Football: Arundel Wins Big Over Meade, 40-8

Entering Friday night, there was a feeling that that the Meade High Mustangs could be a tough challenge for the Arundel High Wildcats. After all, Meade had won its first two games of the year by a combined score of 76-0. 

But Arundel handled the challenge with an all-around strong effort, pulling away from Meade in the second half and emerging with a 40-8 win in Gambrills. 

Aaron Lewis-Cenales and Tyler Young each had two touchdown receptions in the win, while the defense held Meade to just 181 total yards. 

The win ensured that the coveted Mears Trophy would remain in the hands of Arundel for the 11th straight year, and gave the Wildcats a 3-0 start to the season. 

"We're excited about it...this was a challenge for us," Arundel head coach Chuck Markiewicz said. "We told our guys all week we’d be playing a good team. They’ve got some real dudes over there.”

Jack Gordan and Cooper Hibbs shared time at quarterback for Arundel, each attempting 16 passes with a total of just seven incompletions between them. 

Gordon hooked up with Lewis-Cenales for touchdown passes from 24 and 11 yards in the first quarter. He added a 9-yard touchdown pass to Young in the second quarter and a 61-yard touchdown run in the third. 

Hibbs also threw a touchdown pass to Young, while running back Matt Davis also scored. 

With Arundel's good start, no one is questioning Markieiwicz's decision to play two quarterbacks, basing their playing time on game situation and the specific play call. 

“They’re great friends, so there’s no animosity when one person does well," Markiewicz said. "They did the same thing on JV. It’s not something new to them. We feel comfortable with it.”

Hibbs and Gordon deflected credit to the team's defense, which recorded four sacks. The defense made a big statement in the second quarter, when Arundel led 13-0 but Meade had the ball inside the Arundel 10-yard line. Blake Thornton intercepted a Marcus Smith pass at the goal line and ran it back 92 yards, setting up a momentum-shifting score on the next play. 

“I’m very proud of our unit," said Demarcus Garrett, a lineman and defensive captain. "We really played as one. This is a true family, and that’s why I love this team."

Be sure to check out all of the photos of the game from Todd Breese in the gallery above.

Arundel next takes on South River Friday in Edgewater. Gametime is 6:30 p.m.

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