Prep Football: Eastern Tech Prepares to Reload Following Loss



Eastern Tech has been one of the most successful football programs over the last four years.

During that time, the Mavericks won four Class 2A North region titles advanced, to three state title games and won the 2009 2A state final. None of that mattered to Eastern Tech's players and coaches on Friday night after the Mavericks lost 20-6 in the state semifinals at Middletown.

Tears streamed down the faces of many players, especially the seniors who never experienced anything but having their long season end playing for a championship at M&T Bank Stadium.

While going 11-2, winning 10 in a row at one point while outscoring the opposition 411-142 in the season is an amazing season for most programs, anything short of a championship is a letdown for an Eastern Tech team that has raised the bar for most teams in Baltimore County.

"We have an amazing group of kids that have succeeded year in and year out," Eastern Tech coach Marc Mesaros said. "It starts in the weight room and all the sacrifice these kids make all season long."

Mesaros said the loss does not mean the demise of the Mavericks as a football power. He believes his team will be a championship contender even as Eastern Tech is slated to move up to Class 3A beginning in the next school year.

However, to do that the Mavericks will need to rely on plenty of new faces, as 24 players will graduate from this year's squad. Replacing large numbers of players is something Mesaros proved he could accomplish through his eight-year tenure.

Eastern Tech entered this season having graduated 22 players from the state championship squad. The Mavericks' title team had to replace 20 players from the 2008 finalist team.

"Replacing players is what we do," Mesaros said. "Every year we have 20 to 24 players we have t replace. We've always been overachievers. Every year people predict will be the one we stop winning and every year we prove them wrong."

Among the players Mesaros will have to replace next year include: quarterback Brad Hager, safety Nick McElfish, fullback Josh Canella, running back Marquiese Bannister and defensive lineman Dan McMannus.

Hager said playing football for Eastern Tech represented the best four years of his life.  He was visibly emotional following the loss, but wanted to point out that the Mavericks never quit in the final minutes as they scored a touchdown with four seconds remaining. Hager's scored that lone touchdown on a 1-yard run.

"The guys on this team are my best friends and the coaches are my mentors," Hager said. "We've always given it our all and we weren't going to give up."