SALISBURY, Md.- It’s been years since two Maryland high school football teams in the Bayside North Conference played each other. That is all about to change.
On Friday, Sept. 11, the North Caroline Bulldogs will finally meet the Cambridge South Dorchester Vikings under the bright lights on the field.
The drought has been so long that seniors on both teams never squared-off with one another.
This matchup is big.
Both teams seem to have a high level of respect for one another.
“We are going to have to play fast and we are going to have to play well,” Bulldogs head coach James McCormick said. “Cambridge has some good athletes.”
“North Caroline this year, I’m hearing this is the best team in school history,” Vikings head coach Jake Coleman said. “I’m hearing this is the fastest team in the conference, maybe in school history.”
The mutual respect does not translate into fear. McCormick said people know what to expect when his physical team hits the field. Coleman also mentioned it is hard for anyone to come to their stadium and win.
The Vikings lost many senior players from last season but are coming off of a Week 1 victory. Senior quarterback Nathaniel Lowe is confident his team can keep up the momentum as long as they limit their mistakes.
“We have to keep the ball off the ground,” Lowe said. “No fumbles and no turnovers.”
The Vikings hold the 2014 1A Regional Title but that doesn’t scare the Bulldogs.
“We are two really good teams,” Bulldogs senior quarterback Cameron Byrd said. “Our goal is to be sound in all three phases of the game. We know our backfield can handle it and we think our defense will do their job.”
The game takes place at the Vikings Stadium on Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.