76 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

[BSLChrisStoner]

Balt Sun: Football Preview
https://www.baltimor...dj3q-story.html

 

 

The Sun's Initial Top 15

 

6. Dunbar

Coach: Lawrence Smith

Last season: 11-1, No. 7

Postseason: Class 1A state semifinalist

Outlook: Deion Crews-Harris should help the Poets on offense and defense. Last year, he finished with 13 1/2 sacks and scored five touchdowns on offense. Dunbar again will have the talent to be a force in Class 1A.

 

7. Mervo

Coach: Patrick Nixon

Last season: 10-2, No. 8

Postseason: Class 4A state semifinalist

Outlook: The Mustangs are coming off an impressive season in which they won the second and third playoff games in school history before falling to North Point in the state semifinals. Mervo made plenty of noise on offense last year, and quarterback Kelin Kimbrough (26 touchdowns, over 2,000 yards passing) is back to lead the offense. Can the Mustangs do it again?

 

 

 

 

BSL's Preview:
https://www.baltimor...viewing-mpssaa/

 

The Dunbar Poets have been the flag bearer for the City league since joining the MPSSAA in 1994, almost exclusively. The Poets have won 10 state titles, trailing only Seneca Valley, who has won 12, its last in 2002. The Screamin’ Eagles won 7 of their titles before the Poets even joined the MPSSAA.

 

The Poets are 10-2 in the state title game, while the rest of the city league hold a 1-4 record in the state final, with Edmondson winning it all in 2A in 2006. Dunbar is 20-3 in the quarterfinal/ regional final round, while its city league colleagues are 23-46, collectively.

 

Mervo, who has been a player in the 4A North for the last handful of years, winning its first regional title last year, moves to the 3A North this season, battling the likes of Franklin, Dundalk, Woodlawn and Edgewood.

 

Dunbar will be a favorite in the 1A North, but state champion is the only title the Poets strive for at this point. After winning 7 of 9 1A state titles from ‘04-12, the Poets have won just one of the last six, with cross-state rival Fort Hill winning the other five.

 

A look at Charm City’s finest;

 

Dunbar (11-1, 7-0) >>> The Poets 11-1 season in 2018 would qualify as outstanding for most, but not for the 10-time state champs, who failed to capture a regional title for only the second time in 17 years., losing to Douglass PG, 20-6, in the regional semi-finals.

 

Coach Lawrence Smith’s Poets have made 17 straight playoff appearances, the last dozen under Smith, the second longest current streak (Damascus, 21) in the MPSSAA, and the third longest (Damascus, Old Mill, 18 – ‘99-16) in the history of the MPSSAA.

 

Coach Smith’s six state titles and 10 regional titles both rank above all current coaches. The Poets, whose cache of playmakers and quality lineman has diminished a bit over the last half dozen years as compared to their high achieving predecessors, will rely on its defense, led by linebacker Deon Crews-Harris and lineman Joshua Carr. Junior quarterback Derrick Dunn will lead the offense.

 

Mervo (11-2, 6-1) >>> After earning its first post-season victory in 2016 in its seventh playoff appearance, the Mustangs won their first regional championship in school history last season, capturing the 4A North title, before falling to North Point in the state semifinal, 23-13. The Mustangs are 44-11 over the last five years under Coach Patrick Nixon. Mervo will battle in the 3A North this season, with the likes of Franklin and Dundalk, among others.

All three of the ‘Stangs post-season victories have come in the last three years – Sherwood in ‘16, Howard and Paint Branch last season. Coach Nixon’s Mustangs will be led by quarterback Kevin Kimbrough, skill players Tyree Williams and Jarrett Gasque, as well as linebacker-defensive end standout, Xavier Shell.

 

Edmondson (8-3, 5-2) >>> The Red Storm made its 11th post-season appearance in 15 years last season, before suffering a 1 point loss to New Town in the regional semifinal, 13-12. ‘The Storm’ will be led by two-way standout Daniel Frink, who will line up in the backfield and at linebacker, defensive back Xavier Johnson, running back Joshua Bright, and receiver Barry Jones.

 

Lake Clifton (9-2, 8-0) >>> The Lakers had their best regular season in years last season, going 9-1, with its only loss to regional 1A power Havre de Grace, before falling to Lewis, 14-6, in the opening round of the post-season.

 

City College (3-7, 2-5) will look for its first playoff appearance in five years in the 3A North, with the expanded format. 

 

Patterson (4-5, 2-4), who has made 12 of its 14 playoff appearances in 4A, see Milford Mill and New Town ahead of them in the 2A North.

 

Games to watch; WK1 Mervo at Dunbar; WK5 Mervo at Edmondson; WK8 Dunbar at Edmondson; WK9 City v Poly

[BSLChrisStoner]

Dunbar and Mervo... who do you like?

[Gooch]

Dunbar more fundamentally sound team

[ECF]

Dunbar is young, so this will be the year to catch them.

[DWinsChampionships]

Dunbar more fundamentally sound team

Historically or based on scrimmages in August?

[DWinsChampionships]

Score update: FSK 16 Poly 12 at the half

Francis Scott Key ran out to a 16-0 lead in the 1st Quarter. The Poly freshman starting QB, Cortney Davis, went down with a leg injury late in the 1st quarter and the Engineers 2nd string QB led Poly to two 2nd quarter scores, one through the air. Poly is much faster than FSK and seemed to wear down the Eagles after their fast start. Poly gets the ball to start the 2nd half.

[Gooch]

Historically or based on scrimmages in August?

Historically

[Upnor4life]

Mervo record is better than 44 -11
2018: 9-1 playoffs 2-1 (Howard/Paint Branch/NorthPoint)
2017: 8-2
2016: 9-1 playoffs 1-1 ( Suitland/Howard)
2015: 9-1 playoffs 0-1 (Howard)
2014: 9-0 Playoffs 0-1 ( Paint Branch)
Regular Season 45-5 Playoffs 3-4
total:48-9

[BSLChrisStoner]

Balt Sun: Eric Browner, Michael Gray lead Lake Clifton past Carver, 28-18, in inaugural Kickoff Classic
https://www.baltimor...3EmWXMOk2BSvH-s

[DWinsChampionships]

Mervo record is better than 44 -11
2018: 9-1 playoffs 2-1 (Howard/Paint Branch/NorthPoint)
2017: 8-2
2016: 9-1 playoffs 1-1 ( Suitland/Howard)
2015: 9-1 playoffs 0-1 (Howard)
2014: 9-0 Playoffs 0-1 ( Paint Branch)
Regular Season 45-5 Playoffs 3-4
total:48-9

Mervo has become THE program in Baltimore City. I wasn’t at the games at Poly yesterday but I wonder if they were more fundamentally sound than Dunbar?

[Gooch]

No just older

[Genius Movement]

Mervo has to win state championships to become THE program in Baltimore City

[Gooch]

Mervo has to win state championships to become THE program in Baltimore City

Facts

[Upnor4life]

Mervo has to win state championships to become THE program in Baltimore City

[Upnor4life]

They are the program of the city. Didn't say the state

[Genius Movement]

The only city team that shows up on the state level is Dunbar. Mervo and other city programs dont play with the same level of pride and heart on the state level.

[mlf1886]

The only city team that shows up on the state level is Dunbar. Mervo and other city programs dont play with the same level of pride and heart on the state level.

Mervo has played pretty well on the state level the last 2 years. Mervo has made it to the regional finals and state semi-final in the last two seasons. This was in 4A as well. Dunbar and Mervo both have dominated the city last 5 years. I will go on record saying that Mervo will win the 3A championship this season barring that all players are healthy and eligible through the entire regular season and post season.

 

If healthy no team comes with in 3 touchdowns of Mervo. This includes Franklin and Damascus.

 

Mervo has very good line play in both sides of the ball and playmakers all over the place on offense.

 

Mervo totally dismantled a talented Dunbar team for 3 quarters. #1 on Dunbar kept them in the game. He's D1 for sure.

[Oldtime]

Mervo has played pretty well on the state level the last 2 years. Mervo has made it to the regional finals and state semi-final in the last two seasons. This was in 4A as well. Dunbar and Mervo both have dominated the city last 5 years. I will go on record saying that Mervo will win the 3A championship this season barring that all players are healthy and eligible through the entire regular season and post season.

If healthy no team comes with in 3 touchdowns of Mervo. This includes Franklin and Damascus.

Mervo has very good line play in both sides of the ball and playmakers all over the place on offense.

Mervo totally dismantled a talented Dunbar team for 3 quarters. #1 on Dunbar kept them in the game. He's D1 for sure.

Down year for Damascus this year. Won’t be as dominate as in the past.

North Point is the team to beat in 3a this year.

[Genius Movement]

Franklin is 3A favorite. What area public school has the heart to continually play MIAA schools? What area public school has the heart to play and challenge DeMatha? Franklin has proven themselves on the state level. Franklin and Mervo aren't even in the same breath. Mervo has remarkable courage against Baltimore City teams. Where are there state championships? Franklin has the heart to play anybody and they have shown and proven.