Ravens RISE High School Football Showdown Adds Excitement To Rivalry

With fireworks dotting the sky, a full stadium, and Ravens quarterback Trace McSorley and Baltimore’s cheerleaders in attendance, the October 15 football matchup between Broadneck and Severna Park was more than a regular game.

The Bruins seized the win, 48-14, after the teams battled to a 14-14 tie at half, but players and fans of both teams benefited from the experience.

“It was like ‘Friday Night Lights’ with the Ravens and the fireworks,” said Kevin Necessary, Broadneck High School’s athletic director. “The Severna Park-Broadneck rivalry tends to bring out the best.”

The Baltimore Ravens and The Baltimore Sun teamed up this year to present five games from different counties for the Ravens RISE High School Football Showdown. The Broadneck-Severna Park game was chosen by an online vote to represent Anne Arundel County in the fourth of five RISE showdowns.

The atmosphere was electric as the Ravens cheerleaders walked the track, passing in front of the Broadneck student section. McSorley greeted both teams during the coin toss before kickoff. He then made his way to the Broadneck locker room for a pregame speech.

“I think you have to enjoy the moment, enjoy where you’re at, and take it in for a second,” McSorley said, when asked about his advice for the players. “And then once you get into the game, just one play at a time. It’s a big stage. As a high school kid, as a football player, it’s what you live for.”

That message was appreciated by several players, including Broadneck’s Davion White, who also loved the outpouring of support from students and fans.

“It meant a lot to me, seeing the community come out,” White said. “[McSorley] was telling us that if he was in high school, he would love to do what we were [doing], so it meant a lot to hear that from an NFL quarterback.”

Broadneck quarterback Josh Erlich shared a similar sentiment.

“I play a little like him, a bit of the same style, so it was awesome,” Ehrlich said.

It was also Cape Night, so several Broadneck area youth teams rushed the field at halftime.

Necessary said the event was made possible because former Broadneck High School principal Jim Todd had moved the Severna Park-Broadneck rivalry from Saturday nights to Friday nights, and along with former athletic director Ken Kazmarek, Todd established separate gates for the home and visiting teams to avoid student conflicts.

Leading up to game week, Necessary had help from Broadneck staff, Ravens representatives and Severna Park High School athletic director Dave Kauffman.

“I also want to thank my administration, which supported us all week; the Anne Arundel County police offers; and my group of 15 to 20 teachers who come to the games,” he said.

Severna Park had its own taste of Ravens week when cornerback Khalil Dorsey attended the Falcons field hockey game at home against the Bruins earlier in the week.

“From the students’ standpoint, it was exciting, and the Ravens were incredible with everything they did for our players and fans,” Kauffman said. “From a school standpoint and school spirit, it was great for our kids, our school and our community.”

Severna Park’s varsity football head coach, Mike Wright, said the Ravens and the atmosphere became a distraction for his players, but he was grateful to the Ravens for taking an interest in both schools.

“I’m very happy and gracious that the Ravens were here and did what they did, but this was one of those games where we needed to fly under the radar altogether, and something like that doesn’t help,” he said.

Although the Falcons lost, there were plenty of moments to savor. The Ravens gave $1,500 to each school’s athletic department.

“Coming off of a year when there was not gate income or as many fundraisers, this will help us curtail some of the costs for uniforms and upgrades on equipment and facilities,” Necessary said.

The players will also treasure the advice they got from McSorley.

“Not one game will ruin a season and not one game will make it, so whatever happens, keep pushing forward and keep moving on and the rest will take care of itself,” McSorley said.

Conor Doherty contributed reporting to this story.