Pikesville, Randallstown Both Hungry for Friday Win

Addressing his team following last week’s against Lansdowne, Pikesville High School football coach Jamie Willis’ message was simple.

“I told them I loved the focus and growth I saw,” Willis said, “but I also told them that there are still some areas where we have to get better.”

Willis is hoping to see continued progression, and another victory, during the game Friday against Randallstown — a team Pikesville hasn't played for two seasons, and a team that Pikesville has never beaten.

hosts Randallstown at 7 p.m. Friday. The last time the teams met was during Willis' first year as head coach in 2008, when Pikesville lost 26-0.

Randallstown, though, also enters the game hungry for a win.

"This game is very important for us," Rams coach William Crawford said. "We're really looking to get a win Friday."

Crawford said he had a chance to break down film of Pikesville earlier in the week and emphasized "they've got a lot of speed."

Pikesville has done its own work to prepare.

Willis said he took “around 10-15 players” to the Rams game against Forestville Military Academy last weekend — a 20-18 Randallstown loss —to scout the Rams and give his players an early peek at what to expect Friday.

"I think this is going to be a very competitive game," Crawford said. "I just hope and pray that my kids bring their A-game and we can come out victorious."

Although Randallstown is 0-2, Willis says a win Friday would provide a huge lift for his team.

Crawford noted that his team has added a few new wrinkles to its offense, especially in its passing game, that he hopes will be successful against the Panthers.

The Rams have struggled some in recent seasons, but have been a consistent playoff contender for most of the last 40 years, qualifying for the postseason 17 times since 1975 and winning two state championships during that span.

“The kids and all the coaches know the importance of this game,” Willis said. “We’re going to treat it as just another game, but a win against Randallstown would be huge for this program.”