Blake Football Ties a Program High in Season Wins

- The Team after their big win against Seneca Valley (Photo Courtesy of Bryon Marshall)

The Blake Varsity Football Team, tied a program high of seven wins in the regular season against Rockville, last Friday, October 20.

The last time the football team won seven games was back in 2011, when the team finished with a record of 7-3 under former head coach Tony Nazzaro. The team’s record is currently 7-2, the best record so far under third year head coach, Deshawn Anderson.

Three years ago when Anderson entered as head coach, he had a vision for the program. “It was to make sure the program was competitive and able to reach the playoffs every year. Competing for a state championship was the vision, so we are trying to develop the character of the young men and make sure they understood the type of commitment it would take to be a successful program,” Anderson said about his vision.

For the past three years under Coach Anderson’s staff, the team’s record has improved each year. The football program has evolved a lot. From starting off with a record of 2-8 two years ago to last year having a record of 5-5, and losing in round one of the playoffs, The Bengals have come a long way this season so far with their 7-2 record.

Throughout the season, the team got some really big wins including it's first win ever against historically elite Seneca Valley. With each win, more buzz built up around the program. “...that was a huge goal for us to finally get past our goal mark of beating an elite team, and becoming known as one of the better teams in the county. After we beat Seneca, that did that for us,” says junior left tackle Billy Boyd.

Many people in the community including news outlets and even some of Blake's own staff and students doubted Blake's ability to win tough games against teams like Springbrook, Seneca Valley, Poolesville, and Churchill A popular football website in Montgomery County, Moco Football had the team losing to Poolesville 27-21 and to Seneca Valley 27-14. Those were only some of the incorrect predictions by the site, of who traditionally hasn't shown Blake football a lot of respect. “We have been beating adversity and we have been dominating at our best,” says senior corner back Kenny Gardner.

In order to be successful and be a winning team, you have to put in lots of work and that’s what the team did. After school, the team goes to the weight room and lifts to get stronger for their opponents. “Everybody is buying into the program, whether it is the lifting after school, going to study hall, working hard at practice. I think that all the kids understand what it takes to win,” says offensive coordinator Dennis Harris.

The Bengals have one regular season game left against Watkins Mill at home,on November 3 , at 6:30. This game is also the team's senior night. The team is already set in the playoffs, but are fighting for the number one seed for home field advantage. Coach Anderson and the team wants everyone to come out and support the team during this important part of the season. Following the regular season, Blake will be heading to the playoffs for the second year in a row. Last year, they were excited to be there. This year, they are chasing the ring. #CTR17.

Left -The team after a win (Photo Courtesy of Sean Williams)

Right- Running back Isaac Smith scoring a touchdown (Photo courtesy of Blake Athletics)