By Adam Chasen:
BETHESDA, MD - The Calvert Hall Cardinals football team traveled down I-95 to Bethesda on Friday afternoon with a perfect record of 7-0, but they would leave the campus of Georgetown Prep less than satisfied. The Georgetown Prep Little Hoyas, now 5-2 on the season, sent the Cardinals home with their first loss of the season with a 21-14 victory.

Ranked as the number one team in the state of Maryland, the Cardinals were a big favorite against their MIAA Conference opponent, and having just knocked off the states previous number one Gilman, who had already beaten Prep badly this season, one could assume the game would be a lopsided affair. Not the case however, as Georgetown Prep scored first, and would put up the final fourteen points in the game, the only scores in the second half.

"It was an awesome win, you don't get many chances to beat a number one team," said Prep senior defensive back Joel Blockowicz. "We were really excited, all the guys focused and played really well."

Special team dynamo, Peter Moran, blocked his second punt in two weeks for the home team, setting up an early opportunity. The block was not capitalized upon however, as Prep turned the ball over on downs in the shadow of Calvert Hall's endzone, but it seemed to give them confidence.

Prep led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, before Calvert Hall would climb back on top. Senior running back Bobby Gribbin scored the touchdown for Prep on a 2-yard run on 4th down to take the early lead.

The Cardinals dominated the time of possession for the remainder of the half, moving the ball down the field on two long drives. Both drives would end in Thomas Stuart touchdown passes. Stuart, the Cardinals junior quarterback, connected with junior receiver Trevor Williams from 16-yards out on a beautiful fade pattern to tie the game mid-way through the 2nd quarter. Then several minutes later, Stuart would connect with Garrett Flannery on a bootleg pass for a 12-yard touchdown, to put Calvert Hall ahead 14-7 at the half.

Bobby Gribbin exploded out of the gates on the second play from scrimmage of the 3rd quarter with a 50-yard run. With help from a powerful group of blockers, Gribbin eventually found his way into the endzone to tie the game at 14.

The running back group as a whole is tremendous for the Little Hoyas, featuring Gribbin and a talented trio of underclassman. Junior Dominic Bryan, is the fire to Gribbin's ice, and the two often lineup together in a wishbone formation. Senior quarterback, Bobby Rutland, has had his issues throwing the football this year, but he has shown time and time again, when he uses his legs to steal first downs, that he is a valuable asset behind center. At fullback, junior Tyler Fairbanks is a punishing blocker, which all contributes to a powerful offensive line.

Prep has experience along their offensive line, with Co-captains Scott Mergner and Alex Skarzynski, and size especially with mammoth tackle Michael Boland. Throw in a strong blocking tight-end in Bobby Sheehan, and a power fullback in Tyler Fairbanks, and you get a ferocious running attack.

With the score tied, Cardinals running back Brandon Neverdon seemed determined to put his team back in the lead. Neverdon broke off a pair of strong inside carries before ripping through the Prep defense for a 45-yarder to put his team in scoring position. Three plays later, Thomas Stuart who felt pressure most of the day, was hit by Prep junior linebacker Chris Hampton has he went back to pass and was picked off by Blockowicz. Blockowicz would tip-toe the sideline 85-yards and reach the end zone to put his team in the lead for good 21-14.

"I just knew I had the open sideline, I knew I had the speed to take it all the way, I knew I could score," Blockowicz explained.

Calvert Hall didn't go away driving the field and eating up clock, but eventually fumbled inside the Prep 20-yard line, and Prep was able to use up most of the clock. Penalties and turnovers cost the Cardinals dearly, but credit the Little Hoyas for taking advantage and playing great defense.

Georgetown Prep will take on another tough opponent in McDonogh next week on the road. Meanwhile, Calvert Hall will have to recover from their first loss of the season and take on Largo on the road as well.