The stingy Hornets' defense held the Patriots' offense in check all day long and they held on to defeat Old Mill 7-0.

By Amy Russell

In the wake of a devastating loss to Fallston in the state tournament last year, the 2009 Green Hornets 8U football team was committed to take the enthusiasm and momentum they had achieved into the 2010 season as a 90-pound team.

After going 7-2 in the regular season and winning two playoff games to earn a championship berth, last year’s Hornets saw their title dreams disappear during a heartbreaking loss to GORC. When they were invited to play in the Under Armour state championship, they felt an even greater blow when Fallston beat them decidedly.

After that game, Severna Park came together and vowed 2010 would be an even bigger year for the team, and their plans have come to fruition thus far. Having gone 8-1 in Division I this season with their lone loss to defending champion GORC, the Green Hornets are in prime position to steal the title as they head into the playoffs the first weekend in November.

 

"We knew we had a good team last year but we were shocked that someone beat us so convincingly," said head coach Marc McDaniel. "So, coach Hall and I met and set our goals for 2010 immediately after the season. Our goal was to get better, to get bigger as a team, to change our offensive philosophy and to win the league and be the dominant team in the 90-pound division."

 

At the start of the season, McDaniel and defensive coordinator and offensive line coach Chuck Hall drastically changed the offense implementing a "single wing formation," which calls for four running backs to replace the quarterback and receiver positions.

"We beefed up our offensive line, kept our defensive plan in tact and started practice with a mission to improve with a really great group of kids," said McDaniel.

With a new plan in force, the team’s biggest challenge was their schedule. "We opened up with GORC, then had to play two other teams that made the playoffs last year," said McDaniel. "Our goal was to win two out of three and then run the table."

As scripted, the Hornet’s dropped the opener to GORC in overtime, but the team kept faith in their new system and focused on the positive. In game two, Severna Park eked out a hard-fought, one point win over cross-town rival Severn. With their first win under their belt, the Hornet’s confidence grew and in a showdown with Crofton, the team produced two touchdowns in route to a shutout win.

Severna Park rolled past their next two opponents with huge offensive productions, but waiting in the wings was undefeated Brooklyn Park team, which had already defeated GORC and was averaging 35 points a game.

"Our kids rose to the challenge," said McDaniel proudly. The Hornet defense shut down Brooklyn Park and made the lone TD of the game stand up with a 7-0 win.

The team’s momentum carried through to their next three games, including a 7-0 win over title contender Old Mill.

The team features 19 players and eight coaches and assistant coaches who according to McDaniel play a very important role in the implementation of the strategy.

On offensive line Cole Erickson, Jake Cooley, Stephen Cobbs, Garret Edwards, Matt Alton, Niles Tinsely, Zach Gamber, Logan Harris, AJ Bent and Gage Bangert all contribute to the single wing offense. Their protection up front has allowed the band of quick running backs, including Brent McVicker, Alex Green, Tucker Denalt, Dominic Hall, Will Sherwood, Carlos Coates, Ryan McDaniel and Mikey Federichi, to run through opposing defenses. As many as five different players have scored in a given game this season.

Part of what makes the group work so well, Mc Daniel says, is each player’s knowledge of the other positions.

"Often when we have big leads our running backs become our lineman and our lineman become our running backs," said McDaniel. "I wanted to emphasize the importance of line play and as a reward lineman get to occasionally run the ball. The concept has helped us tremendously because each of our kids knows each position and can be substituted freely."

The team’s talent is so widespread in fact, 12 of the 19 players have scored this season.

On defense, Severna Park is unstoppable. Defensive backs Green, McVicker, Ethan Paige, AJ Bent, and lineman Erickson, Hall, Tinsely, Cooley, Edwards, Sherwood and Bangert anchor the unit. McDaniel, Coates and Denault cover the linebacker positions.

"We are very proud of this unit," said McDaniel. "Our defense returned ten starters from last year, but every game all 19 players rotate throughout."

During the regular season, the defense has given up an average of 3.4 points per game and produced a whopping six shutouts.

"The kids are super disciplined and love finding the ball," said McDaniel. "They are amazing. They love to compete, are very coachable, and clearly like to play alongside each other."

The team will get three more chances to play together in their quest for a title as they head into the playoffs in November.

"The way we see it, we have three games left," said McDaniel. "Two playoff games and the championship game; after that our mission will be complete."

Appropriately, the Green Hornets will take on GORC in the first round of the playoffs at home in hopes of finally finishing what they started last year.