Perfect Season Puts Broadneck In Prime Position

During a season in which coaches from some sports prioritized player growth above wins, Broadneck High School’s varsity team was able to do both, finishing with a 4-0 record with a roster that will return several players next fall.

The Bruins kicked off the season in style, burying South River during a 42-7 home victory on March 26. Quarterback Josh Ehrlich threw touchdown passes to freshman wide receiver Eli Harris and sophomore Machi Evans. Senior Rashid Proctor added two touchdown runs, junior Kyle Pierce added another, and the defense suffocated the Seahawks by collecting several sacks.

A thrilling comeback at Old Mill came next on April 1 as Ehrlich tossed a 17-yard touchdown to Harris in the game’s final two minutes to cap a 21-15 victory. Proctor rushed for 120 yards in the win.

Ehrlich stayed hot in an April 9 matchup with Arundel, tossing four touchdowns in a 50-20 rout. Evans caught two scores, as did Davion White, who added 76 yards rushing with two rushing touchdowns.

The Bruins put a bow on their season with a 36-8 road win at Annapolis on April 16. Proctor caught a 10-yard score and rushed for a 7-yard touchdown. Evans and Harris each added a touchdown catch, totaling three passing touchdowns and another rushing for Ehrlich.

Ehrlich led Anne Arundel County in passing. He finished the four-game season with 11 passing touchdowns and 661 yards with no interceptions while adding three rushing touchdowns on 273 yards. The quarterback credited coach Rob Harris and his staff for putting players in position to succeed.

“Scheme is everything,” Ehrlich said. “Run, pass or RPOs, making sure the offensive line knows how to block. The spread offense does not work if you have bad coaching.”

A former running back with Cape St. Claire, Ehrlich added a dual dimension to the offense.

“My freshman year, I really couldn’t do that because I was small,” he said of rushing. “I’ve worked on getting bigger, getting stronger, and I feel very confident running.”

On defense, junior Dom Downs served as a team captain, a responsibility he worked hard for all offseason.

“I had to hold people accountable on the field to make sure they knew what they were doing on the defensive side of the ball and help them understand and get a grasp of the calls and the different blitzes,” Downs said. “Off the field, [my responsibility] was cleaning up the field after practice and getting it ready before practice.”

With both Ehrlich and Downs returning as team captains, along with several receivers, four starting offensive lineman and some defensive playmakers, the Bruins have an experienced and talented roster that will be hard to beat in fall 2021.

“I feel very confident in our team’s success and I think it only scratches the surface on what we are capable of,” Downs said. “Next season is going to be one to remember.”