Football: Week 7 power rankings

By Andrew Conrad
Posted: October 16, 2008

Five of this weekend’s games are between teams that are separated by two spots or less in the power rankings. Only No. 2 Wilde Lake, which is at unranked Oakland Mills, seems like an easy pick. With all those possible upsets, I’m as nervous as a camper in a cheap tent as a thunderstorm approaches: Will my power rankings hold up, or will they be full of holes by next week? We’ll just have to see…

Week 6 saw a big upset as then-No. 9 Centennial knocked off then-No. 6 Glenelg with a tour de force from the ground game: a school record 472 yards. How high did the Eagles climb and how far did the Gladiators tumble? Read on to find out…

1. (1*) River Hill. (6-0, 319 points scored, 22 points allowed)

The Hawks continue to roll, posting 55 points against the league’s sixth-ranked defense, but now they enter the meat of their schedule, with No. 3 Marriotts Ridge and No. 2 Wilde Lake over the next two weeks. I don’t expect them to lose this spot, but stranger things have happened…

Last week: Beat Reservoir (3-3), 55-0. This week: home against No. 3 Marriotts Ridge (5-1), Friday at 7.

2. (2) Wilde Lake. (6-0, 169-92)

The Wildecats finally got the dominant performance against a quality opponent they’ve been looking for, beating the surging Lions by a two-touchdown cushion. Everything is still in line for the Wildecats to face River Hill for the county championship Oct. 25.

Last week: Beat Howard (4-2), 27-13. This week: at Oakland Mills (1-5), Friday at 7.

3. (3) Marriotts Ridge. (5-1, 208-57)

It should be noted that the Mustangs’ No. 2-ranked defense has allowed 38 points over the last two weeks, including 18 to the 12th-ranked offense. But the Mustangs’ offense continues to produce, posting 76 points in that same span. As close as they played Wilde Lake in Week 4, they can run with anyone, as they’ll look to do against the defending state champs Friday night.

Last week: Beat Hammond (0-6), 48-18. This week: at No. 1 River Hill (6-0), Friday at 7.

4. (4) Howard. (4-2, 191-114)

The Lions stayed with Wilde Lake for 24 minutes, then succumbed to the ‘Cats’ running game after halftime. Mark Covington continues to impress, scoring one of his two touchdowns on the opening kickoff return. That pesky Week 1 loss to Centennial could keep them out of the playoffs, though.

Last week: Lost to Wilde Lake (5-1), 27-13. This week: home against No. 6 Reservoir (3-3), Saturday at 2**.

5. (5) Long Reach. (3-3, 115-132)

Don’t look now, but the Lightning’s remaining schedule is all lower-ranked teams. If they can get past Centennial this week, they have a good chance to run the table against No. 10 Mt. Hebron, unranked Oakland Mills and Hammond. A 7-3 record could be good enough to get into the playoffs in the 3A East.

Last week: Beat Atholton (1-5), 27-12. This week: at No. 7 Centennial (3-3), Saturday at 1.

6. (7) Reservoir. (3-3, 89-135)

The Gators’ above-average defense took a blow against River Hill, but they’ll need those guys to play confident if they hope to shut down the Lions high-powered running game.

Last week: Lost to River Hill (6-0), 55-0. This week: at No. 4 Howard (4-2), Saturday at 2.

7. (9) Centennial. (3-3, 103-143)

The Eagles were a juggernaut in Week 6, rumbling over Glenelg for a school-record 472 rushing yards. Can they keep it up against a beefy Long Reach defensive line? I know they lost to Atholton in Week 4, but evidence would suggest that was an anomaly.

Last week: Beat Glenelg (2-4), 42-21. This week: home against No. 5 Long Reach (3-3), Saturday at 1**.

8. (6) Glenelg. (2-4, 159-147)

I was impressed by a few things: their strong finish in ’07, their close losses to high-ranked teams and their positive PF-PA ratio. But I guess I ignored the most important stat: They’ve only beaten No. 10 Mt. Hebron and unranked Hammond.

Last week: Lost to Centennial (3-3), 42-21. This week: home against No. 7 Atholton (1-5), Saturday at 1:30**.

9. (8) Atholton. (1-5, 107-167)

The Raiders are wondering, “When do we get to the easy part of our schedule?” They’ve already played the No. 1, 2, 4 and 5 teams, and they still have No. 3 to look forward to. They also seem to get everyone else’s best effort. It would not be a farfetched scenario for Atholton to be winless right now.

Last week: Lost to Long Reach (3-3), 27-12. This week: at No. 8 Glenelg (2-4), Saturday at 1:30.

10. (9) Mt. Hebron. (2-4, 101-183)

The Vikings defended their position in the Top 10 with a 49-12 win against unranked Oakland Mills, making for a tidy separation between the Top 10 and the bubble teams. Thanks, guys! You could make the case they should be No. 9, since they beat the Raiders, but these last four teams are all tight, and I’ve got to go with my gut.

Last week: Beat Oakland Mills (1-5), 49-12. This week: home against Hammond (0-6), Saturday at 2:15**.

On the bubble: Hammond (0-6), Oakland Mills (1-5).

* Last week’s ranking
** Homecoming

Comment on this entry • No responses

30-second Time Out with …

By Brent Kennedy
Posted: October 16, 2008

… Matt Seinfeld, Wilde Lake boys soccer senior midfielder.

One of the team’s captains, Matt Seinfeld has been a big reason why Wilde Lake has produced a 7-3 county record (8-3 overall) so far this season. Already committed to the Virginia Military Institute to play soccer next fall, he has excelled offensively and defensively. Against Hammond on Oct. 15, Seinfeld scored the game-winning goal on a penalty kick with 15 minutes left in the second half of what turned out to be a 2-1 Wildecat victory. A day earlier, he helped the Wilde Lake defense shut out Oakland Mills, 2-0.

TV show I can’t miss: SportsCenter
Best on-field moment: Winning state cup
Favorite pre-game song: Heart of a Champion -Nelly
Hobby no one knows that I currently or used to have: Playing Ping-Pong
If you weren’t playing soccer, what sport would you play?: Tennis
Top professional athlete role model: Tiger Woods
Favorite movie of all time: Animal House
Hardest class you ever took: Economics AP
When I grow up I want to: Play professional soccer
Pepsi or Coke: Coke

Got an idea for a ‘30-second Time Out’ question? Know a local athlete who would be an ideal candidate for a ‘30-second Time Out?’ Send your suggestions to the sports staff at howardcountysports@patuxent.com.

Comment on this entry • No responses

Coaching against familiar faces

By Brent Kennedy
Posted: October 15, 2008

Some interesting side stories have developed during the final week of the regular season for the River Hill boys soccer coaching staff.

Head coach Matt Shagogue has ties to both of the Hawks’ final two opponents, Reservoir and Howard. Shagogue is a full-time teacher at Reservoir and has taught several of the players on the Gators’ squad. He also is a graduate of Howard High School and played on the Lions’ soccer team.

His assistant coach, Derrick Jameson, also graduated from and played for Howard. Jameson was a second-team all-county goalie in 2001 for the Lions.

“I pull for those two (programs) every game except for when we play them,” Shagogue said. “It’s been especially nice to see the kids at Reservoir do so well this year, because they’re great kids and Ivan (Croft) is a great coach who really has put in a lot of time to get that program off the ground.”

River Hill did end up beating Reservoir, 4-0, on Oct. 14 to hand the Gators their fourth loss of the season, but Croft has already led his team to its best year in the school’s brief history.

That win, coupled with a Mt. Hebron loss to Atholton, enabled the Hawks to clinch a spot in the county championship game against Marriotts Ridge on Oct. 21. The teams met on Oct. 7 and the Mustangs won, 3-1.

A win over Howard on Oct. 16 would give River Hill some momentum.

Comment on this entry • No responses

30-second Time Out with …

By Andrew Conrad
Posted: October 14, 2008

… Sam Brostrom, Centennial sophomore outside hitter.

Brostrom has led the undefeated Eagles with 46 kills, 11 aces, and 50 digs going into October. Those numbers do not include the Eagles’ tournament championship at the Bulldog Invitational, a tournament at North Caroline High that includes private schools and is considered the toughest tournament in the state. As a freshman, Brostrom was named second team all-county and recorded 149 kills, fifth in the county. Centennial has yet to drop a game in a dual-match play. Centennial is 10-0 this week heading into matches with River Hill (9-1), Catonsville (9-1), and Wilde Lake (9-1).

* TV show I can’t miss: Lost

* Favorite pre-game locker room song: Let it Rock, Kevin Rudolf

* Best on court moment: Beating Mount de Sales to win the Bulldog tournament

* Best movie I saw recently: The Dark Knight

* Top professional athlete role model: Misty May Treanor

* Hardest class you ever took: This year’s English 10 Honors

* When I grow up I want to: work in pharmacy or physical therapy

Got an idea for a ‘30-second Time Out’ question? Know a local athlete who would be an ideal candidate for a ‘30-second Time Out?’ Send your suggestions to the sports staff at howardcountysports@patuxent.com.

Comment on this entry • No responses

30-second Time Out with…

By Brent Kennedy
Posted: October 13, 2008

…Sean Heintzelman, Reservoir senior golfer.

Heintzelman burst onto the golf scene this season after first picking up a club just over a year ago. He put together a round of 43 points to tie for seventh at the county tournament. Two days later, on Oct. 3, he fired a 76 to finish sixth at the District V tournament and qualify for states as an individual.

TV show I can’t miss: That 70s Show
Lowest 18-hole score you ever shot: 71
What’s harder, real golf or mini golf?: mini golf
How many holes-in-one do you think you’ll make in your life?: 3
Best movie I saw recently: Tommy Boy
Hardest class you ever took: English 12 Honors
When I grow up I want to: Live in Arizona and be an Engineer
Pepsi or Coke: Sprite

Note: 30-second Time Out with local high school athletes will be featured in Sidelines throughout the season.

Comment on this entry • No responses