The Finksburg Freeze 14-under baseball travel team will host tryouts for the 2008 season on Saturdays, Sept. 22 and 29; and Sundays, Sept. 23 and 30. Tryouts are 9-11 a.m. each day.
Tryouts will be held at Sandymount Elementary on the lower field...
The undefeated Panthers will try to go to 3-0 against the Cavaliers, who need a win to stay in the hunt for the county title.
North Carroll owns victories over Joppatowne and Francis Scott Key, while South Carroll lost a 13-12 heartbreaker to Westminster after rolling over Williamsport in its opener.
The Panthers won last year's matchup by a 27-7 score in Winfield, and the current North Carroll team is better than the 2006 edition.
The Cavaliers have also improved, and are expected to compete for a Class 1A playoff berth after going 3-7 last fall.
When North Carroll's senior running back Jeremy E. Ritz went down with a broken shinbone in the Panthers' season-opening victory against Joppatowne, head coach Jeff Oeming and his staff turned to two new faces to keep the ground game going.
Part 1 of Herb Ruby and Ruby Field - Resetting a local gem to mark Ruby Field
September 20th, 2007
Friday night football is one of my fondest childhood memories.For entertainment and getting together outside in the fresh air with your family, friends and neighbors there is hardly anything better.As a community builder, sports teams and sporting events are a great democratizer.It’s folks from all walks in life and fellow community members that you wouldn’t meet if it weren’t for sports
It’s hot dogs and French fires, family and good friends and you can get in touch with your feelings and scream to your heart’s content.Call it family primal scream therapy.
Sports for young adults are a great equalizer.If your child is willing to work hard, stay disciplined, have a goal, and stay off of drugs and alcohol, everybody benefits and everyone can learn to understand the positives that come from achieving.It is inspiring to witness these young adults come together, play their hearts out and learn the value of teamwork. See:
Friends and family gathered at the rededication of the “Ruby Field” sign at the WestminsterHigh School football field on September 7.From Left to Right Adults: Jim Head, Dr. "Chuck" Ecker, Rani Ruby, Mike Ruby, Mark Ruby, Dr. Sandra Ruby, Heather Ruby, Brad Ruby, Shelley Ruby, Dr. Herbert E. Ruby III, Sally Ruby, Dr. Douglas E. Ruby, Terry Malloy, and John Seaman.From Left to Right - children: Cole Ruby, Max Ruby, Carter Ruby, Blake Ruby, and Anna Ruby.Photo courtesy of Tom Welliver.
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My September 19th, 2007 Westminster Eagle column is the “rededication” of the “Ruby Field” sign under the scoreboard at the Westminster High School football field right before the Westminster – Francis Scott Key football game on Friday, Sept. 7.
I had the pleasure to attend the “rededication” of the “Ruby Field” sign under the scoreboard at the WestminsterHigh School football field right before the Westminster – Francis Scott Key football game on Friday, Sept. 7.
A gathering of friends and family of the late Coach Herb Ruby were in attendance.In the tradition of Coach Ruby it appears the sign rededication was the result of many folks working together as a team.
It got downright humorous as everyone interviewed gave the credit for the effort to someone else.This is only fitting as Coach Ruby was well known for putting the athletes, the team, and the community above himself and abhorred having attention drawn to him individually.
It wasn’t a big splashy affair.It was small group of folks who gathered to pay their respects.A few stories were traded back and forth – in somewhat hushed tones.A picture was taken and everyone went about their business.
Coach Ruby would’ve approved.
Over the roar of the pre-game excitement from the large crowd, the football team warming-up, the cheerleaders and the band practicing, my conversation with Carroll County Schools Superintendent Dr. Chuck Ecker and (my high school football coach,) Jim Head turned to the sign and the history of “Ruby Field.”
When the “new” Westminster High School (WHS) opened in the fall of 1971, the sign did not accompany the football field moving from its former location on Longwell Avenue on the grounds of the “old” WestminsterHigh School facility located there from 1936 to 1971.
No one interviewed for this column seems to know why.It just didn’t happen.Besides, many of us in the community called the “new” field at the “new” high school “Ruby Field” anyway.It’s an honor and tribute to a great Carrollinian that remains in our hearts; a community covenant that certainly was not broken for the lack of a physical sign.
Dr. Ecker explained that in the spring of 1964, the Board of Education decided to name the football field at the old WHS, (where I graduated in 1971 and played football from 1968 – 1970,) Samuel M. Jenness field.Mr. Jenness was, at the time, the superintendent of CarrollCounty schools.
However a movement in the community quickly developed, which was supported by Mr. Jenness that the field ought to be named “Ruby Field.”It was “renamed” Ruby Field in the fall of 1964.
1957 Westminster High graduate Coach Head, former schools superintendent Ed Shilling, a 1958 WHS grad, and 1949 WHS grad Coach Earl Hersh had a series of 4 meetings with Dr. Ecker (WHS class of 1945) in recent months about moving the sign.Dr. Ecker subsequently looked into the minutes and found that the name of the field didn’t specify a particular address, just the WestminsterHigh School…
Dr. Ecker and Coach Head said there “were happy to see it moved… a fitting memorial.”The sign “should’ve been moved when the field moved was moved” years ago, remarked Dr. Ecker.
Later, as I watched the game, a spectator come over and asked, “Who is Ruby?”
I’ll bet many readers are wondering the same thing.Moreover, it is only fitting and appropriate that the question was posed in the present tense.Coach Herb Ruby passed away in April 1990 and yet his legacy is alive in our community now - more than ever.
And this is where we’ll pick up the story of Coach Herb Ruby next week, after the halftime show.For now let’s enjoy the marching band.
Westminster High School Owls entrance on to Ruby Field
September 20th, 2007
My September 19th, 2007 Westminster Eagle column is the “rededication” of the “Ruby Field” sign under the scoreboard at the WestminsterHigh School football field right before the Westminster – Francis Scott Key football game on Friday, Sept. 7.
(See: 20070919 Part 1 of Herb Ruby and Ruby Field - Resetting a local gem to mark Ruby Field)
I had the pleasure to attend the “rededication.”
A gathering of friends and family of the late Coach Herb Ruby were in attendance.In the tradition of Coach Ruby it appears the sign rededication was the result of many folks working together as a team.
Over the roar of the pre-game excitement from the large crowd, the football team warming-up, the cheerleaders and the band practicing, my conversation with Carroll County Schools Superintendent Dr. Chuck Ecker and (my high school football coach,) Jim Head turned to the sign and the history of “Ruby Field.”
Just then the Westminster Owl football team made its entrance on to the field through the “fog” of a smoke machine.I captured this quick video of the entrance – and the “Ruby Field” sign.
And: 20070919 Part 1 of Herb Ruby and Ruby Field - Resetting a local gem to mark Ruby Field
Westminster Eagle sports writer wrote:
Thomas' run clinches season-opening victory
They gained only five yards of total offense in the first half and made only seven first downs the entire game.
Their best player was limited to less than two yards per carry, and they didn't complete a single pass during the warm, muggy night.
Yet somehow, Francis Scott Key found a way to win.
The Eagles utilized a standout defense that limited Westminster to just 53 yards on the ground and big plays from two unlikely heroes to record a 14-9 win over the host Westminster Owls in the season opener for both teams Friday night.
While the Westminster defense bottled up last year's county rushing leader Brad Martz for most of the contest, the Eagles got game-changing plays from two less heralded running backs.
Dustin Ebaugh raced 22 yards for a third-quarter touchdown and David Thomas added the clinching score on a 55-yard run with just over two minutes remaining.
"Everybody knows about Brad, but we also have other playmakers," said Key's second-year head coach Bill Hyson. "Dustin came close to popping some long runs and David had a nice one for the touchdown. Along with Tyler Bridges, they're going to give Brad some opportunities down the road, because defenses will have to start respecting them, too."
The win enabled defending county champion Key to take an early lead in the county race.
The Eagles host a formidable North Carroll team this Friday, while Westminster travels to South Carroll to continue the county's oldest rivalry.
Key gained just five total yards in the first half, as Westminster clearly won the battle at the line of scrimmage. Martz, who led the county with 1,443 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago, had seven carries for minus-8 yards in the opening half.
The Owls picked up nine first downs to just one for the Eagles, but Westminster could not convert opportunities into points. On their opening drive, the Owls kept the ball for 13 plays but did not score. On Westminster's next possession, a 10-play march resulted in the only points of the first half, as Tom Magrogan booted a 31-yard field goal that gave the Owls a 3-0 lead at the break.
"How many opportunities did we have that we didn't take advantage of in the first half?," said Westminster head coach Brad Wilson, who watched the Owls lose their first season opener in his four years at the helm. "We made young mistakes and just didn't finish."
Francis Scott Key scored on its first possession of the second half. After Thomas returned a Bobby Krauk punt to the Westminster 36-yard line, the Eagles needed just five plays to reach the end zone. Ebaugh followed the blocking of Martz and dashed for a 22-yard touchdown to put Francis Scott Key ahead for good with 6:50 left in the third quarter.
The teams picked up a combined three first downs on the next nine series, as the defenses dominated into the latter stages of the fourth quarter.
Krauk sailed a 55-yard punt past Thomas that was downed at the Eagle 37, and Martz moved Key to midfield with a 13-yard burst up the middle. After a delay of game penalty, Thomas put the game away for the Eagles.
The senior running back moved through a sizable hole then cut to the left sideline and outraced two Westminster defenders for a 55-yard touchdown that gave Key a 14-3 advantage with 2:05 remaining in the game.
"I can't say enough about the blocking of our line," said Thomas, who led all rushers with 74 yards on seven carries. "We didn't change our blocking schemes (in the second half). We just came out and played hard."
Westminster found new life on its next offensive play.
Senior running back Hunter Smith took a short screen pass from sophomore quarterback Andy Gilford and raced 73 yards down the right sideline for the Owls' only touchdown of the night with 1:45 remaining.
Smith was stopped short on the two-point conversion try, but a well-placed onside kick by junior John Hajnos was recovered by Westminster at the Key 49.
The Eagles' defense smothered Westminster on its final offensive series to preserve the win, as Key linebackers David Groomes and Dean Seal sacked Gilford on consecutive plays to end the game.
"I was proud of their effort," Hyson said of his defense, which yielded just 189 total yards. "We were fortunate to be down only 3-0 (at half-time) with the short field that we were playing on."
Smith, who was the only Owl back to run with the ball, accounted for most of Westminster's offensive output.
A former wide receiver who was moved to running back after senior Jesse Astlin suffered a season-ending injury in a late August scrimmage, Smith gained 68 yards on 20 carries and also caught five passes for 75 yards.
In his first start, Gilford completed 16 of 33 passes for 136 yards and one score. Junior linebacker Brett Baer led the Owl defensive effort, recording a game-high nine tackles while also playing a strong game on the offensive line.
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WestminsterHigh School – Francis Scott Key football game at Ruby Field on Friday, Sept. 7 in Carroll County Maryland. www.kevindayhoff.net
Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Video Clips
September 7, 2007
I took three quick videos at the Westminster – Francis Scott Key football game on Friday, Sept. 7 in Carroll County Maryland.
I had the pleasure to attend the “rededication” of the “Ruby Field” sign under the scoreboard at the WestminsterHigh School football field right before the Westminster – Francis Scott Key football game on Friday, Sept. 7.
After the rededication ceremonies, I stayed to watch some of the game and took several short videos…
“The Eagles utilized a standout defense that limited Westminster to just 53 yards on the ground and big plays from two unlikely heroes to record a 14-9 win over the host Westminster Owls in the season opener for both teams Friday night.”
The Rotary Club of Westminster has announced the inductees for the class of 2007 Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame.
This year's members of the hall will be honored at the annual Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, April 13, at CarrollCommunity College, beginning at 6 p.m.
There are currently 54 persons honored in the hall of fame. The five inductees for 2007 are:
*Amber Clutter Hunter -- a soccer All-American, All-South Region, All-State and All-County player, Baltimore Metro Athlete of the Year and 12-letter winner at SouthCarrollHigh School;
*Tom Reese -- a football and wrestling standout at North Carroll High, All-County and All-Monocacy Valley League player in football, two-time county, regional and state champion and All-American in wrestling, three-time Atlantic Coast Conference champion and three-time NCAA qualifier in Division One.
*Charles Robert Barnhart -- the first quarterback on WestminsterHigh School's inaugural football team. He also played basketball and played shortstop on one of Westminster's best baseball teams.
*Dwight Dingle -- has served many years as sports voice of WTTR-Radio. He has promoted and developed the station's Athlete of the Week Award, and covered nearly every sport played in Carroll County, following teams all over the region; and
*Paul "Pete" Widener -- played football, basketball and ran track at Westminster High, played football and lacrosse at Duke.
He was an All American, All-Conference and All-Metro player at Westminster. At the college level, he played football in the Cotton Bowl and the Blue-Gray Classic.
The unveiling ceremony of the plaques on the Sports Hall of Fame Wall will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the induction banquet in the college atrium.
Tickets for the evening are $30, and are available at The Boston Inn, 533 Baltimore Blvd., and branches of The New Windsor State Bank.
For more information, call 410-848-9095.
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