For the past three seasons, the football rivalry between North and South Hagerstown has been a one-sided affair.
The Rebels have won three consecutive blowouts over the Hubs, outscoring them 84-14 in the process. North Hagerstown hasn’t snagged a win over South since 2020, when the Hubs recorded a 21-20 triumph.
North Hagerstown has good reason to believe it can snap the streak, though, when it travels to School Stadium on Saturday to take on the Rebels in the 68th Gridiron Classic. We’ve selected this contest as our Game of the Week.
South Hagerstown would like nothing more than to top its rivals and snap a seven-game losing streak, but it won’t be easy against a Hubs squad playing its best football of the season.
In the weeks and months to come throughout the high school sports season, we plan on spotlighting multiple teams and sports with our Game of the Week. Any big upcoming games we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at big_andy76@yahoo.com.
North Hagerstown at South Hagerstown
Kickoff: Saturday, noon, at School Stadium
Records: North Hagerstown is 3-5, while South Hagerstown checks in at 1-7.
Last game: The Hubs fell to Boonsboro in overtime, 28-27, while the Rebels were defeated 28-12 by Francis Scott Key.
Last meeting: South Hagerstown thumped the Hubs 28-7 in last season’s matchup.
Meet the Hubs: Former Greencastle-Antrim football player Nathan Butts is in his first year at the helm for North Hagerstown. The Hubs stumbled out of the gate at 0-4, but found their groove with a three-game winning streak that finally came to an end last week with a one-point loss to Boonsboro, the top squad in Washington County. North Hagerstown is led by a quartet of high-octane running backs in James Jackson Jr. (47 carries, 311 yards, 5 TDs), Ty’Qwell Fauntleroy (87-329-4), Germanus Abonge (55-324-3), and Javoun Frith (36-198-2), all of whom who have proven they can break away for big plays. The Hubs have another home run threat in wide receiver Khalil Peggues, who has caught 33 passes for 489 yards and five TDs. Calling the signals for North Hagerstown is QB Logan Hoffman, who has completed 56 of 102 passes for 811 yards, five TDs, and seven INTs this fall. On the other side of the ball, defensive lineman Garett Forrest (24 tackles, 5 sacks) sets the table for a capable linebacking corps that includes Damean Thomas (94 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, interception), Blake Custer (62 tackles, 2 tackles for loss), Bryant Noubissie (59 tackles, 2 sacs, interception), and Benjamin Distefano (53 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, sack). The aforementioned Jackson also patrols the secondary, and has intercepted three passes this season. North Hagerstown has the firepower to take out its rival, but has to stay on top of the turnover battle to secure a comfortable win.
Meet the Rebels: Coach Juwuane Sandridge was introduced as South Hagerstown’s new head coach in the offseason, and although his team started the new season on a high note with a 20-15 win over Century, the Rebels are currently on a seven-game losing streak. That’s not to say South Hagerstown hasn’t been competitive, as four of its losses have come by two or fewer scores. The Rebels are led by a scrappy middle linebacker in Brayden Sisk, who set a Washington County record last week when he made 25 tackles (8 solo, 17 assisted). Junior Logan Hammond, at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, is a dangerous defensive end who showcased his abilities with a four-sack performance against Williamsport. The offense is directed by QB Michael Owens Jr., who also also has plenty of pop in his legs. Owens is joined in the backfield by running back Josiah Davis, while Cahauri Alford is a proven pass catcher for the Rebels. On paper, this contest seems to be an uphill battle for South Hagerstown, but if the Rebels can churn out a steady defensive effort and limit the big plays from their rivals, they have a chance to win a low-scoring game.
Sandrik’s prediction: Hubs by 9.
