Hereford's Adam Goloboski leads area rushers with 2,046 yards and 29 touchdowns, but he'll be just one of four prolific backs in next weekend's state finals at Ravens Stadium.
If Goloboski and the Bulls (12-0) are going to win the Class 2A state title - Hereford's third - they must stop Josh Keeney of Middletown (11-1), who has covered 2,384 yards for 40 touchdowns mostly behind linemen Ryan Cutsail (6-foot, 230) and Bryan DeMoss (6-3, 260). The teams meet Friday at 3 p.m.
Perhaps even more impressive are Justin Warren (1,727 yards, 28 touchdowns) of Seneca Valley and Kevin Beverly (2,167 yards, 21 touchdowns) of Parkdale, each of whom has been productive in the football-rich Montgomery and Prince George's County leagues, respectively.
Parkdale (10-1) goes after its second state title in its 4A final at 7 Friday night against Sherwood (10-1) of Montgomery County, a two-time champion. Seneca Valley (9-2) goes after its record 12th state title in Saturday's 7 p.m. Class 3A title game against Linganore (10-2) of Frederick County, a three-time champion.
In Saturday's 3 p.m. final, Beall (9-2) of Allegany County tries to win its first state title in its third championship game berth against Cecil County's Bohemia Manor (10-2), which is in its first title game.
Class act
Edmondson linebacker Mark Hicks already had earned Hereford's respect for his abilities before his team's 35-8 loss in Saturday's Class 2A state semifinal.
But for what he did after the game, Hereford coach Steve Turnbaugh called him "a class act."
Hicks ran into the Bulls' post-game huddle and personally congratulated Turnbaugh and the Bulls. He later walked over to Goloboski and defensive end Zach Armiger, hugged each of them and wished them well.
Storming back
Next year, however, it could be Hicks who is getting congratulated by the Bulls, as he and 6-3, 180-pound receiver Triscoe Savage are among several underclassmen expected to return for Red Storm coach Pete Pompey.
Also returning will be junior defensive back-running backs Terrence Arter, Ken Whitley and Omari Garnett, part of this year's solid defensive secondary.
Arter also has rushed for seven touchdowns and returned kickoffs of 70 and 85 yards, and Hicks scored eight touchdowns this year.
Pompey has experienced linemen returning in Lonnie Harvey (6-4, 320), Jonathan Sykes (6-0, 255), Dennis Cooper (6-2, 330) and Damion Tucker (6-0, 260).
Weighty matters
Pompey attributed Hereford's domination to the Bulls' belief in weightlifting.
Running backs Goloboski and Pat Butt can bench-press 315 and 290 pounds, respectively. Among the Bulls' linemen, Henry Julio does 375, followed by Greg Lehrl (310), Armiger (305), Joe Akers (290) and Jamie Estep (280). Linebacker Nate Wdowiak does 310.
Even Bulls kicker John Dinkins, who at 5-10, 175 pounds is among his team's smallest starters, puts up 290.
Behind the scenes
Hereford's 11-man coaching staff - including head coach Turnbaugh - might be the area's largest and most effective. Mike Blizzard and Scott Mathena coach the defense, Glenn Warner and John Walter the offensive line, and Ed Pfaff coaches running backs. Gary Hesselbein, Brian Bandurchin and Rick Powers scout, Mike Graf spots from the press box and Chuck Harmon coaches the place-kickers and keeps stats.