By Julia Karcewski
Round Table advertising manager
Helmets in hands, the Knights line up two-by-two in the tunnel of M&T Bank Stadium. The stadium roars with cheers; the roar cannot be heard. Members of the press line up along the tunnel; the cameras cannot be seen. Each player’s body shakes as if it is shivering; it is no shiver. Their bodies shake because the adrenaline is peaking; their intensity is a pot boiling over. Their faces are still; their eyes are concentrated as if they know what the outcome will be. The Middletown High Schoolvarsity football team is going to make history; they’re going to be state champions.
As the Knights take the field, the entire home side of Ravens Stadium stands up and cheers. The stands, usually full of purple, are flooded with orange and black. Orange pom-poms shimmer in the sunlight. A mix of marching band instruments, cheerleader chants and fan frenzy create a cacophony of spirit.
To the players however, it’s more than a state championship. The game is an opportunity for a family to put months of hard work to use and fulfill their dream.
Each player and coach of the MHS varsity football team defines themselves as part of a “family.” In fact, Zach Welch, a junior at MHS who contributed three touchdowns at the state championship game, said his motivation was his “family” – he was referring to his team.
Kevin Lynott, the head coach of the MHS varsity football team, credits the state title to the “brotherhood” that was obvious among the players.
“The boys created a brotherhood on their own,” said Lynott. “They don’t worry about receiving the credit for their good play.”
The Knights are unselfish, they work as a team, and not one player wants the title more than another.
Throughout the season, after each touchdown he scored, Welch would point to his linemen.
“If it wasn’t for my linemen, I wouldn’t be in the end zone,” he said.
Senior captain Michael Pritts, one of the top quarterbacks in Frederick County, said it takes a team effort for the plays and passes to run smoothly.
Lynott said MHS football plays hard, and plays for one another: an act that takes time and practice.
After a 21-14 loss to McDonough last year in the State Championship, the Knights emerged from the loss with a motivation they hadn’t had in previous years.
“We got there last year, and we knew we could win this year if we stayed together and worked hard,” said Lynott.
Working hard paid off.
The Knights beat Walkersville, 32-25, in their last regular season game, then again, 27-21, in a tight battle in the second round of playoffs. Many people affiliated withFrederick County football claimed that the Knights vs. Lions playoff game was the State Championship game in itself. Many were confident that whoever won the matchup would take home the state title on Dec. 4.
The result of the state championship proved them right.
As the fourth quarter came to an end, the home side once again stood up and cheered. The cheering was different than it had been at the beginning. The cheers were for the 43-6 defeat over Frederick Douglass,,the cheers were for the history that had just been made, and the goals that had been met. The cheers were for the family each fan and player felt a part of: the family that had just won theMaryland2A State Championship.
“I am a Knight,” said Johnny Gallaway, a senior at MHS, “and Knights are united whether you play football or not.”
Lynott agrees that the brotherhood and family aspect carries over to the fans and alumni as well.
“Once a Knight, always a Knight,” said Lynott. “If you are a Knight or have been a Knight, you won the State Championship.”
State Championship Middletown vs. Frederick Douglass from Casey Zanowicz on Vimeo.
