The River Hill football team has been here before. Last season, the Hawks lost in the state semifinals, and that bitter taste has driven coach Brian Van Deusen?s team to a 12-0 mark so far.
With a 48-10 win over Severna Park Friday night, the Hawks clinched the Class 3A East Region title and are just one win away from their goal.
“We had a great year last year and made it to the state semifinals,” Van Deusen said. “Ever since that loss last year, the kids have been motivated to get back. The goal all year has been playing for a state championship.”
Standingin the way is upstart Franklin (10-2), which toppled Baltimore power City (11-1) in the 3A North final Saturday. The Indians have put together a strong season to cap a four-year-long resurgence under coach Anthony Burgos.
“It?s been exciting in school,” Burgos said. “I think the school is waiting for this turnaround [to] bring some excitement to the community.”
It?s hard to argue that the Indians have had a more exciting win than the 7-6 squeaker over City on Saturday.
“I think we had a pretty good defensive plan going on for them,” Burgos said. “We were just trying to capitalize on any opportunity we got. Things swung our way.”
This week, Franklin?s defense will be forced to stop a very deep River Hill attack, which is led by a powerful offensive line.
“A lot of time, the running backs and quarterbacks get a lot of credit … but they?ve been the unsung heroes for us all year,” Van Deusen said of his four seniors and one junior on the line. “They?ve been getting better as the year has gone on.”
If the Hawks can shut down the Franklin running game and star Scott Noble while maintaining their own ? behind junior Zach Martin (three TDs against Severna Park) and sophomore Michael Campanaro (one rushing TD, one interception return for a TD against Severna Park) ? they will reach their first state title game.
Van Deusen and Burgos, who both played football at Western Maryland College (now McDaniel), will assume their posts on the sidelines at River Hill Friday at 7 p.m. The winner will face either Urbana (9-3) or Friendly (12-0) at M&T Bank Stadium for the 3A state title.
“Going 12-0 is a pretty great season, but the kids won?t be happy with being 12-0,” Van Deusen said.
