Outlook: The Baltimore City Division I title picture will become clearer as the winner controls its own destiny. After losses to No. 3 Calvert Hall College and Edmondson, No. 18 Poly has bounced back with shutout victories over Digital Harbor (40-0) and Northwestern, 42-0, last week.
The Engineers (6-2, 5-1 Division I) look to run the ball with Gabriel Ali-El, Jamal Chappell and Dexter Davis behind a line featuring 6-foot-6, 235-pound senior Paul Taylor. Junior Donovan Riley is the main threat on the perimeter for quarterback Darrell Milburn.
Senior linebacker Stacy Stovall and Mikal Davis lead a Poly defensive unit that hasn’t allowed a score in its last nine quarters. The Engineers will need to continue their play if hope to derail the hottest team in the Division I.
No. 13 Dunbar (7-1, 5-1 Division I) won its sixth straight last Saturday evening, shutting out Edmondson, 16-0, to claim its fourth straight Ben Eaton Memorial Trophy. Deontay McManus hauled in a Kevin Estep pass for a 61-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and JaQuan Holt added a fourth quarter touchdown run.
The Poets’ defense did the rest, posting their third straight shutout as senior linebacker Travon Garrett recovered a pair of fumbles. Dunbar hasn’t given a touchdown since the opening quarter against City College Oct. 1.
It was the Poets’ defense which preserved a 22-18 decision over Poly last season, stopping the Engineers on fourth down late in regulation. Ali-El had a rushing and receiving touchdown for Poly.
The Engineers need to win Saturday to maintain their fourth-place standing in Class 3A North, with a showdown with City College looming next Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium.
