Severn School Surpasses Expectations In New Football Conference

Severn School’s football team advanced to the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) B Conference this year with hopes of competing and challenging its young athletes against private schools in the Baltimore area.

So far, the Admirals have beaten John Carroll, which was in the B Conference title game last year, Boys’ Latin and St. John’s Catholic Prep in Frederick.

“When I came here three years ago, I made the decision to play our freshmen on varsity and I knew we would take our lumps,” said head football coach Demetrius Ballard. “Now that decision has paid off as those freshmen are our leaders of this team and our future is bright.”

Part of that improvement was the introduction of a year-round weight lifting program as well as nutritional counseling.

“We were the weakest team in Maryland when I took over,” Ballard said. “Some of our players couldn’t bench press the 45-pound bar.”

Ballard came from the successful Archbishop Spalding football program and was one of its strongest recruiters. Ballard is also the vice president of the Anne Arundel Youth Football Association (AAYFA) and president of the Old Mill youth football program.

Those relationships have paid huge dividends for the Admirals in adding football players from throughout the region, including the Eastern Shore and surrounding counties.

Severn quarterback Ty Bussard played as a freshman at McDonogh but was fighting for playing time with another freshman quarterback in Braeden Palazzo and wanted the opportunity for a starting role.

“I contacted coach (Kyle) Schmitt at Spalding, but they had a couple of quarterbacks, but coach Schmitt suggested I contact coach Ballard since he was building a program at Severn,” Bussard said.

A Severna Park resident, Bussard immediately bonded with Ballard and was drawn to Severn’s dynamic offensive scheme and plans to incorporate Bussard’s athletic and passing ability into their fast-paced offense.

“Right away, I knew Severn was a great fit for me,” Bussard said. “Severn was building something special, and I knew they would be moving into the B Conference. I wanted to have that opportunity to play in coach Ballard’s system.”

Ballard was thrilled to add a strong-armed quarterback to run his offense and then recruit receivers and running backs to have a balanced attack.

“Ty is a football junkie,” Ballard said. “He commands our offense and is always studying tape of our opponents.”

In an October 5 homecoming game against Boys’ Latin, Bussard’s passing ability shined as he threw for 279 yards using a multitude of receivers and relied on three standout receivers for 17 receptions.

Bussard also has become one of the team’s vocal leaders as he continuously cheers for his defensive teammates as they take the field, telling them, “It’s time to go to work.”

To have success in the B Conference, Severn has had to experience the increased physicality of playing the larger and more established programs in the Baltimore area. The Admirals have experienced many injuries so far this year, including Bussard’s knee injury that has hobbled the junior quarterback.

“The biggest difference from going from the C Conference to the B Conference is the physicality,” Bussard said. “All the teams play hard from the opening whistle to the last whistle.”

Bussard credits his offensive line for the team’s success as it continues to use a balanced attack of running and passing to keep the opponents on their heels.

As of October 15, Severn had an average of 168 passing yards per game and 168 rushing yards per game. Bussard had almost 1,200 passing yards in seven games, which ranked second for all Anne Arundel County schools this fall, according to Ballard.

The leading receivers for the Admirals are senior Daniel Growney, junior Jack Fowler and sophomore tight end Lincoln Watkins.

“Watkins never drops a pass,” Ballard said. “He’s been blowing up dudes this year and has quietly been our unsung hero this season.”

The running attack has had workhorse Charlie Runco, gaining over 700 yards so far with eight touchdowns.

The defense, which Ballard said would surprise people, has been athletic, hard-hitting and displays speed from sideline to sideline.

Four players have over 30 tackles each as of mid October, with junior linebacker Jules Floyd with 39 tackles, junior defensive lineman Talin Krashoc with 36 tackles and three sacks, junior linebacker Jamere Branch with 33 tackles and sophomore defensive back Dominic Montgomery with 33 tackles.

Growney, who also plays cornerback for the Admirals, leads the team with four interceptions and is one of the vocal leaders on the team.

“Growney is just a good athlete,” Ballard said. “He’s really connected with Bussard and has nearly 600 yards receiving so far, including an impressive 52-yard touchdown against Boys’ Latin.”

Growney had area colleges scouting him and is also the starting point guard on the basketball team.

The Admirals have most of their team coming back next year, and with another year of weight training and conditioning, Severn looks to have a championship-level program evolving on Evergreen Road.