Arundel routs Linganore to win first state title since 1975
December 7, 2024
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — It’s been a long time coming for Arundel, but finally for the first time in nearly 50 years, the Wildcats have re-ascended to the top of the podium, as they defeated Linganore, 35-7, to win the 3A State Championship on Saturday evening at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Throughout the entire night, the Wildcats out-played the Lancers in every aspect. Linganore looked shaky on offense, committing multiple procedure penalties and turning the ball over. Meanwhile Arundel was quicker and a near perfect game all around.
The Wildcats leaned on running back TJ Mordecai who carried the ball 18 times for 139 yards and two scores. Mordecai, along with quarterback Ahmir Lowery who had 77 rushing yards, paced the high-powered Arundel rushing attack, which totaled 257 total yards on the ground.
With Linganore receiving the opening kick, the two teams first possessions served as an allusion to what would come next. The Lancers did not pick up positive yardage their first time holding the ball, while Arundel ran two play and was into the end zone from an 18-yard run by Mordecai.
After another unsuccessful Linganore drive which included back-to-back false starts, a holding penalty, and a sack, the Wildcats got the ball back and Mordecai scored again, this time from 4 yards out. The extra point was blocked, and Arundel took a 13-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Arundel’s defense made a big play, as Lancers QB Shawn Pelovitz had his pass tipped and intercepted by Brandon Gorham who returned it seven yards for the score.
Linganore looked to be picking up some momentum on offense stemming from a Mordecai fumble that was recovered by the Lancers, but Pelovitz threw another interception near the goal line, and the Wildcats took a 20-0 lead in the break.
Arundel received the ball to start the second half, and two plays into the new period of play, Lowery found Naseem Tention 46 yards down field for another touchdown. It was one of only nine passes attempted all night by Lowery, who completed six of them for 81 yards.
Tention would reach the end zone again later in the quarter for the Wildcats on a two-yard run. Lowery ran in the two-point conversion to give Arundel a 35-0 lead and activate the running clock heading into the fourth quarter.
The Lancers would stop the running clock, finding the end zone with just over five minutes remaining in the game on a 31-yard pass from Pelovitz to receiver Chase Perry. But it proved to be all that Linganore could muster, and the Wildcats ran out the clock.
With their win, Arundel wins its second championship in school history, and its first since 1975.
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