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Damascus Defeats Huntingtown and Advances to the Maryland State Finals

Tagged under: Beyond The Keystone

| November 30, 2019


The Swarmin’ Hornets of Damascus High used a tenacious defense and just enough offense to get by the Huntingtown Hurricanes 21-14 before a large crowd in Huntingtown Friday night and advance to the Maryland Class 3A championship game.

Damascus never trailed in a game that featured some of the hardest hitting you’ll ever see in high school football.  They opened the scoring on their second possession when Michael O’Neil flipped a screen pass to Chris Shaw who then weaved and raced his way 60 yards for the touchdown.

The ‘Canes answered right back on Trent Connolly’s quarterback sneak for three yards to cap a 53-yard drive.  Their good field position was set up by Noah Kuntz’s 42-yard kickoff return.

One of the keys to the game came immediately after Huntingtown forced a Damascus three and out.  The Hurricane return man fumbled the ensuing punt giving the Hornets a short field at the ‘Cane 38.  From there, Damascus drove 38 yards in 7 plays scoring on Shaw’s one-yard blast into the end zone early in quarter number two.

With just over 5 minutes left in the half, Damascus downed a punt at the Hurricane 10.  A penalty moved the ball back to the 5.  Then Hurricane lightning struck as Connolly found Anthony Smith a couple strides ahead of the defense and connected for a 95-yard touchdown pass sending the hometown throng into a frenzy.

The third quarter appeared to be a chess match as each team vied for field position.  The fourth quarter began with Damascus taking over at their 37 after a short punt.  Chris Smith’s longest run of the night, a 26-yard jaunt, put the Hornets into ‘Cane territory.  As the drive continued, the visitors faced a third and goal at the eight.  That’s when O’Neil patiently waited for Brendan Hess to break open at the back of the end zone and zipped the pass into his waiting hands for the game winning touchdown with 7:28 remaining.

From there the Swarmin’ Hornet defense took care of the rest allowing 10 yards on 9 plays, recovering a fumble, and sealing the win forcing an incomplete fourth down pass with 2 minutes left.

Damascus 6’5″ 290 lb. Bryan Bresee, one of the top defensive linemen in the U.S., and a Clemson recruit, talks it over with a referee.

Damascus won their 12th game in a row after losing their first two games, one on a forfeit.  They will face the Linganore Lancers Thursday night at the U.S. Naval Academy Stadium.

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