Thursday, November 29, 2007

3A Semis: Wilde Lake at Damascus

Wilde Lake junior Ashton Hayes knew if he could get a few more carries, the breakout game would come. He got 18 carries Saturday -- eight more than he had averaged over the previous three games -- and ran for a career-best 266 yards in a 26-6 win over North Harford in the 3A East Region final.

"This is my first game in a while getting well over 10 carries, and giving me more of a chance to break, so when they gave me the ball more it shows that [the coaches] have more confidence in me," Hayes said before practice this week. "So I took advantage of every carry. My offensive line opened up some holes, and I just ran as fast as I could to the end zone."

Hayes was averaging 87 yards per game through 14th-ranked Wilde Lake's first 11 contests. But behind an offensive line led by hefty seniors Dave Klotz (6 feet 3, 245 pounds), Ryan Smith (6-2, 295) and Cody Blue (6-5, 280), Hayes tripled that number and reached the end zone four times -- on runs of 75, 53, 32 and 3 yards.

Wilde Lake (10-2), playing in its first state semifinals in 10 years, will have its hands full with tradition-rich Damascus (11-1) tomorrow at 7 p.m. The Hornets have made the state tournament in nine of 10 seasons, have won six state championships and have reached the state title game nine times.

The Hornets are averaging 40.4 points and -- aside from a 35-0 loss to top-ranked Quince Orchard -- are winning by an average of 36 points per game.

"We haven't had a great schedule this year, so we've had to hammer on these kids week after week to improve. It's kind of been our focus -- treat every quarter like it's 0-0," said Damascus Coach Dan Makosy.

Seventh-ranked Damascus can't focus only on Hayes. The Wildecats also have another 1,000-yard rusher in junior Jerrel Epps, who is averaging 93.6 yards per game. Fullback Vaughn Stamper (743 yards) and quarterback Danny March (449 yards) add depth.

Defensively, Hayes has played defensive end and strong safety -- he expects he'll be at safety tomorrow night -- and said there's one key element to taking down Damascus:

"To hit them first, because they're a team that wants to pound the ball. We've got to hit 'em and make them change their offense."

River Hill senior captain Zach Martin has gained 1,139 rushing yards this season, but make no mistake: He wants to known as a defensive force first -- and his statistics at middle linebacker back that up.

Martin has 134 tackles for the top defense in the Washington area, one that has given up only 14 points and shut out 10 of 12 opponents in rising to a No. 4 ranking. Martin is River Hill's career leader in tackles with 457. Martin, who is 5-feet-10, 180 pounds, was voted defensive player of the year by Howard County coaches.

He had 12 tackles in last week's 35-0 win over then-No. 10 Patuxent in the 2A South Region final.

"Anyone around me ever since I've been playing football knows I'm a defensive guy," Martin said. "Being the middle linebacker, you've got to know the other team and their tendencies. That's the most important thing -- making all the calls, shouting out what's expected in the formation, make your defense aware of what's coming."

The Hawks (12-0) will face an Elkton squad that also plays formidable defense tomorrow at 7 p.m. Elkton (10-2), of Cecil County, has given up 67 points, and only 21 in their past nine games, all victories. The Golden Elks are averaging 41 points in their past four games and dismantled Parkside last week, 42-8, in the 2A East Region final. Elkton is seeking its first trip to a state title game since it won the 1A crown in 2000. River Hill is seeking its to return to the state finals after losing the 3A title game last year.

Fullback Travis Bullock has more than 1,100 yards rushing this season and ran for three touchdowns against Parkside.

-- DAVE YANOVITZ