River Hill and head coach Brian Van Deusen head back to the 2A state tournament looking to defend its 2007 championship.
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By James A. McCray III
Prince George's County, Content Manager

In the post-game speech to his team, River Hill Hawks head football coach Brian Van Deusen used many words to describe his team's 21-6 triumph over the visiting Frederick Douglass Eagles-P.G. One word however that remained from being used was dynasty.

"It feels great, especially this year because this region is so tough," Van Deusen said of winning the regional title.

"This 2A South region is tough with Gwynn Park, Douglass, Patuxent, and North Point all in there. Winning this region means a little more because of the quality of the teams. Four in a row is great, but we still have some work to do."

After winning the fourth consecutive regional championship and with the team going back to the state tournament to defend its 2007 state title, the countdown to officially being classified as a dynasty is underway.

Five is the jersey number of River Hill running back Michael Campanaro. Campanaro put the Hawks on the board early in the first quarter as he capped off the opening drive of the game with a 29-yard touchdown run to give the Hawks a 7-0 lead. The touchdown would be his first of two rushing touchdowns on the night as he would also run one in from 32-yards out late in the second quarter increasing the lead to 14-0 going into the half.

Four is the number of consecutive regional titles the team has now won. The first two came in the 3A East region and the latter in the 2A South, a region that was seen by many as one of the top regions in the state this season.

"It feels great," Campanaro said of winning the program's fourth consecutive regional title. "It is a great program, a great coaching staff. Anytime you can go four regions straight, it feels good."

Three is the number of total touchdowns Campanaro finished with on the night as River Hill quarterback Luke Hostetler found the Wake Forest-bound running back for a 18-yard touchdown in the late stages of the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Two is the number on River Hill's minds for a few reasons. With the victory, the Hawks (12-0) defeated its second consecutive Prince George's County program--after last week's 20-6 victory over Gwynn Park.

"These two wins have been big for the program and big for the county [Howard]," Van Deusen said. "To beat two very good teams ... says a lot about our team."

Two also represents the second state title that the team will be going after this season, after earning a berth into the state tournament with the win.

"It is always hard to do it two times in a row," Hostetler said, "no doubt about it. But, it is pretty exciting getting another opportunity as a senior to go back and do it all over again. Not many people can say they won a state championship, let alone two."

One is the symbolic number of a champion. River Hill wants to be the one team remaining in the 2A that in turn would amount to a championship. The Hawks go up against 2A West regional champion Century High School in the state semi-final game.

"All of these kids realize it is a special thing," Van Deusen said. "Four years in a row to move on to the state semis is something that doesn't happen that often. For these kids, I hope they enjoy the experience, and come out ready to play."

Douglass (9-3) had no problems moving the ball in Friday night's contest as it often found itself deep inside River Hill territory. Two fumbles however ended two drives that look poised to score.

However, albeit a season-ending loss, Douglass head coach J.C. Pinkney is pleased with the character of his team.

"Honestly, I felt as though this was our year," Pinkney said. "I thought we had the team that we could take [far] ... Throughout all of the challenges, our guys overcame and they kept playing. We had lost two games and were on the brink of not even getting in ... we really, really stepped it up and got it going at the end of the season."

Douglass running back Emmanuel Paul put the only points on the board as he scampered in from 13 yards out mid-third quarter that at the time cut the River Hill lead to 14-6, making it a one-possession game. Unfortunately, the Eagles fell short in its comeback efforts.

tmccray@digitalsports.com


River Hill 21, Douglass 6

Douglass    --    0   0   6   0
River Hill    --     7   7   0   7

First quarter:
RH    --    Campanero 29 run, 3:42 (Trench kick)
Second quarter:
RH    --    Campanero 32 run, 7:30 (Trench kick)
Third quarter:
D      --    Paul 5 run, 4:43 (run failed)
Fourth quarter:
RH    --    Campanero 18 pass from Hostetler, (Trench kick)