Football’s Back: Bruins Win Thriller; Falcons Clipped by Severn

Nate Kropkowski evaded the St. Mary’s rush to pass for some of his 204 yards, to go with three touchdowns, in the Bruins’ 29-27 win over the Saints on September 4.

Photo by David Bashore

Broadneck's Jack Schlein attempted to get around the edge of the St. Mary’s defense.

Photo by Fraser Verrusio

Severna Park’s Lucas Zyvoloski ran upfield to escape Severn School’s Bubba Hamilton during Severn’s 36-10 win over the Falcons on September 4.

Photo by Chris Fincham

Posted Wednesday, September 9, 2026 1:20 pm

By David Bashore

Friday marked the opening day of Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ (AAPCS) fall sports season, and the Broadneck football team made sure their opener matched the preseason hype.

The Bruins built a big first-quarter lead over St. Mary’s but then had to hang on by their fingernails until the bitter end, surviving only when Grayson Whitney blocked a short-field goal attempt in the game’s final minute to preserve a 29-27 victory.

Whitney spotted a gap in the St. Mary’s field goal protection unit and shot through it, getting his left arm on the ball as it crossed the line of scrimmage to seal the win.

Nate Kropkowski passed for 204 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Aidan Tupper, as the Bruins raced out to a 22-6 lead after one quarter. Tupper had four catches for 116 yards and two scores, while Josh Simons hauled in Kropkowski’s third TD pass. Max Fresty added a rushing touchdown.

Simons’ TD put Broadneck up 29-13 in the third quarter, and St. Mary’s scored the final 14 points of the game. But the Saints were denied on a two-point conversion that would have tied the game with 4:31 to go, then Whitney blocked the final field goal attempt to allow Kropkowski to kneel on the ball once and run the clock out.

Over in Severna Park, the Falcons fell in their season opener against Severn School, with the Admirals claiming a 36-10 victory in the first football matchup between the town’s two schools.

Severn built up a 21-3 halftime lead on the strength of a powerful ground game, which rolled up 151 yards and three touchdowns. Tristan Gale scored twice from short range, and Bubba Hamilton added the third rushing score.

The Admirals’ two passing touchdowns came on long pitch-and-catch plays, with Landyn Hardnett connecting with Lincoln Watkins on a 45-yard score, and Jackson Dabbs passing to Myles Goger for a 48-yard TD. Goger caught three passes for 123 yards.

Ben Greenlee scored Severna Park’s touchdown on a short quarterback keeper, while Joe Caffiero booted a field goal from mid-range to round out the Falcons’ scoring.

The two AACPS schools play on Thursday this week, as Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday. Broadneck plays at Milford Mill at 4:30 p.m., while Severna Park hosts Northeast at 6 p.m.