Glenelg Blanks Howard, 17-0, to advance to State Semifinals
November 21, 2025
COLUMBIA, Md. — Looking to avenge its second regular season loss to a Howard County rival in as many weeks, the Glenelg Gladiators (8-4) shutout the Howard Lions (8-4), 17-0, to advance to the MPSSAA Class 2A State Semifinals.
Offense was at a premium on Friday night, as both teams largely struggled to produce much or move the ball easily. Glenelg was able to wear down the Lions defense with their ground and pound play calling to secure the victory.
Action started off slowly in the first quarter with both teams exchanging punts, and then the Gladiators losing a fumble. However, Howard was unable to take advantage of the miscue, and the first period of play ended in a scoreless tie.
The MVP of the first half for either team seemed to be Glenelg punted Orlando Wright, who hit a pair of huge punts that took fortunate rolls for the Gladiators to pin the Lions back deep in their own territory. The defenses were in control, as it was a 0-0 tie heading into halftime.
Howard received the ball to start the second half, but quickly went three-and-out and punted the ball away. Glenelg then embarked on a long drive that took up over six minutes of game time, but the Gladiators offense stalled at the Lions 25-yard line. Glenelg decided to attempt a long field goal, and Doug Eakin connected from 42 yards out to give the Gladiators a 3-0 lead.
Glenelg would take that slim lead into the fourth quarter, where they really started to create some distance between themselves and Howard. Another methodical drive for the Gladiators ended with points, this time the first touchdown of the game on a 2-yard power run by Russell McIntyre. Eakin added the point to take a 10-0 lead with just over half the quarter to play.
On the first play of Howard’s next drive, QB Antonio Kendrick threw an interception to Glenelg’s Jonathan Sexton, and the Gladiators had great field position. McIntyre scored again shortly after, this time from 7 yards away, and the Gladiators took a 17-0 lead after the extra point. Howard had one more attempt with the ball, and moved into Glenelg territory, but ultimately turned it over on downs. Glenelg would kneel the ball and run out the clock on a victory.
Howard’s season comes to an end in the state quarterfinals round, the farthest it has advanced since a semifinals runs in 2017. Glenelg advances to the semifinals round for the first time since 2018, its only-ever state championship title, and will face the winner of Saturday’s game between Douglass-PG and Northern.
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