Fresh off of banner-raising seasons for some and crucial offseason workouts for others, Baltimore County looked toward the future.
Perennial state championship contender Milford Mill is ready to reload for 2024. This year they will be looking to regain the top spot in the county’s top division after falling to champion Perry Hall in Division I. The Millers reached the Class 2A state semifinals last season and are ready to return to the big game.
The Gators are looking to prove last year was not a fluke after one of the best seasons in school history. Coach Ryan Pittillo knows his team not only put the county on alert after another solid season, but the entire state after a 6-0 loss to eventual 4A/3A state champion Mervo in what was by far the toughest game for the Mustangs.
“Our program is on a new level now, we know we can compete with not just the county, but the state’s best.” Pittillo said. “We expect to win, this year is no different.”
Predicting the Division II winner might be the toughest task, as although defending champion Owings Mills is confident the program’s vision is finally coming to fruition, a revamped New Town offense and a Hereford squad out to return to the top each provide quite the challenge for the Eagles. The Bulls should be extra motivated after a 34-16 loss to the Eagles in the Class 2A playoffs.
“A lot of people don’t know about all the success we have had not just last year, but the last three or four years,” Owings Mills coach Travis Hall said. “We’re not just some underdogs, winning is our standard now.”
Randallstown, armed with Richmond commit Elijah Lee and Monmouth-bound Kendall Dorsey look to remain on top in Division III this season after one of the best years in recent history that included an impressive 35-point playoff victory.
Coach Jamari McCollough has even higher aspirations for his program and made his intentions clear.
Here are some storylines, players to watch and the most must see football games in Baltimore County as we look to 2024:
Dundalk’s Christian Cofield breaks a tackle during a game last season against Bel Air. Cofield will be looked upon to be a versatile weapon this season for the Owls. (John Gillis/Freelance)
Dundalk, Milford Mill going back to basics to reload for 2024
Despite not taking home a division crown in 2023, the Millers and the Owls each enjoyed deep playoff runs.
Dundalk coach Tom Abel left 2023 with a sour taste in his mouth after a narrow loss to 4A state finalist Broadneck in the second round. Looking to get back to the top of the division and one step closer in the playoffs, he looks to rely on the tough, hard-nosed, gritty play that has been synonymous with his program through the years.
“Defensively, we’re an aggressive team and its the same way on offense,” he said. “We pride ourselves on being physical in the trenches.”
Division rival Milford Mill has proven to be strong at just about every aspect of the game. One thing head coach Reggie White has touted through the years is an explosive offense filled with the county’s top playmakers.
“We never rebuild, we reload,” offensive coordinator Byron Jones said. “These guys are ready to step up, its their time.”
With new quarterback Owen Newburns set to take over for the 2A state quarterfinalist, the plan remains the same for the Millers offense.
“We have a lot of young talent, my job is simple,” Newburns said. “Get the ball to my guys and let them make plays. We’re going to be real explosive this year.”
Revamped offense makes New Town dangerous team to watch out for
A holistic look at the Titans offense showed some mixed results last season. On the bright side, the unit averaged over 27 points per game en route to an impressive 8-3 record.
However against their toughest competitors — Hereford, Milford Mill and Owings Mills — the Titans failed to score more than eight points in each of those contests.
Luckily for Titans fans, coach William Savage and offensive coordinator Bryan Jones may have found the right formula for execution, explosiveness and more importantly, consistency for the unit in 2024.
“We revamped out offense to make us a little bit more relevant,” Savage said. “We are looking to be more explosive and put our defense in spots where they can play a little more relaxed and go on the attatck.”
“Every play, I’ll have four athletes on the field,” quarterback Bobby Burke said. “My priority is to get them the ball so they can make plays.”
Armed with five playmakers that can all take the ball and do some damage, paired with a stout defense, the Titans were already a clear threat.
This new offense could take them to the next level.
Western Tech amongst many out to make a name for themselves
As Shawn Waller enters year four at the helm of the Wolverines, he’s made his intentions very clear. After stints at Forest Park and Randallstown, Waller knows what it’s like to have strong foundational pieces overlooked in discussions about the area’s best.
Waller may have the quarterback ready to lead the charge and garner his program some respect: Micah Viner.
“I believe it’s going to be a really good year, led by Micah who has the potential to be one of the top quarterbacks in the area.” Waller said. “We have a group of great kids ready to prove that Western Tech is slept on.”
Viner has set high expectations for himself in 2024 as he looks to lead the Wolverines one last time.
“I want to be accurate with my passes, throw for at least 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns,” he said. “We’ve been together since freshman year so for us, a successful season means a lot of winning.”
With a determined Waller, flanked by one of the more talented and hungry signal callers in the county, look for Western Tech to take a giant step forward and turn some heads in 2024.
Randallstown eyes big move, looks to make statement in season opener
After winning the Division III title and coming just short of the state playoffs, Randallstown head coach Jamari McCollough has made his intentions clear regarding the future of his program.
“Our goal is to be in Division I,” McCollough said. “There’s a lot of talent in the county, and we know in order to work our way up as a program we need to compete and beat the best to be considered one of the best, it starts with us bringing home another division title and advancing far in the playoffs.”
Armed with multiple swiss army knife players on the offensive side of the ball, a tough interior front and promising new defensive coordinator. The Rams will have plenty of opportunities to show they belong.
Their biggest opportunity comes week one— when the defending Division III champs travel to take on Division II champion Owings Mills, setting the stage for the Rams to make a big statement early in the season.
Owings Mills football players pose after beating Hereford, 34-16, in a second round playoff game last season. (Anthony Maluso/Staff)
10 must watch matchups this season
Randallstown at Owings Mills (Sept 6) ; Westminster at Franklin (Sept 6) ; Dundalk at New Town (Sept 13) ; Hereford at Milford Mill (Sept 13) ; Owings Mills at New Town (Sept 21) ; Perry Hall at Dundalk (Sept 27) ; Dundalk at Milford Mill (October 4) ; Hereford at New Town (October 18th) ; Perry Hall at Milford Mill (Oct 25), Milford Mill at Loyola (Nov 1).
Divisional alignment
Division I: Catonsville, Dundalk, Franklin, Kenwood, Milford Mill, Perry Hall, Woodlawn
Division II: Dulaney, Eastern Tech, Hereford, New Town, Overlea, Owings Mills, Parkville, Towson
Division III: Chesapeake, Lansdowne, Loch Raven, Patapsco, Pikesville, Randallstown, Sparrows Point, Western Tech