Knights Notes-10/18: In Remberance

By Ben Spector
Winning After MidKnight

                         

After a full three days off without any high school athletics, we get back underway as four Middletown teams take the field tonight along with two Middletown alumni so we’ll get things started back up with the Knights Notes for October 18^th.

Yesterday’s News-10/17

- As most of our readers of this blog have heard the Middletown Athletics community and the Middletown community as a whole lost a legend, when Coach Ron Engle suddenly passed away Saturday morning. So much can be said about Coach Engle, as from an athletics sense his record while coaching at Middletown was legendary and through his time as a coach and an athletic director he cemented his legacy in the history of this community. But, outside of that Coach Engle was one of the best all-around human beings you could meet. His dedication to his family, his community and the care and love which he showed to everyone is something that was on display whenever you saw Coach Engle.

We’ll have more coverage of Coach Engle’s life over the next couple of days but for now Greg Swatek’s obituary of Coach Engle in the Frederick News-Post (Link) is well worth the read.

Alumni and High School Record: N/A

Knight of the Day: These past couple days there has only been one Knight on the minds of this community.

Coach Ron Engle. 337 wins, 11 league titles, 2 state championship runner-ups, 22 seasons as a coach, Middletown Athletic Director, a legacy of giving.

A Middletown legend.

 

Today’s Happenings-10/18

- The Junior Varsity Boy’s Soccer team will close out their season when they take on the Brunswick Railroaders from Knights Field at Middletown High School at 5:30 p.m. With a win, Middletown would finish the season on their first winning streak of the season. (Preview Coming)

- The Varsity Boy’s Soccer team will be playing their final regular season game as well against the Brunswick Railroaders but this one will have a bit more meaning than the JV match-up as it is Senior Night for Middletown. Also on the line is the Gambrill Division title as both teams sit at 2-0 in the division. Things kick off between Middletown and Brunswick at 7:00 p.m. (Preview Coming)

- The Junior Varsity Volleyball team will make the trip into Washington County to take on the North Hagerstown Hubs at 6:00 p.m. The Knights will look to extend on their current three game winning streak – the longest one of the season. (Preview Coming)

- The Varsity Volleyball team will also make the trip up to Washington County to take on the North Hagerstown Hubs with the Varsity contest getting started at approximately 7:00 p.m. Middletown comes into the game having won five of their last six games. (Preview Coming)

- Brittney George (’12), Erin Scarborough (’16) and the Hood College Women’s Soccer team will look to get snap a six-game losing streak as they take on Goucher at home at 3:30 p.m. With four games left to play overall and three left in the conference, Hood will need to win-out in the conference and get some help to extend their season into the conference tournament. (Link)

- Victoria Doing (’15), MacKenzie Farran (’16), Sharnette Gonzalez (’14) and the Frederick Community College Women’s Soccer team will also face a do-or-die game as they take on the College of Southern Maryland from Frederick at 2:30 p.m. Both teams hold 2-2 records in the NJCAA Region XX-Division I standings and are tied for third place. The top three teams make the Division tournament so whoever wins will move on with the loser seeing the season come to a close. (Link)

Varsity Football: Knights Face Test Against Lancers

By Ben Spector
Winning After MidKnight

 

The Middletown High School Knights Varsity Football team has started off the 2016-2017 season 2-0 but hidden inside that record is the fact that the Knights still haven’t had their first test of the year.

The two opponents who they have played to start off the season, the Manchester Valley Mavericks and the Eastern Technical High School Mavericks are both ranked among the lower teams in the state of Maryland and it was largely assumed that the Knights would handle both teams fairly easily as The Prophets feature of the Frederick News-Post had all 5 ‘prophets” predict that the Knights would win.

Middletown would do just that dispatching Manchester Valley by a 43-0 margin and then taking down Eastern Technical 35-0, with the score of the Manchester Valley game possibly being even larger if it wasn’t for the fact that it was stopped and called official after halftime due to lightning.

With the Lancers next up on Middletown’s schedule, the Knights are looking forward to their opportunity to take on Linganore as the match-up against the Lancers (1-1) will give them a chance to figure out just where they stand compared to the other teams in Frederick County.

At the front and center of the test, will be Middletown’s offense as the Knights have put up 78 points easily over the first two games but will be tested by a Lancers defense that has only allowed 18 points this season, with all of those coming in the first game against a Tuscarora team that is an early favorite to be best in the county.

For Middletown, most of their offense in the first two games has come from the ground and that is where Middletown will need to go as the Lancers have a strong secondary with multiple weapons forcing teams to put the ball on the ground if they want to succeed.

The Knights have already accumulated 386 yards on the ground on 53 attempts with nine of the 12 touchdowns that the Knights have scored coming off of run plays with the Knights using a familiar two-prong running attack with a main halfback and the quarterback combining to power the offense.

Leading that attack this year for the Knights is senior halfback Brandon Jones and junior quarterback Matt Evich as the duo have over 200 yards combined so far this season.

This approach is very similar to what the Knights used during the 2013-2014 season as that season halfback Bradley Rinehart and quarterback Tim Pirrone made up the rushing attack as Rinehart would rush for 1,245 yards and 27 touchdowns while Pirrone would rush for 595 yards and 10 touchdowns.

That approach would pay dividends that year as the Knights would win a state championship behind Rinehart and Pirrone and while this year’s team is a long ways away from that point, it is undeniable to see the effect that it has had this year with Jones and Evich at the helm as the two have managed to keep opposing defenses off balance.

Jones and Evich will need to be strong for the Knights as even though it is just Week #3, this game holds a lot of weight for both teams as the winner will receive a large points boost in the chase to make the playoffs, something the Knights could use, especially with a schedule that is loaded with 2A teams that do not receive a large amount of points.

A win for the Knights would also give Middletown a 3-0 start and based on how their schedule breaks down for Weeks 4-8 it could give the Knights a chance to enter the final two games of the season anywhere from 6-2 to 8-0.

It is early to try and map out the playoff picture but in past years 6-4 has gotten close and, at times, made the playoffs meaning that if the Knights were 6-2 they should be, at least in the conversation for a playoff spot in the 2A West Region.

All of these things combined mean the stakes are high for both teams and as the Knights get ready to face their first true test of the season they hope to pass with flying colors.

Varsity Volleyball: Knights Flip Titans In Upset

By Ben Spector
Winning After MidKnight

 

The Middletown High School Knights Varsity Volleyball team knew that they were facing a challenge when they headed into their match-up on Thursday September 15^th against the Tuscarora High School Titans. The Titans after all had won the 2015-2016 Central Maryland Conference Volleyball Championship and even after facing some struggles early this year they were still one of the higher ranked teams in the conference.

The Knights would take the challenges that Tuscarora presented and turn them into major positives as they would take down the Titans by 3 sets to 0 as they would play their best game of the year and manage to roll over the defending conference champions.

Middletown (2-2) would play in three close sets and would come out on top of all of them as Middletown would use their biggest asset in senior outside hitter Erika Pritchard to their advantage as they would use nine kills and seven digs from Pritchard to help themselves to the victory.

From the start though it would not seem as if Middletown would run away with things as for most of the first set, the Knights would trail the Titans, only able to tie the score up but never take the lead. At times during the first set the Titans would lead by as many as six points and would hold a lead late in the set at 21-15.

At that point it seemed as if the Titans would be able to close the set out and style and take the early lead but that would not be the case as Middletown would score five straight points from that point on and would force Tuscarora to call a timeout with the six point lead having evaporated to one at 21-20.

The Knights wouldn’t be done there though as they would finish the match off on a 5-1 run after the Tuscarora timeout and would win the first set 25-22, using a larger 10-1 run to close out the set.

The second set would follow a different path as throughout the set the Knights and the Titans would trade the lead throughout multiple points in the set with neither team being able to take definitive control of the set.

The lead would switch three times during the second set and would end up tied another two times but, in the end, it would be the Knights again who would step up and take control of the set as after ending up tied at 15, the Knights would go on a 4-1 run culminated by back-to-back kills by Pritchard to take the lead 20-16.

Like, in the first set the Knights would never look back after the first set and would use that late rally to roll to a set win this time finishing off the Titans by a 25-21 score.

The third set would follow a similar path as early in the set the Titans and the Knights would follow each other punch for punch as they would end up tied early in the set but the Knights would use a run a 8-4 run midway through the set to put things out of reach for Tuscarora. Middletown would close things out with an ace by senior outside hitter Erin O’Connor, completing the sweep and picking up the win over the Titans.

Middletown’s season has not followed expectations but not in a way that would indicate that things have gone horribly. Instead, it illustrates the fact that Middletown’s results have differed a great deal from what had been predicted and what had happened in past years.

They fell to an Urbana team in straight sets that they had taken care of handily in past years but then turned around and swept Tuscarora, who was regarded as one of the best teams in the county.

As Middletown moves on in their season they’ll look to continue defying the expectations as long as it comes in the form of the big wins that they showed they can make happen against the Titans.

Junior Varsity Volleyball: Knights Take Down Titans in Three Sets

By Ben Spector
Winning After MidKnight

 

The Middletown High School Knights Junior Varsity Volleyball team was searching for a rebound match-up when they took on the Tuscarora High School Titans on Thursday September 15^th after falling to the Maryland School for the Deaf Orioles in their last match.

The Knights would not have it easy as the Titans battled them all the way to the third set but in the end it would be enough for Middletown as they would pick up a 2 sets to 1 win over the Titans and would find themselves back in the win column again.

Middletown and the Titans would battle throughout the match with things coming down to the third and final set, the second straight game in which Middletown has seen go to the third and final set.

In that third and final set it would end up being the Knights who would come out on top and would end up with the victory.

Varsity Girl's Soccer: Middletown Finds Meaning In Win Over Titans

By Ben Spector
Winning After MidKnight

 

The Middletown High School Knights Varsity Girl’s Soccer team was looking for a rebound victory after falling to the North Hagerstown High School Hubs just two days prior and they would find exactly what they were looking for as they rolled over the Tuscarora High School Titans, 5-1 on Thursday, September 15^th.

The Knights (2-2-1, 1-2 non-tournament) came into the match-up knowing that they had to put the heartbreaking overtime loss against the Hubs behind them as they moved into the heart of Central Maryland Conference play against the Titans with a new set of challenges facing in front of them.

With the beginning of Central Maryland Conference play two matches ago against Brunswick, the Knights now not only have to take into account their non-tournament record, which is what is seeds them for the state girl’s soccer tournament but also the conference record, which is how they could get into the conference championship game.

On top of that, when they play Catoctin and Walkersville they will also be battling it out for the Gambrill Division title meaning that Middletown has a lot of titles they are playing for at once, with most of the matches having an effect on two or three different competitions.

And, while the match against the Hubs was difficult as Middletown battled all match but couldn’t pull out a win in the end, because of North Hagerstown not being a conference team there is not much meaning behind it besides the loss going towards their overall record.

On the other hand, the matches against Tuscarora hold significant importance as if the Knights lose those not only will it affect the playoff seeding that they get but also whether they have a shot to win the conference title game, something that the Knights missed out on last year.

So, after all was said and done, Middletown’s win over the Titans was refreshing for a lot of reasons and for the Knights it may have been the best match they had played of the season.

Knights forward Lindsey Brant would do most of the heavy lifting for Middletown in this one as she set the pace with two goals and one assist for Middletown as Brant has begun to get settled in nicely to her role as the top scorer for Middletown.

Brant’s arrival on the scoring stage has come hand-in-hand with stronger midfield play by the Knights as of late with Middletown having multiple quality chances being created by the midfielders managing to spring the forwards on runs into the box which have paid big dividends for Middletown.

It wouldn’t just be Brant who would get in on the act as Middletown would also pick up goals from as junior Madison Michael and seniors Sidney Hohl and Kassie Roberts would also score for Middletown as the only thing that dampened the night for Middletown was a late second-half goal for the Titans which disrupted the Knights’ shutout.

Other than that part, it was an all-around perfect game for Middletown as the Knights hope to be coming into the form that they hope will lead to good results as they continue Central Maryland Conference play. And, with the games coming up meaning so much for Middletown can only be a good thing.

Junior Varsity Girl's Soccer: Knights Use Unconventional Goal to Take Down Titans

By Ben Spector
Winning After MidKnight

 

The one thing that the Middletown High School Knights Junior Varsity Girl’s Soccer team hadn’t done this season was get off to a hot start.

While the Knights had scored during various times in the first half they hadn’t managed to put in a goal during the first ten minutes of the match, something that would help Middletown get a feel for the game and be able to loosen up.

Middletown would do just that against the Tuscarora High School Titans on Thursday September 15^th as the Knights (3-0) would take an early lead on an Alexis Kurtianyk goal and never look back as they would take down the Titans by a 4-0 score.

The Knights weren’t necessarily playing aggressive early in the game in an attempt to get an early goal but for Middletown it would come about all the same as they would put the old adage that ‘it is better to be lucky than good’ into action with the goal.

In the eighth minute Kurtianyk would run down the right wing and attempt what might have been a shot on net or what might have been a pass to a teammate who was making a run down the left wing. Whatever it was it ended up heading towards the Tuscarora goal and while attempting to play it the Tuscarora goalkeeper had it role off her arm and into the goal.

This would give Middletown the 1-0 lead early in the game and while it wasn’t the way that the Knights had planned on getting the early advantage it wouldn’t matter as the Knights would use that offense to catch fire throughout the evening and ride that unconventional start to a big win.

The rest of the goals for Middletown would come much more conventionally as Julia Grubb would add to the scoring for Middletown as in the 25^th minute she would find herself in at close range with just the goalkeeper in front of her and would bury it home giving the Knights a 2-0 lead that they would carry into halftime.

The early goal would do more than just change the fact that Middletown hadn’t scored inside the first ten minutes of a contest; it provided fuel to a fire that didn’t need much help getting started to begin with.

Middletown would add to that fire with two goals in the second half as the scoring in the final 35 minutes of the match would begin as just 15 minutes into the match after a shot was deflected by a defender in front of the goal the ball would fall to Middletown sophomore Kayla George who would calmly tap it into the net to give the Knights a 3-0 lead.

At that point, Middletown would appear to be in a situation where they were pretty much solidly in control of the match and wouldn’t need any extra insurance to lock up a win but they would get it anyways as in the 68^th minute, just before the whistle was about to blow Knights sophomore forward Ally Pick would receive the ball on the breakaway and slip it past the goalkeeper for a 4-0 win.

The Knights have been burning bright from an overall standpoint as thier offense has fed into good defense as in the first three games of their season they have scored 12 goals in those games while only allowing two, a trend that Middletown has hoped to continue.

That high-powered offense has been a direct result of the aggressive offense that Middletown operates as the Knights try to generate as many shots and scoring chances as they can something which creates situations similar to how the first goal was scored against the Titans last night even when they really aren’t trying to.

For Middletown, it would not be a bad thing as the Knights rolled to a win over the Titans on the strength on a half pass/half goal that managed to find the back of the net and get the Knights rolling early.

Varsity Boy's Soccer: Knights Show No Signs of Slipping Up in Win

By Ben Spector
Winning After MidKnight

 

The Middletown High School Knights Boy’s Soccer team has been playing a high level of soccer to start the 2016-2017 season that there is a pretty good chance that Middletown has become the team that those around the conference and area will be watching.

The Knights headed into their match-up against the Tuscarora High School Titans on Thursday September 15^th, knowing that because they were starting Central Maryland Conference play that it would present a whole new group of challenges that could manage to cause the Knights to fall and end up lose a game.

But, Middletown would make it clear from the opening whistle against Tuscarora that this game would not be the game that they would slip up on as the Knights would easily dispatch the Titans, 5-0 on the strength of multi-goal games from senior Josh Woozley and Luke Ahalt.

Middletown made it clear almost from the opening jump that they were not going to change how they were doing things just because they had reached their county opponents as Middletown would get on the board early and often on the strength of a familiar combination.

The combination of Woozley and Ahalt would manage to score four of the Knights’ goals as they had done throughout the year, leading the Knights into another win.

The scoring for Middletown would start early in the first half as the Knights, but especially the combination of Woozley and Ahalt who were bound and determined to put the county on notice and let everyone know that neither they nor the Knights would be slipping up any time soon.

That notice would start almost immediately from the jump as the scoring would let Tuscarora know Middletown was there to play.

Middletown senior Evan Tuckey would find a ball on the endline after a tough battle to win the ball and pass it to Woozley who was stopped cold on his first shot on goal, but would tidy up the rebound to give the Knights the early 1-0 lead.

Woozley would not be done as later in the first half he would find the ball at his feet with an easy one-on-one with the goalkeeper and again would slot home to give Middletown a 2-0 lead.

For the Knights (6-0, 4-0 non-tournament) the aggressive play that they showed throughout the contest has become a staple of their season and a staple of how they treat each game.

Middletown has proven whether through play or through mentality that they have no interest in backing down to anyone and regardless, of the opponent are going to make sure that they have been put on notice by the end of the game.

That same in your face, flashy style was evident during all of the Knights’ game as after Woozley scored his two to open up the scoring in the first half more goals would be on the way. After a late first half goal by Chase Stottlemyer gave the Knights a 3-0 lead in the first half, Woozley’s partner in crime, Luke Ahalt would make his mark to cement the Middletown win.

A lovely solo effort by Ahalt and then another goal coming off an assist from Woozley gave Middletown the 5-0 win as they went to 1-0 in the Central Maryland Conference

It was an important start for Middletown as not only did they pick up a win in the conference but they gave themselves a shot of momentum as they head into early county play. The important thing for Middletown will be to do well in early conference play as that is where most of the tough conference opposition and if they do well during that portion they could well be on their way to a berth in the conference championship game.

By making it to the conference championship game, Middletown would have done what they hoped to do and let the whole county know they weren’t going to slip up.