The Naval Academy sits in the heart of Maryland in Annapolis, making a large portion of those who chant “Go Navy. Beat Army” residents of the Free State.
At the same time, when Navy faces Army on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, a number of fans will be decked out in the black, gold and gray of the Cadets rooting for a Midshipmen defeat for the first time since 2001.
This is especially true for nine Maryland families who have sons playing for Army this season. At the top of this list is senior wide receiver Walter Hill, who honed his skills at St. Paul?s before heading north to West Point, N.Y.
Currently, Hill is second at Army with 27 catches for 291 yards and a touchdown. For his career, the 5-foot-11 Randallstown native is eighth all-time at Navy with 84 career receptions.
“Walter?s done an outstanding job,” Army coach Bobby Ross said. “He?s a captain of our ball club, he?s got very good hands, catches the ball extremely well, he?s a really good team player and provides a lot of leadership for us. If there?s ever been a young man who maximized his ability with our ball club, it would be Walter Hill.”
Hill said he never thought about attending a service academy until Army began recruiting him during his senior year at St. Paul?s.
“Army has a great academic curriculum while also giving me the opportunity to play Division I sports at a high level,” Hill said.
“I saw the opportunities I could have now and after graduation and I wanted to come here.”
Of the other eight Marylanders playing for the Black Knights, only right guard Connor Wicklund (South River) is listed on the three-deep depth chart. Wicklund, a junior, is third on the chart at right guard.
LOCAL BLACK KNIGHTS
» RB ? Jerry Jones (Gilman)
» LB ? Tim Jennings (Pallotti)
» TE ? Simon Youngblut (Good Counsel)
» RG ? Connor Wicklund (South River)
» DT ? Kevin Quigley (Seneca Valley)
» WR ? Walter Hill (St. Paul?s)
» LB ? Dana Gingrich (Magruder)
» C ? David Galbreath (North Harford)
» FB ? Christopher Nichols (Middletown)
