Outlook: A pair of Baltimore County 3A/4A league rivals reconnect in this Class 3A North Region playoff in Parkton. The No. 5 Bulls (9-1) clinched the league title last week with a 49-14 pounding of Perry Hall.
The senior tandem of Vince DePaola and Tim Bristol spearheaded the Bulls’ charge. DePaola rushed for 198 yards and four touchdowns, and Bristol finished with 176 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns as Hereford extended its win streak to nine.
No. 17 Franklin (8-2) rebounded from a two-game losing skid with a 41-6 win over Kenwood last weekend. Joey Dorsey threw for 114 yards and three touchdowns, and Tony Pearson (interception) and Anthony Lazon (fumble return) added defensive touchdowns.
In week eight, Hereford handed the Indians their first loss, 14-6, in Reistertown as DePaola carried the ball 41 times for 234 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Greg Fultz added a short touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The Bulls’ defense limited Franklin’s offense to a 56-yard touchdown run by Mark Venable, and came up a pair of stops inside their five. The Indians came in averaging 45 points a game.
Hereford has won the previous three North Region titles including a 31-15 win over Franklin Iast fall. The Bulls have ended the Indians’ postseason the previous three seasons.
