Game of the Week

Mike Harrison isn't getting much time to ease into the role of Wilde Lake head coach.

In its season opener Sept. 4, his team played Marriotts Ridge, which won seven games in 2008, and now he gets to face off against defending Class 2A state champion River Hill, which is going for its 30th consecutive win. The game will be played Sept. 11 at Wilde Lake at 7 p.m.

Wilde Lake lost only two games last year: to River Hill in the regular season and to Westlake in the 3A state championship game, both by 12-0 scores.

Other games in the county Friday include Howard at Atholton, Glenelg at Oakland Mills, Marriotts Ridge at Mt. Hebron, Long Reach at Hammond. All are 7 p.m. starts. On Saturday, Sept. 12, Reservoir is at Centennial for a 7 p.m. contest.

River Hill opened its season with a 41-6 win over Hammond, which was 0-10 in 2008.

River Hill will look to running backs Kevin Johnson and Kevin Moore for the bulk of their offense, although new quarterback Harry McLaughlin tossed touchdown passes to Jeremy Ogorzalek, Nick Bonhag and Johnson against Hammond, showing that the offense is capable of throwing and catching the ball as well.

But, River Hill coach Brian Van Deusen said, "We (only) threw the ball four times, we're still a run-first team."

Wilde Lake will be led by running backs E.J. Gilman, Christian Hough and Khalil Vierra, who did not play football last year, but broke out in Week 1 with 117 yards and two touchdowns.

"We've got ourselves a nice little rotation going at running back," Harrison said.

Although the Wildecats have a number of talented runners, they may pass the ball a little more than the typical Wilde Lake team. Junior quarterback Joe Kelly was 3-for-5 on pass attempts against Marriotts Ridge.

"He probably texted (2008 quarterback) Danny March laughing at him because he got to throw the ball five times, when sometimes Danny only got to throw it once," Harrison said.

River Hill has won the past five meetings. Wilde Lake last won in 2003, a 22-14 decision in overtime. Wilde Lake still owns a 7-6 lead in the rivalry, having outscored the Hawks, 247-176.

Last year's game was played in Week 8 and essentially decided the county champion. With this year's game coming in Week 2, neither coach is ready to assign it that type of significance.

"This year there are several other teams that can challenge for (the county title)," Van Deusen said.

But even though the weather could be be in the mid-60s, the game will likely have a late autumn feel to it.

"The way we're dealing with our kids is, it's Wilde Lake-River Hill," Harrison said. "It's becoming a big rivalry."

For an in-depth look at the River Hill-Wilde Lake rivalry since it began in 1996 and coverage after Friday's games, go to www.explorehoward.com.

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