Wykoff Blog: Screamin’ Eagles Soar
Written by Scott Wykoff on November 29th, 2008 at 5:23 pmThe Class 3A Semifinals in Germantown between Seneca Valley and Westlake….great game that ended in great disappointment for Seneca Valley.
The Screamin’ Eagles had hopes of winning the school’s 13th state title. They had hopes of an undefeated season. They had hopes to win one for their coach. But one Devon Smith and a swarming Wolverines defense from Charles County dashed those hopes for Seneca Valley. Though it was a season ender in the 3A Semi’s for the Screamin’ Eagles, it was definitely a season to remember for Fred Kim, his coaches and all his players.
What about another King’s Trophy? What about a pair of wins over arch rival Damascus. What about all the accomplishments of the student athletes both on and off the field.
From start to finish this season, everyone connected with the Seneca Valley football team can be very proud of all that the green and gold accomplished in 2008.
Just a few of the things Seneca Valley’s football team can be proud about this year:
The Class of Kim:
Without a doubt Fred Kim proved this year that he is one of the classiest football coaches in Montgomery County, if not the state. The way he carries himself is very impressive. Be it in the heat of battle, or on the practice field, Coach Kim has a cool and calm demeanor that coaches across the county and the state could learn something from. Even as his team faced defeat in OT in the 3A semifinals against Westlake, Coach Kim was in control and you could see his players responding in kind. Fred Kim is one good football coach who truly deserves a state title. And from my seat in the press box, I think the first will be followed by many more.
Ranking Rankin:
Joe Rankin emerged into a true leader on and off the field this season for Seneca Valley. He carried himself as well off the field as he did on the field. No wonder the United State Military Academy at West Point (Army) has been so very interested in him this season. And even when it was time for Rankin to take a rest, he was the biggest supporter of Jaiquan Moore. Joe Rankin did himself proud this season and etched a name for himself in the annals of great Seneca Valley running backs.
Lovin’ Lerch:
For 3 seasons now Seneca Valley fans have been loving all that George Lerch has done their their beloved Screamin’ Eagles. Steady, steady, steady. Lerch did everything that was asked of him over the last 3 seasons. And in his season he was one quarterback who helped hold his team together in some trying times. While no one benefited more by the return of Terry Changuris to Germantown. But Coach Changuriswill be the first one to tell you everyone associated with SV benefited from the play of George Lerch of the last year years. While it was difficult to see a bad exchange on a snap help bring George Lerch’s season to an end, it will not be a play that defines his high school career. His high school career at Seneca Valley will forever be defined by the way he played every game.
X Marks The Spot:
You would have to look far and wide to find a better athlete playing football in Montgomery than Xavier Hughes. He was all over the field all season for Seneca Valley. Be it a big tackle, a big interception, or a big return, Xavier was a player that made plays in a big way. And off the field his enthusiasm for his teammates and the game always jumped off the page. Even in defeat against Westlake, Xavier Hughes proved to be a winner. We’ll all be hearing plenty more about Xavier as he moves on next season to a new career playing college football on Saturdays. Whatever school that lands him will have found a gem!
Germantown Ground Crew:
What about the job the powers-to-be did maintaining the field at the Eagles Nest this season. It almost looked as good in the final playoff game of 2008 as it did for the first scrimmage of the season. Meticulously manicured. Stands of cheering fans aren’t on hand to watch those long hours of field preparation, but what they did all season was as important as many of those great plays that Seneca Valley fans stood on their feet for all season.
Soaring With Screamin’ Eagles
While these days following Seneca Valley’s overtime loss to Westlake will be tough to take for the Screamin’ Eagles, just think how many schools around the state would love to say they won 12 games this year. But at Seneca Valley they set the bar high and anything short of a state championship leaves a bitter taste in their mouths. But as the days past, each player and coach will realize how much this team really accomplished this season.
Hats off to Fred Kim, his coaches and players for a Seneca Valley football season to remember!
