As the Frederick Douglass High School football team celebrated its 2A South Region championship game victory against Gwynn Park on Saturday, coach J.C. Pinkney was thinking about the tall order that still awaits his Eagles.
That tall order comes at 7 p.m. Friday when Douglass visits the Community College of Baltimore County-Essex to face Baltimore's Eastern Tech (11-1). Middletown (8-4) travels to Queen Anne's (12-0) in the other 2A state semifinal. The winners advance to the state championship on Dec. 5 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
"Nobody expected us to be this far, but our guys knew that we could make it," Pinkney said. "A lot of outsiders didn't give us much of a chance. Our guys are really excited, and I am happy for them that they have a chance to play in this game. We are getting ready to play a dynamic team that executes really well."
Eastern Tech defeated top-seeded Chesapeake-Baltimore, 20-6, to win the 2A North Region title. The Mavericks advanced to last season's Class 2A state championship game before being knocked off by River Hill, 31-6. Eastern Tech finished the season with a 9-1 record and was second in the Baltimore County 3A/2A League.
Senior running back/linebacker Emmanuel Gbor does a bit of everything for the Mavericks. He leads the team with 786 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He also leads the team with 11 sacks and is the team's top punt and kick returner. Quarterback Zach Burkhardt is second on the team with 638 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He doesn't throw much, as he has only completed 30 passes for 480 yards and nine touchdowns.
Eastern Tech coach Marc Mesaros said Douglass might be the best team his squad has faced this season.
"They have a couple of threats in the backfield that you have to account for, and they are very dangerous," he said. "We have our work cut out for us because we know how fast and aggressive they are going to be. We've got some good kids too, but the hardest part about being in the playoffs is preparing for a team that you have never seen."
There is a bit of uncertainty surrounding Douglass, concerning the health of quarterback/cornerback Richard Barber.
The senior injured his right hand making a tackle early in Saturday's game against Gwynn Park. He had it wrapped in ice after the game, and Pinkney said Barber was having a difficult time gripping the ball on offense. Barber's injury resulted in a change of the game plan for the Eagles' offense. Douglass abandoned the passing game and managed just two first downs in the second half against Gwynn Park.
The injury also could affect the Eagles on defense, where Barber plays an integral role. Pinkney said Barber is a sure tackler and has the strength to fight off blocks and contain runners trying to get to the outside.
Pinkney said Barber has been practicing and shouldn't have any problems in Friday night's game. The Eagles are fitting him with a padded glove that should help protect against any hits his hand might take during the game.
"We have modified a glove for him because he is going to get his hand hit and he knows that," he said. "The swelling is down on it, but there is still some pain. He doesn't have a problem gripping the ball, so we should be OK. He is going to be out there on offense, defense and special teams."
2A state semifinal
Douglass vs. Eastern Tech
When/Where: 7 p.m. Friday at CCBC-Essex
Frederick Douglass Eagles (10-2)
Leading rushers: Emmanuel Paul, 135 carries, 912 yards, 12 TD; Richard Barber, 92 carries, 531 yards, 8 TD
Leading passer: Richard Barber, 65 of 114, 1,140 yards, 15 TD
Leading receiver: William McKenzie, 34 catches, 613 yards, 9 TD
Eastern Tech Mavericks (11-1)
Leading rushers: Emmanuel Gbor, 144 carries, 786 yards, 13 TD; Zach Burkhardt 71 carries, 638 yards, 7 TD
Leading passer: Zach Burkhardt, 30 of 58, 480 yards, 9 TD
Leading receiver: Jake McNew, 10 catches, 216 yards, 6 TD
E-mail Joshua Hudson at jhudson@gazette.net.
