Historically, Johns Hopkins and McDaniel are two of the best Division III football programs in Maryland.
And though both teams are struggling this season, Blue Jays coach Jim Margraff knew Saturday?s game between the two Centennial Conference rivals would be intense once again when he met McDaniel coach Tim Keating to exchange game tape over breakfast recently.
“Their whole staff was in already working on us,” Margraff said, estimating that there were eight coaches there when he arrived. “It doesn?t change, no matter what the records are.”
Both teams are a disappointing 4-5, but Saturday?s season-ending clash should be an emotional one.
“When I first got here as a player in ?78, it was played at a different speed with a whole new intensity to it,” said Margraff, a former Hopkins quarterback, of the intensity of the rivalry.
Saturday?s meeting will be the 85th between the schools, with Hopkins holding a 44-35-5 edge.
While Margraff concedes that the Green Terror have an obvious strength in quarterback Brad Baer, he places the onus of this game solely on his offense.
“Our defense has been terrific all year long,” Margraff said. “I think it comes down to our offense being consistent and scoring some points.”
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Johns Hopkins? Homewood Field.
“This year, we?re both down a bit,” Margraff said, “but I don?t think that takes anything away from it.”
REGENTS CUP
FROSTBURG VS. SALISBURY: While the Regents Cup game between Frostburg State and Salisbury is in its eighth year, the history between the two programs goes back even further.
Salisbury has won the last two matchups in the series, which the Seagulls lead, 17-16. However, since the inception of the Regents Cup game, Frostburg holds a 4-3 advantage.
Salisbury enters the game 4-5, while the Bobcats are 2-6. Salisbury won last year, 30-24, with 240 yards rushing. Brock Boland kicked three field goals, including two in the fourth quarter, for the win.
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. at Towson University?s Johnny Unitas Stadium.
