The lights of Friday night will return this evening for teams across Cecil County. And while the allure of high school football will compete with a nationally televised NFL game in a different continent, there is plenty of local action on the gridiron to watch tonight.
Elkton vs. Rising Sun, 7 p.m.
For the fourth straight season, Elkton and Rising Sun will meet to open the fall. While matchups in 2021 and 2022 were closely-contested affairs, last year’s opener was one-sided. The Elks put up 41 points in a 27-point victory.
Elkton combined for over 500 yards of total offense in last year’s rout. Returning quarterback Patience Richmond threw for 279 yards with 124 of those going to returning wideout D.J. Piner. The Elks’ ground game was just as — if not more — prolific. The Golden Elks totaled 248 yards on the ground. While last year’s lead back Solomon Pope graduated, Elkton possesses multiple backs in Josh Brill and newcomer James LaManna, among others, with an ability to lead the way in the rushing game.
In last season’s opener, Rising Sun did have success running the ball against the Elks and finished with over 200 yards of rushing offense. With last year’s lead back Mason Testerman graduated, the Tigers seem high on backs Jullian Hubbard and Sawyer Bell to take over in the running game. Sun’s offense returns junior quarterback Owen McBride, who gained valuable experience as the starter halfway through last season.
The Elks have won the previous 12 meetings against the Tigers. Rising Sun last defeated Elkton in September of 2011.
Perryville at North Harford, 7 p.m.
The opener between the Panthers and Hawks should serve as a matchup between two teams that like to run the ball and play stout defense.
Both squads return running backs that had productive seasons last fall in Perryville sophomore Jordon Jones and North Harford senior Donnie Mullins. Jones rushed for 555 yards and 11 touchdowns and was a vital piece of a Perryville running game that eclipsed 2,300 yards on the ground. Mullins was one of three backs that helped the Hawks finish with just under 1,700 rushing yards as a team. He led North Harford in rushing with 573 yards.
On defense, both squads gave up 28 points or more three times all last season. The Panthers return a strong linebacking core in Trevon Johnson, Tayshaun Johnson and Pierce Sponaugle. North Harford lost its five leading tacklers from last year’s defense.
The Hawks have won two of its last three meetings against Perryville stretching back to 2021, including a 31-14 victory in last year’s opener. The Hawks capitalized on special teams in the victory, scoring 21 points on two kick returns, plus a blocked punt. Expect turnovers and special teams play to have a heavy-influence on the outcome of this opener.
Bohemia Manor vs. Kent County, 6 p.m.
In recent years, Bohemia Manor started the fall off fast. As the Eagles host Kent County during Week 1, a victory could catapult Bo Manor’s season in the right direction.
The Eagles are 8-2 in the month of September over the previous two seasons. Bo Manor’s two losses came against Joppatowne in 2022 and Patterson Mill in 2023. The quick starts benefited Bo as the Eagles finished each year with seven wins in 2022 and six wins last fall.
Bo Manor won in its last last three openers against Kent Count stretching back to 2021, scoring 40 points or more in each of the victories. The Trojans won two games in 2023, but did show signs of fight during the second half of the season. Kent knocked off No. 3 Snow Hill in the opening round of last year’s region playoffs.
North East at Easton, 7 p.m.
Friday night will serve as a homecoming for North East head coach Taylor Slaughenhoupt.
Slaughenhoupt and the Indians will travel down to Talbot County to face Class 2A Easton. Slaughenhoupt, a 2012 graduate of Easton High School, played outside linebacker, defensive end, tight end and offensive line during his time with the Warriors.
This fall marks the second consecutive regular season opener between the two teams separated by 75 miles. Easton’s only victory last season came in a 38-6 road win over the Indians. Injuries played a part in derailing the Warriors’ 2023 season. Top receiver Chase Raab suffered an injury prior to Week 1 and starting quarterback Mikey O’Connor went down in Week 2.
The Indians return a large senior class and will look to capture their first Week 1 win since September of 2018.
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