Rockville football: playoffs

‘‘This season’s been a lot of fun but none of that counts anymore,” second-year Clarksburg coach Larry Hurd said. ‘‘Everyone is 0-0. Rockville presents challenges. We beat them last time but they had more yards than we did. They played us dead even. Both teams had two touchdowns and we had a special teams touchdown in the fourth quarter. They’re extremely hard-nosed and either team could’ve come out with the win. But nothing that happened in the past can change what’s going to happen on the field Friday.”

Friday’s game is a big opportunity for both squads — Rockville hasn’t been to playoffs since its only postseason appearance in 1997. But putting too much pressure on a single game is dangerous, especially for two playoff rookies. Friday’s regional semifinal will be likely determined by which squad can weather its nerves and execute on the bigger stage.

In just its second year of existence, Clarksburg (10-0) won the Montgomery 2A⁄1A Division title — the win over Rockville on Oct. 19 clinched the Coyotes’ first-ever division title. And experience really has been the biggest factor in that rise.

At its best, Clarksburg prides itself on a versatile running attack with three viable options. Junior running back Mark Small is the pint-sized workhorse (1,298 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns on 199 carries). At 6-foot, 280 pounds senior Rob Osborne (471 yards, 9 TDs) is the between-tackles bruiser. And junior Avery Graham is the home-run threat (454 yards, 8 TDs), whose also returned two kickoffs for scores this season.

‘‘You look at where we came from and we didn’t have any seniors last year,” Hurd said. ‘‘And when you don’t have seniors, you don’t have seniors. We’re bigger, stronger and have more experience this year. Over the past few weeks we’ve run the ball very well and haven’t made many mistakes. And we’ve been able to somewhat control the tempo in games. And when you play like that you give yourself chances to win games.”

After last year’s 7-3 record, Rockville’s been in a different position this year, a target rather than the underdog. It’s handled that pressure at times, but inconsistency has really hindered its season. But when playing to their capability, as they did against Clarksburg earlier in the season, the Rams are a threat.

Rockville relies heavily on its strong ground game too. Senior running back Tarik Paul has rushed for 837 yards and eight touchdowns on 130 carries. Second-year coach Mark Maradei moved junior Malcolm Robinson from quarterback to running back where he can put his speed, agility and vision to good use. He’s scored 11 touchdowns on 525 yards and 86 carries.

Junior Peter Nalle has assumed the role of quarterback the last four games. He’s completed 11 of 28 pass attempts with just one interception for 121 yards.

Since emerging from a midseason, three-game skid, the Rams have been more determined and focused. And it’ll be crucial for them to remain that way against Clarksburg Friday.

‘‘We expect to go in and do battle,” Maradei said. ‘‘But I don’t know who is going to show up for us ... We like being the underdog. We relish that role. We like to fight for survival, like it has always been for Rockville football.”

It’s hard to bet against a 10-0 team. And Clarksburg certainly has performed better on a more consistent basis through 2007. But Montgomery County’s strongest Class 2A teams — Northwood is the county’s only other 2A school — have forged a rivalry the last two years. The series is 1-1 — Rockville won last year’s regular-season contest. Friday will serve as the tiebreaker.

‘‘It’s a great achievement for us to get to the postseason in just our second year,” Hurd said. ‘‘That’s pretty unheard of, except for maybe Northwest in its second year. But, you open up a program and the kids don’t play football to lose. And coaches don’t coach to lose. And the byproduct of winning is being in the playoffs. So we’ve been winning and now we’re in the playoffs. So we’re going to strap it up and see what happens.”

TALE OF THE TAPE

Rockville (5-4) vs. Clarksburg (10-0)

What: Class 2A West Region semifinal

When: Friday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m.

Where: Clarksburg H.S., Clarksburg

Rockville

Location: Rockville

Nickname: Rams

Head coach: Mark Maradei, 2nd year (12-7)

League affiliation: Montgomery 2A⁄1A

Last playoff appearance: 1997 (1st)

Last state title: None

Leading rushers: Tarik Paul (130 carries, 837 yards, 8 TDs); Malcolm Robinson (86 carries, 525 yards, 11 TDs)

Leading passers: Malcolm Robinson (19 of 49, 232 yards, 3 interceptions, 4 TDs); Peter Nalle (11 of 28, 121 yards, 1 interception, 0 TDs)

Leading receiver: Jeremy Shumway (6 catches, 97 yards, 3 TDs)

Leading defenders: LB Dominick Brown, LB Aaron Phillips, DE Dana Shorb

Points scored: 206 (20.6 per game)

Points allowed: 156 (15.6 per game)

Clarksburg

Location: Clarksburg

Nickname: Coyotes

Head coach: Larry Hurd, 2nd year (13-6 record, 6th year overall 44-10)

League affiliation: Montgomery 2A⁄1A

Last playoff appearance: None

Last state title: None

Leading rushers: Mark Small (199 carries, 1,298 yards, 12 TDs); Rob Osborne 96 carries, 471 yards, 9 TDs); Avery Graham (48 carries, 454 yards, 8 TDs)

Leading passer: Cody Martin (40 of 69, 565 yards, 3 interceptions, 10 TDs)

Leading receiver: Andrew Veith (18 catches, 260 yards, 3 TDs)

Leading defenders: DL Rob Osborne, DB Brandon Martin, LB Kyle Shafer, DL Petros Bein

Points scored: 285 (28.5 per game)

Points allowed: 100 (10.0 per game)