By Jon Buzby
MaxPreps.com
Crab Bowl Photo Gallery (Ed Rohde)
Caleb Porzel and Tavon Austin were just two stars among several on Saturday afternoon at Johnny Unitas Stadium on the Towson University campus. However, the two players, both heading to Division I football programs in the fall, stood out above the rest during the first-ever Maryland Crab Bowl.
While there are several local all-star games throughout the state at various times, the newly-created Crab Bowl is Maryland's only statewide high school football all-star game, featuring the best seniors from public and private schools.
Porzel, a 5-foot-8, 180 pound running back from Good Counsel, rushed for three touchdowns to lead his Washington-area team to a 32-21 win over a squad of standouts from the Baltimore area in the inaugural game.
"We're all playing as a family," Porzel, one of nine future Maryland Terrapins participating, told the Baltimore Sun. "It's a great way to end up a high school career."
While Porzel (14 carries for 40 yards) was the star for his Washington-area team, Austin, a running back from Dunbar who is reportedly leaning toward making a verbal commitment to West Virginia, accounted for over half his team’s points. He scored on an 84-yard kickoff return and an 81-yard pass reception from Arundel wide receiver Alec Lemon (Syracuse) at the end of a trick play by the Baltimore offense.
Baltimore’s other score came late in the first half when Milford Mill quarterback Kevin Fulton (undecided) drove his team down the field and hooked up with Perry Hall tight end Dave Stinebaugh (Maryland) on a 2-yard pass for a touchdown.
Westlake’s Devon Smith, heading to Penn State in the fall, scored the other touchdown for Washington when he returned a kickoff 98 yards to start the third quarter. Later in the quarter, Porzel scored his third and final rushing touchdown on a 2-yard run. Damascus kicker Marc Magas (undecided) would later add a 26-yard field goal with just over one minute to play to put the game out of reach.
Saturday’s Crab Bowl was the first time a statewide all-star football game had been played in Maryland since 2004, when the now-defunct Super 44 All-Star Game was played between the top players from Maryland and Virginia.
The idea for the game was put together last fall by Chuck Harmon and Sean O'Connor, both entrenched in the Maryland high school football scene as former players, coaches, scouts and broadcasters. The Maryland Football Coaches Association immediately supported the idea and in late August named the head coaches for the first annual game: Dunbar coach Lawrence Smith for Baltimore, and Quince Orchard’s Dave Mencarini for Washington.
The Washington regional team consisted of players from Montgomery, Prince George's, Calvert, St.Mary's and Charles counties. The Baltimore regional team’s roster consisted of players from Anne Arundel, Howard, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Frederick, Washington, Alleghany, Cecil, Harford, Carroll, Garrett and the Eastern Shore. In all, 90 players participated.
Game Notes
Washington had 261 yards in total offense compared to Baltimore’s 247 … Baltimore was 0-7 on third-down attempts, Washington 6-16 … Neither team lost a fumble but Baltimore had two interceptions and Washington one … Westlake’s Devon Smith took home the title of Crab Bowl “fastest man” with a 40-yard dash time of 4.19 during Thursday’s practice on the University of Maryland campus. Smith edged out Caleb Porzell, who ran a 4.33 … Every player participating in the Crab Bowl plans to play college football, many at Division I schools … Nine game participants (eight from the Washington team) will be attending the University of Maryland on football scholarships in the fall and 16 others are still considering becoming Terrapins … Forestville Military Academy defensive end De’Onte Arnett (6-foot-4, 242 pounds) is graduating in January and heading to College Park in time for spring practice … Over 3,000 fans were in attendance for Saturday's game ... For more information on the game, including a complete list of participating players and coaches, go to www.marylandcrabbowl.com.
Jon Buzby is the Maryland correspondent for MaxPreps.com.
