Old Mill Runs to Perfect Regular Season

Old Mill coach Chad McCormick has wanted the opportunity for his team to play on a state level. They now have it.

The Patriots completed a perfect run through Anne Arundel County opponents on Friday, defeating South River, 54-20. With a 10-0 record, Old Mill finishes as the top seed in the MPSSAA Class 4A East region.

"I've said I just want to compete at that state level and now we have the opportunity to do so," McCormick said.

Old Mill will likely meet South River again, as the playoffs begin next Friday. Pairing will officially be announced on Sunday.

"I think Old Mill is a great football team. Chad is doing a great job, he has a very good game plan with those kids. He's got them playing very, very well. That's a really good ball club," South River coach Lance Clelland said.

Senior Rob Chesson took every carry on the games first drive, capping it with a 40-yard touchdown run. The Patriots never trailed against the Seahawks.

A 67-yard touchdown reception by Torie Wagner followed by a 49-yard touchdown run by Chesson had Old Mill looking at a 20-7 lead after one quarter of play.

"It was a good regular season. We [are] 10-0. [We] made history," Wagner said. "The real season begins on Monday. We've got four more games left to make it to that state level."

Deonte Shields tossed his second score of the day, with a 45-yard connection to sophomore Shawn Brown.

Chesson would punch in two more scores before the half, with runs of three and 21 yards. When halftime rolled around, Chesson had racked up 143 yards and four touchdowns on 12 carries, as Old Mill led 40-14.

The Patriots defense delivered a championship performance as they slowed down quarterback Connor Cox and running back Lavon Chaney, the Seahawks dangerous offensive tandem.

South River turned the ball over on downs as the second half began. While Chesson would add his fifth touchdown run on the following possession.

Wagner then intercepted Cox on the seven-yard line and raced down the sideline for a 93-yard touchdown. The defensive touchdown came just before the start of the fourth quarter, as Old Mill led 54-14.

"No. 3 [Cox] was scrambling, I just read the quarterback and broke on the ball," Wagner said. "

The Seahawks would add a late touchdown, but could not consistently crack the Patriot defense. When the final whistle blew, Old Mill had sealed their tenth victory with by a 54-20 score.

"The biggest thing we've been preaching to them all year is that it's one week at a time. That's been one of the biggest things because we do have a talented team," McCormick said. "But you have to stay narrow-minded and that you're focused on that one opponent at a time or else you start looking ahead and that's when you get yourself trapped."

Notes:

This is the first time in school history that Old Mill football has gone 10-0. Torie Wagner's interception is his seventh this season, which ties a school record for interceptions during a single season. Senior fullback/defensive end Seth Holbrook sat out the game serving a one-game suspension after being ejected against Glen Burnie last week.