Members of a local youth football team are still fuming about a field goal that decided which team advanced in the Mid-Maryland Youth Football and Cheer League 11-13 playoffs.

The game in question was between Reisterstown and the Western Howard County Warhawks and was played Nov. 7 at Reisterstown Regional Park. The contest was scoreless until near the very end when Reisterstown attempted a field goal.

The jubilation by the Warhawks and their fans made it clear that they thought the kick was wide of its mark, some claim by an awful lot, but the official ruled that it was good. That judgment knocked the Warhawks out of the playoffs and sent Reisterstown to the next round.

Needless to say the field goal call left a bad taste in the mouths of the Warhawks, who offer video evidence to prove their point. From their perspective, the field goal wasn't good and the game should have gone into overtime.

Warhawks coach Tom Shewell feels that his team has been robbed and that, at the very least, another game should have been played to determine a winner without a controversial call.

League commissioner Mike Milani says he feels badly that the game ended in controversy.

"We follow the high school federation rules, and that means no replays and no additional game. We follow those rules and the rules clearly state that the call by the officials on the field is final," he said.

Some of those associated with the Warhawks want the game officials fired. Mike told me the league is already short on officials and that he can't throw the officials who were working that game under the bus.

He has no choice but to accept the ruling on the field. Mike can't change the rules as they currently stand for every disputed call. If he did, the league would fall into total chaos.

At some point, we all learn that life is not always fair.

Glenelg grad earns Div. III honor

Lauriann Parker, a freshman at St. Mary's College of Maryland, has been named to the 2009 Longstreth/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III All-South Region second team. The Glenelg High School graduate has had a stellar season. A week ago, she was named Capital Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, becoming the first Seahawks player to earn that honor since the award began in 1997.

Lauriann led St. Mary's in scoring (13 goals) and she set a single season school record for points (31).

Marvels kick off season

The Maryland Marvels, a new team in the American Basketball Association, begin their season with a home opener Nov. 29 at the Severn School, their home court. The game begins at 5 p.m. The Marvels have strong Howard County ties. Not only is Howard High's varsity coach Kevin McDuffie the team's assistant coach, but three of the players went to Howard County high schools. Rogers Barnes and Kyle Sullivan went to River Hill and Anthony Breland went to Oakland Mills.

McKenzie playing well at Loyola

Oakland Mills graduate Miriam McKenzie, who played in just nine games as a freshman at Loyola University, is making it hard for the Greyhounds to keep her out of the lineup this year. She had a career-high 23 points and five rebounds in Loyola's season opener, which was her first start. Then she collected 21 points and 10 rebounds in her next game, a 63-45 win over Army.

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