The 2022 high school football season gets underway this week with a limited slate of games before kicking into high gear the following weekend. No matter where you go in the Baltimore metropolitan area you can find great action each and every week. However, the following games promise to be just a little extra special.

Mark you calendars.

Franklin at Milford Mill, Sept. 2

Baltimore County’s most successful programs over the last decade kick off the 2022 campaign against each other. Franklin won, 19-13, last season on a touchdown in the final 1 minute, 30 seconds, and has won 11 of 14 meetings (including postseason) between the two since 2010.

South Carroll at Westminster, Sept. 16

This early season matchup of Carroll County’s oldest rivals (54th meeting) will go a long way in determining the league crown. South Carroll won last year, 16-7, en route to the CCAL title and trip to Class 2A/1A state final.

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Dunbar vs. Mervo, Sept. 30 or Oct. 1 at site to be determined

Baltimore City’s 2021 state champions renew their rivalry, with the winner moving into position for the city league Division I crown. Last season, Dunbar won a wild 48-46 overtime decision at Poly. It was the same game that Mustangs receiver/returner Elijah Gorham suffered a tragic brain injury trying to make a catch in the third quarter; he died several weeks later.

Howard at Glenelg, Oct. 7

The Elgard Trophy is the end game when Lions and Gladiators meet for the 65th time in Howard County football’s longest series. Glenelg has won four straight, including a 35-21 decision last season.

Broadneck at Old Mill, Oct. 21

The Anne Arundel County crown could be at stake in this matchup of the league’s top two Class 4A programs. The Bruins won, 41-25, en route to last year’s league title.

McDonogh at Archbishop Spalding, Oct. 21

The Eagles return to Anne Arundel County where they ruined Spalding’s perfect season with a 7-0 victory in the MIAA A semifinals last year. The Cavaliers, who beat McDonogh during the 2021 regular season, have yet to win in the postseason (0-4).

Calvert Hall at McDonogh, Oct. 28

The Cardinals travel to Owings Mills for a rematch of last year’s MIAA A final. The Eagles, who lost twice to Calvert Hall in 2021, will have added motivation with Senior Night.

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Dunbar at Edmondson, Oct. 28

The Red Storm hopes to turn the tide and keep the Ben Eaton Memorial Trophy in West Baltimore. Since 2007, when the game was first played in memory of late Poets coach Ben Eaton, Dunbar has won 12 of 14.

St. Frances at Arundel, Oct. 28

The nationally-ranked Panthers play their first match of the season in the Baltimore region. It’ll be only the second time St. Frances plays an area school (Franklin last year at Morgan State) since becoming an independent in 2018 after MIAA A schools decided to stop playing them.

City vs. Poly at Morgan State University, Oct. 29

The Knights and Engineers meet for the 133th time in the state’s oldest high school football series. City won last year’s meeting, 20-18, which was followed a week later with the first post-season meeting, also won by the Knights (City leads series, 64-62-6).

McDonogh at Gilman, Nov. 5

The longest private school rivalry match in the Baltimore area, the Eagles and Greyhounds meet for the 106th time. McDonogh has won the last three meetings, but Gilman leads the series overall, 61-40-5.

IMG Academy (FL) vs. St. Frances at University of Maryland, Nov. 18

This game will have major national implications. The Panthers have won the last two meetings (2021 and 2019) against the Florida powerhouse, and, if undefeated, could stake claim to the nation’s No. 1 spot with another victory.

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Calvert Hall vs. Loyola at Towson University, Nov. 24

It’s the game that matters for the Towson rivals, who meet for the 102nd time in the Turkey Bowl. Last year, the Dons snapped a six-game losing streak, scoring with 15 seconds left in regulation for a 41-35 victory in one of the most memorable games in series history.

derek@varsitysportsnetwork.com

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