Warriors Battle to the End at State Championship

The Havre de Grace Warriors played like champs in the fourth quarter of the state football finals, in what announcers said was a “spirited comeback,” but ultimately Havre de Grace fell to the Fort Hill Sentinels, 44-14.

The Sentinels have now won the MPSSAA 1A state championship for the third consecutive year.

While the Warriors were eclipsed on the scoreboard, they turned up the heat late in the game. “Havre de Grace won the second half,” MPSSAA announcers said.

Warriors wide receiver Chris Harris reportedly had the team’s first touchdown, and in the final minutes of the game, Havre de Grace nearly scored twice.

Momentum started to shift as Havre de Grace quarterback Jack Eberhardt and the team had a successful drive that culminated with Warriors wide receiver Isaiah Jackson landing a touchdown, bringing the score to 44-13.

Once the extra point went through the uprights, bringing the score to 44-14, the game was not over.

When the Sentinels had the ball again, Warriors wide receiver Joshua Penn recovered a fumble in Fort Hill territory.

“By golly, they’re not quitting,” announcers said, as Havre de Grace players continued the drive with three minutes left in the championship matchup.

In short order, Eberhardt threw a pass into the end zone, but a sea of Sentinels blocked access to his receivers, and it was picked.

“They got nothing to be ashamed of,” MPSSAA announcers said of the Warriors as the game wrapped up. “They held up their own; they made it a game.”

This is the second time in the past five years Havre de Grace has made it to the state championship. The Warriors most recently played for the state title in 2010 but fell to the Dunbar Poets, 22-12.

Maroon and gold-clad fans lit up the stands at M&T Bank Stadium Saturday to support the Warriors, and former HHS football players and Mayor Bill Martin also cheered on the team in a special sports vlog beforehand.

“So proud! No matter what still #graceontop.“ Photo Credit: @HDG Warriors.