There is a lot to be happy about for high school football fans in Carroll County.
More than half of the seven schools are coming off playoff appearances during the 2005 season, and there is plenty of optimism that the school can at least match that feat in the upcoming year.
The biggest strides among Carroll County schools came at South Carroll and Westminster, which advanced to the Class 2A and 3A state finals, respectively. South Carroll (10-4 in 2005) lost its championship to Prince George?s County power Potomac, which defended its title with a 38-3 win. Westminster went from 4-6 in 2004 to 12-2 last year and reached the 3A championship game before losing to another Prince George?s stalwart, Gwynn Park, 20-14.
Third-year Westminster coach Brad Wilson knows that repeating last year?s record will not be easy, especially after losing 19 seniors, including quarterback Kevin Clancy, who threw for more than 3,000 yards, while running back Ryan Finch collected more than 2,000 yards in total offense.
Still, Wilson said he feels he has enough depth on defense and talent on offense to prove that last year was not a one-time thing for the Owls.
“Our experience is on the defense this year,” Wilson said. “But we have a lot of guys on offense who can play but had to wait their turn behind some great seniors. Now it?s their time to shine.”
South Carroll coach Greg Milhalko also likes his chances of making another deep run in November. His team returns a number of key defensive players, along with some bruising running backs on the offensive side of the ball.
“Last year was a positive experience for our program, and the player have come back with even more hunger to reach their ultimate goal of a state title,” Mihalko said.
The county?s two other playoff teams ? Winters Mill and Francis Scott Key ? did not make as much noise in the postseason last year. But this year may be a different story. Both squads return a number of key players on either side of the ball.
Winters Mill went 6-5 and lost in the 2A West Region quarterfinals to Middletown. Francis Scott Key (7-4) lost in the same round to South Carroll.
“I hope this is the year for us,” Winters Mill coach Ken Johnson said. “The county seems a little more up for grabs this year.”
