Old rivals continue history

On Friday night at 6:30, the two Anne Arundel County rivals will clash again at Broadneck in what is sure to be an tantalizing Class 4A East Region final. Winner goes to the state tournament; loser goes home.

Starting with Broadneck?s win in an overtime playoff thriller in 2004, these teams have put on many a breathtaking show for football fans. Broadneck enters the game as the region?s top seed at 10-1, but Old Mill (9-2) handed the Bruins their only loss of the season in late September and boast a modest two-game winning streak in the series.

“The thing about Broadneck is that they are the same exact team we saw earlier ? the same stingy defense and an offense that doesn?t make mistakes,” Old Mill coach Damian Ferragamo said. “As far as beating them twice in one season, playing them in Week 4 and playing them in Week 12, it seems like a different season and so long ago.”

To defeat the Bruins again, the Patriots must continue to operate their run-first, ball-control offense to perfection. Senior quarterback Kelian Stevens (21 TDs) will be greatly aided by the return of standout tailback Steven Jenkins (8 TDs).

“The team that doesn?t make mistakes is going to be the team that wins this game,” Ferragamo said.

Broadneck hopes that its attacking defense will create turnovers and give the offense a short field. Scoring just three points in the loss to Old Mill in Millersville, an improved offensive effort will be just as important as continuing their defensive dominance, which has produced a strong 7.4 points-against average per game.

“When you play teams like Old Mill, which is very athletic, you learn a lot,” Broadneck coach Jeff Herrick said. “We certainly learned a lot from them.”

In a game that is almost destined to be low-scoring, ? the last meeting was 16-3 ? an opportunistic spirit could lead to victory.

“It?s do or die,” Herrick said. “If you win you go on, and if you lose, you are out of it.”