Damascus Rights Itself at Home Against Springbrook

Roughly 24 hours before Damascus completed Friday's 35-21 home victory over Springbrook, the Swarmin' Hornets sat on the same field, huddled around linebackers coach Bucky Clipper.

It was not a typical day-before-the-game speech, because this was not a typical midseason game.

Clipper "doesn't say too much," Damascus running back and linebacker Brian Lucas said. "But when he comes out, you know it's serious."

The 15-minute speech from the former Damascus player centered on a crucial message: A week after their overtime loss to Seneca Valley -- the Swarmin' Hornets' second defeat this season -- they were already at a crossroads.

Recalled Lucas: "Nobody else talked, and he was like, 'For 11 years, we've made the playoffs. Don't be that team, that guy to screw up the tradition.' Because tradition is a huge thing here."

As if that weren't enough to motivate the Swarmin' Hornets, they also watched "Friday Night Lights" on Friday afternoon, and scenes from "Gladiator" right before the game.

By the time they took the field, Lucas said they "were ready for battle," and it showed.

The Swarmin' Hornets (3-2 overall, 2-2 Montgomery 3A) overwhelmed Springbrook (3-2, 2-2) in the first half, taking a 28-0 lead. And even though the Blue Devils put together a solid third quarter and drew within 28-14 early in the fourth, Damascus recovered a pair of onside kicks to hold on for the win.

"We can't lose anymore, since the 3A West [region] is so competitive," said Damascus quarterback Connor Frazier, who ran for two touchdowns and threw another to junior tight end Sean Winner. "It was do or die for our season right here. If we win, we're still in [the playoff hunt]. If we lose, we're out, pretty much. So we had to come out and win."

The Swarmin' Hornets have difficult games remaining against the likes of Sherwood and Clarksburg, but their state record of consecutive playoff appearances could reach 12 if they can repeat their level of play in Friday's first half.

In addition to Winner's touchdown catch and rushing touchdowns by Frazier and Lucas, senior linebacker Tyler Remson returned a fumble 28 yards for the first score of his prep career.

"The loss [to Seneca Valley] was devastating to us," Remson said, "but we just worked hard all week and wanted to come out here and show that we're one of the top teams in the state."

Damascus 35, Springbrook 21 First-Half Zeroes: Springbrook had a chance to score right before the end of the first half, but a fourth-down pass was intercepted in the end zone by Damascus senior defensive back Greg Stanton. Devils' March: After Springbrook stopped Damascus on fourth and one late in the third quarter, the Blue Devils pulled within 28-14 by marching 66 yards in seven minutes. The drive was capped by senior quarterback Eric Freniere's two-yard touchdown run.