HUNTINGTOWN, MD - Calvert County's Huntingtown Hurricanes are on their way to class 3A state finals after a hard-fought Black Friday 10-7 victory over River Hill (Howard County) in the state semi-finals at Hurricane Stadium. Both teams were undefeated before the game. River Hill's had won 40 consecutive games prior to meeting the Hurricanes. Ironically, the last game River Hill lost was the 2006 state final.
River Hill's offense was just no match for Huntingtown's defense. Huntingtown scored first and never gave up the lead. Huntingtown's constant defensive pressure caused River Hill to turn the ball over three times. The first turnover was a fumble that the Hurricanes converted to touchdown pass two plays later. The Hawks tied the game at 7-7 as the 1st half was ending but Huntingtown's Mark Smith put the Canes back on top with only 1:04 left in the game by nailing a 35-yard field goal.
Throughout the game, River Hill's offense was unable to push through the Hurricanes defense when it counted, failing to convert twice inside Huntingtown's 5-yard line, including on the final drive of the game. With 18 seconds to go and no time-outs left, from the Hurricanes 5-yard line, the Hawks fumbled while trying to spike the ball with no time-outs left and the clock ran out.
The Hurricanes are now headed to the title game for the first time in school history. They will play Linganore for the 3A crown at 7 p.m. next Saturday at M&T Bank (Ravens) Stadium in Baltimore.
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The Calvert Independent
