Gaithersburg

GAITHERSBURG -- Severna Park's dream of playing in its first state championship football game ended in Montgomery County last night in the Class 4A semifinals with a 13-0 loss at Gaithersburg.The host Trojans (11-1) prevailed at John Harvill Stadium, named after their legendary coach of the last 43 years, by scoring a first-period touchdown and a game-clinching 51-yard interception return by Norman Smith with 18 seconds left in the game.Gaithersburg will play the winner of today's 11 a.m. game at Poly between Eleanor Roosevelt (9-2)

GAITHERSBURG -- When the Westminster Owls reflect on their short-lived playoff run this season, it will be the opening inning of yesterday's 4-1 loss to Gaithersburg which they will harp on the most.The No. 11 Owls (13-7) got singles from their first three hitters to load the bases, but only got one run across.Gaithersburg (13-4) took advantage with senior right-hander Steve Walter limiting the Owls to just two more hits the rest of the way and the Trojans' offense providing some timely hitting to advance to the semifinals of the Class 4A, West Region playoffs.

It was a fourth inning that Mervo won't soon forget.Mervo took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning yesterday at Kelley Park in Gaithersburg in its first-ever appearance in the state final four for Class 4A. Then, the roof caved in.Gaithersburg (15-6) of Montgomery County scored 12 runs on eight hits and four Mustangs errors in its half of the fourth and coasted to a 21-3 romp in the 4A semifinals.Mervo (16-2) was the surprise winner of the North division over Patterson and Perry Hall and had hoped to go a step farther.

Short on pitching, top-ranked Arundel turned to No. 4 pitcher Dave Stallings and unleashed its offensive firepower at Kelley Field in Gaithersburg last night to rip the host Trojans, 13-7, in the state 4A semifinals.Arundel (21-4) earned a state record 11th trip to the championship game as Stallings, who had pitched less than ten innings before last night, worked the final 5 1/3 innings to pick up the win.At the plate, Norris Roy had a three-run homer and four RBIs as the Cats took advantage of seven Trojan errors.

Gaithersburg-based MedImmune Inc. reported yesterday that its net loss for the second quarter grew to $12.2 million, or 55 cents per share, on lower revenue and higher research and development expenses.In the same quarter last year, the company lost $7 million, or 33 cents per share.Revenue for MedImmune, which is developing treatments for infectious diseases, dropped to $6.4 million for the three months ending June 30, compared with second-quarter 1996 revenue of $6.9 million.The company said R&D expenses grew in the second quarter to $10.6 million, up from $6.8 million in the same period last year.

GAITHERSBURG - Sixth-ranked Broadneck had plenty of chances in last night's Class 4A football quarterfinal. It just gave them away. Trailing by two touchdowns in the third quarter, Broadneck turned the ball over twice on consecutive possessions inside the Gaithersburg 10-yard line, part of a six-turnover game for the Bruins. Meanwhile, Gaithersburg quarterback Robert Graham rushed for three touchdowns to lift the Trojans to a 27-6 victory before an estimated crowd of nearly 2,000. Gaithersburg (8-2)

COLLEGE PARK -- One of the strengths of Dulaney's unbeaten run to the state final, its serving, sputtered last night and helped a more balanced Gaithersburg team come away with the Class 4A championship. The No. 5 Lions missed 11 serves, including six in the pivotal second game, falling to first-time champ and unbeaten Gaithersburg, 25-16, 25-16, 25-21, at Ritchie Coliseum. Midway through the second game, the Lions (18-1) hung within five points of the Trojans (19-0) despite missing five serves.

GAITHERSBURG - The Broadneck Bruins played part of last night's 4A semifinal against Gaithersburg like a Grand Prix car with a bad transmission. When they weren't stuttering and stalling, which was the case the entire first half, they zoomed into the end zone. But they never got things running smoothly enough to correct that ugly first half and fell to a steady Gaithersburg team, 18-8. The Trojans took advantage of five first-half Bruins turnovers, and were never in much danger after taking an 18-0 lead.

COLLEGE PARK - Elkton of Cecil County claimed its first state championship last night, defeating Prince George's County's Forestville, 21-8, in the Class 1A final at Byrd Stadium. Elkton (13-0) became the first 1A squad to go unbeaten since Hereford in 1997, and ended Forestville's aspirations of a second straight state title. Junior running back John Triplett rushed for 162 yards and scored all three touchdowns for the Bulls, in their first state title game since 1980. Triplett's 10-yard score with 2:06 remaining sealed the game.

After five games and 2 1/2 hours of volleyball, Broadneck had just enough energy to celebrate at CCBC-Essex last night. The No. 3-ranked Bruins outlasted Gaithersburg of Montgomery County, 3-15, 15-13, 12-15, 15-13, 15-11, in the Class 4A state semifinals. In a marathon as competitive as a high school volleyball match gets, Broadneck earned its second straight trip to the 4A final. It was a match that had a little of everything from strong hitting to accurate serving, penetrating kills, monster blocks and players diving all over the floor.