Nate Naylor, Frederick High Girls Basketball Coach

With his team off to a hot start this season, Frederick High girls basketball coach Nate Naylor is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Naylor chats with host Greg Swatek about his team this season at Frederick High and his successful track record as coach, which includes stops at South Hagerstown High as the junior varsity and varsity coach and St. James in Hagerstown.

He also talks about why he was hesitant to become a coach and why he was very measured about his approach in coming back to it after leaving the job to start a family.

How does the job suit him in his second season at Frederick High? What sort of potential does this Frederick High girls team have? Naylor answers those questions as well.

Prior to that discussion, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to talk about the high school basketball scene in the county and Christmas traditions and plans.

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State Champion Oakdale Football

In the wake of their 42-35 victory over Linganore in the fist state football final between Frederick County teams, Oakdale's Big Three, senior quarterback Evan Austin, senior defensive end/tight end Dom Nichols and senior receiver/defensive back Hunter Thompson, as well as coach Kurt Stein, are this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

The guys chat with host Greg Swatek about the significance of playing in the first all-county football state final and the pressure they felt to win after falling in the Class 3A championship game the previous season.

How did they manage that pressure all season, both internal and external, given that they were expected to win all of their games and the championship? How did they feel after they won, more joy or relief? And what they will remember the most about the game and the season?

The guys also address their own futures and the future of the Oakdale football program. All three will be playing Division I football in college, Nichols at Michigan, Austin at UNC-Charlotte as a receiver and Thompson at Ohio University. Nichols and Austin will be graduating early and leaving to begin their college lives at the end of December, forgoing their final basketball season at Oakdale in the process. And Stein will be tasked with trying to replace three of the finest football players to ever play in Frederick County next season at Oakdale. How does he look at that challenge?

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Gregto take a swing around the Frederick County sports landscape early in the winter season for high school sports.

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Rob Havenstein, Linganore Grad/LA Rams Right Tackle

As he and the Los Angeles Rams prepare to face the Ravens on Sunday in Baltimore, Rob Havenstein, a Linganore graduate and the starting right tackle for the Rams, is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Now a nine-year NFL veteran, Havenstein chats with host Greg Swatek about his longevity in a league in which the average career lasts 3.3 years, with variance by position. How does he prepare differently than when he first came in the league? How is his body holding up? And how much longer does he want to keep playing?

Havenstein also talks about the Rams' struggles over the last two seasons, as they have been riddled by injuries to key players, in contrast to winning the Super Bowl just two years ago, as well as the joys of coming home and playing games with a lot of friends and family present.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to discuss Oakdale's 42-35 victory over Linganore in the first state football final between Frederick County teams last Saturday night in Annapolis. Plus, the guys offer a bit of a winter sports preview.

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Oakdale-Linganore State Final Preview

As they prepare to face off in the first state football final between Frederick County teams, coach Rick Conner and senior wide receiver Matthew Hauptman of Linganore, and coach Kurt Stein and senior center Sean Tetteh of Oakdale are this week's guests on The Final Score podcast.

In separate segments, the players and coaches talk chat with host Greg Swatek about the significance of playing in this historic game, the rivalry between the schools and the history the players already share, which includes a youth football championship game.

Prior to those discussions, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to talk about the two teams, how they view they significance of this game and what they are expecting from it.

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Middletown Girls Flag Football Champions

In light of winning the first championship for varsity girls flag football in Maryland, co-coach Mike Franklin, quarterback Kaylee and center Riley Kennedy of Middletown High School are this week's guests on The FInal Score podcast.

Coach Franklin and the girls chat with host Greg Swatek about the Knights' upset win over Urbana in the inaugural championship game for girls flag football at the Under Armour facility in Baltimore and what it meant to them to be part of this new varsity sport in Frederick County. They talk about how much the team improved over the course of the season and how "Moody Mondays" helped set the tone going into every game. 

They also talked about the steep learning curve everyone faced in a brand-new sport, the uniform-reveal event, getting the chance to meet and interact with some of the Baltimore Ravens and some of the things they'd like to see tweaked or improved heading into the second season next fall.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy shares his feelings on some of the tweaks he'd like to see to make girls flag football even better and the future of the sport going forward across the state. He and Greg also discuss the upcoming state semifinals in traditional football involving Oakdale (Class 3A), Linganore (3A) and Walkersville (2A). Can the Bears and Lancers set up the first state final between Frederick County teams?

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State Cross Country Champions Caroline Gregory and James Partlow

After winning Class 4A state cross titles last Saturday at Hereford High School with some of the fastest times run on the hilly course, Frederick High senior Caroline Gregory and Thomas Johnson senior James Partlow are this week's guests on The Final Score podcast.

First, Gregory and one of her coaches, Sage Norton, chat with host Greg Swatek about the Cadet's second state championship in three years. Gregory passed the reigning 4A champion in the final 300 meters of the race and posted her best time of 18 minutes, 30.71 seconds to claim the championship. Her victory also helped the Frederick girls place second in the 4A team standings. How was she able to pull off the victory? What was her approach to the race? How will she look back on her time as a cross-country runner at Frederick High School? All of that and more is discussed.

Then, Partlow returns to the podcast to talk about capping his dominant season for TJ with his first state title. His winning time was a personal-best 15:39.28, which is more than a two-minute improvement over the times he was running two years ago. How was he able to improve so much? What did it mean to him to finally claim a state title? And how much pressure was he feeling going into the race as a heavy favorite to win it? Those questions and more are answered.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to recap recent Frederick County fall playoff action and help set the scene for this week's state football quarterfinals. How might the seven teams still alive from Frederick County fare?

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Chad Dickman, Hood College Men's Basketball Coach

Leading into this week's tip-off tournament at BB&T Arena, Hood College men's basketball coach Chad Dickman is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Dickman chats with host Greg Swatek and FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy about his team and the upcoming season. He talks about why more players from Frederick County are popping up on the team's roster, as four of the Blazers' 17 players are from the local area, and why it's important to shoot as many 3-pointers as possible during the game.

The coach reflects on his long tenure at Hood, which is about to enter its ninth season as the head coach, after taking over the program from his father, Tom, and how far the team has come during that time. Dickman also talks about what it will take for the Blazers to have a successful season in 2023-24.

Prior to that, Greg and Alexander talk about the local sports scene in Frederick County with multiple teams headed for the state quarterfinals and even the state semifinals in a variety of different sports.

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Antonie White, Mount St. Mary's Women's Basketball Coach

With another season set to begin, Mount St. Mary's women's basketball coach Antoine White is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

The Mountaineers are set to begin their second season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). White chats with host Greg Swatek about what he knows know about the league that he didn't know last year going into their first season. He talks about how his recruiting methods have changed and how recent renovations to the on-campus facilities will benefit the program.

White also talks about the upcoming season, which begins Nov. 9 at Howard University in D.C., and the makeup of his roster, which has a distinctive new look and has turned over quite a bit since they last played in the NCAA tournament after winning the Northeast Conference in 2021.

Prior to that discussion, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to talk about the championship game for the inaugural season of girls flag football in the county and how it unfolded, in addition to the future of the sport going forward. They also run down where things stand for the rest of the fall playoffs regarding Frederick County sports teams and athletes.

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Dan Engelstad, Mount St. Mary's Men's Basketball Coach

As he prepares to enter his sixth season as the men's basketball coach at Mount St. Mary's, Dan Englestad is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Engelstad chats with host Greg Swatek about the upcoming season, which begins Nov. 7 in College Park against Maryland. He talks about expectations for the Mount's second season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and the schedule, which has a decidedly local flavor to it.

He also discusses returning players and new additions to the roster, as well as upgrades Mount St. Mary's has made to its on-campus facilities to help attract recruits.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss the week that was and is still ahead for Frederick County sports as it pertains to the fall sports playoffs. The guys discuss the MPSSAA golf championships, which took place this week in College Park, and look ahead to the final week of the regular season for high school football.

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Nate Marr, St. John's Catholic Prep Football Coach

With his team riding a two-game winning streak and playing some of its best football of the season, St. John's Catholic Prep football coach Nate Marr is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Now in his second season on the job, Marr chats with host Greg Swatek about the challenges of coaching at a small private school in a football-rich area like Frederick County. He talks about how it compares to his previous jobs as a college coach since he has to recruit and the expectations he has for his players once they come into his program.

Marr also talks about the Vikings current season and why they seem to be playing so well at the moment, as well as the record setting performance by his senior running back, Zion Ntemi, in last week's 34-0 win at Annapolis Christian.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to review the week that was in Frederick County sports, as they always do. What happened in Week 7 of the high school football season? What is on tap for Week 8? Who will be playing in this weekend's Central Maryland Conference championship games at Tuscarora and Smithsburg high schools. The guys fill you in on all of that.

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Kelly Ditrick, Walkersville Field Hockey Coach

With Walkersville High having one of its best field hockey seasons ever, Lions coach Kelly Ditrick is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Ditrick chats with host Greg Swatek about the team's signature victory so far over perennial power Liberty, 2-1 on Sept. 22. It's not often that Walkersville beats Liberty, which plays in field-hockey rich Carroll County and has won three state titles in the last seven years. Ditrick discusses the significance of that win and how it propelled her team going forward.

She also talks about how the team has overcome the loss of twin sisters Oliva and Hannah Miller, the Offensive and Defensively Player of the Year, respectively, to gradation and how it shook off a season-opening loss to Francis Scott Key and hasn't loss since.

Ditrick also talks about her own background in the sport, playing for a highly ranked college team at Kent State, and how she got into coaching. She also discusses the challenges of taking over the Walkersville program only a few weeks prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to talk about the latest happenings on fall sports scene in Frederick County, including a look back on Week 6 of the high school football season and a look ahead to Week 7.

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Dom Nichols, Oakdale Football

Arguably the top defensive end in the state and playing on an unbeaten team, Oakdale defensive end Dom Nichols is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Nichols chats with host Greg Swatek about his size (6-foot-6, 250 pounds), how it shaped his sports career growing up and why it's such a conversation piece pretty much everywhere he goes. Does he prefer to play football or basketball? What are his expectations for himself and the Oakdale football team this season? And what is coach Jim Harbaugh like after Nichols was recruited to play next season for one of the top college football teams in the country, the University of Michigan? What was the recruiting process like?

All of those questions are answered during the course of their conversation.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to look back on Week 5 of the high school football season in Frederick County, look ahead to Week 6 and discuss the unusual situation going at Brunswick High School with its head football coach, Jerry Smith.

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Paul Bryan, Walkersville High Girls Soccer Coach

With his team still unbeaten near the midpoint of the season, Walkersville High girls soccer coach Paul Bryan is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Bryan chats with host Greg Swatek about the strengths of his team and if it has legitimate hopes of winning the program's first state championship in Class 2A. 

The two discuss some of Walkersville's great girls soccer teams in recent years, including the team that made the run to the 2A championship game in 2018, and where this season's team ranks by comparison.

Plus, Bryan explains why he doesn't get carried away with expectations or future results.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to look back on Week 4 of the high school football season here in Frederick County, including the big showdown between Oakdale and Linganore, and look ahead to Week 5. 

They also talk about other prominent headlines during the county's fall sports season.

Frank Strakonsky, Frederick High Cross Country Coach

With his girls team in position to challenge for a state title, longtime Frederick High cross country coach Frank Strakonsky is this week' guest on the Final Score podcast.

Strakonsky chats with host Greg Swatek about growing up in Frederick County and how his coaching career, now in its 25th year, got started. They talk about why Strakonsky decided start coaching cross country and the mentors he had to help show him the ropes, such as Jack Griffin and Don Boyer.

Then, they talk about his girls team at Frederick High this season, what makes it so strong and why it is well positioned to challenge for a state title.

Plus, Strakonsky reflects on all of the growth and change in Frederick County that has taken place during his 25 years as a high-school coach, and why it's important for he and his wife to be present for and to support the other sports programs at Frederick High.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to discuss the high school sports scene in the county. They look back on Week 3 of the high school football season and look ahead to Week 4, which includes the big matchup between Oakdale and Linganore.

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Mike O'Brien, Tuscarora girls flag football co-coach

As he helps usher in a new era for Frederick County athletics, Tuscarora High School girls flag football co-coach Mike O'Brien is the guest this week on The Final Score podcast.

O'Brien chats with host Greg Swatek about his lengthy coaching career in the county, which has included multiple schools and multiple sports and now involves the county's brand new varsity sport, girls flag football.

He talks about why he decided to coach girls flag football and how he and Jess Valentine manage Tuscarora' team as co-head coaches. He discusses the Titans' 25-0 win over Brunswick, where he previously served as the athletic director, in the big kickoff event last week at Frederick High and talks about his expectations and the excitement around the sport going forward.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to discuss the past week that was in Frederick County sports, including their thoughts and impressions on the first week of traditional high school football.

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Oakdale football coach Kurt Stein/Start of the high school football season

With the high school football season starting this week, Oakdale High football coach Kurt Stein is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast

Stein chats with host Greg Swatek about the keys to the season for his team, which returns most of its top players after falling to Damascus in the Class 3A championship game last season. What will it take for the Bears to get over the hump and win the title this season? How will they manage their extremely challenging schedule? In what ways might they be even better this season?

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writers Alexander Dacy and John Cannon join Greg to comprehensively preview the high school football season and share their thoughts on the first varsity girls flag football games to be played in the county.

The guys offer a team-by-team breakdown of the 10 public school and two private school teams that play football in Frederick County. They also share their initial impressions of girls flag football and where they feel that sport is headed after the historic first night of games.

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Jerry Smith, Brunswick High Football Coach

With a week to go before the Sept. 1 season opener at Rock Ridge, Virginia, Brunswick High football coach Jerry Smith is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Smith tells host Greg Swatek why he feels this could be his best team at Brunswick as he heads into his seventh season at the helm at his alma mater. The Railroaders bring back most of a team that reached the Class 1A state semifinals last fall.

He talks about the development of junior quarterback Ethan Houck, now a three-year starter at the position, and how senior running back Ben Wells has gotten bigger and improved over the course of the offseason.

Smith also addresses what could be one of the most underrated parts of the team, which is their offensive and defensive lines, featuring 6-foot-7, 330-pound senior Andrew Racosky.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to share his early observations from preseason football practices. The two discuss the FNP's Preseason Top 5, as well as next week's big debut for girls flag football as a varsity sport in Frederick County.

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Lizzie Dougherty, Catoctin High School Girls Flag Football Coach

With the start of the first varsity girls flag football season in Frederick County two weeks away, Catoctin High coach Lizzie Dougherty is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Dougherty chats with host Greg Swatek about the excitement for the upcoming season and the challenge of fielding a team with only 13 players. She talks about how and why she took the coaching job and being at the Baltimore Ravens' facility on Monday for the official uniform unveiling.

She also addresses the health issues that she and her brother, Charles, a football player at Catoctin, deal with and have overcome to a large extent, as well as the impact that playing sports at Catoctin has had on her life.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss the uniform unveiling with the Ravens, which included head coach John Harbaugh and prominent players like quarterback Lamar Jackson and receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and the upcoming flag-football season in the county.

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Joe Polce, Walkersville High Football Coach

As the start of practice gets underway, Walkersville High football coach Joe Polce is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Polce chats with host Greg Swatek about coaching at his alma mater for an extended period of time and how much longer he might do it, considering all of his children have graduated from high school. He also talks about what makes Walkersville such a formidable program year after year, as well as expectations for the coming season.

The guys run down the Lions' challenging schedule and who is likely playing where. They also discuss their keys for having another successful year.

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss his recent vacation to Southern California, which included a trip to Petco Park in San Diego for a Dodgers-Padres game, as well as some expectations for the coming fall sports season across Frederick County.

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Mike Rich, Catoctin High Football Coach

A week away from the first practice of the upcoming season, Catoctin High football coach Mike Rich is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Rich chats with host Greg Swatek about why he is so excited about the coming season and why he is so perpetually positive and energetic. He talks about what he has learned about being a head coach heading into his fourth season on the job and the various challenges that come along with it.

The guys run through the Cougars' projected lineup and schedule and discuss what reasonable expectations are for this team. They also discuss the new turf field being installed at the school and how that might impact things.

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