The key to River Hill?s undefeated season has been a balanced attack and throwing its opposition off its offensive track.
Friday night, the Hawks were successful in that strategy, trouncing Franklin, 56-7, to reach the school?s first state final game. River Hill (13-0) will play Friendly (13-0) in the 3A state final at 7 p.m. Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium ? the last of the state?s four championship games at the Ravens? home stadium.
“The kids are excited this week,” Hawks coach Brian Van Deusen said. “It?s just a credit to these kids and the hard work and effort they put in the last few years.”
Van Deusen?s team lost in the state semifinals last season, and that defeat has been the team?s driving motivation all year long.
The offense has relied on the run for most of the season, but senior quarterback Dan Hostetler has the passing game hot at the right time. On Friday, Hostetler threw for two scores and ran for two more.
“Dan had a good game for us defensively [at safety], and offensively it?s just a matter of being out there and being a coach on the field at the quarterback position,” Van Deusen said. “He runs the show out there.”
He?s also gotten some help from some talented athletes around him. Hostetler hit receiver/running back Michael Campanaro on a short pass play and the shifty sophomore put a move on the Franklin safety for a 53-yard touchdown.
After a solid first half, the Hawks didn?t throw the ball once in the second half.
“All the work they put in lifting in the offseason, and the motivation to get back to the state championship has paid off,” Van Deusen said. “I feel I have the best coaching staff in the state and they?ve done a great job getting this team ready.”
