First-year Chesapeake coach, Mark Junker, has the Bayhawks looking to contend in Baltimore County's newly-formed Class 1A League.

Not long after being hired as Chesapeake of Baltimore County's football coach last spring, Mark Junker, a first-time head coach, informed his players of his few, simple requirements.

"I told the players that I have been fortunate to work for some very successful coaches and programs," said Junker, a former assistant to Roger Wrenn at Patterson, Anthony Knox at Poly, and John Marquette last season at Parkville. "I told them that we were going to do things the way that I had seen them work before."

Among Junker's demands?

"We will work hard every day. We will be fundamentally sound. We will come to school and practice every day," Junker said. "We will act with class and like a winner every day no matter what our record is."

Fortunately for the Bayhawks -- and, largely, due to their having carried out Junker's demands -- their record is a good one.

After struggling through consecutive 2-8 seasons, and having lost eight of their last nine games entering this year, the Bayhawks are off to a 2-0 start, having out-scored two Baltimore County opponents by a combined, 33-7.

The Bayhawks' season-opening, 20-7, victory over Towson ended a three-game losing streak. Last week, the Bayhawks shut out Perryville, 13-0.

Their start has the Bayhawks looking to contend with New Town, Owings Mills, Pikesville, Western Tech and Sparrows Point for thecounty's newly created Class 1A League title.

"The captains have led the way," said Junker, referring to senior defensive end-offensive guard Steven Randolph, senior outside linebacker-tailback Dominique Tshiams and senior fullback-middle linebacker Antonio Williams.

"All three of these captains have set a tremendous example of dedication and work ethic," Junker said.

Randolph, who has nine tackles and two sacks, "is the heart of both lines," said Junker. "Offensively, he has had numerous big blocks."

Tshiams "carried the load in the first game against Towson," said Junker, referring to Tschiams' 129 yards and one TD on seven carries, and his eight tackles in the game.

In two games, Tshiams has rushed for 203 yards and a TD, and, defensively, made 13 tackles. Tshiams is also the team's placekicker.

Williams, who suffered an ankle sprain against Towson, is expected to return Thursday when the Bayhawks play host to Dundalk.

"Antonio is the only varsity player who was present for every weight training session over the summer," Junker said.

But there have been others as well, such as senior offensive guard-defensive tackle Donte Frances; senior tailback-linebacker George Diggs; and senior defensive end-offensive tackle Chris Inskeep.

Frances has 12 tackles and two fumble recoveries, one of which resulted in a TD. Diggs, last week, made 11 tackles, two sacks and caused a fumble in the win over Perryville. Inskeep, who also serves as punter, has two sacks.

Also, junior QBk Dominique Saunders rushed for 159 yds against Perryville and "has done a fine job leading the offense," Junker said.

Senior Marcus Jackson, who covered 119 yds against Perryville, "was our backbone in that game," said Junker, and senior center, Lenny Banack, "does a solid job leading the offensive line."

Junker's assistants are Brian Salay, who coordinates the offensive and defensive lines; Mike Como, with the receivers and defensive backs; and junior varsity coaches Lance Gymory and Elwood Townsend, a former player for Patterson's 1994 state semifinalists.

"The players deserve all the credit. They come to practice every day with a great desire to improve," Junker said. "They have worked their tails off."