By Kyle McFadden
BALTIMORE- After accomplishing what many programs fail to obtain just once, Todd Appel stood tall and calm at the podium. Instead of rambling on how successful the football program that he built, he paused, glanced up at the ceiling and started talking about worldly mishaps. That, life is larger than just a game of football.
Appel knows, if he turns incoming freshman boys into men by the time they leave with a diploma, the success will come. Sure enough, the Sentinels returned to championship form on Saturday night, capturing their third state crown in a row, dismantling the Havre de Grace Warriors, 44-14.
“I just thank the Good Lord,” Appel said. “We keep things in perspective. Life is more than just a game of football.”
On the first defensive drive of the game, the Fort Hill front-7 made their presence felt instantly, forcing a rather quick Havre de Grace three-and-out deep into their own territory.
This would set up golden field position in the early unfoldings. Fort Hill marched 44-yards down the field, a large part to the Nathaniel Graves 2-yard dump pass to Brayden Brown that he took 28-yards more.
Graves would then muscle into the end zone from 1-yard out to give Fort Hill the early advantage, 7-0.
“All of the kids came ready to play,” Appel said. “Havre de Grace is not a bad football team, they’re great. We did a good job of making adjustments.”
Fort Hill’s Austin Farrell converted on a 30-yard field goal seconds into the second quarter to push the lead to 10-0 and then Brown darted through the Havre de Grace defense for the 18-yard score to make it 17-0.
On the ensuing offensive possession, Brown would score again on a 54-yard burst up the left sideline to put the game out if reach at 24-0.
In the press room, moments removed from winning his third state championship in as many years, Brown put that aside and wiped away the slight tears that trickled down his cheekbone. To him, it was much more than another trophy that will be stored away on a mantle.
“Coach Appel is like a dad to me,” an emotional Brown said. “I’m so thankful for him. He makes sure you get your school work done. He makes sure you live life the right way … I’m just happy to be here.”
It’s the motto that Appel has sworn by – having a humble mindset and if you shutter out all outside distractions and don’t let the world tell you anything different, success is bound to happen.
“There’s a lot of bad things out in this world,” Appel said. “They do a good job of pushing out the distractions.”
Graves’ second touchdown and Raen Smith’s 1-yard score would then put the game out of hand.
Smith rumbled for 234 rushing yards.
“This all goes to my line,” Smith said. “They opened up huge holes anyone could have ran through.”
Though Smith gave nothing but praise to his fellow blockers up front, he had his fair share of highlight reels that included a 50-yard run on their own 7-yard line that then set up a tone-setting score in the second quarter.
“We all just work hard,” Smith said. “Coach does a great job of keeping us focused.”
Appel sees the bigger picture. That, he values his inherited young men we call football players more than a wood-carved trophy. Leaving a legacy feels fulfilling, but refreshing society’s essence is what makes it admirable.
“There’s more important things out there than being three-time state champions,” Appel said. “Isis and things like that. We’re just playing a game. We try to work hard and display ourselves as good people.”
You can follow me on Twitter at @k_fadd and Maryland Sports Access at @MDSportsAccess.
Box score
Fort Hill 7, 17, 14, 6 – 44
Havre de Grace 0, 0, 7, 7 – 14
Scoring summary
First quarter
Fort Hill, Nathaniel Graves 1-yard run (Farrell kick), 7:21, Fort Hill 7, Havre de Grace 0
Second quarter
Fort Hill, Austin Farrell 30-yard field goal, 11:50, Fort Hill 10, Havre de Grace 0
Fort Hill, Brayden Brown 18-yard run (Farrell kick), 2:58, Fort Hill 17, Havre de Grace 0
Fort Hill, Brayden Brown 54-yard run (Farrell kick), 1:14 Fort Hill 24, Havre de Grace 0
Third quarter
Fort Hill, Nathaniel Graves 9-yard run (Farrell kick), 9:17, Fort Hill 31 Havre de Grace 0
Fort Hill, Raen Smith 1-yard run (Farrell kick), 6:54, Fort Hill 38 Havre de Grace 0
Havre de Grace, Christopher Smith 3-yard run (Hartman kick), 0:11, Fort Hill 38 Havre de Grace 7
Fourth quarter
Fort Hill, Brayden Poling 1-yard run (Kick failed), Fort Hill 44 Havre de Grace 7
Havre de Grace, Isaiah Jackson 8-yard pass from Jack Eberhardt (Hartman kick), Fort Hill 44, Havre de Grace 14
