Old Mill’s football team will be sporting a new look in 2010. Gone is All-Metro running back Josh Furman, who will be lining up in the backfield for the University of Michigan instead of the Patriots.
Running back Jason Clements (Morgan State), quarterback Joe Thornton and kicker Brad Cummings, stars of the Patriots Class 4A State title run, have also departed.
Old Mill lost over 90 percent of its touchdowns and yards from last year between Furman and Clements.
“I think we have four touchdowns returning and four touchdowns aren’t going to do much in a season,” said head coach Damian Ferragamo. “But the good thing is that we had a lot of young kids behind those guys that could have started for a lot of programs.”
Ferragamo will relay on junior Rob Chesson, who was the third running back on the depth year in 2009. The Patriots will also have the services of Annapolis transfer Demond Brown, a two-time All-Anne Arundel County tailback.
Old Mills has three starting offensive lineman returning in seniors Corey Beall, Alex Dembinski and David Lee. None of the three made the All-County last season even though the Patriots rushed for almost 400 yards per game. Saying these guys have a chip on their shoulders is an understatement.
The defense is stacked too with six starters coming back including linemen Seth Holbrook (Jr.) and Avery Taylor (Sr.). Seniors Rashaad Harris (Sr.) and Deion Briggs will patrol the secondary while juniors Rafael Kess (Jr.) and D’vonte Cromwell are back at linebacker.
“We have a lot of guys coming back,” said Ferragamo. “The big named guys have moved on but those younger guys saw the field last year and contributed. I think they are ready to step it up. We’re going to find out on August 14th if they are or not.”
Another change this season will be the look of Bob Golliday Memorial Field. Synthetic turf has replaced the old grass field.
“Getting this turf was a blessing because with the budget cuts the way they are, we were left to line our own field,” said Ferragamo. “It doesn’t seem hard but it takes a tremendous amount of time and it’s not an easy job. And the kids get excited about it too. It helps because there are more and more turf fields and you get acclimated to it. Plus the state championship game is on turf and it’s good for all athletics to have that type of facilities.”
The additions don’t stop there. After countless hours raising funds and a ton of planning, a brand new field house named after long time Athletic Director Bruce Lawton was erected in the spring. According to Ferragamo, Lawton was instrumental in raising all the money along with the Old Mill athletic boosters.
“Before there was no structure down here so we had to sit in the grass during halftime and God forbid we had any lightning. The school is a mile away so for safety it’s great to have a place to go to.”
