MPSSAA 3A Football State Championship
Damascus 55 - Dundalk 14
The MPSSAA 3A football state championship was all about Jake Funk, who was selected as the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year today, and the Damascus defense, as the Hornets beat Dundalk 55-14. Funk, who will play at University of Maryland next year, finished with 271 yards 31 carries. He had seven total touchdowns, six of which were rushing. The defense forced five fumbles, recovering four.
Damascus pulled away from Dundalk in the first half by putting in a dominant display, leading 41-8 at halftime. Funk scored six of his touchdowns in the first half.
The Hornets were in a similar situation last year, leading Franklin by as many as 21 points before losing 35-21. Damascus made sure it didn't let this one get away.
"At halftime a lot of the guys were just preaching that we can't come out flat like last year," Funk said. "We came out last year and laid an egg. This year we finished the game. We've been preaching all year that we have to finish games. We did that tonight."
The first quarter was all Damascus, as Dundalk struggle to move the ball, and had two fumbles. Funk scored twice from close range, first from the one and then from four yards out.
Damascus extended its lead in the second quarter with Funk scoring four different times, all on runs. The Hornets outscored Dundalk 27-8 in the second frame.
The highlight of the quarter was Funk's 33 yard touchdown run. He also scored on runs of seven and six in that quarter. Funk then got involved in the passing game, hooking up with quarterback Julian Kinard for a 14 yard score.
The scoring slowed in the second half. Funk got his final touchdown of the night on a 39 yard run in the third quarter. Will Armstrong scored the final touchdown for Damascus on a one yard run in the fourth quarter.
The Damascus defense was strong all night, holding a potent Dundalk offense to just 217 yards and 10 first downs.
"Our defense has played outstanding the whole year," head coach Eric Wallich. "Even in games where we kind of sputtered, the defense has really been lights out the whole year."
This was Dundalk's first football state championship appearance. Quarterback Darrius Sample got the team on the scoreboard in the second quarter when he punched it in from three yards out to cut the Damascus lead to 14-8. Dundalk also scored as the game finished, with Sample connecting with Daquan Thomas on a 34 yard score.
Funk finishes the year with 56 rushing touchdowns, which is a state record. Damascus finishes the year 14-0, while Dundalk falls to 12-2.
The MPSSAA 3A football state championship was all about Jake Funk, who was selected as the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year today, and the Damascus defense, as the Hornets beat Dundalk 55-14. Funk, who will play at University of Maryland next year, finished with 271 yards 31 carries. He had seven total touchdowns, six of which were rushing. The defense forced five fumbles, recovering four.
Damascus pulled away from Dundalk in the first half by putting in a dominant display, leading 41-8 at halftime. Funk scored six of his touchdowns in the first half.
The Hornets were in a similar situation last year, leading Franklin by as many as 21 points before losing 35-21. Damascus made sure it didn't let this one get away.
"At halftime a lot of the guys were just preaching that we can't come out flat like last year," Funk said. "We came out last year and laid an egg. This year we finished the game. We've been preaching all year that we have to finish games. We did that tonight."
The first quarter was all Damascus, as Dundalk struggle to move the ball, and had two fumbles. Funk scored twice from close range, first from the one and then from four yards out.
Damascus extended its lead in the second quarter with Funk scoring four different times, all on runs. The Hornets outscored Dundalk 27-8 in the second frame.
The highlight of the quarter was Funk's 33 yard touchdown run. He also scored on runs of seven and six in that quarter. Funk then got involved in the passing game, hooking up with quarterback Julian Kinard for a 14 yard score.
The scoring slowed in the second half. Funk got his final touchdown of the night on a 39 yard run in the third quarter. Will Armstrong scored the final touchdown for Damascus on a one yard run in the fourth quarter.
The Damascus defense was strong all night, holding a potent Dundalk offense to just 217 yards and 10 first downs.
"Our defense has played outstanding the whole year," head coach Eric Wallich. "Even in games where we kind of sputtered, the defense has really been lights out the whole year."
This was Dundalk's first football state championship appearance. Quarterback Darrius Sample got the team on the scoreboard in the second quarter when he punched it in from three yards out to cut the Damascus lead to 14-8. Dundalk also scored as the game finished, with Sample connecting with Daquan Thomas on a 34 yard score.
Funk finishes the year with 56 rushing touchdowns, which is a state record. Damascus finishes the year 14-0, while Dundalk falls to 12-2.
| December 3rd, 2015 | By: Wick Eisenberg |