Maryland's Rock Creek Christian Academy rolls to win over McDowell

Coach Brad Orlando knew what McDowell's football team was getting into when it invited Rock Creek Christian Academy to fill an open date on its schedule.

The Eagles, a first-year program from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, have performed anything like one. Their roster includes multiple Division I recruits who have only played once at home because schools in the Washington, D.C., area are already wary of them.

That didn't make Friday's result any easier on Orlando or the Trojans. Rock Creek, highlighted by two touchdowns off interception returns, routed them 50-10 on senior night at Gus Anderson Field.

“We did some things in the first half that gave them even more opportunities and momentum,” Orlando said. “We scored on the first drive of the second half, which got us back into the game. But from there, it was just too many mistakes.”

“That was a really good football team there. We'll learn from this, and then it's on to winning the next two games and getting into the playoffs.”

McDowell fell from the undefeated ranks at 6-1, while Rock Creek returned home at 5-1. The Eagles haven't lost since Cleveland St. Edward defeated them 56-18 in the program's Aug. 28 debut.

Eagles up early

Rock Creek led 20-0 less than nine minutes into the game. They also recorded two of its three touchdowns in a 13-second span.

Roberto Alvarez Jr. scored on a 26-yard run, followed by Roderick Chapman Jr.'s 42-yard interception return on the Trojans' ensuing snap from scrimmage.

That quick and hefty advantage is exactly what coach Andre Kates implored the Eagles to seek throughout their practices this week.

“I don't think (McDowell) has ever trailed early,” Kates said. “I kept instilling in them that if we get them down, let's see how they adjust.”

Rock Creek took that same 20-0 advantage into halftime. The Trojans got their points during the last two quarters on Alex Sontheimer's 28-yard field goal and Bryce Wood's 11-yard touchdown reception from Ben Moore.

Rock Creek courted Kates

Kates, 33, returned to Maryland after his college football career concluded as a reserve for the Indiana University Hoosiers. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the 2013 Baltimore Ravens, but was soon released by the then-defending Super Bowl champions.

Last year, Rock Creek lured Kates away from the rival National Christian Academy in Fort Washington, Maryland, to coach the Eagle's inaugural season of football.

That season was to have been 2020, but it was cancelled because of COVID-19.

Kates admitted the weekly travel that Rock Creek has largely experienced is challenging for its coaches and players alike. Along with the Eagles' trips to Pennsylvania to face Archbishop Carroll, Germantown Academy and McDowell, they played St. Edward at Cleveland and Johnson Central at Paintsville, Kentucky.

“But it's going to be a good experience,” Kates said. “Not everyone gets the opportunities these guys are getting.”

Upcoming opponents

McDowell concludes its 2021 regular season with road games at Conneaut (Pennsylvania) and Buffalo St. Francis.

The Trojans' only road game so far was Sept. 25, and that was against Erie High at Veterans Stadium. They beat the Royals 49-12.

Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNcopper.