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“We didn’t deserve to be ranked (in the preseason),” says senior co-captain Nick M. “Last year was a difficult and disappointing season. We needed to earn (other teams') respect. We needed to prove them wrong.”

With the exception of a 9-0 loss to Philadelphia’s Penn Charter the second game of the season (which senior quarterback Rory S. called “a blip on the radar screen”), the Eagles have proven their doubters wrong. Rolling through their schedule silently but solidly, the Eagles have racked up wins against perennial “B” Conference powers St. Mary’s and Severn, as well as Haverford (Pa.).

The Eagles’ play is turning heads and reaffirming what McDonogh players and coaches knew all along. "We knew we were going to be good this year because last year was a rebuilding year, but we saw all the talent we had and basically last year polished it up,” said senior captain Von T.

Rory and Nick are two prime examples of polished talent. Rory, who threw for three touchdowns in the October 4 41-14 romping of Calvert Hall, and Nick, who rushed for 120 yards, have really come into their own over the course of the season.

“I’m a smarter player this year,” says Nick. “I’m really starting to understand the schemes better.”

As for Rory, the timid junior who took three snaps in last year’s Gilman game for an injured Trevor Williams is no more. Instead, with some work on his timing, he has developed into a competent quarterback, despite being caught in the unique role first-year starter as a senior.

“It’s tough (for Rory), he didn’t get many snaps last year. But he’s smart, he understands the game, distributes the ball, and doesn’t make mistakes. If he continues to run the offense the same way he has, we’ll be fine,” head coach Dom Damico said.

Perhaps McDonogh’s greatest offensive weapons lie in their receiving corps. Junior Darius H., and seniors Corey D. and Justin D. combine speed, size, and soft hands, giving Sanborn the luxury of several reliable options to go to when he’s feeling pressure in the pocket.

But the opposing defense hasn’t been able to get to Rory much this year with Von anchoring the offensive line. The bulky center’s three years on varsity has given him the experience he needs to read defenses and dominate up front.

“During my sophomore year, (former McDonogh player) Sam Feldman '02 had a bad shoulder, so by halftime of about every game, I was getting in. And I would always play next to (former co-captain) Aaron Friedman '02 and I was so scared of him that I had to learn my assignment on every play,” said Von.

On defense, senior co-captain Cameron G. has used his gargantuan size and stalwart upper body to dominate at the end position, while back at linebacker, sophomore Bryn H., despite his youth, has put on a strong showing.

With his starters playing solid football, Damico’s biggest worry is the rest of his team, or lack thereof. Whereas large schools such as Calvert Hall or Loyola field football teams of 70, the McDonogh squad is miniscule by comparison, dressing a paltry 30 players.

“Anytime you have a private school with 30 kids on a roster competing with teams of 70 or 80 kids, depth is your number one concern,” Damico says. “Injuries would kill us. We’re not as deep as those other teams, but our top 15 or 18 guys can compete with anyone.”

So, how is McDonogh able to beat teams that are larger, stronger, and more physical? As Damico says, players have to stay healthy, and so far, to the Eagles’ benefit, they have. The next way to do it: out-scheme them.

On the offensive side of the ball, the coaching staff uses a west coast offense, where the team lines up with four wide receivers, one man in the backfield, and no tight ends. Many high schools don’t have the capability to run this sort of offense because of its complexity, however, McDonogh students have the maturity and mental capacity to make the system work, giving them a distinct advantage over their competitors.

“I consider our offense to be a high-octane offense,” says Von. “We’re kind of like a heavyweight fighter. We have a lot of different weapons, and with one punch, we can knock you out with several different guys.”

McDonogh will need that high-octane offense firing on all cylinders when it hosts Loyola on Saturday, October 11 at 2 p.m. at John McDonogh Stadium.

Coach Damico believes the game will ultimately come down to offensive philosophy. "Our scheme will adjust to what [Loyola] does. My biggest concern is that since we play only 12-minute quarters, most teams that run the ball eat the clock up. Every possession becomes critical. If they shorten the game and you only get five or six possessions, you better score on two of them,” he said.

Cameron adds that Loyola’s line is critical to their success, due to the power it has in eating up time on the all-mighty clock.

Looking down the road, as opponents change and the rest of the season progresses, it’s going to be McDonogh’s constants that will help sustain the squad’s high level of play.

“We’ve got great senior leaders, a great corps of receivers, and a great line,” Cameron says. “Everyone is doing their job. We’re just playing good, smash-mouth football.”