Milford Mill (1-0) at No. 10 Dundalk (1-0)
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Coaches: Reggie White, Milford Mill; Sean Sandora, Dundalk
Last meeting: Dundalk won, 21-6, last fall
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Milford Mill: ATH Ugo Obasi, Jr.; RB-DB Troy Scott, Jr.; QB Kyrel Eley, Sr.; RB-LB-DL J'Quane Harris, Sr., HB-LB Marcel Allen, Sr.; HB-DT Brandon Cooper, Sr.; OL-DE Nicholas White, Jr.; OL-DL Darrien LaBoo, Sr.
Dundalk: QB Darrius Sample, Sr.; LB-WR Chrys Lane, Sr.; DE-RB Jamar Simms, Sr.; SL-DB Dequan Townes, Sr.; RB-CB Eddie Dickerson, Sr.; OL-DL Cecil Jeter, Sr.; WR-DB Alex Hafner, Jr.; OL-DL Yeabsira Tilahun, Sr.; LB-WR Derrrick Spruill, Sr.
KEYS TO VICTORY
In the first game of the season, the Millers flipped last year's 40-12 loss to Urbana to a 37-20 win over the Hawks, announcing that they will have something to say about the Baltimore County 3A-4A Division race. Dundalk, coming off the best football season in school history, is a favorite in that division.
The Owls, 12-2 last season, made it to the state title game for the first time and they're determined to get back there, led by slippery dual-threat quarterback Sample, a second-team All-Metro pick. Last week, Sample ran 10 times for 73 yards and two touchdowns, and was 8-for-19 passing for 127 yards and two touchdowns in a 39-0 win over Kenwood.
To White, everything spins on being able to contain Sample, who threw for 1,679 yards last season and ran for 1,137.
"He doesn't get all antsy or shaken up in there, so you've got to put pressure on him and make sure you can contain him while covering those five wide receivers that they have," White said.
Most of those receivers are new starters, so the Millers might have the edge there with a veteran defense. The key to Milford Mill's season will be that experience, especially on the lines, on defense and at a few key skill positions.
Last season, while Dundalk went to the state Class 3A title game, Milford Mill missed the playoffs for the first time in four years. Both are vying for one of four playoff berths in the Class 3A North.
Both teams overcame early adversity in their season openers. The Owls rolled up the penalties in a scoreless first quarter and the Millers fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter.
The Owls got a couple of touchdowns in the second quarter and took advantage of six Kenwood turnovers. The Millers scored 18 second-quarter points and got a big game from running back Scott, who ran for 232 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and Eley, who threw for 168 yards and three touchdowns.
"I think it's going to be a physical game and we have to stop [Scott]. He's the lead man in that show," Sandora said. "We have to prevent the big play from [Obasi] and we have to tackle well on defense. Offensively, we have to control the line of scrimmage and when we have a chance to make a play on a ball in the air, we have to make the play."
White is also wary of the big play, because even though Dundalk might have less experience in its receiver corps, its has speed and young players who want to match the success of last year's team.
The Millers' loss to the Owls last year came after two straight wins and this game is an early barometer of the competition in the county division as well as the 3A North region, which includes five other Baltimore County teams as well as teams from Baltimore City and Harford County.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
Good Counsel at No. 2 Archbishop Spalding, Friday, 7 p.m.
Glenelg at River Hill, Friday, 7 p.m.
Bishop McNamara at No. 1 McDonogh, Friday, 7 p.m.
Perry Hall at No. 13 Franklin, Friday, 7 p.m.