Episode 036 - 9/13/17

Under the leadership of coach Howie Putterman, Linganore has been one of Frederick County’s best girls soccer programs in recent seasons, twice advancing to the Class 3A state final in 2014 and ’15 and reaching the regional championship game last season.

On this week’s episode of the Final Score, Putterman talks with host Greg Swatek about how last season’s team rejuvenated his coaching career, the rash of injuries his team is already dealing with this season and if his expectations have changed at all. The two also discuss the girls soccer scene in Frederick County.

Also, FNP sports writer John Cannon stops by to discuss Week 2 of the high school football season and his early impressions of the Frederick County sports scene.

Episode 035 - 9/8/17

Under the leadership of coach Scott Schartner, Urbana High School won state titles in boys soccer in 2013 and ’16 and was right on the doorsteps on several other occasions. On this week’s episode of The Final Score, Schartner chats with host Greg Swatek about his background in the sport, his long coaching career at Urbana and getting over the hump to win those state titles.

Also, Kyle McFadden, the editor in chief of MarylandSportsAccess.com stops by to discuss the first week of the high school football season and look ahead to Week 2.

Episode 034 - 8/29/17

In this special extended edition of The Final Score, host Greg Swatek is joined by Frederick News-Post sports writers John Cannon and Joe Ferraro, as well as Maryland Sports Access editor-in-chief Kyle McFadden to discuss the upcoming high school football season in Frederick County.

The discussion is driven by thoughts and analysis of all 12 teams in Frederick County (10 public schools, two private), as well as insights and predictions on what teams might win state championships in all classifications.

In addition, FNP sports editor Josh Smith and events manager Colin McGuire return to talk about the Mayweather-McGregor fight and their admiration for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

Episode 033 - 8/24/17

Walkersville High School will take dead aim at winning a second consecutive state title in football this season. However, the Lions will have to navigate a much more difficult road to repeat.

On this week’s episode of the Final Score podcast, Walkersville coach Joe Polce chats with host Greg Swatek about avoiding complacency, managing expectations and now sharing the same region with two-time reigning state champion Damascus and other former Class 3A powers Oakdale and Seneca Valley.

Also, News-Post sports editor Josh Smith and events manager Colin McGuire stop by to offer their thoughts and perspective on Mayweather vs. McGregor, the solar eclipse and NFL players kneeling for the national anthem.

Episode 032 - 8/18/17

Frederick High School opens its new building this fall and will play its football games on a brand new turf field. On this week’s episode, varsity football coach Kevin Pirri talks about the excitement that comes along with such changes, as well as the challenges of his first two seasons on the job when the number of wins were minimal.

Facing an independent schedule with a large number of returning players, Pirri talks about the optimism the team rides into this season with as the Cadets look to build a more successful program.

Episode 031 - 8/10/17

At the age of 23, Collin Delauter has conducted his first official practice as the varsity head coach of the Middletown High School football team. On this week’s episode, Delauter chats with host Greg Swatek about what it was like growing up in the Middletown community around the football team, as well as playing for the Knights’ first state championship team in 2011.

He also discusses why he felt he was ready for this opportunity at such a young age, his innate sense of preparedness and his expectations for the upcoming season.

Episode 030 - 8/4/17

Rick Conner is entering his 17th season as the varsity football coach at Linganore High School. On this week’s episode, he chats with host Greg Swatek about how his teaching and coaching career, which now spans more than 30 years in Frederick County, began. He also talks about his team at Linganore, which is preparing for the upcoming season, and the strength of high school football in Frederick County in general.

Episode 029 - 7/25/17

Blaine Beatty is the Frederick Keys’ pitching coach and a longtime member of the Orioles organization. On this week’s episode, Beatty chats with host Greg Swatek about the Keys’ top pitchers, the challenge the Orioles have had in developing top-notch starters and his own experience pitching in the major leagues for the New York Mets.

Episode 028 - 7/18/17

Host Greg Swatek and News-Post sports editor Josh Smith remember the life and career of former Linganore girls basketball coach Brian Matthews, who passed away recently at the age of 63. They also discuss how the FNP sports department handles stories like these when they happen.

Episode 027 - 7/11/17

Bo Eskay is the Executive Director and Director of Coaching for the FC Frederick soccer club. On this week’s episode of the Final Score podcast, Eskay chats with host Greg Swatek about the rise and prominence of FC Frederick and its impact on the game locally, his large and passionate soccer-playing family and why the sport is growing and becoming more popular in the U.S.

Episode 026 7/6/17

On this week’s episode, Oakdale High School football coach Kurt Stein talks about how his team is preparing for the upcoming season, what it was like to start the program from scratch and his feeling on the current regional playoff setup. The podcast can be found at fnppodcasts.com.

Episode 025 7/1/17

Keegan Akin is a top-pitching prospect for the Baltimore Orioles. In this episode of The Final Score, Akin talks with host Greg Swatek about overcoming a slow start this season with the Frederick Keys as well as the thrill of being drafted in the second round and his love of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Episode 024 - 6/20/17

Randolph Gassaway is an all-star outfielder for the Frederick Keys this season. On this episode, he chats with host Greg Swatek about being selected for the Carolina League All-Star Game, his background in the sport and growing up in a single-parent home. Gassaway also discusses what it was like facing Cy Young award winning pitcher Corey Kluber in a Double-A game this season and his off-season love for bowling.

Episode 023 - 6/14/17

In this episode, Tuscarora High School football coach Vince Ahearn talks with host Greg Swatek about the rise of 7-on-7 football both in Frederick County and beyond. How much work goes into putting on his own tournament, which is now 20 years old? Also, Ahearn discusses what makes high school football in Frederick County so good as well as his own team's prospects for the coming season.

Episode 022 - 6/7/17

This week, Kyle Huson, a first-year broadcaster for the Frederick Keys, chats with host Greg Swatek about this year's team and his life growing up as the son of former major league utility player Jeff Huson. Kyle talks about his collegiate hockey career at the University of Connecticut and how he got into broadcasting professional baseball. Also Tim Tebow was in Hagerstown last weekend. Hear what one of the world's most famous athletes had to say about his life as a minor league baseball player. The podcast can be found at www.fnppodcasts.com.

Episode 021 - 5/30/17

This special, extended edition of The Final Score takes a look at the calendar year is was for Frederick County Public School athletics. FCPS Supervisor of Athletics Kevin Kendro talks with hosts Greg Swatek and Colin McGuire about the year that was in local high school sports and the future of the Central Maryland Conference. In addition, coach Rob Dixon and student-athletes Jaida Smith and Paige Tolbard stop in to discuss the Frederick girls winning their first state team title in track and field since 1996. Urbana's Delia Sipe and her father, Dan, talk about the close of her decorated high school throwing career. And coach Andy Baker and players Connor Stevens and Matthew Dillard describe the satisfaction of winning the first baseball state championship for Middletown High School. The full 80-minute podcast can be found at www.fnppodcasts.com.

Episode 020 - 5/24/17

In the final week of the calendar high school sports year, Oakdale track and field coach Dave Lillard stops by to chat with host Greg Swatek about the success of his boys team and its prospects for this weekend's state meet at Morgan State. Will the Bears finally break through to win their first team championship on the boys side? Also, News-Post sports writer Joe Ferraro drops in to discuss Middletown's victory in the state baseball semifinals and its chances in this weekend's state final against Fallston at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen.

Episode 019 - 5/19/17

Flying solo this week, host Greg Swatek provides an update on where county schools and athletes stand in the push toward state playoffs.

Episode 018 - 5/09/17

Coach Brandon Brewbaker drops in to chat with Greg Swatek about the remarkable progress of the Frederick High girls lacrosse program. They also preview the upcoming playoffs and discuss how the sport has evolved in Frederick County. News-Post sports writer Joe Ferraro also stops in to talk about the boys lacrosse playoffs — can anyone stop defending state champion Linganore? — and the implementation of the shot clock for high school boys basketball.

Episode 017 - 5/04/17

New Urbana football coach Brad Wilson joins host Greg Swatek to talk about his new job and the challenges ahead. Coach Wilson has never coached in Frederick County but is quite familiar with the football landscape here after spending 11 years as the head coach at Westminster High School in Carroll County. The spread offense he plans to implement will be a departure from Urbana's offenses of the past. Also, News-Post sports editor Josh Smith stops by to discuss the wild Orioles-Red Sox series, the NFL Draft and the Wizards' playoff fortunes.