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By Andy States
SMAC Content Manager

The team already had one win over the Leonardtown Raiders in the books, but the one Friday night was what the Huntingtown Hurricanes were looking forward to.

Over the past few years Leonardtown, which had won the previous four SMAC championships prior to this season, had stood in Huntingtown's way. But with Friday night's 17-5 win over the visiting Raiders, Huntingtown finally claimed the first conference championship in its five-year program history.

"It's been us and them for the past three years, always close games," said Huntingtown junior Ryan Johnston, who scored five goals and assisted on three others in the win. "This year we beat them twice so it feels good."

Huntingtown (10-1, 9-0) lost to Leonardtown (5-5, 4-4) in dramatic fashion with the conference on the line last year. But after a slow start on Friday, the Hurricanes took control -- outscoring the visitors 9-1 in the second half -- and cruised to the win.

"After three years, I'm proud of these guys," Huntingtown coach Rodger Ganley said. "They made a little bit of history for the school and for themselves.

"After last year's game, I've been waiting for this for a long time. The guys that were with me last year were waiting for this for a long time and it was nice to be able to put it away for two games and put a stamp on it."

Huntingtown opened the season with a 10-6 win at Leonardtown. But the offense proved far more explosive in the rematch, with Johnston pacing the attack. Peter Athens scored four goals and had three assists, while Mike James put four shots in the net. Alex Hutchison scored three goals and assisted on two others.

"Lot of game film from the year and past years," Johnston said of the team's success. "We kind of got an idea of what we needed to do."

Added junior Connor Peterson: "We came out fired up and ready to go and put them away right off the beginning."

Earlier in the week, Huntingtown knocked off Queen Anne's County 15-12 in a much-needed test against a quality opponent from outside of SMAC with the playoffs on the horizon.

"Monday night was probably as important a game as any we've played this year," Ganley said. "I think they realized that they can't just sit back and then turn it on when they feel like it."

Huntingtown 17, Leoonardtown 5
L    1    3    1    0
H    3    5    5    4
Goals
Leonardtown: Lutz 2, Copenhaver, Finagin, Laray
Huntingtown: Johnston 5, Athens 4, James 4, Hutchison 3, Bradbury

astates@digiitalsports.com