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(Enlarge) Atholton senior Matt Robinson was a double threat all season for the Raiders. He caught 39 passes for 792 yards and nine touchdowns and had four games of 100 yards or more on offense while collecting 75 tackles and four sacks on defense. (Staff photo by Drew Anthony Smith)

Since the start of the school year, Atholton senior Matt Robinson has been photographed by this publication for the football preview, the basketball preview and now, as the Columbia Flier/Howard County Times defensive Player of the Year, the football all-county story. If there ever was a Big Man on Campus, it would be Matt Robinson. Yet it hasn't led to a big head.

"Matt is a product of good parents and a good family," Atholton's first-year coach Kyle Schmitt said. "He's a great role model. He has a lot of respect from his teammates and classmates."

Schmitt noticed that Robinson was one of the first players in the weight room this offseason. A 6-foot-4, 215-pounder coming in early to lift weights?

"Matt had a world of potential, not just as an athlete, but just the desire," Schmitt said. "As a first year coach, he's kind of the dream kid."

Once the season started, Robinson's potential began to become realized.

In the season opener against Reservoir, Robinson blocked a punt and fellow senior Ryan Raines recovered the ball and ran it into the end zone for a touchdown. Three games later, against Wilde Lake, Robinson caught eight passes for 170 yards and a touchdown and more importantly, returned a fumble 39 yards for a touchdown with just over a minute left to seal the 34-30 win. It was only the fourth time in 30 years Atholton had beaten Wilde Lake. That was the moment Robinson realized this team was special.

"We really took care of business," Robinson said. "No one expected us to do that much and we used that as motivation."

That win led to four more in a row, and a Week 9 battle with River Hill between two 8-0 teams for the county title.

Robinson caught touchdown passes of 90 and 80 yards to help his team take a 14-7 halftime lead. River Hill rallied to win and the loss is still bitter for Robinson. But he'll always remember the feeling of catching the ball in the open field, opening his stride, and not looking back until he had crossed the goal line.

"Running into the end zone, it was nice hearing our sideline cheering instead of River Hill's," Robinson said. "Morale was high (at halftime). We were excited."

Robinson caught 39 passes for 792 yards and nine touchdowns. He had four games of 100 yards or more.

"Doubling him didn't always make a difference, and he kind of demanded double coverage," Schmitt said. "He was our X-factor."

On defense, Robinson made 75 tackles and had four sacks. He sealed a win over Glenelg in the regular season finale by breaking up a pass on the goal line.

"At times, Matt was almost more of an impact on defense than on offense," Schmitt said.

Growing up, Robinson's love was basketball and up until last year, his springs were spent playing AAU hoops. But this season is when football finally captured all of his attention.

"It's pretty much taken over. This year has been really enjoyable, reaping all the benefits of my hard work," said Robinson, who is headed for the University of Maryland next season. "I still have goals to work for, for Maryland. It's the start of a new chapter," he said. "I just want to earn a spot on the team."

Named to the all-county first-team are:

Line

Demetri Dennis, Reservoir. Dennis made 58 tackles, with 15 for loss and added seven sacks for the Gators.

He was also a bruising runner for Reservoir, and specialized in coming up big in short yardage situations.

Thomas Erdman, River Hill. Erdman was a disruptive force and was recognized as the first team defensive player of the year by the county's coaches.

"He was really someone defensively that you had to game plan around," coach Brian Van Deusen said.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound captain set a school record with 24 tackles for loss and tied a school mark with 10 sacks. On defense, he recovered four fumbles, one for a touchdown.

Trey Jackson, Howard. A Towson University recruit, Jackson played in the Maryland Crab Bowl all-star game.

He made 62 tackles (35 solo), had 15 sacks, and had one interception.

"We sometimes (even) dropped him back into coverage," coach Bruce Strunk said.

Zach McHugh, Centennial. Only a junior, McHugh already stands 6-foot-3 and weighs nearly 300 pounds.

"He's got great feet and a lot of hustle," coach Ken Senisi said.

McHugh had 34 tackles (20 solo) and three sacks.

Greg Meighen, Wilde Lake. Meighen made 36 solo tackles and assisted on 25 more, had three sacks and recovered two fumbles after not playing defense a year ago.

"We weren't really sure what to expect. He exceeded all of our expectations," coach Mike Harrison said.

On offense, he caught a team-high 10 passes for 156 yards as tight end.

Linebackers

Wayne Emerson, River Hill. At 5-foot-9 and 225 pounds, Emerson led the Hawks with 125 total tackles (67 solo). He also had two interceptions and a rushing touchdown on offense.

"He really did well for us for his first year on the team, he exceeded all expectations," coach Brian Van Deusen said.

E.J. Gilman, Wilde Lake. Gilman, a junior, had a team-high 88 tackles (60 solo), forced three fumbles, made an interception and was a team captain. On offense, he had more than 1,000 all-purpose yards, with 785 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.

"We're thrilled that E.J. is coming back," coach Mike Harrison said. "We're looking to get a lot out of him next year. He's probably our best all-around football player."

Robbie Shekletski, Glenelg. Shekletski led the Gladiators in tackles for the second year in a row (35 solo, 50 assisted) and had two sacks.

"He just played ironman football for us. He never left the field," coach Butch Schaffer said. "He played with two broken arms ... he broke one arm, got the cast off, and broke the other arm."

Kyle Young, Centennial. It hurt losing Young for the last game of the season with a knee tear, but it's going to hurt even worse not having the senior next season. He has been the Eagles offensive and defensive yeoman since his sophomore year.

"He's got a great work ethic, so I know he will be back (playing in college)," coach Ken Senisi said. "He was the heart and soul of our team."

This season he led the team with 81 tackles (50 solo), 11 for loss, two sacks and a safety, in seven full games. He rushed for 668 yards, 14 touchdowns, and four two-point conversions.

Young finishes with 1,901 career rushing yards, 31 rushing touchdowns, and 248 total tackles (23 for loss). His rushing touchdowns, total tackles and tackles for loss were all Centennial school records.

Backs

Calvin Ford, Howard. Ford was a key piece in what may have been one of the best Lions secondaries ever.

"I've never had a better defensive backfield," coach Bruce Strunk said. "Calvin was our cover guy. I locked him up on whoever their best player was and he usually shut them down."

Ford made three interceptions, broke up seven passes and had 33 solo tackles (53 total).

Ford also played quarterback in the Lions unconventional offense and he rushed for more than 500 yards and five touchdowns. He only attempted seven passes, but six of them were for touchdowns. In a win over Mt. Hebron, he rushed for more than 150 yards and three touchdowns.

Connor McNeil, Marriotts Ridge. McNeil was by far the defensive standout for the Mustangs, and he may have been one of the best specialists in the county when it came to disrupting opponents kicking games.

"He was our leading tackler by 40 tackles. He blocked five extra points and a punt," coach Ken Hovet said.

On defense McNeil picked off three passes, recovered two fumbles and made an impressive 77 solo tackles (121 total).

He also caught a 43-yard touchdown pass against Atholton, rushed for over 100 yards in a loss to Mt. Hebron and was the Mustangs kicker.

Colin Osborne, Glenelg. Osborne is listed as a defensive back, but he could have made the all-county team at a number of positions.

"He can pretty much do anything on the football field. He runs the ball, catches the ball, plays great defense, he's a great kick returner," coach Butch Schaffer said. "We're pretty excited to have him back next year."

He made 50 tackles (30 solo), broke up 14 passes, made four interceptions, forced three fumbles and recovered one.

On offense, Osborne averaged more than eight yards per carry and totaled more than 700 yards and seven touchdowns. Osborne scored on a 60-yard punt return against Centennial, then caught the game winning two-point conversion in overtime.

Phillip Rhoden, Long Reach. Despite his 5-foot-9 size, Rhoden intercepted four passes, caused a fumble and made 67 tackles, 41 solo.

"He just has a knack for the football, and a knack for the big play," coach Pete Hughes said. "He has tremendous instincts."

In the season finale, Rhoden rushed for 120 yards and scored two touchdowns. He also had a 70-yard kickoff return for a touchdown this season.

Jimmy Thomas, Reservoir. Thomas loved to be on the football field, and it showed on game days.

"He was our best cover corner. Only two players caught a pass on him, Matt Robinson and Spencer Wilkins," coach Bryan Cole said. "He was the first one to practice and the last one to leave."

Thomas also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Punter

Evan Hopkins, Oakland Mills. It's nice to have one of your best athletes as your punter, as coach Jimmy DiPietro found out this season.

"At Oakland Mills we punted the ball a lot," DiPietro said. "He had a long of 52, averaged (32), put it inside the 20 (four) times, and inside the five twice."

user comments (2)

user numberoneahsfan says...

Hard to believe that your list does not include more Atholton Raider players . . . Robinson and Seamonson were not the only reason Atholton had their best season ever. Coaches have their personal reasons and favorites . . . as a journalist (sports) you need to dig deeper at not just look at the surface and/or what the coaches want you to see.

Posted 8:38 AM, 12.23.09 | Permalink

user pantherun says...

There are 8 kids from Atholton that were selected to either first or second team for all county football. How many more did you want them to include

Posted 12:15 PM, 12.24.09 | Permalink