Friendly (12-0) vs

No. 2 Eastern Tech (12-0)

When: 7 p.m., Saturday, University of Maryland's Byrd Stadium.

Outlook: The Mavericks are making the program's first Class 3A state title game appearance against a Friendly program that is making its Prince George's County record 12th playoff appearance 5and going for its county record fourth state title. Leading the way for Eastern Tech are All-Metro and All-American Anthony Lawston (19 career interceptions, 24 career touchdown receptions), RB/LB Ray Jones (28 rushing TDs, 14 sacks) and OL/DL Ralph Henry (24 sacks). The Patriots have 14 players who are major Division I prospects, including seven who will likely enter Ivy League schools next fall. WR/DB Tra Tribble (nine receiving TDs) is considering offers from Georgia Tech, Maryland and West Virginia; LB Leon Joe (6-foot-1, 210 pounds), from Penn State, Maryland and West Virginia; and RB Bobby Lane (24 rushing TDs), from Mississippi among others. Friendly has averaged 31.5 points (45 points in two playoff victories) while guided by QB Keith Ferguson (16 passing TDs), who is a 4.0 student likely headed for Stanford. C John Morehead, part of an offensive line averaging 308 pounds, also is a 4.0 student looking at Ivy League programs. Friendly's defense has allowed 8.0 points per game, so Eastern Tech will need big games out of Aaron Weissner and Frank Shannan, members of an offensive line which averages over 250 pounds.

Pub Date: 11/28/98

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