Seneca Valley Football Ready to 'Rock and Roll'

High school football in Montgomery County has evolved quite a bit since Seneca Valley High School opened its doors in Germantown in 1974.

Back then, the Screamin' Eagles weren't competing with schools like Quince Orchard, Northwest, Clarksburg or Watkins Mill -- all of which have poached talent from the 12-time Maryland state champion over the years and in many cases, have gone on to win state titles of their own. 

But despite the change in landscape and the stiffer competition, one thing hasn't changed in the 35 years since Seneca Valley won its first crown in 1976: the high expectations of the fans, alumni and coaching staff.

"Anything less than competing for a state championship every year is failure for us," Seneca Valley coach Fred Kim said. "We expect to compete for a state title. That's our goal and that's what we strive for every year."

Kim, who is now in his eighth year as head coach, was a member of the 1987 Seneca Valley team that went undefeated and won the state title while Al Thomas was the coach. 

As an assistant at Seneca under Terry Changuris, Kim helped the school win two more titles in the 1990s. Coaching under and playing for two of the state's all-time winningest coaches, Kim says he feels as though he has a responsibility to uphold the strong tradition of the school.

Even though the team hasn't won a state title since 2002, Kim has gotten the team close. In 2008, Seneca went undefeated in the regular season and advanced to the state title game and lost in overtime to Westlake and finished the year 12-1. Last season, the Screamin' Eagles had the Quince Orchard Cougars on the ropes in the first round of the playoffs, .

But 2011 brings a renewed hope for Seneca and for Kim, who is confident he has the talent to compete with anyone in the county and even the state. 

Standing in his way this year, is a schedule that Kim admits is particularly tough. In addition to standard opponents such as perennial contenders Quince Orchard and Damascus, both of whom beat Seneca in 2010, the Screamin' Eagles added Class 4A Gaithersburg to their schedule this season. The Trojans made it to the state semi-finals last year before being eliminated by Urbana.

The annual Battle for Germantown against Northwest will also be a tougher game this year with the arrival of Mike Neubeiser as head coach, Kim said.

Kim thinks his team is up to the task. Despite the loss of the team's 2010 MVP, Bernard Wolley, and its top offensive back, Eddie Cunningham, Kim says he has a solid core group of players returning this season. Kim is particularly excited by the depth and strength of the offensive line, led by senior Adam Quigley and his secondary, anchored by safety James Jones Williams, who Kim also expects to fill the void at running back left by Cunningham. 

Linebacker and wide receiver Chad Smith, tight end Ramzi Ebeid and quarterback Tanner Vallely are among the other returners that Kim is expecting big things from in 2011.

"We're expecting Tanner to step up and be a leader for us," Kim said. "Not just from a production standpoint but in the locker room as well."

While the 2011 season just got underway this past Saturday, Kim said he is already excited and energized by the kids' enthusiasm.

"Well the kids have to get used to getting back into the swing of things but they're enthusiastic and ready to rock and roll and get after it for sure."

The team's first game is Friday, Sept. 2, at home against Einstein.