Tom Fedor/The Gazette Middletown High School's Ben Lewis catches a pass just short of the goal line to set up a touchdown during the Knights victory over Edmonston-Westside Friday.

• 
• 
Tom Fedor/The Gazette Middletown High School’s Ben Lewis knocks the ball loose from Edmondson-Westside's Steve Everette during Friday’s 2A state semifinal game at Middletown. The Knights recovered the fumble.
• 
Tom Fedor/The Gazette Edmondson-Westside's Kendell McNair tries to tackle Middletown High School's Zach Welch during Friday’s football game. Middletown won to advance to the Dec. 3 2A state championship game in Baltimore.

Tom Fedor/The Gazette Middletown High School's Ben Lewis catches a pass just short of the goal line to set up a touchdown during the Knights victory over Edmonston-Westside Friday.

<< Prev

Next >>

More News

Thurmont to ask Congress to reimburse money spent during G-8

Takoma Park police aim to catch fleeing thieves

State chamber: Income tax hike will unfairly hurt Montgomery

Push for Shady Grove arena refueled

Montgomery County executive: Rapid Transit Vehicle system will be built

The Middletown High School football team will get to play at M&T Bank Stadium.

The Knights defeated Baltimore City's Edmondson-Westside, 48-8, Friday in the Class 2A state semifinals. They advance to face Frederick Douglass of Prince George's County, which defeated Kent Island 22-6, for the state championship.

“It's been on my mind the whole season,” Middletown senior quarterback Michael Pritts said. “We wanted to get back and finish our business at the Ravens' stadium. This feels great, but we're not done.”

On Dec. 4, 2010, the Knights, who have never won a state football title, were defeated by McDonough 21-14 in the 2A finals. At lunchtime the following Monday, Middletown coach Kevin Lynott had a knock at his door. It was Pritts; ready to start the 2011 season with a team meeting.

“It's kind of cool to see that things are falling into place,” Lynott said. “But it's not over yet and we know we have a lot of work to do this week.”

The Knights held the Red Storm to a three-and-out on their first possession, took over at their own 35, needed just six plays to score and never looked back. Less than three minutes in Pritts rifled in a quick slant to Ben Lewis. Zach Welch added the kick for a 7-0 lead.

Pritts and Lewis would trouble Edmondson throughout the game. A 41-yard diving catch by Lewis on Middletown's next drive brought the ball to edge of goal line and set up a 2-yard Pritts touchdown to make the score 14-0.

Ahead 17-0, Middletown received the opening possession of the second half. Faking out the Red Storm, Pritts rumbled 53 yards straight up the gut for a score with 9:50 remaining in the third.

Pritts' lengthy touchdown appeared to be an audible called at the line. After the game he, would not confirm or deny if he called the play at the line, saying he couldn't give away his secrets with a rye smile on his face. His coach wasn't so secretive.

“It was an audible,” Lynott said. “Michael is a decision maker and he's the type of guy that he wouldn't tell you. He wants the focus on his team and not him.”

Midway through the third quarter, Pritts dropped the ball into Lewis' hands near the right sideline. Shrugging off two would be tacklers while tiptoeing the sideline, Lewis ran 56 yards to the 5-yard line. Two plays later Pritts scored on a 1-yard dive for a 31-8 lead.

Pritts was 4 of 7 for 116 yards and rushed for 108 yards on 10 carries. Lewis was the recipient of all four of Pritts' completions.

When asked how he'd try to defend Lewis if he was on another team, Lynott said he'd try to recruit him.

Welch kicked field goals of 30 and 26 yards respectively. Jess Powell had a 10-yard touchdown at the end of the third quarter while Ian Grife, who came in for Pritts, capped off the night with a 4-yard score with less than five minutes remaining.

The Knights picked off Edmondson quarterback Tyjuan Eaton five times. Dan Goldstein, Bradley Rinehart, Jack Panther and Welch all came up with interceptions.

“Turnovers kill teams and create championships, so that helped us,” Lynott said.

Edmondson's lone touchdown came on a fake put midway through the third quarter when punter Jamel Nesbit dashed 47 yards for a score. Steve Everette added the two-point conversion.

Friday's victory was bittersweet. For Pritts, Lewis and the Knights' other seniors it was the final time they played at the stadium they called “their castle.”

Lynott said that he and his staff were scheduled to begin preparing for the state finals at about 10:30 p.m. and that they'd be at the school until around 1 a.m.

tmcelwee@gazette.net

Middletown 48, Edmonston 8

Middletown 14 3 21 10 — 48

Edmondson 0 0 8 0 — 8

M — Pritts 1 pass Lewis (Welch kick)

M — Pritts 2 run (Welch kick)

M — Welch 30 field goal

M — Pritts 53 run (Welch kick)

M — Nesbit 47 run (Everette conversion)

M — Pritts 1 run (Welch kick)

M — Powell 10 run (Welch kick)

M — Grife 4 run (Panther kick)

RUSHING — M: Pritts 10-108; Welch 15-66; Powell 10-88. E: Everette 15-39; Nesbit 1-47; Eaton 4-8.

PASSING — M: Pritts 4-7-116-1-1. E: Eaton 6-23-90-0-5.

RECEIVING — M: Lewis 4-116. E: Sassafras 2-70; Everette 2-30.