The words written on athletic tape stuck to the back of the helmets worn by Eastern Tech quarterback Travis Crane and receiver Thomas Edwards II will be seen by few when the Mavericks host Clarksburg tonight in a 2A semifinal.
The phrase “Mama Time” serves as an inspiration for the best friends since sixth grade who are dedicating the season to Edwards? mother, Andrea Gentry, who died on Oct. 2 following a two-year battle with kidney failure.
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“We have a lot to prove as a program,” said Edwards, whose father, Thomas Edwards, is in the Army and is stationed in Iraq. “Winning this week would be a big step for us. I just keep a level head through all of this and remember to use the lessons my mother taught me.”
Crane and Edwards both play large roles for Eastern Tech (12-0) as it moved to within two victories of claiming the Baltimore County school?s first state title after posting a 27-0 victory over defending-state champion Edmondson. In that game, Crane passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, and Edwards added a 13-yard touchdown run and a 41-yard scoring reception.
Crane enters tonight?s game at 7 at CCBC-Essex having completed 39-of-78 passes for 533 yards and 12 touchdowns. As a team, the Mavericks have rushed for 3,065 yards ? averaging 7.1 yards a carry in their Wing-T offense. Eastern Tech, which has won at least 10 games three times since 2003, has outscored its opposition, 455-59. The Mavericks last reached the state semifinals in 2003 and advanced to the final in 1998.
“When you get close, it makes you hungry and see what you need to do better,” said Eastern Tech coach Mark Mesaros, who is 48-11 in five seasons. “It also makes it more rewarding when you have players like Travis and Thomas. Thomas has handled himself like a champion and to play as well as he has is a sign of hismaturity.”
Crane said he wants to win Friday for Gentry as much as he does for his teammates. At the same time, he knows it won?t be an easy task taking on a Clarksburg team from Montgomery County that is 12-0 in just its second season of existence.
“It?s exciting to take on a fresh opponent, and I never imagined we would be undefeated at this point,” Crane said. “We?re just excited to have this game at home and hope the crowd really turns into the 12th man for us.”
EASTERN TECH (12-0) VS. CLARKSBURG (12-0)
» Kickoff: Tonight, 7
» Where: CCBC-Essex, Essex (7201 Rossville Blvd. in Baltimore).
» To the winner: A berth in the state final against either River Hill or Elkton at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 8 at 3:30.
» Directions: From I-695, take Exit 34 (Rosedale) and turn right onto Route 7 (Philadelphia Road) heading toward White Marsh. Proceed one-quarter mile and turn left onto Rossville Boulevard. The campus is approximately a mile on the right.
» Leading Passers: Eastern Tech: Travis Crane (39-of-78, 533 yards, 12 TDs). Clarksburg: Cody Martin (45-of-77, 631 yards, 11 TDs).
» Leading Rushers: Eastern Tech: Derryck Davis (91 carries, 718 yards 8 TDs); Darian Conners (92 carries, 631 yards, 11 TDs). Clarksburg: Mark Small (225 carries, 1,844 yards, 14 TDs); Avery Graham (78 carries, 654 yards, 13 TDs).
» Leading Receivers: Eastern Tech: Ryan Schlothauer (8 catches, 120 yards, 3 TDs); WR David Spalt (4 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD). Clarksburg: WR Andrew Veith (20 catches, 290 yards, 3 TDs); WR Myles Daughtry (5 catches, 177 yards, 2 TDs).
» Leading Tacklers: Eastern Tech: LB Bryan Watson (75); DT Devin Hardy (67); DE Ryan Schlothauer (66). Clarksburg: LB Kyle Shafer (81); DT Rob Osborne (73); DT Petros Bein (63). ? Ron Snyder