The selection process for the seventh annual Chesapeake Football Classic, to be played on July 24 at either the University of Maryland's Byrd Stadium or RFK Stadium, has entered its final stage.

An initial Feb. 7 combine turnout of 273 players was trimmed to 87 for the next combine last Sunday, said Hammond's Joe Russo, one of the event's organizers.

On March 10, in a news conference at Byrd Stadium, Team Maryland coach Steve Harward, of C. Milton Wright, will announce the players who will face Northern Virginia's all-stars. He also will name his assistants then.

The series is tied at 3-3.

Pub Date: 2/19/99