Ernesto did not consider Baltimore high school football. The remnants of the hurricane washed out nearly all preseason scrimmages in the area last weekend, leaving many Baltimore city and county teams with unanswered questions as season openers approach this weekend.
“We have got to jump into a regular game with down and distance and kicking that we did not get a chance to go into with anybody but ourselves,” Perry Hall coach Nick Arminio said. “But everybody is in the same boat.”
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Despite last week?s rain, one team knows exactly what it has. At City College, the Knights have 14 starters returning from a team that went 11-2 and reached the Class 3A state semifinals in 2005.
“Last year, we caught some teams by surprise,” City coach George Petrides said. “I don?t think we are going to sneak up on people this year.”
Baltimore City?s other intriguing storylines is Roger Wrenn?s move to Polytechnic after 32 seasons as the coach at Patterson. Wrenn said he and his team are experiencing the usual difficulties that come with a new coach and a new system.
“My players and coaching staff are learning a new system and terminology,” he said. “It is a slow go on a steep learning curve.”
Getting to know his players? strengths and weaknesses is Wrenn?s toughest assignment currently, but the coach feels that once Poly gets three or four weeks into the season, it will be a formidable force in the city.
“I left a good team and they should be strong, and of course Dunbar is always strong,” Wrenn said, also adding Edmonson and traditional rival City to the list of teams that are legitimate contenders for the city championship.
In Baltimore County, Parkville and Perry Hall will be the teams to beat in 4A. Parkville is coming off its best record in school history and has six offensive and seven defensive starters returning.
“We have very good lines ? that is where we have many starters returning,” Parkville coach John Marquette said.
Like Parkville, Perry Hall will also look to its four returning linemen to add stability to the team. According to Arminio, Franklin and Kenwood will be two teams to watch for. Eastern Tech, Randallstown and Woodlawn could also make some noise.
The picture is not so clear in the county?s 2A North Region, although there are some perennial favorites coming back strong this fall. Eastern Tech, Hereford and Milford Mill lead the pack among county teams in the Class 2A North Region.
Milford Mill coach Reggie White said there is a lot of parity in the county.
“There are no pushovers, and a lot of teams have potential this season,” White said.
Milford Mill is returning 80 percent of its offensive line, which is going to be the key to the Millers? success, according to White.
Hereford is returning much of its offensive and defensive backfields, but with four players fighting to be the quarterback, the Bulls? offense has yet to take shape.
“The big question mark is who has the leadership or demeanor to run the offense,” Hereford coach Steve Turnbaugh said.
