Every kid that plays the game of football dreams about glorified moments on the big stage and doing whatever possible to boast their respected team to a level above the rest.
The backyard dirt-patches that commenced fantasy make-belief moments began their journey – each winding path has led them to now: an opportunity to imprint their name in the history books for eternity and mend a crusade towards a coveted state championship.
Countless hours of preparation from a coach that goes into every practice and game before their units hit the gridiron turf tracks will now be placed on display for the whole state of Maryland and beyond to foresee.
This year, 16 teams will compete in Maryland’s Class 3A and only two will be left standing December 4th at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Out of the wild, wild 3A West, three of those teams are ranked inside the states top-10 media poll and the other holds an 8-2 record. The four 3A West teams have combined for a 27-3 record, the best out of any region in 1A, 2A, 3A or 4A by a country mile.
It’s quite brutal that a 10-0 record still isn’t good enough for home-field advantage and that two losses will send you spiraling down the totem pole, treading water to just obtain the fourth and final seed. It’s not just your typical high school football region. It’s wild and a mental grind.
Some call it the SEC of high school football. Others say it’s the most competitive public school football region in the Mid-Atlantic. Heck, it could very well be the stiffest pool of teams on the east coast.
Intriguing? That’s an understatement. Hometown hero and Maryland’s seventh all-time leading scorer, Damascus’ Jake Funk vows a return to the promise land when Oakdale’s Kurt Stein anxiously awaits to the shock the world. Maryland high school hall of fame coach, Linganore’s Rick Conner hunts for a sixth school title while Fred Kim is poised to resurrect old motives that once saw 12-state championships over a 27-year time span.
Throw all records and analytic’s out the window – a new season dawns upon us. Saddle up and hold on tight because anything can happen in the wild, wild 3A West.
Damascus Swarmin’ Hornets (1st seed, vs. Oakdale)
Funk determined to lead Hornets to promise land
All throughout his football career, nightmares have continued to weave through Jake Funk’s mind. He’s inched closer and closer towards the one thing that has eluded him the past three years, but time and time again the demons that he’s constantly tried to repel spew out once more.
In 2012 as a freshman, he watched his Damascus team suffer a 24-23 overtime loss to Urbana in the first round of the playoffs. And though Funk didn’t play a role in that game, being moved up to varsity a couple weeks prior, it was the beginning of bitterness that that would leave a sour taste in his mouth for years to come. The following year was deja vu all over again, coming up one point short in the first round of the playoffs, to well, Urbana.
Then in 2014 and for the third time in as many years, Damascus faced Urbana in the first round of the playoffs. This time around, Funk ran for a berserk six touchdowns, leading his team to a 46-3 victory. One win led to another and Funk and his Damascus unit found themselves 48 minutes shy of being state champions. They held a 21-0 lead at halftime only to squander 35 unanswered points in the second half and have uncontrollable demons take reigns of the dreamy aspirations.
“It hurts,” Funk said on coming up short time and time again. “We came so close. The focus level is sharper this year because guys know how much it takes to get there.”
Since Week 1, the Swarmin’ Hornets have dismantled opponents, outscoring their opposition 484-80 and have climbed all the way up to third in the state media poll only behind national powerhouses Gilman and DeMatha.
“All the guys are very energized,” Funk said. “We’re excited on where we’re going right now.”
It’s the second straight 10-0 campaign for the Hornets and another season where Funk has carried the rock with a dominant swagger. In the two marquee games that they’ve faced opponents ranked inside the states top 10 media poll, Funk has ran for 276 and 262 yards with a combined five touchdowns. Damascus took comanding victories in both those games – 39-17 against Quince Orchard and 21-3 over Seneca Valley.
“We feel like we can beat anybody in the state,” head coach Eric Wallich says. “But at the same time, we have a lot of respect for Oakdale. They’re one of the best teams in the state of Maryland.”
In the limited touches that Funk has seen this year (150 in 10 games), he’s just a tad over two football fields shy of a 2,000 yard season. He needs 206 yards to surpass that, standing at 1,794. Though the 2,000 yard feat isn’t atop Funk’s to-do list heading into the postseason, his team will surely need the 12 yards per carry and the three touchdowns per game (30 TD’s in 10 games) production to continue for four more weeks if the bitter memories want to be washed away.
“These guys remember the pain,” Wallich said. “What it’s like to lose in a state championship. Every second of this matters.”
While Funk will be the workhorse behind his bedrock offensive line, quarterback Julian Kinard and wide receiver Markus Vinson will be expected to carry some of the offensive load.
Defensively, lineman Jacob Bradshaw, linebacker Da’Quan Grimes, Vinson and Funk in the secondary will look to halt Oakdale’s potent offensive attack and whoever they could face in the forseeable future.
“Give it all you got,” Grimes said. “Four games left. That’s what I keep saying. Four more weeks of football left.”
“It’s not just me,” Funk said. “All the 28 seniors want this. I ride and die for this team. We’re going to push hard. One last ride.”
Offensive impact players: QB #7 Julian Kinard, RB #34 Jake Funk, WR #16 Markus Vinson, OL #52 Jacob Bradshaw
Defensive impact players: DL #52 Jacob Bradshaw, LB #5 Da’Quan Grimes, CB #16 Markus Vinson, S #34 Jake Funk
X-Factor: WR/CB #16 Markus Vinson
Strengths: Demanding run game, rock solid trench play
Weaknesses: Lack of pass attack, streaky secondary
Linganore Lancers (2nd seed, vs Seneca Valley)
Despite adversity Musselman, Lancers continue to hunt for more
More times than not this season, Linganore has been face-to-face with unexpected fluctuating levels of adversity.
Some are your minor understandable challenges that every team will have to get through while others are so alarming Rick Conner and his staff have had trouble pointing tabs on.
Out of the 10 regular season games, six were played against teams with a sub-.500 record or better. In those six games, they’ve only outscored their opposition by one touchdown in the first half, 47-40. The stumbles out of the gates have nearly costed the Lancers a chance at playing past the regular season.
In the second half of those six games, they have outscored opponents 106-22.
“We just need to step on the gas a little sooner,” Conner said.
The Lancers have been struck with untimely injuries to star players as well. Army commit, defensive lineman Tyler Fleagle missed the first four games of the regular season and former saftey turned defensive end, Daniel Ross, has been forced to miss time and switch positions due to an ailing hamstring.
Three year varsity running back, Dante Butler, is two weeks removed from being diagnosed with a shoulder injury that will keep his status questionable going into the first week of the playoffs.
“That’s football for you,” Conner said. “Next man up.”
Despite facing adversity, quarterback Nathaniel Musselman has not shied away from carrying the burden. His leadership and clutch playmaking ability has paid dividends week after week.
“I do whatever it takes to win,” Musselman said, who has completed 60% of his passes for 1,347 yards while gaining 320 on the ground this season and 16 total touchdowns.
With a Tim Tebow-like grit and fiery competiveness, Musselman has been the Lancers savior on numerous occasions.
In weeks three and four, he jumped started pivotal second halves against Middletown and South Hagerstown that led to victories. Against Walkersville Week 5, he ran 10 yards for the game winning touchdown in overtime. Dubbed “game of the year” Week 6 against Oakdale, he crusaded an improbable fourth quarter comeback, overcoming a 13 point deficit with 10 minutes remaining and fired the game winning two point conversion with 26.3 seconds left.
Just last week, with leading rusher Dante Butler forced to sit out due to injury, Musselman ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns capping off the 10-0 campaign with a 35-0 win over rival Urbana.
“Nathaniel’s senior leadership this year has been huge,” Conner said. “He’s the complete package. We want the ball in number seven’s hands.”
If Conner had the opportunity, he’d probably formulate every play around the senior quarterback. But in reality, others will need to be involved. And with leading rusher, Dante Butler listed as questionable against Seneca Valley, someone needs to step up. Ironically, that will most likely be his little brother, freshman Davon Butler.
“That 14 year old is special,” Conner said. “If Dante can’t go, expect a good amount (of touches) from Davon.”
In his first ever varsity start last week, the younger Butler opened eyes all around the region. He compiled 178 total yards and two touchdowns on 20 touches.
“I knew I would be next in line after Dante, but I didn’t think it would happen this fast,” Davon said, who has 706 total yards and seven touchdowns on the season. “As a freshman, a lot of people are doubting me. I know it’s win or go home, but I’m just going to treat it as any other game. That’s why we practice so hard Monday through Thursday, so we’ll be ready to go on Friday.”
If the Lancers want to advance to the next round, they will need to clean up the first half woes and find a way past Seneca Valley’s fast and physical defense.
“We want this,” Musselman said. “From the first snap, it’s showtime. We’re going to come out and play Linganore football.”
Offensive impact players: QB #7 Nathaniel Musselman, RB #23 Dante Butler, RB #2 Davon Butler, WR #5 Jack Staub, OL #66 Tyler Fleagle
Defensive impact players: DL #24 Ben Iwanski, DL #66 Tyler Fleagle, LB #8 Matthew Albano, S #3 Wade Stieren
X-Factor: Offensive line
Strengths: Balanced offense, coaching staff, finishing ball games
Weaknesses: Slow starters, inconsistent offensive line, streaky secondary
Seneca Valley Screamin’ Eagles (3rd seed, at Linganore)
Kim seeks to get Seneca Valley back to prominence
As he walked off his home turf after the deflating 21-3 loss to Damascus, Fred Kim gathered his team and emotions together. He explained that the battle may have been lost, but the war has yet to be won.
Year after year, Kim has put together formidable football units, compiling a 116-36 record since taking over the duties in 2004, but seemingly hasn’t gotten over the hump.
“We feel really good about our gameplan this week against Linganore,” Kim says. “If we execute, I really like our chances.”
The last time that Seneca Valley played Linganore was in the 2002 3A state championship, a game that the Screamin’ Eagles won, 14-7. Since then, they have failed to make it back to the title game over the last 12 years while Linganore has made four appearances. Kim looks to flip the script on Friday night and resurrect old motives that once dominated the gridiron tracks.
“We feel like we have put our kids in the right position to succeed,” Kim said. “We need to play at our highest and best level.”
The one area where the Screamin’ Eagles have had consistent production all season long is in their fundamentally sound, fast and physical defense. Kim’s defense has held opponents to single digit points, seven times this year with four of those being shutouts.
But on the other hand, he knows 10 combined offensive points in his two biggest games of the year (Damascus and Northwest) isn’t going to cut it.
“We need to do a better job of putting points up on the board,” Kim said. “Sustaining drives and keeping our defense off the field as much as possible are going to be two huge factors.”
The offensive weapons are certainly at the table for the Screamin’ Eagles with Petey Gaskins under center and the athletically large receiving core, Antonio Fox (6-foot 1) and Cortez Ervin (6-foot 3). The ground game is solidified by the 5-foot 6 roadrunner, Adrian Feliz-Platt and the largly built Darius Golston.
“We know our defense can play,” Feliz-Platt said. “But you can’t win games without putting up points. We’ve had a great week of practice and I would say are in a confident position heading into the playoffs.”
After going a combined 15-5 the past two years and failing to make the playoffs both times, Kim’s just happy he’s one of the four teams out of the 3A West standing with a 9-1 record.
“It’s do or die,” Kim said. “If we don’t show up Friday than it’s over. Plain and simple. Execution is everything.”
Offensive impact players: QB #11 Petey Gaskins, RB #7 Adrian Feliz-Platt, RB #32 Darius Golston, WR #3 Antonio Fox, WR #8 Cortez Ervin, OL #52 Michael Hite
Defensive impact players: DL #9 Kendall Pinales, DL #52 Michael Hite, LB #10 Dione Jordan, CB #22 Zae Wright, DB #3 Antonio Fox, DB #8 Cortez Ervin
X-Factor: RB #7 Adrian Feliz-Platt
Strengths: Physical defense, speed, athletic
Weaknesses: Offensive execution, undisciplined at times
Oakdale Bears (4th seed, at Damascus)
For Oakdale, it’s time to Bear down
Oakdale head coach Kurt Stein would be the first to tell you that executing the seemingly minor things has just as much ramifications on a game than simply putting points up on the board.
For instance, a loose handling on the football has resulted in many coughed-up fumbles (14 and 23 total turnovers) and a lack of focus has had its toll throughout the Bears up and down 2015 season.
“We know that’s on us,” Oakdale quarterback Sean McGaughey said, who has completed over 61% of his passes for 1,540 yards and 19 touchdowns this year. “We’ve been full of ourselves and it’s a wake-up call.”
In the Week 6 matchup against 3A West and county foe, Linganore, the Bears held a 20-7 lead and were dominating in almost every aspect of the game with 10 minutes remaining. They squandered that in a matter of minutes by turning over the ball three times inside the Lancers’ 10-yard line. Linganore went on, 21-20 in the closing seconds.
“We need to do a better job as a whole taking care of the football and staying focused,” Stein said. “The past is the past. It’s a new season. It comes down a few plays that have the most difference on an outcome.”
And just last week, they dropped an almost meaningless game to Tuscarora, 30-19, a game they should have won with ease. It’s not exactly ideal to be heading into the playoffs, especially in the 3A West, one week removed from a loss. But a new season is just over the horizon and Stein wouldn’t want to have it any other way.
“Look, I love this group,” he said. “I see it this way, if you want to make it to your goal (a state championship) you need to beat the best. So why not do that round one?”
All season long, nobody has had an answer for the Jake Funk-led Damascus Hornets as their slimmest margin of victory came Week 9 to Seneca Valley when they won by 18 points. With the Bears giving up only 2.9 yards per carry to opposing running backs, they look to halt the 12 yards per carry Funk averages on a nightly basis.
It’s a tall order, but sometimes you just have to believe.
“We need to be more physical this week,” defensive end Zach Turner said, who has a team leading 18 tackles for loss and seven sacks. “Funk will be one of the best backs that we’ll ever come across. One guy will not bring him down.”
If Oakdale wants to stave off another week and keep state title aspirations alive, they know will need to contain Damascus’ workhorse to a point where their offense can keep them in the game.
“I need to be smart,” McGaughey said. “We have all the intangibles, just need to execute. All the guys know what we need to do. The focus level is very sharp.”
This Bears team has established the fact that, when they’re hitting their marks and executing in timely, they can compete with the best in the area. But just one slip-up could be the difference between packing up shop and playing another week.
“Our good is really good,” Stein said. “I expect the good Oakdale team on Friday night. This is it. I don’t want this to end and I know the kids don’t want it to end either.”
Offensive impact players: QB #7 Sean McGaughey, RB #20 Malik Boyd, RB #31 Percy Agyei-Obese, WR #13 Matt Beveridge, WR #26 Ben Simonica
Defensive impact players: DL #8 Zach Turner, DL #31 Percy Agyei-Obese, LB #3 Ritchie Case, LB #23 Brendon Carlson, CB #13 Matt Beveridge, S #2 Willie Kent
X-Factor: QB #7 Sean McGaughey
Strengths: Lethal pass attack complimented with a formidible run game, fast defense
Weaknesses: Mental lapses, untimely turnovers, inability to finish a big game
Prediction Panel
| Panel | Oakdale at Damascus | Seneca Valley at Linganore | Region Championship |
| Adam McLean | Damascus | Linganore | Damascus over Linganore |
| Greg Swatek | Damascus | Linganore | Damascus over Linganore |
| Parker Mellott | Damascus | Seneca Valley | Damascus over Seneca Valley |
| Zach Zwinak | Damascus | Linganore | Linganore over Damascus |
Adam McLean – Former Quince Orchard defensive lineman (Class of 2015) now defensive lineman for the University of Maryland
Greg Swatek – Frederick News-Post sports journalist
Parker Mellott – Urbana safety (Class of 2016)
Zach Zwinak – Former Linganore (Class of 2009) and Penn State running back, 2009 Class 3A state champion and 2009-2010 Maryland Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year
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