FOOTBALL: Week 10 Power Rankings

By Andrew Conrad
Posted: November 6, 2008

Week 10 Power Rankings

Last week I said spots 1-2-and-3 were sure things. Then No. 4 Howard beat No. 3 Marriotts Ridge. I should have known that “sure thing” comment was going to come back to bite me in the bottom. No. 9 Reservoir also rallied to beat No. 6 Atholton on a two-point conversion on a botched extra-point attempt, 15-14. Like I said, spots 6 through 9 are too close to call. There don’t appear to be any close matchups in Week 10, so this may be the final rankings, pending playoff matchups.

Speaking of playoffs, here’s the latest: River Hill and Wilde Lake in, Marriotts Ridge out, Howard and Long Reach keeping their fingers crossed. Glenelg is in fifth place in the 1A South, but plays undefeated River Hill this week. If the Gladiators could manage that monumental upset, they would have a good chance of getting in to the dance. Like last week, all games are Friday at 7.

1. (1-last week’s ranking) River Hill. (9-0, 423 points scored, 28 points allowed)

There’s not much to learn when an undefeated team beats a team that hasn’t won a game. River Hill’s streak of shutouts ended at three? Hammond’s Golden Bears can say they’re one of only four teams to score on the state champs, so that’s a feather in their cap.

Last week: Beat Hammond (0-9), 51-6. This week: home against No. 9 Glenelg (4-5).

2. (2) Wilde Lake. (8-1, 246-123)

The Wildecats have scored exactly twice as many points as they’ve allowed. I like it when things work out nice and neat like that. After some close calls earlier in the season, Wilde Lake looks strong going into the playoffs.

Last week: Beat Centennial (4-5), 28-12. This week: at No. 6 Reservoir (5-4).

3. (5) Howard. (6-3, 262-160)

I almost want to punish the Lions with a low ranking for fouling up my precious rankings, but that would be petty. Two weeks ago, they lost to Glenelg; last week, they beat Marriotts Ridge. How am I supposed to make sense of all this? They played inspired football last week, and deserve this spot. It’s also starting to look as though they’ve earned a spot in the 3A East playoffs.

Last week: Beat Marriotts Ridge (6-3), 31-21. This week: home against No. 10 Mt. Hebron (3-6).

4. (3) Marriotts Ridge. (6-3, 271-151)

I really thought they would beat Howard. They have a more dynamic offense, they’ve been solid on defense, great special teams, and it was senior night at the Ridge. I think what it came down to was Howard was playing for a playoff spot and was more motivated. The Mustangs are going to be tested again this week at Centennial.

Last week: Lost to Howard (6-3), 31-21. This week: at No. 7 Centennial (4-5).

5. (4) Long Reach. (6-3, 213-166)

The Lightning have a chance to finish the season with a five-game win streak. Right now, they are fifth in the 3A East and only one point behind Stephen Decatur. Long Reach will be rooting for Snow Hill (6-3) to beat the 5-3 Seahawks.

Last week: Beat Mt. Hebron (3-6), 35-6. This week: home against Hammond (0-9).

6. (9) Reservoir. (5-4, 134-192)

I think I owe the Gators an apology. I had them at 6, then dropped them to 9, then they proved they should have been sixth all along. I faulted them for not beating anyone above them, but they also haven’t lost to anyone now below them (thought they don’t play Glenelg this year. It’s too bad because that would be a good game.) If only their offense could score some more points to match their excellent defense.

Last week: Beat Mt. Hebron (3-5), 22-17. This week: home against No. 2 Wilde Lake (8-1)

7. (7) Centennial. (4-5, 170-197)

Aside from a one-point loss to Atholton, everything on the Eagles’ record is about what it should be — and outside of River Hill (55-0), they’ve played everyone tough. I think they’ve even have a chance to make it close with Marriotts Ridge this week (I don’t expect them to win, though).

Last week: Lost to Wilde Lake (8-1), 28-12. This week: at No. 4 Marriotts Ridge (6-3).

8. (6) Atholton. (2-7, 171-238)

Chuck Fales has to be pulling his hair out. His Raiders have now had two one-point losses (one of them to Wilde Lake) a three-point loss, and a seven-point loss. Reservoir botched what would have been a game-tying extra point on Friday, but Andy Bushong picked up the ball and ran it in for what turned out to be the game winning two-point conversion. Atholton has won only two games, and the Raiders lost to No. 10 Mt. Hebron. So why are they ranked here? They beat Centennial and Glenelg.

Last week: Lost to Reservoir (5-4), 15-14. This week: at Oakland Mills (1-8).

9. (8) Glenelg. (4-5, 232-196)

Looking at their record, their points scored and allowed, and their win over Howard, the Gladiators really should be ranked higher. Heck, if they can somehow manage to beat River Hill this week (team-wide case of food poisoning, some sort of hare-and-tortoise scheme), they’ll even make the playoffs! But there’s just no way around their decisive losses to Atholton and Centennial.

Last week: Beat Oakland Mills (1-9), 42-7. This week: at No. 1 River Hill (9-0).

10. (10) Mt. Hebron. (3-6, 149-248)

Good ol’ Mt. Hebron. The Vikings beat Hammond and Oakland Mills to earn this spot, and then they haven’t gone and messed things up by beating any of the other teams (though they did beat Atholton in mid-September). The Vikings have been close a couple times, though (Centennial, Reservoir), and I expect them to give Howard a good fight this week. They’ve got something to build on for next year.

Last week: Lost to Long Reach (6-3), 35-6. This week: at No. 3 Howard (6-3).

On the bubble: Hammond (0-9), Oakland Mills (1-8).

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Howard County — volleyball mecca

By Andrew Conrad
Posted: November 5, 2008

The scoreboard tells the story at a recent Wilde Lake volleyball match — Howard County teams are tough to beat.

Every year around early November it’s the same scene: Howard County volleyball team faces non-Howard County volleyball team in the early rounds of the playoffs and dominates. Baltimore City, Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County, Harford County … Howard County teams played representatives of all of them and the results were one-sided.

Glenelg was beating a Baltimore City school so decisively in the first round that coach Don Beall had his team stick around for an impromptu practice afterward. At one point the opponent was having so much trouble dealing with Casey Schmidt’s serve — to be fair, Schmidt’s serve is too hot to handle even for most county schools — that Beall told her to serve one out just to get another player to the line.

In Reservoir’s match against an Anne Arundel County team, things were so one-sided that coach Carole Ferrante had her team practice plays, not afterward but on the court during the match. Only three Gators made it to the line to serve before each game was over, and the team had 29 aces.

A Prince George’s County team scored 30 points total against Hammond, and 11 of them were on Hammond service errors.

What’s my point? It’s certainly not to make fun of anyone. And I’m not saying these schools shouldn’t be playing volleyball. The team that played Glenelg had six uniformed players — not a single substitute. But those six girls got to wear a team uniform, they got to take a bus ride to Western Howard County, and they got to say they were on a team.

My point is that we should be thankful for the quality of volleyball we have here in Howard County. We’ve had 22 state champions and we seem to have a handful of teams make the state tournament every single year. The Columbia Volleyball Club is considered the premier club program in the state.

So next time you see a player serve a ball into the net, a line judge blow a call, or a coach make a questionable decision, try to remember what volleyball is like in other parts of Maryland before you start shouting your fool head off.

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Football: Week 9 Power Rankings (and playoff scenarios)

By Andrew Conrad
Posted: October 31, 2008

WEEK 9 POWER RANKINGS

Glenelg over Howard. I sure didn’t see that one coming. I guess it’s like coaches always say, on any given day, any team can beat any team. I certainly can’t drop Howard below Glenelg, so I’ve had to make some tough moves. I’ve had to put some teams behind teams that they’ve beaten head-to-head. Spots 6 through 9 are the tough ones. Oh yeah, I guess I’ve got to man up and admit how wrong I was on my Wilde Lake-River Hill prediction. In case you forgot, I guessed 35-6. It was 12-0. Am I allowed to just say the rain slowed them down? No more homecoming games, so everything is Friday at 7.

1. (1-last week’s ranking) River Hill. (8-0, 372 points scored, 22 points allowed)

Nothing left to prove in this county. You can lock them into the top spot for the rest of the season.They showed that they can win a sloppy game in bad weather, which could be important in the playoffs. Five shutouts in its past six games is impressive.

Last week: Beat Wilde Lake (7-1), 12-0. This week: at Hammond (0-8).

2. (2) Wilde Lake. (7-1, 218-111)

No one likes a moral victory, but the Wildecats showed a lot by holding River Hill to 12 points. They proved that they’re one of the best teams in the state and are capable of a nice playoff run. Except for nights off against Glenelg and Atholton (combined 56 points allowed) the defense has been superb.

Last week: Lost to River Hill (8-0), 12-0. This week: home against No. 7 Centennial (4-4).

3. (3) Marriotts Ridge. (6-2, 250-120)

Even if they close out with wins against Howard and Centennial, the Mustangs may be the hard-luck team that goes 8-2 and misses the playoffs. They’re certainly deserving of the playoffs: their only losses are to River Hill and Wilde Lake, both state championship contenders. The problem is they share the ultra competitive 2A South with teams such as the aforementioned River Hill, and North Point, Gwynn Park, Patuxent, and Douglass — schools that rack up bonus points for beating larger schools with winning records. Patuxent, which sits 14 points ahead of Marriotts Ridge and currently holds the fourth and final playoff spot in the 2A South, has games against Calvert (2-6) and Great Mills (0-8) remaining.

Last week: Beat Atholton (2-6), 42-22. This week: home against No. 5 Howard (5-3).

4. (5) Long Reach. (5-3, 178-160)

Long Reach is on a roll and shouldn’t have too much trouble finishing the season 7-3. The only thing that might hurt them in their attempt to make the playoffs is that their two remaining opponents have only three wins worth of bonus points available. Trying to play out all these scenarios gives me a headache though, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

Last week: Beat Oakland Mills (1-7), 49-21. This week: at No. 10 Mt. Hebron (3-5).

5. (4) Howard. (5-3, 231-139)

Yes, yes, I know Howard bludgeoned Long Reach, but that was in week three and anything can happen in a rivalry game. Long Reach’s only other two losses are to River Hill and Wilde Lake. Howard, meanwhile has lost to Centennial and Glenelg. Curiously, with a win this week over Marriotts Ridge, and its six wins worth of bonus points, the Lions would make a strong burst in a tight and wide open playoff race in the 3A East. That discrepancy should make the Mustangs very eager to play the spoiler.

Last week: Lost to Glenelg (3-5), 17-14. This week: at No. 3 Marriotts Ridge (6-2).

6. (8) Atholton. (2-6, 157-223)

Quite a jump for a team that lost, I know, but 6 through 9 are a mystery. Why are they here? They don’t get to play Hammond, which Centennial, Glenelg, and Reservoir all did. They lost three games by a TD or less (two to Howard and Wilde Lake). And they beat Glenelg by two touchdowns only two weeks ago. Now can they defend this spot against Reservoir, close out the season with consecutive wins, and take some promise into next season?

Last week: Lost to Marriotts Ridge (3-3), 27-12. This week: home against No. 9 Reservoir (4-4).

7. (7) Centennial. (4-4, 158-169)

The Eagles may have had their last fun of the season beating up on hapless Hammond. Now they’ve got Wilde Lake and Marriotts Ridge coming up. But they beat Howard and Glenelg, won the Holshue Cup, and broke the school record for rushing yards in a game. Not a bad first campaign for Ken Senisi.

Last week: Beat Hammond (0-8), 48-12. This week: at No. 2 Wilde Lake (7-1).

8. (9) Glenelg. (3-5, 190-189)

Just when I thought I had this thing figured out, Glenelg had to go and mess it all up. I had them up higher earlier in the season, but then they lost to Centennial and Atholton. Glenelg’s win over Howard was big, but Centennial has also beaten the Lions, and Atholton lost by just a field goal.

Last week: Beat Howard (5-3), 17-14. This week: home against Oakland Mills (1-7).

9. (6) Reservoir. (4-4, 119-178)

I hate to drop Reservoir this far after a win, but aside from their shutout of Centennial in week two, they haven’t beaten anyone above them. I’m starting to feel like No. 10 could beat No. 4 on the right day. The only sure thing in these rankings is 1, 2, and 3. If the Gators fall to Atholton this week we could finish the season with four teams that are 4-6. In the NFL, they love to call that “parity.”

Last week: Beat Mt. Hebron (3-5), 22-17. This week: at No. 6 Atholton (2-6)

10. (10) Mt. Hebron. (3-5, 143-213)

I made the Vikes my upset pick of the week last week. I was wrong: it was Glenelg. But Mt. Hebron came close, falling by six points to then No. 6 Reservoir. They’ve done some good things this season.

Last week: Lost to Reservoir (4-4), 22-17. This week: home against No. 4 Long Reach (5-3).

On the bubble: Hammond (0-8), Oakland Mills (1-7).

Stat of the week: Oakland Mills has allowed exactly 49 points in three straight weeks. All they had to do was score 50 each time and they’d have three wins.

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30-second Time out with …

By Brent Kennedy
Posted: October 30, 2008

Glenelg’s Matt Philie

… Matt Philie, Glenelg senior golfer.

Philie put it all together at the state golf tournament last week, shooting back-to-back rounds of 79 and 76 to finish fifth individually. His 155 total also helped lead the Gladiators to a second-place finish as a team in the 1A/2A classification. During the last three years, with Philie leading as its top player, Glenelg has one first-place and two second-place finishes at the season-ending tournament.

TV show I can’t miss: The Office, SNL

Lowest 18-hole score you ever shot: 68

What’s harder, real golf or mini golf?: Real golf

How many holes-in-one do you think you’ll make in your life? 8, even though I have 0 now

Best movie I saw recently: Pineapple Express was pretty funny

Hardest class you ever took: AP English

When I grow up I want to: graduate from West Point while playing on the golf team, serve in the army, then find a good job that gives me time to golf

Pepsi or Coke: Pepsi over Coke, but Mountain Dew is the best

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Football: Week 8 power rankings

By Andrew Conrad
Posted: October 24, 2008

No big movers in the rankings this week. The only “upset” was Atholton over free-falling Glenelg, so those two swap positions at Nos. 8 and 9.

But who cares about 3 through 10 this week! The only thing anyone wants to talk about is the battle for No. 1 on Saturday, when No. 2 Wilde Lake travels to No. 1 River Hill. Howard County has football fever!

After watching both teams play several times, I just can’t see River Hill losing. But I’ve been wrong before, and Wilde Lake has been playing up or down to its competition this season. A Wilde Lake win would have to be considered one of the biggest upsets in county history.

The forecast is calling for rain, which could have an effect on the game. Probably not on the outcome, though. Scoring predictions are in vogue these days, so here goes: River Hill 35, Wilde Lake 6.

1. (last week’s ranking: 1) River Hill (7-0, 360 points scored, 22 points allowed)

If there was any doubt about their strength, the Hawks showed they’re the real deal with a 41-0 shutout of a rock-solid Marriotts Ridge. Michael Campanaro and Malek Redd are approaching playoff speed, and the defense is crashing through opposing lines as if they’re not there.

Last week: Beat Marriotts Ridge (5-2), 41-0. This week: home against No. 2 Wilde Lake (7-0), Saturday at 1 (homecoming).

2. (2) Wilde Lake (7-0, 218-99)

The Wildecats have some of the best athletes in the county, but they could use an inspirational speech from alumnus Jimmy Traber before playing River Hill. Longtime coach Doug DuVall should come up with something pretty good, too. Either way, it’s going to take an exceptional performance to beat the Hawks.

Last week: Beat Oakland Mills (1-6), 49-7. This week: at No. 1 River Hill (7-0), Saturday at 1.

3. (3) Marriotts Ridge (5-2, 208-98)

The Mustangs have to bounce back from a humbling loss to River Hill and get some swagger again if they hope to win out and make the playoffs for the first time. They shouldn’t have too much trouble beating Atholton, but Howard next week will be a real test and a ticket to the playoffs could be on the line.

Last week: Lost to River Hill (7-0), 41-0. This week: home against No. 8 Atholton (2-5), Friday at 7.

4. (4) Howard (5-2, 217-122)

Looked strong against Reservoir. The big test will be Marriotts Ridge on Halloween night. A win there would knock the Mustangs out in the 2A South, while Howard, which doesn’t have to play River Hill this season, could still get in to the 3A East playoffs.

Last week: Beat Reservoir (3-4), 26-8. This week: home against No. 9 Glenelg (2-5), Saturday at 2 (homecoming).

5. (5) Long Reach (4-3, 129-139)

The Lightning got the big win they needed against Centennial and are poised to run the table. They’re sixth in the MPSSAA points standings, and only two points out of fourth, so if they can stay focused, three straight wins should give them a strong shot at getting in.

Last week: Beat Centennial (3-4), 14-7. This week: home against Oakland Mills (1-6), Friday at 7.

6. (6) Reservoir. (3-4, 97-161)

The Gators have good size and strength, but they seem to lack that extra burst of team speed and athleticism to knock off the playoff contenders.

Last week: Lost to Howard (5-2), 26-8. This week: home against No. 10 Mt. Hebron (3-4), Saturday at 1 (homecoming).

7. (7) Centennial. (3-4, 110-157)

The Eagles couldn’t pull the upset they needed to keep their playoff hopes alive. Now they’ll try to play spoilers against Wilde Lake and Marriotts Ridge in the final two weeks of the season.

Last week: Lost to Long Reach (4-3), 14-7. This week: at Hammond (0-7), Friday at 7.

8. (9) Atholton. (2-5, 135-181)

It appears the Raiders are finally starting to wake up to their preseason promise. Now the question is, can the confidence gained from beating Glenelg help them make a run at Marriotts Ridge? Looking back at their schedule they’re only a hop, skip and a jump away from being a 5-2 team… (I know, last week I also said they could be winless. Both scenarios were very possible. That’s why high school football is so exciting!)

Last week: Beat Glenelg (2-5), 28-14. This week: at No. 3 Marriotts Ridge (5-2), Friday at 7.

9. (8) Glenelg (2-5, 173-175)

The Gladiators finally slipped into the negative on the points-for, points-against margin and still have to play Howard and River Hill. Wheels are officially off.

Last week: Lost to Atholton (2-5), 28-14. This week: at No. 4 Howard (5-2), Saturday at 2.

10. (10) Mt. Hebron (3-4, 126-191)

Even without Jackson Jordan (torn anterior and medial collateral ligaments in Week 1), the Vikings have hung in there. Junior quarterback Clint Huber is getting more comfortable on the field and developing rapport with wide receiver Spencer Wilkins. Mt. Hebron at Reservoir on Saturday is my upset special of the week. (I’m not saying it’s GOING to happen, I’m just saying if there is an upset, this will be it…)

Last week: Beat Hammond (0-7), 25-8. This week: at No. 6 Reservoir (3-4), Saturday at 1.

On the bubble: Hammond (0-7), Oakland Mills (1-6).

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