Maryland high school football notebook (10/25/2023)

After Perry Hall upset Mervo in the Maryland Class 4A/3A North Region playoffs last November, the Gators stormed the field like they won a championship. The coaches took pictures with the winning score on the scoreboard in the background.

The Gators’ 7-6 victory was viewed by some as a fluke. Friday, Perry Hall showed it deserves a place among the state’s best public schools, rallying past reigning Class 2A state champ Milford Mill Academy.

“We got a lot of two-way players and guys were cramping up, so it was a really gutty performance,” Perry Hall coach Ryan Pittillo said to the Baltimore Sun. “It was a hard game, they’re big, they’re strong, they’re physical, so I’m just really proud of my guys.”

Jacob Wagner (4) listens to coach Ryan Pittillo after last year's playoff victory over Mervo. The Gators have carried the momentum into this season with an 8-0 record, including a road victory over defending Class 2A state champ Milford Mill last weekend.

Photo by Derek Toney

The undefeated Gators (8-0 overall) scored the final two touchdowns to dethrone Milford Mill in the Baltimore County League’s Division I. The win snapped the Millers’ 26-game winning streak (including postseason) against Baltimore County opponents, dating back to 2021.

Perry Hall, winless in 2019 (0-9), has beaten two state champions (Mervo won 4A/3A title in 2021) in the last year. The Gators, who lost to Urbana in the 4A/3A state quarterfinals in 2022, have won 14 of 15 since last season.

Perry Hall has ridden the talents of senior quarterback Da’Shaun Conway, running back Jacob Wagner, all-purpose performer Dallas Conway and receiver/defensive back Corey Costner.

Costner, a 6-foot-2, 185 pound junior, already holds offers from North Carolina, Notre Dame and Penn State.

“We’ve been playing together for three years so we’re confident in each other,” said Gators senior linebacker/fullback Daniel Moore. “It’s a different culture…we’re used to winning now. We’re going for states, that hasn’t been a realistic goal in a couple of years, but this year we can do it.”

Maryland high school football Games to Watch in Week 9

Bishop McNamara (6-2) vs. DeMatha (7-1) at Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex: After losing its first two decisions in Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Capital Division play, McNamara needs a victory over its neighborhood rival to boost postseason hopes.

Calvert (7-1) at Patuxent (8-0): Patuxent looks to gain at least a share of the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference title in a match-up of Top 25 teams.

City (4-4) vs. Poly (3-5) at Morgan State University: After post game fights cost both a spot in the Maryland 3A playoffs last year, the Knights and Engineers meet for the 134th time in one of the country’s longest public school football rivalry matches.

Fort Hill (8-0) vs. Allegany (6-2): The Sentinels look to continue dominance (won last 16) in the 101st meeting of Western Maryland rivals.

Winters Mill (8-0) at Westminster (7-1): The winner claims the Carroll County Athletic League championship.

Gators get bite of the Maryland state Top 25

Thanks to its victory over Milford Mill, Perry Hall gained a spot in the newest Maryland High School Football Media State poll. The Gators (No. 21) and Calvert (No. 25) are the newcomers.

The Top 5 remains intact with Good Counsel the unanimous No. 1 followed by DeMatha, Archbishop Spalding, Quince Orchard and St. Frances. Wise, Flowers, Oakdale, Concordia Prep and Georgetown Prep complete the Top 10.

Bishop McNamara fell from 12th to No. 17.

Here is this week's complete Maryland High School Football Media State Poll:

Rank, School, Record, Points, Last week’s rank

1. Good Counsel (10 first place votes), 6-1, 250, 1

2. DeMatha, 7-1, 240, 2

3. Archbishop Spalding, 6-2, 224, 3

4. Quince Orchard, 7-0, 221, 4

5. St. Frances Academy, 2-5, 215, 5

6. Wise, 7-1, 200, 6

7. Flowers, 7-1, 190, 7

8. Oakdale, 8-0, 177, 8

9. Concordia Prep, 7-1, 170, 9

10. Georgetown Prep, 6-1, 161, 11

11. North Point, 8-0, 144, 13

12. Fort Hill, 8-0, 138, 14

13. Loyola Blakefield, 4-2, 129, 15

14. Mount St. Joseph, 6-3, 118, 16

15. McDonogh, 4-2, 111, 17

16. Dunbar, 6-0, 95, 18

17. Bishop McNamara, 6-2, 91, 12

18. Linganore, 7-1, 76, 20

19. Patuxent, 8-0, 70, 19

20. Riverdale Baptist, 5-3, 46, 21

21. Perry Hall, 8-0, 45, not ranked

22. Old Mill, 7-1, 36, 22

23. Broadneck, 6-2, 32, 23

24. Winston Churchill, 7-1, 21, 24

25. Calvert, 7-1, 20, not ranked