Football in Howard County Still Trying to Pick Up Ground

Don't misunderstand Wilde Lake Coach Doug DuVall, he loves and appreciates all the fans of his team during his 36 years with the Wildecats. But DuVall knows that the football environment in Howard County isn't quite like other regions across Maryland.

There won't be any lavish pep rallies or extravagant sendoffs for the No. 7 Wildecats (12-1) before their Maryland 3A title game against No. 9 Westlake on Thursday at M&T Bank Stadium.

"They don't get real excited about football in Howard County," DuVall said. "The people who love it, love it, and we have a pile of people who follow us. But it's not like if you go in some other areas they get real excited and everyone in a whole community is at a huge pep rally."

This season may change that attitude, DuVall suggested, because for the first time Howard County has two teams playing for state championships in the same year. Wilde Lake will be seeking its sixth state title and No. 2 River Hill (13-0) will compete for its second consecutive 2A crown.

Impressive, considering there are only 12 public high schools in Howard; Montgomery, by comparison, has 25 and Prince George's 22. Only five Howard schools have reached the state finals and just three -- Howard (1974), Wilde Lake (1985, 1990-1992, 1997) and River Hill (2007) -- have captured championships.

"In past years [Howard schools] were a bit of a step down," former Seneca Valley head coach and current assistant coach Terry Changuris said. "I think now they're one of the up-and-coming counties that play, and the county's growing. For a long time Wilde Lake was by far the best school in Howard County. They were the school to beat in that area and it's starting to get better across it."

Over the past three seasons the Wildecats have gone a combined 30-6 while River Hill is 40-1. The success has created more of a buzz about Friday nights. More youth football leagues have sprouted up in recent years, helping to foster a culture and passion for football in this new generation, DuVall said.

"Lately though the rec leagues and youth leagues have really gotten behind it. Everywhere you look there are programs, so now when you have kids playing from the time they're 6 years old, it's not something new to them or their parents."

While Wilde Lake is respected for its football program, due in large part to DuVall and his consistent success, the rise of River Hill has helped force everyone from college recruiters to opposing coaches to take a closer look at not only those two teams but the players who try to stop them.

"They're obviously earning more respect," Huntingtown Coach Jerry Franks said. "Once you have two or three schools that are competitive on a state level people start recognizing the county, what it takes to play there and their reputation improves as a football county. I think they're earning that respect now."