Dan Makosy has coached enough football over the years to know about the myth of moral victories. His team's 0-3 record is exactly what it is. But he also knows that his team is much better than the Hammond team that went winless in 2007 and 2008.

"These kids at Hammond haven't won in 2 1/2 years. ... There are some kids on this team that have never won a football game, JV or varsity," Makosy said. "They've lost two heartbreakers, they could be 2-1 right now."

While losing close games isn't worth much, the quality of Hammond's opponents so far makes the scores of the games striking.

In Week 1, Makosy's debut as Hammond head coach, the Bears fell, 41-6, at River Hill to the two-time defending state champion that was riding a 29-game win streak. But in Week 2, Hammond lost by one point to Long Reach, which went 7-3 in 2008. Then last week, the Bears had a chance to beat Wilde Lake, a 2008 state finalist and five-time state champion.

Another missed extra point and a late fumble -- Wilde Lake scored the game-winning touchdown with 18 seconds left -- cost Hammond the win.

Now, after going through that threree-game meat grinder, Hammond faces an opponent on the other end of the spectrum. Oakland Mills, who the Bears will visit Saturday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m., won only one game last year: against Hammond on a last-second field goal.

"We're playing five Saturdays in the next six weeks, everybody that could possibly make us their homecoming game did, and we're pretty pissed about that," Makosy said. "We want to ruin homecoming for some teams."

Hammond will look to freshman tailback Dionte Jones, who scored twice against Wilde Lake, and senior quarterback Anton Haynes, who has accounted for the team's other three touchdowns. Hammond defensive back Matt Stephenson should also be in on some big plays.

The Scorpions have been outscored, 100-20, so far this season.

Like Makosy, Oakland Mills coach Jimmy DiPietro will also be trying for his first win as head coach at his school.

"(Hammond has) been looking great the past couple weeks. I anticipate a good rivalry game," DiPietro said.

The Scorpions have a dangerous passing attack, led by junior quarterback Jarod Montoya and receivers Neko Rynn-Mason and Terrence Drew.

Gage Ealey is the key cog in the Oakland Mills defense.

Howard at Reservoir and Mt. Hebron at River Hill are the only two games Friday, Sept. 25. River Hill has picked up where it left off in 2008, with three wins and two shutouts through three weeks, but will face a Mt. Hebron team with a vaunted aerial attack. The Vikings have already scored 96 points -- second only to River Hill's 105.

On Saturday, Atholton will try to protect its undefeated record at Wilde Lake in another intriguing match-up.

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