Randallstown grounded the Overlea Falcons in a surprising, 33-6, Baltimore County 2A-1A League rout; Sparrows Point surprised visiting Milford Mill, 20-14.

With the return of a couple of players being in doubt as the result of ineligibility, Randallstown's fifth-year coach Albert Howard the early portion of the season to be "about development."

But with Saturday's 33-6 rout of Baltimore County 2A-1A League rival Overlea, the short-handed Rams immediately announced themselves as contenders for not only the conference title, but also, a return to the Class 2A North Region playoffs that would be their first since 2004.

Randallstown senior Darique Taylor returned a first-quarter fumble, 21 yards for a touchdown; scored on a 72-yard run, ran for a two-point conversion and, defensively, had 10 solo tackles and three pass disruptions.

Senior Tashuan Perry rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, and was 10-for-22 passing for 175 yards, including a 70-yard scoring pass to junior Brandon Young and a 60-yard pass to senior Derrick Flickling that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by senior Ryan Jones.

"Darique was exceptional on both sides of the ball," Howard said of Taylor, who rushed for 97 yards. "And Tashaun did a great job running the offense."

Randallstown ended a three-game losing streak dating back to last season, and avenged a 28-20 loss of a year ago against Overlea, which has reached the Class 2A North Region playoffs during each of their past two seasons.

Sparrows Point 20, Milford Mill 14

T.J. Howell rushed for touchdowns of 8 and 12 yards as the Pointers (1-0) of Baltimore County's 2A-1A league broke a first quarter tie against the Millers of the county's 4A-3A.