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The road through the playoffs maybe became a little more challenging for the Gwynn Park High School football team following its loss Saturday to Frederick Douglass.
Had the Yellow Jackets won that game, they would have been the No. 2 seed in the 2A South Region playoffs, and more importantly they would have earned a home game. But now they are the No. 4 seed and must travel to Howard County at 7 p.m. Friday, to face a top-seeded River Hill squad which won the 2A state title last fall.
Several members of River Hill's coaching staff were in the stands at Saturday's Gwynn Park-Douglass game to scout the Yellow Jackets.
The Hawks are 10-0 and have won 22 consecutive regular season games. Only four teams have beaten them in the past five years and three of those are from Prince George's County – Douglass in a 2004 playoff game, Gwynn Park in the 2005 3A state semifinal and Friendly in the 2006 3A state final.
"It will be tough, but we like our odds," said Gywnn Park coach Danny Hayes. "We're going to do what we have to do to get it done."
Gwynn Park's offense is led by Lavaughn Hughes at quarterback and running backs Nygee Carmichael and Khalek Shepherd. The trio has rushed for nearly 2,500 yards this season. And while the running game is the focus, Hughes has also passed for more than 800 yards and six touchdowns.
Defense has long been a focal point at Gwynn Park and continues so behind the likes of linebackers Zack Harper and Bryan Blue. Defensive backs William Speight and Curtis Hardy are the interception leaders and the line is led by seniors Reggie Eiland, Raynard Randolph, Jerome June and Andre' Brown and junior Brandon Carter.
For River Hill, senior running back Michael Campanaro is the main threat. He has rushed for 100 or more yards nine times this season, and totaled 180 or more yards on the ground in three of the Hawks' final four games. Senior linemen Sean Hull and Patrick McCleaf anchor a defensive unit that has posted six shutouts this season.
"It will be a tough road to get out of the region," said River Hill coach Brian Van Deusen. "But whoever wins the 2A South will probably be favored in the states."
Gwynn Park averages a league-best 35.4 points per game, but River Hill's defense has allowed just 28 points this season
E-mail Adam Rubenstein at arubenstein@gazette.net.
2A South Region semifinal
Gwynn Park at River Hill
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Players to watch: River Hill RB Michael Campanero has rushed for 1,329 yards and 24 TDs. Gwynn Park LB's Zack Harper and Bryan Blue lead the team in tackles.
