Archbishop Curley Friars
1997 record: 3-7
Coach: Sean Murphy (career: 3-7)
Top players: Tim Darien, Sr., LB; Andre Cooper, Sr., LB; Pat Curran, Sr., LB; Cory Floyd, Sr., CB-RB; Courtney Green, Sr., DT; Tyhrone Francis, Sr., DT; Felix Milburn, Jr., QB-CB; Adam Shisler, Sr., WR-DB.
Outlook: With a turnout of 42, including eight returning starters, second-year coach Murphy is looking to reverse some of last year's misfortunes. "We had several close games and easily could have gone 7-3 or even 8-2," said Murphy.
Carver Bears
1997 record: 4-5-1
Coach: Ron Frierson (12-27-1)
Top players: Reginald Durant, Sr., LB; Dion White, Sr., LB; Cortland Shields, Sr., LB; Terrill Burgess, Sr., LB; Tavon Morgan, Sr., QB-S; Darnell Hammock, Sr., OT-DT; Djuan Collins, Sr., RB-SE.
Outlook: Though line play is still a question mark that will go a long way toward determining the Bears' success, Frierson is encouraged with his 14 returning starters and his skill-position players. "We'll match up with a lot of people well," said Frierson.
Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders
1997 record: 1-9
Coach: Scott Ripley (first year)
Top players: Chris Clark, Sr., OT; Tony DeShields, Sr., LB; Josh Wosuico, Jr., LB; Juann Womack, Jr., LB; Craig King, So., QB; Mike Woodlon, Jr., RB.
Outlook: After being 1-19 over the past two seasons, Ripley will form a team with key players up from a JV that was 15-5 in two years. "I think I have three of the league's more talented linebackers, and our linemen average 240," Ripley said.
City Knights
1997 record: 7-3
Coach: George Petrides (career: 135-84-1)
Top players: Bryant Johnson, Sr., WR-DB; Christian Erickson, Sr., C-DE; Ryan Galloway, Sr., S; Marcus Martin, Sr., LB; Anthony Paye, Sr., CB; Steven Jones, Sr., LB; Kevin Johnson, Sr., RB; Jawan Yancey, Jr., QB.
Outlook: The defending City East Division co-champs return second-team All-Metro Bryant Johnson (44 receptions, 823 yards, 10 TDs), a preseason All-American pick in SuperPrep and an All-Region pick by the National Recruiting Advisor who also has orally committed to a full scholarship to Penn State. Erickson (6-4, 270) is much improved, and the Knights fared well in a scrimmage with Loyola.
Douglass Ducks
1997 record: 3-7
Coach: David White (career: 81-71)
Top players: Tony Fisher, Sr., RB; Qwindell Ford, Jr., QB; Durrell Bolling, Jr., DB.
Outlook: The progress of the Ducks, of the City's West Division, will depend on "the kids' desire," White said. "I think we can do well in our league, but it's a day-to-day thing right now."
Dunbar Poets
1997 record: 8-5
Coach: Ben Eaton (first year)
Top players: Chris Barnes, Sr., WR-DB; Tyrell Henderson, Sr., DB-KR; Leonard Ferguson, Sr., QB; Thomas James, Sr., RB; Alan Nelson, Sr., LB-TE; Duane Turrentine, Sr., RB; Jamal Jackson, Jr., RB; Jamal Lloyd, Jr., OL-DL; Terence Gibson, Jr., OL-DL; Jermaine Butler, Sr., OL-DL; Antoine Colvin, So., OL-DL; Charles Gibson, So., OL-DL.
Outlook: Barnes (38 catches, 850 yards, eight TDs), a two-time second-team All-Metro pick, was listed in USA Today as one of the state's top 15 players in preseason. Henderson (10 interceptions) is a returning second-team All-Metro player. James yards, 10 TDs) and Ferguson (561 passing yards, four TDs) should improve statistically.
Edmondson Redskins
1997 record: 3-7
Coach: Pete Pompey (career: 163-85)
Top players: Raytron Leak, Sr., RB-LB-S; Justus Mcleod, Jr., WR-CB; Anthony McKiever, Sr., RB; Anthony Mason, Sr., OT-DT; Jemieh Green, Jr., QB-CB; Corey Smith, Sr., WR-QB-DB.
Outlook: Pompey, whose Redskins will compete in the City's West Division, has had an average turnout of 31 players. "We didn't have kids knocking down the door, and our biggest problem will be on the line," Pompey said.
Forest Park Foresters
1997 record: 5-4-1
Coach: Obie Barnes (career: 101-98-6)
Top players: Joshua Smith, Sr., LB-TE; Raschid Smith, Sr., WR-S; Darrick Lang, Sr., LB-FB; Robert Dyer, Sr., OT; Shaun Smith, Sr., QB; Jason Miles, Jr., OG; Nigel Smith, Jr., C; Terrel Robinson, Sr., OT-DE.
Outlook: With eight returning starters, the Foresters have a shot at the City's West Division title. "We're definitely better on the line and the second strongest area is the skill positions," Barnes said.
Gilman Greyhounds
1997 record: 6-3
Coach: Biff Poggi (career: 6-3)
Top players: Felix Isuk, Sr., LB; Damien Davis, Sr., RB; Chisom Opara, Sr., RB- WR-DB; Sina Ekundayo, Sr., DB-RB; Brian Lewis, Sr., LB; Mike Faust, Jr., RB-LB; Andrew Lucas, Jr., RB-DB; Ryan Boyle, Jr., QB.
Outlook: Boasting one of the area's most difficult schedules, Gilman -- of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference -- has loads of talent that will be tested. The 6-2,
205-pound Davis (1,442 yards, eight TDs), last year's Baltimore Sun Athlete of the Year, Isuk (first-team All-Metro, 90 tackles, five sacks), Opara (426 rushing, 326 receiving, four TDs) and Ekundayo (six interceptions) were All-Region picks by the National Recruiting Advisor. Boyle, an All-Metro lacrosse player, combined for nine TDs on 812 rushing yards and 465 yards passing.
Lake Clifton Lakers
1997 record: 7-4
Coach: James Monroe (career: 24-9)
Top players: Djorell Dunn, Sr., LB-FB; Tavon Ervin, Sr., WR-DB; Phillip Hayes, Sr., OL-DL; Allen Hance, Sr., C-DT; Brandon Haughton, Sr., OL-DL; Javis Wiggins, Sr., TE-DL; Kyle Powell, Jr., OL-DL; Ronald Jefferson, Jr., QB.
Outlook: Dunn, a fourth-year starter and former second-team All-Metro, and Ervin (23 receptions, 489 yards, seven TDs) will be supported by Haughton (6-8, 270), Wiggins (6-6, 255) and Powell (6-1, 375). Still, Monroe calls this "a rebuilding season, because we lost a lot to graduation."
Mervo Mustangs
1997 record: 4-6
Coach: John Blake (career: 38-58-1)
Top players: Tavon Phillips, Sr., RB-SS; Aaron Wylie, Sr., OT-DT.
Outlook: The Mustangs will be hard-pressed in the City's East Division, so going .500 or better -- an improvement on last season -- is a realistic goal, Blake said.
Mount St. Joseph Gaels
1997 record: 6-4
Coach: Mike Working (career: 39-21)
Top players: Andrew Michalowicz, Sr., QB; Noud Vonstekelenburg, Sr., G; Sean Jones, Sr., S-LB-RB; Greg Caie, Sr., OT; Jeff Mayer, Sr., LB; Steve Knight, Sr., DT-NG; Chris Mathai, Sr., DT; Dennis Zimmerman, Jr., QB; Matt Stoffle, Jr., LB; Rob Abiamiri, Jr., WR; Eric Zelik, Jr., S.
Outlook: The Gaels, of the MIAA A Conference, appear ready to challenge for Working's fifth league title -- his fourth at St. Joe -- behind Michalowicz, a preseason SuperPrep All-Mid-Atlantic pick who rushed for 450 yards and seven TDs and passed for 1,326 and 12 TDs. Vonstekelenburg (6-5, 272), a transfer from Pennsylvania, runs a 4.9-second 40-yard dash and is among the Gaels' several sizable linemen.
Northwestern Wildcats
1997 record: 7-3
Coach: Wayne Jackson (career: 12-29)
Top players: Rufus Davis, Sr., C-DL; Kevin Beckett, Sr., LB-OL.
Outlook: After finishing as runners-up in the City's West Division, the Wildcats are rebuilding around Davis (6-0, 240) and Beckett (6-0, 200).
Northern Vikings
1997 record: 2-8
Coach: Shelly Rambeau (career: 2-8)
Top players: Jerry Clark, Sr., DT-FB; Ramone Gray, Sr., LB-DE-TE; Derrick Kane, Sr., OL-DL; Tony Clark, Sr., DE; Walter Brown, Jr., OT-DT; Justin Veney, So., PK -QB.
Outlook: The National Recruiting Advisor lists Gray (eight sacks) among the best in the Atlantic Region, and Tony Clark (five sacks, nine tackles for losses) is a second-team All-Metro who transferred from Poly. "We have talent, some speed," said Rambeau.
Patterson Clippers
1997 record: 7-3
Coach: Roger Wrenn (career: 162-82-2)
Top players: Tremayne Lyle, Jr., QB; Brian Hopson, Sr., RB; Michael Crawford, Sr., SE; Tony Laws, Sr., C; Matt Belcastro, Jr., OT; Brenden Williams, Sr., RB- LB; Dino Alger, Sr., SS-P-PK; Dante Lowery, Sr., S; Greg Brown, Sr., LB; Eric Myers, Jr., LB.
Outlook: The Clippers return nine starters, including all three linebackers, from a squad which owned a win over City East Division rival City. Lyle ran for over 500 and threw for over 600 yards. Williams has over 1,200 rushing yards in two seasons.
Poly Engineers
1997 record: 7-4
Coach: John Hammond (first year)
Top players: Timmy Frazier, Sr., QB; Eddie Henry, Sr., WR; Donald Arnold, Sr., WR; Lonnie Williams, Sr., RB; Bryan Cowan, Sr., DT; Kenny Rogers, Sr., TE-DE; Jason Harvey, Sr., LB; Issam Ahmad, Sr., C; George Hopkins, Sr., SS; Damon Dorsey, Sr., DB; Ronald White, Sr., OT.
Outlook: The Engineers, City East Division co-champs, said goodbye to legendary coach Augie Waibel (now at Towson University) and hello to Hammond's new system. Frazier, one of 11 returning starters, and both Henry and Arnold will be featured in Hammond's multiple-set, pass-oriented offense. Williams and Harvey are capable rushers, and, defensively, Dorsey (seven interceptions) leads the way.
Southern Bulldogs
1997 record: 1-8
Coach: Jack Nehsmann (career: 25-63)
Top players: Reginald Nelson, Jr., QB-S; Troy Franklin, Jr., SE-LB; Brandon Avery, Sr., OT-DE; Kelly Jett, Sr., C-DT; James Harlow, Jr., OT-DT; Robert Greenstreet, Jr., OG; Dennis Fulwood, So., RB.
Outlook: Nehsmann is encouraged with his turnout of 45, including five starters. "The JV went 5-2, and we have a lot of freshmen and some kids with good attitudes," said Nehsmann. "The kids are excited, very coachable and looking to improve on last year."
Southwestern Sabers
1997 record: 2-8
Coach: Vernon Joines (first year)
Top players: Lonnie Irvin, Sr., LB-OT; Mike Wilson, Jr., QB; Silk Gray, Sr., QB; Douglass Crowley, Jr., RB-LB; Mark Davis, Jr., DE-TE; Eric Smith, Sr., CB-WR; Johnny Way, Sr., WR-S.
Outlook: The Sabers return only three starters, but among the 39 players who turned out is some talent. Crowley is a third-year starter. Wilson (6-4, 165) and Way (6-4, 180) are tall, and Irvin (6-2, 230) has size.
Walbrook Warriors
1997 record: 7-3
Coach: Kelvin Bridges (career: 15-23)
Top players: Ramond Pegram, Sr., OT-DT; Antonio Fliggins, Sr., RB-S; Williams Pitt, Sr., OG-DT-LB; Kalvin Booker, Jr., RB-LB; Robert Grissom, So., RB-LB.
Outlook: Last year's City West Division champs lost plenty to graduation, but with Booker and Grissom running behind Pitt (6-3, 245) and Pegram (6-0, 240), should still be tough to dethrone. "We're a young team, but we have some transfers that look promising," Bridges said.
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Football's Top 15
Rank School
1. Gilman
2. Mount St. Joseph
3. Wilde Lake
4. Calvert Hall
5. Eastern Tech
6. Poly
7. Milford Mill
8. Randallstown
9. Dunbar
10. Long Reach
11. City
12. Aberdeen
13. Arundel
14. Loyola
15. McDonogh
Pub Date: 9/04/98