Aberdeen Eagles
1997 record: 9-2
Coach: Kevin Reilly
Top players: Winzer Carty, Sr., OL-DL; Chuck Faison, Jr., QB- DB; Vance Hill, Sr., OL-DL; Garrett Irby, Sr., RB-LB; Matt Kunkel, Sr., FB-LB; Clint Sommer, Sr., OL-DL; Stephon Watson, Sr., WR-DB.
Outlook: The Eagles don't possess a lot of star quality, but do have the pieces necessary to claim their fifth consecutive county title. Faison brings a lot of athleticism to his first year at quarterback and a consistent running game goes three players deep. Watson is a legitimate receiver but his recovery from shoulder surgery leaves Reilly unsure when he'll return. Defensively, the Eagles range from competent to very good. The Eagles have ruled Harford County but haven't advanced past the first playoff round in four years.
Bel Air Bobcats
1997 record: 8-2
Coach: Bruce Riley
Top players: Justin Amrein, Sr., FB-LB; Brian Archis, Sr., DT-LB; Jimmy Brown, Sr., RB-CB; Tony Cavallio, Sr., OG-LB; Kyle George, Sr., RB-S; Adam Rafalski, Sr., QB-S; Chris Reynolds, Sr., WR-CB
Outlook: The Bobcats hope to carry the momentum of a breakthrough season a year ago into this season. Riley has excellent speed and ability at the skilled positions, but a lot depends on the play of the revamped offensive and defensive lines. QB Rafalski is a heady player who can open up a passing game. Brown heads the ground attack and is a part of a very quick secondary. Kicking makes the Bobcats one of the league's best.
C. Milton Wright Mustangs
1997 record: 6-3
Coach: Steve Harwood
Top players: Sean Banter, Sr., FB-LB; Joe Brown, Sr., OL-DL; Grant Burrough, Sr., QB; Dave Jones, Sr., DT-C; John Kost, Sr., OL-DL; Hardy McSpadden, Sr., RB-DB; Chris Molite, Sr., FB-LB; Kurt Moravec, Sr., WR-DB; Kevin Rean, Sr., OL-DL; Mike Rye, Sr., WR
Outlook: The Mustangs missed the playoffs the last two seasons, but a more diversified offense might mean a return to regional play. Burrough (6-3, 200) brings size and a good arm at quarterback, and he's likely to get more chances. The Mustangs again feature multiple running backs, but the line lacks size.
Edgewood Rams
1997 record: 5-5
Coach: Fred Myers
Top players: Malik Austin, Jr., QB-S; Randy Buskin, Sr., RB S; Tony Harris, Sr., RB-CB; Alfonso Higgins, Sr., C-DE; Tony McDowell, Sr., SE-S; Mike McIntosh, Sr., OG-LB; Lee Putney, Sr., OG-LB; Daniel Whyte, Sr., FB-DE
Outlook: A thin squad forces the Rams to avoid injuries. Myers lost 1,000-plus yards with the graduation of three-year QB Mike Griffin, and the position is unsettled. Buskin will see more carries and leads a stronger secondary that needs a bigger effort against the run.
Fallston Cougars
1997 record: 2-8
Coach: Dave Cesky
Top players: Brian Carter, Sr., FB-LB; Sam Geasey, Sr., TE- DE; Mike Gonano, Sr., QB-DB; Jesse Kluttz, Jr., OT-DE; Keith Lark, Jr., RB-DB; Nate Liebel, Jr., FB-LB; Adam McCann, Sr., OT-DT; Mike Schmidt, Sr., OG-LB
Outlook: The Cougars' talented youth could make them over-achievers, but Cesky thinks his team is a year away from seriously challenging for the league title. Eight seniors are a year better, and the Cougars look to control the clock with the running of Lark and Liebel. With a solid defense, Cesky hopes to force opponents to throw the ball.
Harford Tech Cobras
1997 record: 1-9
Coach: Tom Nelson
Top players: Jared Bates, Jr., OT-DT; Namron Bibbons, Sr., Sr., RB-DB; Chris Fielder, Sr., OG-DT; Jason Hughes, Sr., FB-LB; Mike Isaac, Sr., FB-LB; Erin Miles. Sr., WR-DB; Aaron Quander, Sr., WR-DB; Dan Williams, Sr., QB-LB
Outlook: This is the best team in the program's four years, with potential for the Cobras to make big strides. Williams has an excellent arm but will need time to throw. The defense is progressing with better skills at linebacker and in the secondary.
Havre de Grace Warriors
1997 record: 7-3
Coach: Johnny Brooks
Top players: Robert Brodeur, Sr., OL-DL; John Gibson, Sr., OL-DL; Anwar Malloy, Jr., RB-LB; Mike Meade, Sr., RB-LB
Outlook: Brooks takes over for Tom Marron, who resigned after last season, and inherits a team comprised of JV players who didn't win a game in the past two seasons. The Warriors have only one returning starter on each side. Meade is the only proven player on offense, and he could split time at tailback and quarterback.
John Carroll Patriots
1997 record: 8-2
Coach: Bill Mackley
Top players: Nate Albright, Sr., TE; Justin Fell, Sr., OG; Jeff Greggs, Sr., LB; Mike Leatherman, Jr., QB; Hun "Scooter" Monroe, Sr., TB; Nick Perry, Soph., NG; Curt Schrader, Sr., OG; Dave Story, St., OT; Brad Thompson, Sr., C
Outlook: The Patriots, second in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference a year ago, are high for a run at the league title this season. Nearly everyone returns from a team that lost only to McDonogh last fall, including the speedy Monroe, who ran a 4.39 in the 40 and has nearly 1,900 rushing yards over the last two seasons. Mackley's switch to a motion offense is designed to get Monroe more involved. QB Leatherman is heady, versatile and well protected by an offensive line that remains intact.
Joppatowne Mariners
1997 record: 2-8
Coach: Greg Komondor
Top players: Matt Cordell, Jr., RB-CB; Matt Cornelius, Jr., WR-CB; Tyshaun Gibbons, Sr., NG-OG; Chris Keels, Jr., TB- LB; Reggie Robinson, Jr., QB-S; Jeff Scherer, Jr., TE-DE; Niel Stella, Sr., OG-DE; Tony Zeller, Sr., OT-DT
Outlook: The Mariners have 36 players, and Komondor hopes increased depth means fresh legs as games wear on. The offense has just two starters at their original positions, so emphasis is on sound defense. The front line has three players over 225 pounds, and Keels is a solid linebacker. The Mariners face a make-or-break first four games against John Carroll, Aberdeen, Elkton and Bel Air.
North Harford Hawks
1997 record: 1-9
Coach: Fred Foster
Top players: Derek Black, Sr,. TE-DE; Chris Baughman, Sr., RB-LB; Tom Clishman, Jr., OL-DL; Bill Farrell, Sr., QB; Justin Stonebank, Sr., SE-LB
Outlook: The Hawks are farther ahead than they were at this point last season. Foster's approach is for his squad to be more physical, especially on defense, where the Hawks will use their improved quickness and a 4-4 formation to try more blitzes. Farrell is stable at quarterback, and Baughman, last season's top tackler and primary tailback, is back.
Pub Date: 9/04/98