There are three undefeated teams left in Howard County, and two of them play Friday, Oct. 9 as River Hill travels to Glenelg.

River Hill had an uncharacteristically close game last week, defeating Howard, 30-15. Howard closed the score to 23-15 at one point in the fourth quarter on a 30-yard run and conversion by A.J. Bonavitacola. But Glenelg coach Butch Schaffer does not smell any blood in the water.

"River Hill is obviously a tremendous team, the best team in our county. We're going to have our hands full. We have to hope to take advantage of some mistakes ... but they usually never (make mistakes)," he said.

With a variety of offensive weapons -- Kevin Johnson, Brent Kluge, quarterback Harry McLaughlin, Thomas Neuberth, and Nick Bonhag to name a few -- and the best defense in the county, the Hawks are still king of the hill.

Over the past two years, River Hill has had Glenelg's number, shutting out the Gladiators, 41-0, in last year's regular season finale, and blanking Glenelg, 35-0, in Week 3 of 2007.

In the second week of 2006, however, Glenelg gave River Hill its closest game of the season, falling just short, 13-9. River Hill then went on a playoff run which ended with a loss to Friendly in the 3A state championship game. After that loss, River Hill started a 33-game winning streak that they carries into this week.

Glenelg also made the playoffs in 2006, but fell in the 2A South opening round. It was their last playoff appearance.

With five wins already, Glenelg is currently in second place in the 2A South MPSSAA points standings, but its second-half schedule includes games against River Hill (5-0), Wilde Lake (3-2), Long Reach (4-1) and Atholton (5-0).

The Gladiators have been getting excellent offensive production from the running back tandem of senior Shannon Maura (171 yards last week) and junior Colin Osborne (eight touchdowns in five games). Senior quarterback Gage Trawick, who threw four touchdown passes in a Week 2 win, has been guiding the offense.

"They've got two of the best running backs in the county, and a good quarterback with a strong arm," River Hill coach Brian Van Deusen said. "It's going to be a big game, both for the county championship (race), and playoff points."

The Glenelg defense has allowed 12 points per game, second only to River Hill's 6.8.

"We're looking forward to (playing River Hill), hopefully we'll make it a game," Schaffer said. "It's going to be a test."

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