MORE PLAYOFF COVERAGE

Wilde Lake wins 3A East championship

Former player reflects on life under Wilde Lake coach Doug DuVall

River Hill wins 2A South crown

Playoff scores, schedules

The Class 3A state semifinal round will feature two of the most successful programs in Maryland.

In his 15th season at Hereford, coach Steve Turnbaugh has won three state championships. His Bulls have missed the playoffs only twice since 1996.

"We're going against a legend," Turnbaugh said of Wilde Lake coach Doug DuVall, who plans to retire after this season, his 35th at the varsity level.

The Wildecats have won five state titles, but the last one came 11 years ago, so DuVall would love to go out on top.

"Doug's team has a lot to play for, they're highly motivated," Turnbaugh said of his longtime friend.

"It's his last year, we want to make him proud," Wilde Lake senior quarterback Danny March confirmed.

This will be the first meeting between Hereford and Wilde Lake, according to Turnbaugh. The game is set for Friday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. at Wilde Lake.

The Wildecats (11-1) beat Fallston, 39-15, in the 3A East title game to advance. Hereford (10-2) beat Milford Mill, 41-14, to win the North Region crown.

Hereford is led on offense by running backs Nick DePaola and Hasani Cromwell and junior quarterback David Wood.

Turnbaugh says his team runs a similar offense to defending 2A state champ River Hill with "almost identical plays ... but we don't have a (Mike) Campanaro."

Speaking of Campanaro, River Hill will look to use another healthy dose of its star running back against Century in its Class 2A state semifinal.

River Hill (12-0) won its 26th straight game with a 21-6 win over Frederick Douglass, of Prince George's County, in the 2A South title game. Century (12-0) beat Middletown, 41-0, to win the West Region.

Century, which opened in 2000, is in the football playoffs for the first time.

"I expect (River Hill) to try to get the ball in the hands of their athletes," Century coach Tony Shermeyer said. "If (Campanaro) gets the ball out in the flat it's going to be tough to stop him. We're going to try to stop their running game and make sure No. 5 (Campanaro) is accounted for."

Century is led by running back Cory Anderlik, quarterback Josh Bordner and receiver Luke Wright. Those same players lead the defense.

The game will be played Friday, Nov. 28 at River Hill at 7 p.m.

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