The Arbutus Big Red semi-pro football squad has a 1-1 record through two games, but hasn't scored a point in live action.
A forfeit win over the Washington Warriors on July 16 was followed by a 14-0 loss on the road to the Virginia Titans on July 23.
But that scoreless drought is likely to end July 30 when the Big Red began a stretch of four home games in five weeks against the Virginia Hornets at 7 p.m.
The Arbutus Middle School field is where visiting opponents wilt in the heat of the valley, while an estimated 1,000 fans come out and cheer on the team that has only lost two home games in nine years.
"We don't lose at home regularly," said Arbutus head coach Ulander Giles whose squad went 12-1-1 overall last year and 9-0-1 during the Mason Dixon Football League regular season.
Arbutus defeated the Virginia Hornets 20-12 in the 2015 MDFL quarterfinals, but were beaten 40-0 by DMV Elite in the semifinals at home.
"We were one short last year," Giles said. "We didn't perform well."
That home loss was a rarity, but it won't dampen the enthusiasm of the fans or kids who play in the younger age groups in the Arbutus Athletic Association.
At a recent Big Red practice Giles saw that excitement
"The kids are practicing now and when they see them [Big Red players] they are high-fiving and asking when is your first home game," he said. "They are saying, 'We'll be there, we'll be there.' It's still very much alive in this community."
The kids don't just watch the game.
"Those kids will still be in their uniform all day long and they will come out and shag balls for us and run water, they love it," Giles said.
Sean Lipscomb, who graduated from Catonsville High in 2012, was one of those kids who idolized the Big Red while playing youth football in Arbutus.
"I remember when I was a kid I would play at 11 o'clock in the morning and I would stay until 8 at night to watch them play under the lights," Lipscomb said. "This is pretty much like my NFL. These kids haven't really seen anything, but they see us on the field winning and it pretty much motivates them to be good and do better."
Lipscomb played well in the loss to the Virginia Titans, but is going to miss the next four games after he left for Connecticut for phase two of Army military police training.
"I joined the army in 2013 and I've been there since," Lipscomb said.
He is counting the days until his return Aug. 26 because he will be playing in a home game against the Titans a day later.
"That game will probably be one of my biggest games," said Lipscomb, who plays wide receiver, defensive end and special teams.
Two-way lineman Terrence Roberts, a 1997 Lansdowne High graduate, knows each game this season will have an added significance and says he will be more excited than he used to be for high school or recreation league games.
"It's more exciting now, because I'm at my end right now," he said. "This is my last year I'm going to play."
Roberts, who sat out the practice before the July 30 game because of nagging injuries, said he would be ready to suit up for the game.
"It's always good to be in front of your home crowd. It gives you a certain amount of energy," he said. "Just knowing that puts a little more pep in your step."
The Big Red won championships in 1983, '84, '98 and 2009 and reached the finals in 2010, '12 and '13.
"We are always competitive," said Giles, of the team that is still operated by George Kendrick.
Kendrick, 93, organized the team in 1980 and was head coach until Giles took over in 1998 after he retired from playing for the team.
They are competitive because they keep local talent like 2009 Catonsville High graduate Brian Chapman.
Chapman, who rushed for 1,003 yards and 10 touchdowns at Catonsville, led the Mason Dixon League with over 900 yards rushing last season, despite being only 5-feet, 4 inches and 185 pounds.
"I'm not really that fast, so I use my size to my advantage since I'm so little," Chapman said. "I stay behind the big linemen and they can't see me as well."
Chapman shared the running load with Chris Smith (87 yards rushing) in the loss to the Titans and was eager for the first home game.
"It's just like playing little league all over again," he said. "I grew up playing football here so the vibe is unbelievable."
He'll run and quarterback Kevin Fulton will pass behind a line that includes Terrence Roberts, Dejuan Austin, Nile Alexander and Vaughn Dejuan.
Defensively, the Big Red would like to get the linebacking core of Mason Prentiss, Ben Marcus, Mark Neidhardt and Brendon Twilley all together along with standout safety Kevin Merrick.
"He (Merrick) is one of the team leaders and not just on defense," Giles said.
In the loss to the Titans, the Big Red was missing many players from their 56-player roster, but the score was scoreless after three quarters.
"The biggest problem was injuries, vacation and weddings killed our personnel," Giles said. "We had people playing out of position all over the place and we still stuck with them for three quarters."
One of the players forced to play on both sides of the line was Patrick Smith and he didn't disappoint his coach.
"He played until he dang near passed out last week. He was absolutely outstanding," Giles said.
While the players do the hard work in the trenches the head coach also praised the behind-the-scenes efforts of his wife Annette Giles, along with Kimberly Wynkoop, Theresa Wynkoop and Nailah Curtis.
"We thank them for years of helping out," Giles said.