Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems

Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems - www.kevindayhoff.com Address: PO Box 124, Westminster MD 21158 410-259-6403 kevindayhoff@gmail.com Runner, writer, artist, fire & police chaplain Mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist & artist: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, technology, music, culture, opera... National & International politics www.kevindayhoff.net For community: www.kevindayhoff.org For art, technology, writing, & travel: www.kevindayhoff.com

Showing posts with label Sports Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports Football. Show all posts

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Westminster Bunnies say 'Go Ravens!'


The Westminster Bunnies say 'Go Ravens!'

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Baltimore football championship seasons have always started in Westminster … so should we be worried?

Baltimore football championship seasons have always started in Westminster ... so should we be worried?



Many Carroll County residents are getting a case of nostalgic Super Bowl fever as they look forward to Sunday's AFC championship contest between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots.

For more than 120 years — since football debuted at then-Western Maryland College on Oct. 31, 1891 — football has been a part of the history of Carroll County.

Not to be overlooked is the fact that since July 1949, Baltimore football teams have held summer practice in Westminster. Names like Raymond Berry, Jim Parker, Art Donovan, Gino Marchetti, Lenny Moore, Eugene (Big Daddy) Lipscomb, Alan Ameche, and Wilbur (Weeb) Ewbank, just to mention a few, have become an important part of our Carroll County cultural history.

And yes, there is also that quarterback that was cut by the Pittsburg Steelers in 1956.

What was his name? Oh yeah, right. Johnny Unitas.

Unbelievable. According to an old history of the Baltimore Colts in my files, "Unitas was cut by… http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/community/ph-ce-eagle-archive-0122-20120119,0,3298374.story


 Related Read more: Of course, summer practice in Westminster is probably why the Baltimore Colts won its first National Football League division title in 1958:http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/neighborhoods/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archive-1211-20111207,0,828252.story

And: For over 120 years, since football debuted at Western Maryland College on October 31, 1891, football has been a part of the history of Carroll County…



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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Eagle Archive: Gridiron beginnings 120 years ago were humble for 'Green Terror'

Eagle Archive: Gridiron beginnings 120 years ago were humble for 'Green Terror'

Eagle Archive: Gridiron beginnings 120 years ago were humble for 'Green Terror'

Eagle Archive By Kevin Dayhoff,


November 30, 2011

This season has marked the 120th anniversary of the football team at McDaniel College.

According to Dr. James Lightner's history of the college, "Fearless and Bold," the first football season at then-Western Maryland College, in 1891, consisted of five games.

"On October 31, 1891, the first WMC football game was played in Westminster" against Pennsylvania College, now known as Gettysburg College.




Baltimore football and Westminster have a long history together

Eagle Archive

By Kevin Dayhoff, December 7, 2011


Certainly many people were disappointed when the Baltimore Ravens announced Dec. 2 that the team will not be returning to its McDaniel College summer training camp.

In a Carroll Eagle article that day on ExploreCarroll.com, Westminster Mayor Utz spoke for many, "It's almost a 50-year tradition that's being broken… That's the sad part about it."

The tradition and history of Baltimore football and Westminster first began when the newspaper announced ran on Feb. 11, 1949, "College Campus To Be Used By Colts … Coach Isbell Expects to Bring 55 Players to Train, Starting in July … Baltimore's football Colts are going to train at Western Maryland College this year."

The article in the now defunct Democratic Advocate continued, "Dr. Lowell S. Ensor, president of the Methodist school, and Walter S. Driskill, Colts general manager, have signed a contract providing for the city's All-America Football Conference squad to use the Westminster College's campus as a pre-season base of operations, it was announced…"


The history of football in Baltimore — and Westminster — can trace one of its lineages to the All-America Football Conference in 1946 and another lineage to the NFL in 1944.

The first football team in Baltimore began on Dec. 28, 1946, when the bankrupt Miami Seahawks franchise, of the All-American Football Conference, was awarded to Baltimore.

Just over two-years later, according to the 1949 newspaper article, Coach Cecil Isbell said he expected to take a Colt squad to Westminster, "We plan to begin practice about five weeks before our opening contest..." Driskill said in the article… Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/neighborhoods/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archive-1211-20111207,0,828252.story



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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Baltimore football and Westminster have a long history together By Kevin Dayhoff

Baltimore football and Westminster have a long history together By Kevin Dayhoff


Certainly many people were disappointed when the Baltimore Ravens announced Dec. 2 that the team will not be returning to its McDaniel College summer training camp.

In a Carroll Eagle article that day on ExploreCarroll.com, Westminster Mayor Utz spoke for many, "It's almost a 50-year tradition that's being broken… That's the sad part about it."

The tradition and history of Baltimore football and Westminster first began when the newspaper announced ran on Feb. 11, 1949, "College Campus To Be Used By Colts … Coach Isbell Expects to Bring 55 Players to Train, Starting in July … Baltimore's football Colts are going to train at Western Maryland College this year."







Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/ “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

Saturday, November 05, 2011

UVA 31 UM 13 with 10 minutes left in the game. Looks like Jefferson triumphs


UVA 31 UM 13 with 10 minutes left in the game. Looks like Jefferson triumphs

Terps Terps

University of Maryland pom pom

University of Maryland Bryd Stadium

Byrd Stadium University of Maryland

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Home of the Maryland Terrapins

Byrd Stadium University of Maryland

University of Maryland marching band

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Cole Field House University of Maryland

Sunday, July 12, 2009

History of McDaniel's Hoffa Field - The Raven's summer practice field

DAYHOFF: Hoffa Field and the Sheathing of the Sword
Published June 23, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

The dedication of Hoffa Field and the Sheathing of the Sword at McDaniel College in June 1922

On Saturday, June 10, 1922, the formal dedication of the Hoffa athletic field took place on the campus of Western Maryland College - now McDaniel College.

Of course, many know the field as where the Baltimore Ravens hold their summer practices.

Others know the field for the great tradition of tailgating at McDaniel football games. The running track, which circles the field, is always a favorite spot for health conscious walkers and runners.

Today McDaniel College is accepted as presiding prominently in the center, more or less, of Westminster. However, this was not the case until around the 1970s when housing developments began to grow to the west of the campus.

In 1922, the campus was on the outer western edge of Westminster on the brink of a frontier of forest and farmland that stretched for ten miles until one arrived in Taneytown.

According to a definitive history of the college, “Fearless and Bold,” published just recently by Dr. James E. Lightner; the Geiman property, a 65-acre farm contiguously situated to the west of the campus became available to the college, in 1920, upon the death of W. H. Geiman.

As an aside, for anyone who is even remotely interested in the social, economic, political, or academic history of Westminster, McDaniel College, and Carroll County, “Fearless and Bold” is a must addition for your library.

Those of us, who were aware that Dr. Lightner was laboring to write the book, were very eager to lay our hands on a copy after it was printed in 2007.

We were not disappointed. Do not be put off by its sheer volume. At 713 pages, it can easily intimidate. However, it is well segmented. One may open the book to any page and find that Dr. Lightner packs facts together, in an easily read and engaging conversational approach that makes the book quite hard to put down.

It is a spellbinding story of intrigue and success against all odds; that will captivate even the reader who is not easily drawn to tomes of history.

It is chapter six that Dr. Lightner writes that the trustees of the college, “were always alert to possible campus expansion…”

After the death of Mr. Geiman, the property “suddenly came on the market, and the board authorized (college president Thomas Hamilton) Lewis to purchase it for $26,201…

“It was formally deeded on March 31, 1920, using endowment funds. The purchase agreement allowed Charles Geiman to lease back part of the farm, while a portion would be used for new athletic fields.

“At the June meeting (of the board of trustees,) the alumni visitors to the board stressed the urgent need for improving the fields, and the Buildings and Grounds Committee was empowered to act.”

And “act” they did. In the following chapter, Dr. Lightner reports that “on Saturday, June 10, a warm and sunny day, the formal dedication of the Hoffa Field was held before an audience of 5,000.”

The dedication was followed by the “presentation of ‘The Sheathing of the Sword: A Pageant of Peace,’” according to another local historian, Jay Graybeal.

Fortunately, in the late 1990s, Graybeal reprinted a June 16, 1922 front-page article which appeared in the now out-of-print American Sentinel newspaper. According to his introduction: “The community event (which followed the dedication) was written by Miss Dorothy Elderdice of Westminster. Her introduction provides an overview of her production:

“‘In The Sheathing of the Sword, I have endeavored to select from the different ages a few significant historical episodes that lend themselves to pageantry. Peace in panoply has been my quest---Peace heralded by song, attended by art, crowned by humanity.’”

This is where we will pick up the story in a future column. We are fortunate that Dr. Lightner and the June 1922 American Sentinel newspaper article have left us with an extensive and fascinating account of the “The Sheathing of the Sword.”

Kevin Dayhoff may reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/

For other recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff:

Bringing Corbit's Charge, and Douglass, back to Westminster
Published July 5, 2009 by Carroll Eagle http://tinyurl.com/mxbkjp
http://explorecarroll.com/community/3099/bringing-corbits-charge-douglass-back-westminster/

DAYHOFF: Margaret Mitchell wrote what she knew; the rest is gone with the wind
Published July 2, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... And that is all I know for right now. Hope you and your family have a great Fourth of July weekend. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. …visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Westminster was all abuzz for the great fly roundup of 1914
Published June 28, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... reminds me that it was Groucho Marx who once said, "Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." When he is not swatting flies, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at … or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

DAYHOFF: Hoffa Field and the Sheathing of the Sword
Published June 23, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... . Lightner and the June 1922 American Sentinel newspaper article have left us with an extensive and fascinating account of the “The Sheathing of the Sword.” … visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

'Year without summer' killed crops ... and created a monster
Published June 21, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... village folk that it's not a bad idea to keep a torch handy on these cool summer nights. When he is not playing with laboratory-harnessed lightning, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at … or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...

Historic Blue Ridge College bell dedicated In Union Bridge
Published June 20, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
UNION BRIDGE — Several hundred folks braved threatening weather June 20 to witness the unveiling and dedication of the historic 1900 Blue Ridge College bell in Lehigh Square, the original site of the college which had thrived in Union Bridge from 1898 to ... ...

When city got 'sole' in the 1920s, it was cause for a celebration
Published June 14, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... be the guest speaker. There will be a retirement ceremony for worn flags. Guests may bring old flags for retirement. When he is not waving the flag, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at… or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Remember when you could walk to work in Westminster?
Published June 7, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... . When he's not on a "walk-about" in Westminster, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached …

Company H: from the Frizellburg greenhouses to the sands of Omaha Beach
Published June 3, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
… (have) come a long way from the old parade field in Frizellburg.” Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

Dayhoff: New councilmember tackles alleged hit and run driver
Published June 1, 2009 by Westminster Eagle, Carroll Eagle
... Westminster city police arrived and took control of the situation The accident is under investigation. All in a day’s work. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

20090705 sdosm Recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff
*****

Friday, September 21, 2007

20070919 Westminster Eagle Sports


Westminster Eagle sports

Recreation Friday, September 21

For the latest in Carroll County Sports coverage, read Steve Jones in the Westminster Eagle

Related on Soundtrack: Sports in Carroll County, Sports in Carroll County Football, Sports in Carroll County Football Westminster High School

Sports Notes

For a cool time, try out for the Finksburg Freeze

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...

[Read full story]


High School Football Results & Schedule

09/19/07

Friday, September 14

Century 22, Walkersville 7

Frederick 15, Winters Mill 14

Brunswick 14, Liberty 13

North Carroll 21, Francis Scott Key 14

Westminster 13, South Carroll 12

Thursday, September 20

Century at Frederick (7 p.m.)

Thomas Johnson at FSK (7 p.m.)

Westminster at Liberty (7 p.m.)

Friday, September 21

Smithsburg at Winters Mill (5 p.m.)

South Carroll at North Carroll (5 p.m.)

Carroll County Standings

Overall County

W-L W-L

North Carroll 2-0 1-0

Century 2-0 0-0

Francis Scott Key 1-1 1-1

Westminster 1-1 1-1

South Carroll 1-1 1-1

Winters Mill 1-1 0-0

Liberty 0-2 0-0

Game of the Week

South Carroll at North Carroll

(Friday; 5 p.m.)

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.


Balanced offense leads North Carroll over FSK

Three touchdowns come in frantic 27 seconds

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.

On Friday n... [Read full story]

See also: 20070912 Westminster Eagle: Carroll County High School Football Results and Schedule

20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Video Clips

20070912 Westminster Eagle: Eagles top Owls to gain early edge in county

20070907 WHS Owls entrance on to Ruby Field

20070919 Part 1 of Herb Ruby and Ruby Field - Resetting a local gem to mark Ruby Field

Thursday, September 20, 2007

20070919 Part 1 of Herb Ruby and Ruby Field - Resetting a local gem to mark Ruby Field


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:

20051207 Carroll Public Schools’ Extracurricular Activities teaches values

Friends and family gathered at the rededication of the “Ruby Field” sign at the Westminster High 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.

Westminster Eagle: Ruby Field - Resetting a local gem to mark Ruby Field

September 19, 2007 by Kevin Dayhoff

I had the pleasure to attend 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.

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.”

20070907 WHS Owls entrance on to 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” Westminster High 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 Carroll County 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 Westminster High 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 Eagle

For the latest in Carroll County Sports coverage, read Steve Jones in the Westminster Eagle

Related on Soundtrack: Sports in Carroll County, Sports in Carroll County Football, Sports in Carroll County Football Westminster High School

See also:

20070912 Westminster Eagle: Carroll County High School Football Results and Schedule

20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Video Clips

20070912 Westminster Eagle: Eagles top Owls to gain early edge in county

20070907 WHS Owls entrance on to Ruby Field

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com and Winchester Report.

####


20070907 WHS Owls entrance on to Ruby Field




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 Westminster High 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.

20070907 WHS Owls entrance on to Ruby Field

Kevin Dayhoff September 7th, 2007 www.kevindayhoff.net

Westminster Eagle

For the latest in Carroll County Sports coverage, read Steve Jones in the Westminster Eagle

Related on Soundtrack: Sports in Carroll County, Sports in Carroll County Football, Sports in Carroll County Football Westminster High School

See also: 20070912 Westminster Eagle: Carroll County High School Football Results and Schedule

20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Video Clips

20070912 Westminster Eagle: Eagles top Owls to gain early edge in county

20070919 Part 1 of Herb Ruby and Ruby Field - Resetting a local gem to mark Ruby Field


20070907 WHS Owls entrance on to Ruby Field

####

Thursday, September 13, 2007

20070912 Westminster Eagle: Eagles top Owls to gain early edge in county

Eagles top Owls to gain early edge in county

09/12/07 By Steve Jones

Westminster Eagle

For the latest in Carroll County Sports coverage, read Steve Jones in the Westminster Eagle

Related on Soundtrack: Sports in Carroll County, Sports in Carroll County Football, Sports in Carroll County Football Westminster High School

See also: 20070912 Westminster Eagle: Carroll County High School Football Results and Schedule

Also see: 20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Video Clips

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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20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Video Clip 1

20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Clip 2

20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Clip 3

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