Falcons Fly To 45-0 Win Over Meade In Season Opener

Yes, 2020 was an abbreviated season, but the Severna Park varsity football team enjoyed the taste of winning for the first time in 15 years. Now, with a full slate of games scheduled, the Falcons are eager to prove they can compete with the county’s best programs.

The first step toward that goal began with a 45-0 home win over Meade on September 4. Running back James Henson III took a handoff outside and streaked down the sideline for a 43-yard run to start the scoring at 7-0 after kicker Trey Smack converted the extra point with 8:40 left in the first quarter.

Linebacker Aiden Milewski recovered a Meade fumble five minutes later, and Severna Park marched down the field on a series of running plays before quarterback Seamus Patenaude found the end zone on a keeper, putting Severna Park up 14-0.

Defensively, Severna Park clogged running lanes and dominated the line of scrimmage. Spying Meade’s quarterback, Caleb Sartalamacchia intercepted a pass on the next possession, giving the Falcons the ball at the Mustangs’ 21-yard line.

“He went out and I was just sitting in that zone, and we practice robbing that sit route all practice,” Sartalamacchia said. “I just jumped up and got the interception.”

Severna Park settled for three points on a field goal by Smack. The defense forced another three-and-out, and Patenaude and Henson connected on a throw and catch for a 24-0 lead with 8:11 remaining in the first half. Patenaude stayed hot on Severna Park’s ensuing drive. With possession near midfield, he found receiver Kevin Bredeck streaking across the middle. Bredeck caught the ball around the 30-yard-line and took it the distance.

“[The defender] was playing about four yards off of me and I had a go route,” Bredeck said. “He was giving me inside leverage, so I kind of broke it off to the middle and I was wide open for a touchdown. Seamus threw a great ball.”

With 4:54 left in the half, defensive lineman Rory Jenkins recovered a fumble for the Falcons. Patenaude scrambled for 21 yards, and with a fresh set of downs, he shuffled to his left, buying time to find Bredeck in the end zone.

“Seamus rolled out of the pocket, and I rolled with him to the corner of the end zone,” Bredeck said. “I was open, and he threw another great ball.”

Henson put a bow on the performance by returning a kickoff for a touchdown at the start of the second half.

“I was supposed to go inside,” Henson said. “I saw my blockers went outside. I had one guy to beat and I scored.”

With the win secured, coach Mike Wright pulled his starters. Even though the Mustangs were short on players, Wright gave his opponent credit for fighting, and he praised his own team for the well-rounded effort.

“I was really happy with [Henson’s] production, really happy with Seamus’ production,” he said. “Our offensive line did a really good job, and our defense came together. I’m really pleased with all phases.”

Bredeck said players are extra motivated because Severna Park’s last winning season was in 2006.

“Offseason workouts, a lot of guys were in the weight room working hard,” he said. “Seven on seven, we were on the field working hard. We’ve definitely been working toward this for a while during the summer and it paid off.”

The Falcons will host Crofton on September 10 and North County on September 17 before heading to Chesapeake on September 24. As the season progresses, their opponents will get tougher.

They could not be more excited.

“I can’t wait to face one of those powerhouse teams like Old Mill or Broadneck,” Sartalamacchia said with a smile.