Dunbar senior Tavon Austin has scored more touchdowns than any player in state history. But this fall, the running back is focused on another record.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder attempts to lead his team to its third consecutive state title and fourth in the past five seasons. Just four other teams — Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Urbana and Wilde Lake — have won three straight football championships.
Austin, one of the most sought-after recruits in Maryland, leads Dunbar in its season opener on Saturday afternoon at 2 against Prince George’s County’s Gwynn Park in Brandywine. The Poets went 14-0 last season.
Austin scored 39 touchdowns en route to rushing for 2,553 yards and catching 17 passes for 335 more. As a safety, he made 50 tackles and four interceptions.
Austin, The Examiner’s Offensive Player of the Year, is quick to compliment his teammates, especially after last year’s 58-34 win over Allegany in the Class 1A title game at M&T Bank Stadium.
“I didn’t do it, my team did it,” Austin, who scored three times in the championship game, said. “If it wasn’t for the offensive line and the defense, we wouldn’t be here.”
Arundel at Broadneck
Broadneck hosts the Wildcats tonight at 6:45 looking to avenge two losses to Arundel last season, including a season-ending, 49-20 defeat in the region final.
Arundel faces the difficult task of replacing several key starters from last year’s 13-1 team that reached the Class 4A state final before losing to Quince Orchard.
Junior quarterback Billy Cosh takes over for the graduated Nick Elko, who set nearly every Maryland state passing record. Cosh is known for his powerful arm and is the son of University of Maryland defensive coordinator Chris Cosh.
“We struggled for a couple years to get to this point,” Arundel coach Chuck Markiewicz said. “Now, the hard part is making sure the kids don’t become complacent. The reason they are where they are is the people before them.”
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