12/7/07

How does one describe an event they can’t believe took place?

For the first time all season, for three quarters, I witnessed a team out play, execute, tackle and block the juggernaut we know as the Quince Orchard Cougars (14-0) football team. Fortunately for the Cougars, football games are four quarters long!

Trailing 23-7 entering the fourth quarter of the Maryland 4A State Football Championship at M & T Bank Field in Baltimore, the Cougars were on the verge of letting a dream season slip through their hands – literally.

A comeback seemed improbable considering simple things like fumbled hand-offs, dropped passes, and an uncommonly large number of penalties were committed.

Had the bright lights and glamour of playing at M & T Bank Field and live television cause this seemingly unflappable team to self destruct? 

Then, with just over nine minutes remaining, something magical happened. Everyone on the Cougars’ sideline started to show signs of life. Emotions erupted like never before, from what has typically been a very mild group. But these weren’t the emotions of frustration, they were inspirational emotions seldom seen from the Cougars’ bench all season long. “Remember the Damascus game!” Was shouted over and over (referencing the 21 point deficit erased in last season’s victory over their rival) mixed with a few belts of, “This is our title” and “We’ve worked too hard for this.”

It was like the Destiny Fairy finally came along and wiped away all those destructive blunders which caused the Cougars to fall into a 23-7 hole.

Two special game altering plays took place back-to-back, changing the complexity of the entire game.

On a second and eight play from their own 18 yard line, center Adam Bock snapped the ball over quarterback Jaron Morrison’s head. The ball rolled endlessly to the two yard line until runningback Thomas Addison alertly pounced on top of it. How could this be a game altering play in favor of the Cougars? As Addison lay on the ground cradling the ball, an Arundel defender drilled him in the back after the play was blown dead. The defender was flagged for a late hit and instead of facing a third and 26 play from their own two yard line, the Cougars had a second and eight from their own 18 yard line.

On the very next play, the signs of destiny struck once again. As Morrison dropped back to pass, Arundel linebacker Mike Inyang came flying in from his blind side prepared to unload a devastating and unsuspecting hit. Just as Inyang reached Morrison he turned and threw a short screen pass to Travis Hawkins. Inyang planted Morrsion into the ground, but not before he released a perfectly thrown pass to Hawkins. Hawkins dodged two defenders immediately and broke free for 52-yard pass play down to the Wildcats 28 yard line.

The tide had turned! The Cougar fans began to lift their frozen bodies from their seats, and hope was once again restored.

Inspired by the sudden surge of energy from the Cougars’ side of the stadium, Addison took a hand-off on the next play and scored on a 28-yard jaunt. The Cougars converted the two-point conversion and the Wildcats' lead was narrowed to one score, 23-15.

When Arundel (13-1) had possession of the ball following Addison’s score, they conservatively went three and out and punted the ball back to Quince Orchard.   

Taking over the ball on their own 15 yard line with six minutes remaining, there was little doubt that the Cougars would make a serious run at scoring and fulfilling their destiny. Little did we know it would only take one play for Zach Kerr, Jason Ankrah, Adam Bock, Dake Williams, Terrence Stephens and Cody Magill to open a hole wide enough for Addison to run through, that Coach Mencarini himself could have scored on. Off he went, as if shot from a cannon. Addison sprinted 85-yards past the worn down Wildcat defenders, virtually untouched. The two-point conversion was completed and the game was tied at 23-23 with a little over four minutes remaining.

There was little doubt at this point the Cougars' would find a way to win.

But Wildcats quarterback Nick Elko, who played like the record setting player he is (40 TD passes this season) refused to allow the Cougars destiny to be fulfilled without a fight. He orchestrated the two minute drill to perfection (the same offensive philosophy they used the entire game), using a combination of a short passing game and a sprinkle of runs to work the ball into Cougar territory and field goal range.

A penalty and a Magill sack would force the Wildcats to punt the ball back to the Cougars. On the third play upon retaining the ball, Hawkins was split wide right and was covered one-on-one by Wildcats' defender John Holland. It was just a matter of Morrison braving the elements and a badly sprained ankle, to find a way to get the ball to Hawkins. With the character and poise he has shown all season long he calmly dropped back and released the prettiest pass he has ever thrown and connected with Hawkins at midfield who did the rest. Holland never had a chance as Hawkins kicked it into high gear and was never touched on his way to a 78-yard game deciding touchdown.

The Cougars would tack on their fourth touchdown in a nine minute span on Addison’s third score of the game with 40 seconds remaining.  Arundel answered with another score with seven seconds left in the game to narrow the Cougar lead to 36-30.

A failed onside kick and a quarterback kneel down later, the Cougars’ destiny was finally completed.          

Jaron Morrsion unleashes a strike to Travis Hawkins who caught the ball in stride on his way to a 78-yard game deciding touchdown reception 

Travis Hawkins attempts to make and acrobatic catch 

Yes He Does And Yes They Are!

I don't know a thing about Nick Elko's character and dedication in the classroom, but if they are in line this special athlete is a Division I prospect (Did you get a close enough look Friedgen?) 

Still Smiling! - 5 hours in sub freezing weather couldn't prevent the QO Cheer Squad from celebrating the team's victory. Great job girls!!!!!!

CLICK BELOW TO VISIT THE GOLDEN BULL WEB SITE

Special Apology For Arundel

When writing my preview leading up to this game, I made a reference about Anne Arundel football teams that I respectfully retract.

History proves that Anne Arundel County is not widely known as a hot bed for producing powerhouse football programs.

After watching the Arundel football team pour every ounce of energy they had into nearly beating what I believe is one of the best football teams (Quince Orchard) in this area in the last 30 years,  I have a new found respect for their football programs.

Coach Markiewicz, Arundel and Anne Arundel County has a new fan.

More Photos From The Cougars 4A State Championship Game

Morrison leads the team out of the locker room at M & T Stadium

Cougars' Captains enter the field

LB Joey Barkanic had several big hits and 2 ints that kept the Cougars in the game early

Zach Kerr provides room for Thomas Addison on his way to one of his touchdown runs

Arudenl's Brandon Johnson-Farrell scored on a 20-yard TD reception (above) and a 76-yard punt return in the 3rd quarter

Senior Scott Stallings injured his leg late in the game, but provided inspiration to the team as he exited

Joe Mencarini emotionally takes in what son Dave and his 55 adopted children accomplished together.

Arundel Coach Chuck Markiewicz showed his CHARACTER when he took time to come over and address the Cougars after their victory

Coach Mencarini addresses the media after the game

To See All The Photos From The Game - CLICK HERE

Cougars Success Starts At The Top And Trickles Down

Why Was A State Title The Cougars’ Destiny?

As Cougars’ senior quarterback Jaron Morrison took the snap from center Adam Bock on the final play, took a knee and tossed the ball to the referee in the waning seconds of the State Championship game, I couldn’t help but reflect on how this all came about.

Destiny – Webster’s Dictionary definition of the word is:

A predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency.

Irresistible, an adjective used to describe an uncontrollable yearn for something that can not be taken and must be earned. This is the reason I have affectionately referred to the Cougars State Title run as their “destiny”.

Quince Orchard Coach Dave Mencarini started this irresistible movement the second he was named head coach of the Cougars over four years ago. What many would deem a short period of time in a coaching life span, four years to Mencarini has actually been a lifetime in the making. Raised with coaching in his blood, he followed his own destiny and his father’s footsteps to be the driven coach he is today.

But Mencarini doesn’t coach for his own personal satisfaction, although it does play a role. He coaches football because of everything that surrounds the position. Other than the players’ parents, who has the ability to direct and influence so many young adults’ lives more so than a football coach? Each season he has nearly 100 athletes under his leadership umbrella (5-7% of the school’s male population) whom he can educate, prepare, protect, nurture, and discipline when needed. No one, not even Principal Working, has the amount of time Mencarini and his staff have to mold growing boys into productive young men.  

When a coaching staff dedicates themselves to the school, the football program, the community and its players with the vigor of Mencarini and his staff, a family environment evokes. This is evident at most Cougar home games when former players, coaches and administrators are welcomed to join the team on the sidelines. We’re not talking five or six people, this family reunion typically involves 50-60 former associates of the Cougar program.

The Cougars 36-30 victory over Arundel culminates half a decade of family building for Mencarini. This victory was not just for those players standing on the sideline with him at M & T Stadium, this a was a willed victory, a victory of destiny for so many who have helped Mencarini capture this moment. Some names that come to mind are players like Pepper Coe, Bani Gbadyu, Kevin Nesmith, Ted Worm, former coaching associates and friends like Larry Hurd, Fred Kim, Mike Nesmith, and the support he received from the likes of Mark Starnes, Nick Bobruska, Mike Lanahan, John Lubenetski and Carole Working, just to name a few.        

After the game, with his players huddled around him, Mencarini emotionally addressed the team:

 “Guys, what you accomplished today will stay with you for the rest of your lives. When things looked bad at certain times during the season, you managed to fight through it. You found a way to overcome adversity. No one can ever take that away from you. Life will offer each of you different obstacles and challenges, but you will get through it, for all you have to do is reflect on this very moment and remember, YOU ARE A CHAMPION!”