Outlook: This is the “Game of the Year,” in Baltimore County as the winner gains the inside track to the 3A/4A championship. The Bulls may have been caught looking ahead to this match last weekend against Woodlawn.
The No. 7 Bulls (6-1 overall, 4-0 3A/4A) won 14-6 as a pair of second quarter touchdown runs by Vince DePaola, was all their scoring. Hereford averaged 40 points in its previous three games.
DePaola finished with 164 yards on 35 carries, and senior Tim Bristol added 108 yards. Hereford has won six straight since an opening loss at No. 6 North Harford.
Franklin (7-0, 4-0 3A/4A), ranked No. 10, kept its perfect season intact with a 35-26 victory at Perry Hall last Friday. The Indians raced out to a 21-0 first quarter behind a 85-yard interception return by junior Ian Thomas, who returned a punt 40 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Senior Mark Venable had a running and passing touchdown, and Navassa Brown scored twice.
This matchup will have huge implications on the Class 3A state North Region playoff chase. Franklin (10.22 point average) currently sits first with North Harford (9.6) with Hereford third (8.43).
Last season, Hereford beat Franklin twice en route to the state 3A semifinals. The Bulls took a 24-6 regular season decision before ending the Indians’ season with a 31-15 victory in the North Region finals.
