Won and Done: Stephen Decatur completes undefeated season with first-ever state title
December 1, 2023
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — In a fitting end to an undefeated season, the Stephen Decatur Seahawks (14-0) defeated the Huntingtown Hurricanes (10-3), 21-13, in the MPSSAA 2A State Championship game on Thursday night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.
Paced by quarterback Brycen Coleman, who accounted for all three Seahawks touchdowns, Stephen Decatur was able to withstand a furious comeback attempt by Huntingtown. The Canes found themselves nearing the red zone in Decatur territory with less than a minute to play in the game. But the Seahawks defense stood tough when it mattered most to claim its first state championship trophy in school history.
Coleman got the scoring started early. Decatur received the opening kickoff and marched down the field in only a minute and 45 seconds to make a statement to start the game. The QB took the ball across the goal line from 3 yards out to give the Seahawks a 7-0 advantage.
The Huntingtown defense played a big part in keeping this game close. The Hurricanes held the Decatur offense well below its season average of 42.5 points per game. The Canes got interceptions from Trent DePompa, Jon Bolin, and Roger Jones Jr. in this game, and also tallied six tackles for loss, and had a sack by Kyle Stark.
But Decatur would once again break through the Canes defense, as Coleman found receiver Trybe Wise on a fade route in the corner of the end zone towards the end of the half. Wise and a Huntingtown defender fought for the ball, but it was ultimately ruled a touchdown, which gave the Seahawks a 14-0 lead heading into the break.
Just as Stephen Decatur had done with its kickoff to start the first half, Huntingtown took the first possession of the second half straight down the field. The drive was capped by a six-yard touchdown run from Landon Cawley, and the Decatur lead was cut to 14-7.
Decatur would then embark on its longest drive of the game. A 14-play, 66-yard drive ate up nearly all of the time remaining in the third quarter, and ended with a 4-yard run from Coleman, who dove for the corner of the end zone and reached the ball across the pylon to score. The Seahawks extended their lead to 21-7 heading to the final quarter of play.
As soon as Decatur had scored, Huntingtown was ready to answer right back. A long 50-yard run by Hurricanes quarterback Evan Kuntz set the Canes up near the goal line as the third quarter ended. Kuntz then found DePompa across the middle who reached the ball across the goal line for the score. The extra point, however, was blocked, and so the Seahawks held a 21-13 lead.
After turning the ball over on downs, Huntingtown received new life. A Stephen Decatur touchdown was called back on a holding penalty, and Coleman would throw an interception which would kick start a fast-paced final drive for the Canes. Kuntz methodically worked the ball downfield to his receivers, often times finding them near the boundaries to stop the clock.
However, the Huntingtown drive, which started at its own 8-yard line, would hit a snag. As the Canes approached the Seahawks’ 20-yard line, a penalty moved them backwards, and they were never able to regain the momentum from earlier in the drive. Kuntz’s pass on 4th down would fall to the turf incomplete, and the Seahawks began to celebrate.
In their first appearance in the state title game in school history, Stephen Decatur came out victorious. The Seahawks magical season culminates with the ultimate goal of a championship.
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