Our Lady of Good Counsel begins 2012 as Maryland's top team, but watch for Gilman, Eastern Christian, DeMatha and Quince Orchard.
Our Lady of Good Counsel has the nonleague schedule to make a push for a national title. Most importantly, it has the talent and experience to be our top-ranked team in Maryland this season.
Photo by Ken Inness
12-0
Head coach: Bob Milloy
Team PreviewGood Counsel beat Manatee and Gilman before cruising to yet another WCAC title last season. In 2012, the Falcons could prove to be even stronger (Good Counsel is ranked
No. 10 in the Preseason Xcellent 25). Bob Milloy's squad needs to replace two-way star Stefon Diggs, but there's plenty of firepower on both sides of the ball, led by quarterback
Brendan Marshall and defensive back
Kendall Fuller.
Michael Konrad and
Sam Mustipher lead the offensive and defensive lines, respectively. A Sin City tilt with Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) will be a good litmus test for Good Counsel, which will contend for a national No. 1 finish.
2. Gilman (Baltimore)2011 finish: 10-1
Head coach: Biff Poggi
Team PreviewGilman has joined Good Counsel in representing Maryland in discussions about top programs nationally. The Greyhounds have churned out several blue-chip recruits in recent years and have plenty of talent again in 2012. Maryland commit
Shane Cockerille will once again be in charge of the offense while
Henry Poggi, son of head coach Biff, will power the defense. This year's schedule is challenging: Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati), Good Counsel and Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) are its first three opponents. Gilman tops our list of the
Top 10 most consistent football programs in Maryland, and you can find Gilman on our list of
Maryland state football champions for the past 10 years.
3. Eastern Christian Academy (Elkton)2011 finish: n/a
Head coach: Dwayne Thomas
In its first year of existence, Eastern Christian Academy is comprised mostly of players who suited up for Red Lion Christian Academy (Bear, Del.). There's plenty of talent at this first-year school, including three USC-bound recruits:
Kenny Bigelow,
Khaliel Rodgers and sophomore quarterback
David Sills. The schedule is still not set in stone, but will likely feature teams from around the country.
4. DeMatha (Hyattsville)2011 finish: 6-4
Head coach: Elijah Brooks
Team PreviewA traditional powerhouse in the I-95 area, DeMatha will look to rebound from a 6-4 season under the leadership of second-year head coach Elijah Brooks. Brooks' second season had its share of challenges, including the tragic death of Rico Webb. This fall, the Stags should be improved. Quarterback
Roman Williams returns, as do top targets
Cam Phillips and
Chris Jones.
Spencer Kleinrichert is back at linebacker. Both lines will be big and talented. Keep an eye on freshman defensive end
Shane Simmons, who already boasts several Division I offers. DeMatha will need to replace four players found on the list of
Class of 2012 Maryland Division 1 signees.
5. Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg)2011 finish: 13-1
Head coach: Dave Mencarini
Team previewQuince Orchard is arguably Maryland's most consistent public school program and will not miss a beat entering the 2012 season. This year's squad is loaded, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Marcus Newby, a linebacker committed to Nebraska, is the unit's marquee player, but
Tyrell Williams,
Kieran Gregory and
Malcolm Brown are among the returning starters. Quince Orchard is tied for fifth in our June, 2011 list of the
Top 10 Maryland football dynasties. Also, search for Quince Orchard players on our list of
2011 Maryland All-League football teams.
