Category: Baltimore City News

New Town and Dunbar collide with Calvert Hall in 2018 football tuneup

by Derek Toney

Dunbar High and New Town, two programs on opposite ends of the area football spectrum, took to the field Saturday morning as a part of a three-team scrimmage at Calvert Hall College.

The Poets are the area's most prolific public program with 10 state championships, the latest coming last December with the Class 1A state title. Dunbar (12-1 last season) also claimed the Baltimore City Division I crown for the first time since 2014.

The east Baltimore school could be explosive on offense with its entire offensive line back to compliment the backfield of senior Andre Brandon, the team's leading rusher last fall, and bruising junior fullback Deon Crews-Harris. Seniors Raekwon Walker, Doshon Davis and Malik McCormick will key the receiving corps.

Sophomore Derrick Dunn and junior Lamar Jackson are vying for the starting quarterback spot with Jared Lewis (Morgan State) graduated. Crews-Harris will anchor the defensive line with Davis, Walker, Brandon and McCormick forming a solid defensive backfield.

The Poets will have two solid non-league matches with western Maryland's Allegany (handed Dunbar its only loss last season) and perennial Prince George's County stronghold Potomac before trying to defend their city league Division I title.

New Town has former Mount St. Joseph assistant Mike Savage in charge. Considered one of the area's top youth coaches, Savage is the fifth Titan coach since 2012 when the Baltimore County school reached the Class 1A final (lost to Dunbar).

Savage inherits a young roster with a lots of potential. Juniors Andre Stuckey (running back) and Gerrell Johnson (wide receiver) should be the main threats. Darius Broach and Sean Miller are battling for the starting quarterback while David Price will anchor the line.

The secondary will be the strong suit of New Town's defense with Chad Singleton and Deron Broach. The Titans (5-5 last season) will be tested immediately with two-time defending Baltimore City Division I champ Reginald Lewis, last year's Baltimore County Division II and III champs, respectively, Chesapeake and Woodlawn, in the first three weeks.

Check out the highlights and interviews from Saturday's action right below.