When: Friday, 7
Outlook: This game will have a huge impact on the outcome of both the Howard County league race and the Class 3A East regional standings. River Hill and Wilde Lake are tied for the lead in both standings and the winner will have the leg up going down the stretch.
The Wildecats’ offense has been lights out over the past three weeks. They have defeated their opponents 141-0 in those game including back-to-back 50-0 wins over Mount Hebron and Oakland Mills but the Hawks are a more disciplined defensive team.
Wilde Lake has arguably the top group of skill position players in the league with senior running backs Khalil Viera (481 yards rushing, six touchdowns), A.J. Harris (142, 2), E.J. Gilman (270, five) and Terrell Nickens (230, 1).
River Hill will lean on running backs Aaron Wells, who has rushed for over 700 yards and 12 total touchdowns. Backs Brent Kluge and Jordan Griffin will also get touches. The Hawks defense will have to play disciplined football and create turnovers to slow the Wildecats.
Last year, Kluge ran for 146 yards and a touchdown to River Hill to a 27-0 win over Wilde Lake in the second week of the 2009 season.
