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BALTIMORE -- Doug DuVall is a football coach. He has won more than 300 games in the past 36 years. But he's lost some, too -- 65, to be exact. After Thursday's 13-0 loss to Westlake in the Class 3A state championship game at M&T Bank Stadium, this old coach knows that the best lessons are learned after losses.

"It's tough when you lose to come in and have to face the cameras. It's easy when you win. They've had their share of wins and I hope they take that into life," DuVall said. "I wish for them more than anything that we had won it, but you know what, in life you don't win every time you go out."

The game came down to two big plays, both made by Westlake (12-2).

In the second quarter, Wilde Lake (12-2) punted to Westlake's Devon Smith, who returned it 88 yards for the first score and a 7-0 Wolverines' lead. Smith was the fastest sprinter in any classification at the 2008 outdoor track state championship meet.

DuVall said that all week in practice, the plan was to not punt to No. 2. But this one got away and into his hands.

"I was very surprised. Once I saw that ball up in the air I said I know I've got to take this home for my family, my team," Smith said. "As soon as I caught the ball, I just saw daylight and I got up to speed breaking down that sideline."

Wilde Lake was still in striking distance of the lead until late in the third quarter when junior running back Antoine Reese broke through a few tackles on the way to a 66-yard scoring run. The Wildecats virtually shut down the Penn State-bound Smith, but Reese was able to find holes to run through.

"He's the home-run hitter. I'm usually the guy they use that grinds it out, maybe I'll pop one every once in awhile," said Reese, who rushed for 127 of his team's 160 yards. "I just had to keep my feet moving, I saw the hole close up a little, but I kept my feet moving. I saw (Smith) right there (blocking downfield) so I knew I was going to score."

Quarterback Danny March led the Wildecats in rushing, picking up 63 of the team's 157 yards it gained on the ground. Jerrel Epps had 43 and Christian Hough added 42 for Wilde Lake. The Wildecats also had more first downs than Westlake, 11-5.

Defensively, E.J. Gilman and Desmond Floyd led Wilde Lake with five solo tackles each. The Wildecats also recovered two Westlake fumbles. Evan Harris had a game-high seven tackles for Westlake.

It was not only DuVall's last game with Wilde Lake, but also the last game for his seniors, who got to play the final game of their high school careers in an NFL stadium. They also got to learn a lesson that they wouldn't have if they had won.

"It would have been better if we would have won, but you can't get everything you want in life," said March, who was 4-for-16 for 28 yards passing.

For more on this game, read Thursday's editions of the Howard County Times and the Columbia Flier.

Nate Sandstrom contributed to this report.

CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
WESTLAKE 13, WILDE LAKE 0
Westlake (12-2)       7  0  6  0  --  13
Wilde Lake (12-2)    0  0  0  0  --    0
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
West - Smith 88 punt return (Koster kick), 2:01
Third Quarter
West - Reese 66 run (kick failed), 0:34

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