As Wilde Lake football coach Doug DuVall guided his players through practice for the final time in his career yesterday, the 61-year-old with the jovial attitude and cherubic face went about his business as if it were any other day.
Preparing his team for tonight's Class 3A state championship against Westlake at M&T Bank Stadium, DuVall was the picture of focus. Deep down, however, he was very aware of the occasion and the fact that the end of what has been a magical 36-year ride is near.
"I try not to think about it," DuVall said before practice. "I'm trying to keep it at arm's length."
Having decided at the beginning of the year to walk away after the season, DuVall seemed at peace with his choice, hinting he might not be done coaching for good.
"It's time," he said. "My days of coaching high school football are over."
When DuVall decided this would be his last year, he never intended the news to get out so soon, he said, nor did he expect the attention it would draw.
After casually mentioning his decision to a friend, he went back to work preparing for the coming season. Within days, word had spread and, like it or not, DuVall's unofficial farewell tour was under way.
And what a tour it has been: a 12-1 record culminating in a chance to win his sixth state championship and first since 1997. But regardless of tonight's outcome, DuVall's legacy is secure.
His record speaks for itself: 308 career wins, 20 Howard County titles, five state championships. All of which earned him an induction into the Maryland High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2007.
Just as impressive, however, is the way his former players revere him. After news of his impending retirement spread, several formed a Wilde Lake alumni group. They began showing up on the sideline when DuVall was preparing to earn his 300th career win and haven't stopped coming since.
"Coach DuVall was pretty important to me growing up," said Patrick Brown, who played on the 1990 and 1991 state champion teams and planned to fly in from Los Angeles to attend the game. "My parents were divorced, so he was like a second dad to me at times. I feel a debt of gratitude to him and want to be there for his last game."
