[Baltimore Sun] Harford Tech runs away from Bel Air in second half, 31-14
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A scoreless first quarter Friday between Harford Tech and Bel Air saw neither team make much headway in the downfield passing game at the outset, suggesting the even matchup anticipated in this pairing of crosstown rivals.
The visiting Cobras, however, delivered the decisive blows in what was a tied game at halftime. Harford Tech’s 17 unanswered second-half points in a 31-14 win.
“Our guys read a paper,” Harford Tech coach Brad Hunt said when asked about his squad’s emotion shown postgame in the victorious huddle. “We saw what they say. It is what it is. Some guys, they like to talk — we like to do our talking on the field.”
Harford Tech’s loudest statement came on special teams, where senior Karon Evans and junior Shamari Whitmore each had a punt return touchdown. Evans’ dash for six came midway through in the second quarter and answered Bel Air’s 7-0 lead that had come on a KJ Wood catch-and-run touchdown from midfield.
The Bobcats responded with one of their best drives of the night late in the first half. Bel Air senior Patrick Sullivan connected with classmate Hayden Myers to jumpstart things on a pass to the Bobcat 35-yard line. Following that, Bel Air bounced into Cobra territory with Sullivan’s sideline go-route pass for Julien Horton to the Tech 36.
Bel Air finished the march with Sullivan’s touchdown pass up the left hash to junior Dominic Gray. The Bobcats’ 14-7 edge (with 1:43 in the second) would be their last.
Harford Tech evened the game at 14 just 25 seconds before halftime. Whitmore’s 12-yard touchdown reception from junior Stephen Kelley set up senior Caleb Hamilton’s successful PAT.
The 14-14 halftime deadlock was broken up when a Bel Air punt was muffed, recovered and returned for a touchdown by Tech’s Whitmore. The Cobras did not look back as their defense was opportunistic in the form of junior Maurice Butler’s two interceptions policing the middle of the secondary.
“Just doing what we practiced all week,” Hunt said of the shutout to close the night in the second half. “We knew what we were gonna get from them. We didn’t see anything tonight that they didn’t put on tape. We just executed our jobs.”
Points earned on special teams – of course made possible by defensive stands – helped Harford Tech in addition to its usual source of offense, which is the operation run by Kelley and offensive coordinator Ryan Hunt, a 2020 Harford Tech graduate and former Cobras quarterback.
Kelley and Ryan Hunt’s rapport is apparent in their sideline consultations and in-game calls that click for Tech.
“I ran this offense when I was in high school, so I have a great feel for it,” Ryan Hunt said. “Know how to adjust to different looks that we’re getting. As for me and Steve on the field, it just comes in preparation in practice. We watch hours and hours and hours upon film a week, meeting with each other. We’re in sync in practice. We try to prepare for every situation that we see.”
Kelley’s uncle, Mike Kelley, is on the Harford Tech staff as running backs coach. This connection had a hand in eventually making Stephen Kelley a very fitting pupil for Ryan Hunt.
“Steve actually came as a probably middle schooler, elementary schooler at the time and watched me play when I was playing on Friday nights,” Ryan Hunt said. “So it’s pretty cool to see how it kinda comes full circle, him growing up watching me play on the field, and now me getting an opportunity to coach him.”
Harford Tech bounced back from its 20-17 loss to Elkton to improve to 2-1 this fall. A return home to host Joppatowne is next, but the win can be savored for a moment – especially with its special teams exploits.
“Sometimes, teams tend to hide guys on special teams,” Brad Hunt said. “We have two explosive playmakers. I’m surprised they kept kicking them the ball, but I’m glad they did because any time one of those guys touches the football, they can take that thing to the house.”
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