justin smith

The Hereford boys’ lacrosse team won its ninth straight regional title last season and finished 16-2, and that wasn’t good enough for head coach Sal Picattagi.

On the evening of Feb. 3, 2013, the Ravens and San Francisco 49ers met to decide NFL supremacy. On Sunday afternoon, the two teams play again, hoping to stave off 2015 irrelevance. Staying on the NFL mountaintop has proven difficult for both organizations since Super Bowl XLVII. Retirements, free-agent departures and injuries have whittled away talented and deep rosters. There have been off-field issues and on-field deficiencies. After engaging in a classic shootout on the sports' biggest stage,

Kyle Arrington's addition provides depth and experience to the Ravens secondary and it also could mean a more simplified role for much-maligned safety Matt Elam.

Harford County baseball teams got their first taste of regional playoffs Friday and a number of them played well enough to move on.

The Havre de Grace Warriors baseball team slowed down the Aberdeen Eagles run toward the UCBAC Susquehanna Division title Tuesday night, scoring multiple runs in two innings, en route to an 7-4 win at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen.

Kelechi Osemele had just practiced for two hours under the hot afternoon sun and then retreated to the weight room for an extended workout after the Ravens' organized team activities were over on Wednesday.

The Ravens have gotten pretty good offseason injury news but the best news at all is guard Kelechi Osemele's successful return from back surgery.

The Mustangs again escaped a 3A North Section II tournament matchup their season intact by defeating the host-team Dundalk squad 6-5 on Monday. North Harford defeats Aberdeen in the 3A North Section II competition as well, Havre de Grace beats Bo Manor, 12-2, in the 1A East Section I action, Fallston knocks off Patterson Mill, 8-6, in a cross-town 2A East Section I showdown and Harford Tech is defeated, 3-1, in another 2A East Section I game.

A roundup of local high school sports in the Baltimore metro area for May 9, 2014.

Lower-division champs win Monday Route 40 contest with Aberdeen, 6-1.

The Bel Air Bobcats came out on the winning end of a back-and-forth contest with crosstown rival Patterson Mill Wednesday, parlaying a fifth-inning rally into an 8-5 home field victory.

Cobras top the previously unbeaten Hawks, 9-3, at Harford Community College

The undefeated Hawks improved to 7-0 on Wednesday with a 9-3 win over host CMW

Bobcats start division schedule with two-run victory over rival Mustangs

The Hawks kicked off what might be a battle for the Chesapeake Division baseball title with a 6-0 whitewashing of the visiting Mustangs Monday

Playing football on Thursday night didn't seem to hurt C. Milton Wright as the Mustangs reeled off big points for a second straight week in a 48-8 rout of visiting Western STES.

Under the NFL collective bargaining agreement, Elam isn't required to have an agent to negotiate an NFL contract. Recently, San Francisco 49ers veteran defensive end Justin Smith negotiated his own contract extension without representation.

The Baltimore sports scene is blessed with a bunch of talented bloggers who bring their unique perspective to the conversation. This week, we exchanged emails with blogger Gordon McGuiness, who writes about the Ravens for Pro Football Focus and also contributes to Russell Street Report and the Purple Reign Show.

Hawks hold of to take 4-2 victory over Cougars, and add a check to their Chesapeake Division win column

The Bobcats smashed 19 hits and scored 18 times on the Mustangs in a Monday baseball contest

Mustangs rally in bottom of the seven for one-run victory

Getting everyone on the same page and playing as one focused unit is the goal at Catonsville and Mount St. Joseph as they build on last season.

Taking a looking at your local baseball teams as they gear up for a long and hard 2013 campaign

Quarterback Joe Flacco is getting the credit that he deserves for leading the Ravens throughout the playoffs and then to a victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. It will be interesting if Ravens coach John Harbaugh gets his.

Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers set to clash in Super Bowl

49ers will combine sturdy defense with explosive offense to beat Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII

Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Andy Moeller has done well since off-field issues in past, including conviction for driving under the influence

The Baltimore Ravens' offensive line thrived in the playoffs, but the San Francisco 49ers' defensive front presents the strongest test yet.

In anticipation of Sunday's Super Bowl XLVII, Baltimore Sun blogger and reporter Matt Vensel looks at 47 stats that define Sunday's big game between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers.

Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers cooperate to share practice field after Ravens had concerns about artificial turf at Tulane University

Every week, we hope to bring you a quick Q&A with someone who covers the Baltimore Ravens' opponent that week. This week, we chatted with reporter Jerry McDonald, who covers the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders for The Bay Area Newspaper Group.

Here is what other news outlets are saying about the Baltimore Ravens, the San Francisco 49ers and Super Bowl XLVII today.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday.

Ravens conduct first Super Bowl practice at Tulane University

Each Wednesday, Baltimore Sun blogger Matt Vensel will highlight five statistics that really mean something for the Baltimore Ravens.

OK Baltimore Ravens fans, I told you last week that I would let you know my take on this Sunday's Super Bowl, pitting your beloved Ravens against the San Francisco 49'ers in New Orleans, La.

The Ravens offensive line will face another tough test in the Super Bowl on Sunday. The 49ers have one of the most physical and effective fronts in the NFL, and one of the most feared pass rushers in football in linebacker Aldon Smith, who will be chasing after Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco all evening.

San Francisco 49ers players saved some of their biggest praise for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who has been at his best in the playoffs.

Baltimore Ravens' list includes starting inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe

Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe did not practice Thursday

AFC champion Baltimore Ravens are relatively healthy heading into Super Bowl

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday.

Lansdowne's second-year wrestling coach George Dunn won't measure his tightly-knit squad by team victories this season.