined score of 137-13.

This would seem to make them the heavy favorites, but they are going to be running into another 13-0 powerhouse in Douglass High School of Baltimore. Their semi-final win was by a 54-13 margin over Eastern Shore power Cambridge-South Dorchester. Douglass is the #1 seed. Their margin of victory over their three playoff opponents was 142-27.

Something has to give in this one!

Class 3A – Franklin vs. Linganore

The 12-1 Linganore Lancers of Frederick County took an exciting road to the state finals. Trailing 2012 Defending State Champs River Hill by 31-12 in the first half, they came back to win in the end 41-38. One of the top football programs in Western Maryland every year, they will be looking for their first title since 2009.

Linganore will be facing Franklin High School, who defeated the 2012 state finalist Huntington by a score of 49-7.

Class 4A – Northwest vs. Suitland

Class 4A in Maryland is the largest category of schools in the state, and the #1 seeded team is the Suitland Rams of Forestville. Unbeaten at 13-0, they earned their trip to the finals with a 46-25 win over Meade. Their seven touchdowns were all scored after the first quarter.

Northwest High School of Germantown comes into the game with a record of 11-2, having defeated Paint Branch in the semifinals by a score of 55-36. The Jaguars have a sophomore quarterback named Mark Pierce who threw for six touchdowns while also running for a seventh!

Suitland has previously won state championships in 2004 and 2006. The last state title for Northwest was in 2004, when the Jags competed in the 3A division.

We will post an article that summarizes the four finals at some point over the weekend or early next week.

Twitter – @OSayOrioles / @BaltimoreWireFS