There were several questions surrounding McDonogh School’s offense heading into the preseason. But after two regular season games, there’s only one.
Who is Joel Jorgensen?
The junior quarterback has been one of the area’s most profilic performers in the early season. Last weekend, Jorgensen accounted for 334 yards and six touchdowns in the No. 19 Eagles’ 48-21 victory over Haverford (PA) Prep.
The Owings Mills school graduated three-year starting quarterback Rudy Johnson (now a freshman at the University of Buffalo) and most of its skill performers. Jorgensen claimed the signal calling duties early in the preseason.
He’s making the most of the opportunity. In two games, Jorgensen has accounted for 10 touchdowns, and hasn’t thrown an interception.
“As a senior, I’d think he could probably do it; as a junior, it’s surprised me,” said McDonogh coach Dom Damico. “We had a talk before the first game, and I told him ‘you have a choice to be good for two years or one year, what do you want?’ He said two.”
“It’s looking really good right now,” said Jorgensen. “The defense has done its job. We have a lot of young guys on offense, but we’ve all stepped up. The receivers are making great plays and the line is giving me time.”
In the spring, Jorgensen figured he’d backing up Bryson Greene. Greene tore his meniscus playing lacrosse during the summer. Jorgensen vied with sophomore Travis Job for the position at the start of preseason practice.
Damico said Jorgensen left little doubt he had the spot after the Eagles’ first scrimmage.
“He has a strong athletic IQ, he understands what I’m trying to do,” said Damico. “His athletic IQ is off the charts. You showed him and explained to him what you want to do and he can do it.”
Jorgensen’s first start came under the lights at Unitas Stadium against Gonzaga (D.C.) and Kevin Hogan, one of the nation’s quarterback who committed to Stanford University. While Hogan passed for 275 yards, Jorgensen showed his worth, throwing four scoring passes in the Eagles’ 34-20 victory.
“A lot of people were hyping him [Hogan] up and I felt nervous trying to compete with him instead of winning the game,” said Jorgensen. “My dad just said just focus on winning the game instead of stats.”
He was a stat-stuffer last weekend against Haverford. Jorgensen threw for 214 yards and three touchdowns and added 119 rushing with touchdown runs of 5, 57 and 64 yards.
The Delaware County (PA) Daily Times, Haverford’s local newspaper, gave the wiry 6-foot-2, 180-pound quarterback the nickname “Air Jorgensen,” for his exploits. Jorgensen is now arguably the most popular student on the Owings Mills campus.
“The teachers know me more and people are now comparing me to Rudy,” said Jorgensen, who has talked to Johnson several times during the preseason. “I’m just glad to be compared to him.”
Scorpions sting
Jimmy DiPetro remembers the days when Oakland Mills was a fixture atop the Howard County league.
“The biggest I want to do is bring back that swagger,” said DiPetro, who played for Wilde Lake from 1996-2000. “It fell down for awhile. Being with these guys since they were freshman, we’re trying to turn things around.”
After winning one game in 2009, the Scorpions are off to a 2-0 start for the first time in more than a decade. Oakland Mills play Howard Friday afternoon in an early season battle of unbeatens.
The Scorpions only graduated four seniors off of last season’s roster. They’re on pace to shatter their 2009 points output (101), scoring 81 in victories over Marriotts Ridge and Centennial.
Oakland Mills’ no-huddle offense has showcased its speed and depth with receivers Terrence Drew, Troy Schofield, Chris Smith and junior Dominic Drew with senior running backs Trayvonn Lee and Chris Childress. DiPetro said senior quarterback Jared Montaya has provided an extra dimension with his passing.
Luke Schurman, John Scher, Jim Riss, Dan Gilliand and Nick Brand lead an experienced line. The defense is anchored by linebackers Joel Yarn, Kevin Han, Eric Ezzewanne and senior defensive back Anthony Hughes. Oakland Mills forced five turnovers in its 49-14 victory over Marriotts Ridge last weekend.
“We might not be the biggest team,” said DiPietro, who spent four seasons as junior varsity coach before taking the varsity reigns last year, “but we’re going to compete from beginning to end.”
Ninety-nine is fine for Woodlawn
With the ball on its 1-yard line late in the third quarter against Randallstown, Woodlawn figured a few yards would get it out of danger. The Warriors got more than a few, going 99 yards to the end zone in their 26-15 victory.
The Warriors used more than 10 minutes during the drive that was capped by a 20-yard pass from Colin Powell to Jonathan Matthews with 3:40 left in regulation.
It was the first victory for new Woodlawn coach Justin Payne.
