Hereford quarterback Ryan Jones gets through the Woodlawn defensive line for a first down run last September against Woodlawn. Jones started nine games for the Bulls and is in a battle with Jay Patti. (Staff photo by Brian Krista / September 7, 2011) |
Calvert Hall and Hereford both have some unfinished business from last season, while Dulaney, Loyola Blakefield and Loch Raven shoot to get above .500.
The Cardinals lost a double-overtime thriller in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference and Hereford missed by a whisker of earning its 16th playoff berth in the past 18 years.
Meanwhile, Dulaney made significant strides under new coach Chris Fallon, while Loyola and Loch Raven hope to improve under new head coaches Brant Hall and Ryan Heaney.
Read on to find out who will be on the gridiron for your favorite team this fall.
Calvert Hall
2011 record: 10-2
First game: Aug. 24 vs. Maryland Christian Saints, 7 p.m.
Offensive starters returning: 3
Defensive starters returning: 3
Fast fact: The Cardinals graduated 31 seniors from last year's squad that lost to Gilman in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championship game.
Replacing several of the talented skill players won't be easy, but coach Donald Davis can take comfort in the fact he has three returning starters back on the offensive line.
They include senior center Michael Manocheh (5-feet, 10 inches, 250 pounds), senior tackle J.P. McManus (6-5, 275) and senior tackle Jack D'Angelo (6-3, 215).
They'll be joined by senior guard Chris Kircher (6-1, 245) and junior guard Trevor Beam (6-4, 275).
Their goal is to protect junior quarterback Colar Kuhns (6-3, 205) and provide holes for senior running backs Garrett Keene (5-10, 180) and Stephen Kelly (5-10, 180).
Kelly is a University of North Carolina lacrosse recruit.
Keene and Kelly are trying to fill the void left by the graduation of CJ Williams and they'll get some help from solid senior fullback Robbie Jones (5-8, 185).
Kuhn replaces Thomas Stuart, who is playing for the same Junior College (Butte Junior College) as Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
"Kuhn has a very good arm," Davis said. "He's a big kid and he understands what he is stepping into."
The only returning target back for the Cardinals is senior wide receiver Kyle Levere (6-2, 185).
"He is probably the strongest wide receiver I've ever had," said Davis, noting he bench pressed 225 pounds seven times.
