Today
River Hill (2-7) at Howard (5-4)
Time: 7 p.m.
Outlook: The Lions need a victory to clinch their third straight winning season for coach Vince Parnell. They were stymied by Centennial last week, 24-8. River Hill has won two straight after losing its first seven. Coach Brian Van Deusen's Hawks rolled over Mount Hebron last week, 28-7. Last season, Howard defeated River Hill, 17-7.
Tomorrow
Centennial (6-3) at No. 5 Oakland Mills (8-1)
Time: 2 p.m.
Outlook: A win here would cap a great season for coach Ed Holshue's Eagles, who attracted little attention during preseason but produced solid efforts week after week, especially on defense. They bounced back from a 27-25 loss to Wilde Lake to defeat Howard last week, 24-8, as Ryan Pustilnik gained 95 yards on nine carries, including a 60-yard TD run. QB Pat McKevitt had a 63-yard TD run. Oakland Mills has become a juggernaut, crushing one team after another on the road to the county championship and the Class 1A state playoffs. Last week, coach Ken Hovet's Scorpions defeated Hammond for their third shutout, 40-0. A year ago, Oakland Mills defeated Centennial, 42-16.
Hammond (1-8) at Atholton (3-6)
Time: 2 p.m.
Outlook: Atholton has had a checkered season. Coach Kevin Kelly's Raiders produced one of their best wins in a long time by upsetting Long Reach last week, 14-7. They also upset playoff-bound Glenelg earlier this season and nearly upset Centennial. They still have a chance to surpass last season's win total of three. Last week, Wayne Reed completed nine of 20 passes for 143 yards and one TD. Danny Jackson had five catches for 103 yards and one TD and kicked two extra points. Bruce Cummings made 11 tackles and made a key interception late in the game. Joe Silverman made six solo tackles. Hammond's offense continued to sputter in last week's 4-0 loss to Oakland Mills. The Bears have scored 17 points in their last five games. Atholton defeated Hammond last season, 17-7.
Long Reach (5-4) at Glenelg (6-3)
Time: 2 p.m.
Outlook: Glenelg defeated Wilde Lake on a last-minute TD last week, 15-14, one of the best wins in school history, as Brett Adams rushed for 88 yards on 16 carries. The Gladiators had not beaten Wilde Lake since 1985. The triumph earned coach John Davis' team a spot in the Class 1A state playoffs. A win would stretch Glenelg's winning streak to six games and give it momentum heading into the playoffs. Long Reach can produce its fourth straight winning season for coach Pete Hughes. The Lightning defeated Glenelg last season, 41-0.
Wilde Lake (6-3) at Mount Hebron (0-9)
Time: 2 p.m.
Outlook: The Wildecats look to bounce back from a bitter last-minute defeat at Glenelg last week, 15-14. Wildecat Mario Merrills rushed for 105 yards and two TDs in that loss. Mount Hebron dropped a 28-7 decision to River Hill last week, and is looking for its first win. Wilde Lake defeated Mount Hebron last season, 17-7.
No. 3 McDonogh (9-0) at No. 1 Gilman (8-1)
Time: 1 p.m.
Outlook: It's the biggest game of the year and the season finale for both squads. Gilman, which leads the series, 50-29-5, is the three-time MIAA A Conference champ. It plays host to the four-time B Conference champion Eagles. McDonogh has its biggest line in a while, anchored by 6-4, 260-pound Kellen Williams. LB Matt Gielen (6-2, 230), DB Ryan Meehan (6-6, 200), QB Joe Benson (6-5, 200) and RB E.J. Hamilton lead McDonogh. Leading Gilman is QB Ambrose Wooden (1,288 rushing, 13 TDs, 827 passing, five TDs), RB Malcolm Ruff (1,193, 14), DB-WR Napoleon Sykes and PK Tilghman Morton.
