Todd Knepper, Tuscarora boys soccer coach

During a week that tested his team’s mettle, Tuscarora boys soccer coach Todd Knepper is this week’s guest on the Final Score podcast.

The Titans remained undefeated, but not before settling for a 1-1 tie in a weather-shortened game against Liberty and rallying from their first deficit of the season for a 2-1 overtime win overtime win at Urbana.

Knepper joins host Greg Swatek to talk about his team’s poise, patience and how it is managing a season of high expectations, as well as the overall health of the sport in Frederick County.

Prior to that, sports writer John Cannon joins Greg to take a look at the county sports landscape. They discuss the intriguing football matchup between Walkersville and Frederick, which highlights the Week 6 high school football schedule, and some recent results that could help shape the girls soccer and volleyball seasons in the county.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Dara Demich, head coach of the Brunswick High School girls soccer team

Not that long ago, Dara Demich played on an experienced, high-scoring girls soccer team at Brunswick High School that challenged for a state title. Now, she is at the helm of one in her second season as the head coach at her alma mater.

On this week’s episode of the Final Score podcast, Demich joins host Greg Swatek to talk about her talented team and what it means to her to be coaching at the school that she played for. They discuss how she got her start in the sport, how she has grown into her role as a coach and the parallel track her soccer career shared with her twin brother Drew’s.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg to discuss the expansion of the high school football playoffs and review Week 4 of the season, including the epic overtime thriller between Linganore and Oakdale. They also take a look ahead to Week 5 and talk about other matters on the Frederick County sports scene.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

CJ Ecalono, Urbana girls cross country and track and field coach

With his team fresh off of a big victory at the Bull Run Invitational at Hereford High School, site of the state cross country meet, Urbana cross country and track and field coach CJ Ecalono is the guest this week on the Final Score podcast.

Ecalono chats with host Greg Swatek about the big win at Bull Run, how his team has navigated the pandemic over the past 18 months, what makes his programs so successful year after year and what keeps him motivated in his 13th season on the job.

Also, to take a look back at the week that was in Frederick County sports and to preview the week ahead, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg for their weekly segment. Among the topics discussed are the plethora of new coaches across Frederick County this season and an upcoming MPSSAA vote to allow all public-school high school football teams into the playoffs this season. They also review Week 3 of the high school football season in Frederick County and take a look ahead to Week 4.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Troy Bowers, Tuscarora High Girls Soccer Coach

Now in his eighth season on the job, Troy Bowers has built the Tuscarora girls soccer program into a budding juggernaut.

Already this season, the Titans have outscored the opposition 16-0 in their first four victories. That’s after winning the Central Maryland Conference championship during the spring season with an incredibly young roster (eight freshmen).

Bowers chats with Greg Swatek about taking over a program that already had an established pedigree when he took the job in a community where he lives. He also talks about how he keeps his players motivated and how they manage expectations.

Tuscarora also has a very talented boys soccer team, and sports writer John Cannon stops in to talk about that, as well as the latest high school football happenings. Who looked good in Week 2? What’s on tap for Week 3? And how about this new MPSSAA proposal that will allow every public-school team in Maryland to make the playoffs?

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Kevin Pirri, Frederick High Football Coach

After his team’s convincing win last Friday, Frederick High School football coach Kevin Pirri is the guest this week on The Final Score podcast.

Pirri and host Greg Swatek chat about how far the program has come in the coach’s seven years on the job. They discuss some of the players that have helped raise expectations and change the culture of the program, such as Chris Metevia and Travon Neal, and they also discuss what lies ahead for the Cadets this season.

Later in the conversation, Pirri shares why he binged on chocolate milk to boost his power-lifting endeavors.

Assistant sports editor John Cannon also stops by to talk about the opening week of the high school football season and what lies ahead for the first busy week of the fall sports season.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Kevin Kendro, FCPS supervisor of athletics and extracurricular activities (2021)

With the fall high school sports season ready to go into full swing in Frederick County, The Final Score podcast relaunches with Frederick County Public School Supervisor of Athletics and Extracurricular activities as the guest.

Kendro chats with host Greg Swatek about how the school system has navigated the pandemic over the last 18 months in terms of sports. What has worked? What have been the most difficult moments? What restrictions and protocols are in place with a full season set to begin? How close to normal are we?

Over the course of the conversation, Kendro also talks about the important role that high school sports play in the community and what he is most looking forward to once the games begin.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg to discuss the opening week of the high school football season and some of his expectations for the coming fall sports season.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Kevin Kendro, FCPS supervisor of athletics and extracurricular activities

With the spring sports season and the state basketball semifinals still hanging in the balance, Kevin Kendro, the supervisor of athletics and extracurricular activities for Frederick County Public Schools, is the guest this week on The Final Score podcast.

Kendro chats with host Greg Swatek about the tremendous impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on the county’s high school sports scene. Will there be a spring sports season at all? Will the state basketball semifinals, involving three Frederick County basketball teams, be played? What is his job like on a day-to-day basis during this crisis?

Kendro answers these questions to the best of his ability, knowing that nothing is certain at the present time and how rapidly things can change.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Oakdale Basketball Coach Brandon Long

One day before it was scheduled to play in a state semifinal at the University of Maryland, the Oakdale boys basketball team found out that its season was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On this week’s episode of The Final Score podcast, Bears coast Brandon Long talks with host Greg Swatek about the fallout from that decision. How did his players, especially his seniors, react to the news? What are they doing to stay ready in case the game is eventually played? What are the chances that it might be played? How would he and his players feel if the season was over?

The Frederick High and Middletown girls basketball teams are also in the same boat, having reached the state semifinals in their respective classifications.

FNP sports writer Joe Ferraro also stops by to share his thoughts about the pandemic and how it is impacting the world in unprecedented ways.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Middletown’s Kalin Bower on her second consecutive state wrestling title

Fresh off of her second state championship in wrestling, Middletown’s Kalin Bower and her father, Chris, are the guest’s this week on The Final Score podcast.

Karin talks with host Greg Swatek about her dramatic 2-1 victory over Saint Charles’ Taylor Stone in the girls state championship match at 138 pounds that was secured with a two-point reversal with two seconds remaining in the bout. She talks about how she got interested in the sport and the inroads females are making in the sport.

Chris Bower then talks about his daughter’s accomplishment and how he came to start his current business, Bowerhouse Academy, which offers mixed-martial arts classes to youth and adults in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, judo, wrestling, MMA and group functional fitness here in Frederick.

Plus, Greg chats with FNP sports writer John Cannon about the coronavirus and how it is impacting the local sports scene, including the postponement of the state basketball semifinals that included three county teams, the Frederick High and Middletown girls and the Oakdale boys.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Orioles broadcaster Geoff Arnold

After serving five years as the director of broadcasting and public relations for the Frederick Keys, Geoff Arnold got his call to the big leagues.

Arnold is one of the new members of the Baltimore Orioles’ broadcast team for the upcoming season. He will be the lead voice on most of their radio broadcasts.

On this episode, he chats with Greg Swatek about how this opportunity came about. How did he react when he learned he had the job? Who was the first person he called?

Arnold also shares insights and details about the new makeup of the Orioles’ broadcast crew, as well as his impressions of the team so far in spring training.

First, though, FNP sports writer Joe Ferraro helps to set the scene for this weekend’s state basketball quarterfinals.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Linganore boys basketball coach Chris O’Connor

After leading his team to a Central Maryland Conference championship earlier in the week, Linganore boys basketball coach Chris O’Connor is this week’s guest on The Final Score Podcast.

O’Connor chats with host Greg Swatek about his team’s 54-51 victory over three-time defending CMC champion Oakdale on Tuesday night at Hood College, during which the Lancers rallied from an early 10-point deficit. He talks about the makeup of his roster and how Linganore relies on most of its players to pull through as opposed to counting on one or two star players. And he talks about what the Lancers believe they are capable of achieving as the playoffs get under way.

Then, O’Connor talks about growing up in a sports-oriented family with two older sisters, the influences that legendary Frederick County coaches Dave Carruthers, Rick Conner and Terry Connolly had on his own coaching career and coming to grips with teaching and coaching at Linganore after attending and playing sports for arch rival Urbana.

In addition, FNP sports writer Joe Ferraro shares his thoughts on Linganore’s win over Oakdale in the CMC title game and helps set the scene with Greg for the upcoming boys and girls basketball playoffs.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

More state titles for Urbana girls, Oakdale boys track teams

In a special, bonus edition of the Final Score podcast this week, coaches and athletes from the Urbana girls and Oakdale boys track teams discuss their state indoor team championships.

First, Urbana coach C.J. Ecalono and two of his senior athletes, Piper Jons and Lydia Robling, chat with host Greg Swatek about winning the Class 4A team championship at the state indoor meet by more than 40 points over the second-place team. It marked the third consecutive state team title for the Urbana girls, counting their indoor and outdoor championships last year. How were the Hawks able to score points in 10 of the 11 events they competed in? What were some of the most memorable performances?

Then, Oakdale coach Dave Lillard and two of his seniors, Kyle Lund and Jonah Childress, join us to discuss the Bears’ second consecutive Class 2A team title at the state indoor meet and fifth overall, counting outdoor team championships in 2018 and ’19. Lund talks about winning four events at the meet, including a state record time for all classifications in the 800-meter run (1:52.56), and Lillard explains the significance of his athletes signing the back of the state team trophy in black sharpie every time they win one.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Maria Marchesano, Mount St. Mary’s women’s basketball coach

With her team sitting in second place in the Northeast Conference and riding a six-game winning streak, Maria Marchesano, the women’s basketball coach at Mount St. Mary’s, is a guest this week on the Final Score podcast.

Now in her third season on the job, Marchesano chats with host Greg Swatek about the strides her program continues to make. From winning nine games two seasons ago, to winning 16 this season with five games still to play in the regular season, including two against first-place Robert Morris.

Marchesano talks about her top players, including Urbana High School graduate Kendall Bresee, and the team’s goal of securing a top seed and hosting a game in the upcoming Northeast Conference Tournament.

Later in the week, there will be a special edition of the Final Score, highlighting the state team championships for both the Urbana girls and Oakdale boys track teams. The head coaches and top athletes from both teams will be on to talk about it.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Oakdale boys basketball coach Brandon Long, Frederick High girls basketball situation

With the start of the playoffs approaching, Oakdale boys basketball coach Brandon Long is this week’s guest on The Final Score podcast.

Coach Long chats with host Greg Swatek about the highly competitive region the Bears play in, the Class 2A West, as Oakdale, Middletown and Williamsport have been trading victories with each other all season.

He also talks about his deep roster and the challenge of finding enough playing time for all that deserve it, as well as getting his players to buy into the defensive mindset that has defined the Oakdale program.

First, though, FNP sports writer John Cannon stops by to provide an update regarding the situation with the Frederick High girls basketball team. The three-time defending Class 3A state champions have lost five players since Feb. 4 for undisclosed reasons. What is the latest?

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Urbana girls track and field

Having just won another regional team track and field title, Urbana coach C.J. Ecalono and two of his top athletes, twin sisters Ezri and Oni Scott, are the guests this week on The Final Score podcast.

Ezri and Oni share with host Greg Swatek how their track and field careers began and what has made them such strong and versatile competitors. Ezri is a former state runner-up in the high jump, while Oni is a state place winner who competes in a unique combination of events during the indoor season, the shot put, high jump and 55-meter hurdles.

The twins also talk about their relationship, what makes them different and their upcoming college careers at New York University.

Coach Ecalono, meanwhile, shares his feelings about the Scott twins and what they bring to his team, as well as why the Hawks are such strong contenders again to win a second consecutive state indoor team title on February 18 in Landover.

Plus, sports writer Joe Ferraro stops by to discuss a busy National Signing Day for Frederick County athletes.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Catoctin girls basketball coach Amy Entwistle

As the Catoctin girls basketball team enjoys one of its finest seasons, the team’s coach Amy Entwistle, is the guest this week on the Final Score podcast.

Entwistle tells host Greg Swatek why her small (10 players) but talented team has taken off this season. She talks about her players and how their togetherness and willingness to embrace things such as playing defense has translated into a lot of success this season.

The coach also talks about how she came into a job she has now held for 16 seasons as a 22-year-old, fresh-out-of-college kid. And she explains how her positive mindset continues to shape her life and influence her coaching to this day.

Plus, FNP sports writer Joe Ferraro stops in to discuss the county basketball scene.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Catoctin football coaches Doug Williams and Paul DuMars

Doug Williams and Paul DuMars, two coaches who were together every step of the way during a 29-year tenure as football coaches at Catoctin, are the guests on the Final Score podcast this week in light of Williams’ announcement last weekend that he was retiring as the Cougars’ varsity head coach.

Williams and DuMar share details with host Greg Swatek about the first time they met, an encounter that took place in an off-beat location and ended with DuMars landing an assistants’ job with Williams a few weeks prior to the start of the 1991 season.

They talk about why they worked so well together for nearly three decades, what they will miss the most now that they are stepping away from the Catoctin football program and what the next chapter of their lives might look like.

Lots of great stories and memories, even a few laughs, are shared.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Basketball coaches Kyle McFadden of the Frederick Force, Brian Burdette of Catoctin High School

As the season reaches the halfway point, boys basketball coaches Kyle McFadden of the Frederick Force and Brian Burdette of Catoctin High School are the guests this week on The Final Score podcast.

First, McFadden shares with host Greg Swatek what his first season has been like as a head basketball coach. What has surprised him? What has he learned? How did it feel to earn his first victory? What type of team do the Force have this season?

Then, Burdette joins the show to chat with Greg about his team’s recent upset of Middletown, which marked Catoctin’s first win over the Knights in at least 18 years. Who are the key players for the Cougars this season? How far can they advance in the playoffs? How has Burdette’s experience as a referee influenced his coaching career?

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Linganore wrestling coach Ben Arneson, plus a look at the basketball landscape

Heading into the heart of the winter sports schedule following the holidays, Linganore wrestling coach Ben Arneson is the guest on this week’s episode of The Final Score podcast.

Arneson chats with host Greg Swatek about the challenges of dealing with the holidays during the course of a season season and the interruptions to routines and schedules that come about. They also talk about the wrestling scene in Frederick County, including Linganore’s run to the state duals finals and county team titles last season, as well as the Lancers’s outlook this season with a much different and much younger team.

The coach is also asked about his 10-year run riding bulls in various places around the country.

In addition, FNP sports writer Joe Ferraro drops in to discuss the high school basketball landscape in the county.

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play

Dean Rose on the state of Frederick County Basketball

Dean Rose, a long time assistant coach and observer of boys basketball in Frederick County, is this week’s guest on The Final Score podcast.

Rose chats with host Greg Swatek about his deep-rooted passion for basketball in this area. He shares a number of good anecdotes, including taking his wife to a high school game on what was their second date.

He also talks about his long tenure as an assistant coach, first at Urbana and then at Oakdale under coach Terry Connolly, and coaching talented players such as Zach Thomas and Collin Schlee.

Then, Rose and Greg break down the boys basketball scene in Frederick County this season. Who are the top teams? Are any capable of challenging for a state title?

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and Google Play