Hood College men’s basketball coach Chad Dickman

With his basketball team playing well and on holiday break, Hood College men’s coach Chad Dickman is the guest this week on the Final Score podcast.

The Blazers are currently riding a five-game winning streak as they prepare to resume play Dec. 29. Coach Dickman chats with host Greg Swatek about why they are playing so well, how they are trying to stay sharp during the holiday break, his concerns about the current COVID-19 outbreak and his dynamic leading scorers, twin brothers Mason and Evan Wang.

Chad is the son of legendary Frederick County basketball coach Tom Dickman. How closely did Chad want to follow in his father’s footsteps? What was in like playing, working for and later succeeding him in his current job? How do their philosophies line up in terms of coaching the game? And, with all of the stylistic transitions over the years, does Tom Dickman hate the way basketball is played today?

Tony Murray, Frederick High Girls Basketball Coach

Early in his first full season at the reigns of a program that has won three consecutive state titles, Frederick High girls basketball coach Tony Murray is the guest this week on the Final Score podcast.

Murray chats with host Greg Swatek about how the opportunity came about to coach the Cadets. He shares stories about his extensive background as a basketball referee in Frederick County and why it's not such a thankless job after all. And he talks about his love of Kobe Bryant and the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons as well.

What are his expectations for his team this season? Does he jump on referees as a coach, considering he used to officiate games? And does he still view the Cadets as reigning state championships since there was only a very abbreviated season with no championships awarded earlier in 2021?

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon drops in to discuss the first few weeks of the winter sports season in Frederick County with Greg.

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Mike Mathis, Walkersville boys basketball coach

As the winter sports season gets under way across most of Frederick County, Walkersville boys basketball coach Mike Mathis is this week's guest on the Final Score podcast.

Mathis chats with host Greg Swatek about his career of almost 30 years coaching girls and boys basketball at Walkersville. He shares how he got the job and why he has never been inclined to leave almost three decades later. He also discusses his feelings on the current boys basketball landscape in Frederick County and where his Lions fall in the pecking order.

Up first, however, News-Post sports writer John Cannon joins Greg to discuss Linganore foortball's 28-23 loss to Northern-Calvert last Saturday in the Class 3A state championship game in Annapolis. John also shares some thoughts on the upcoming winter sports season in the county and what he is looking forward to the most.

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Linganore running back Ethan and Ben Arneson

Heading into Saturday's Class 3A state football semifinal and the start of the winter sports season next week, Linganore running back Ethan Arneson and his father, Ben, are the guests this week on the Final Score podcast.

Ethan was the leading rusher in Frederick County as a sophomore this season. He's amassed more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns, even though he was not the starter in the Lancers' first two games.

Host Greg Swatek asks him how surprised he was by that, especially considering he was pulled up to the varsity team this season to play defense. Ethan also talks about how he is feeling heading into the state final after spraining his ankle last week against Frederick and what it would mean to hoist the trophy with his teammates on Saturday.

Ben Arneson, the junior-varsity football coach at Linganore and varsity wrestling coach, shares his impressions of his son's remarkable season and also talks about how his wrestling team is shaping up heading into next week's season opener against Frederick High. How is the team preparing without members of the team that also play football?

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Linganore football coach Rick Conner

Heading into the first state football semifinal between Frederick County football teams in more than 20 years, Linganore coach Rick Conner is this week’s guest on the Final Score podcast.

Conner joins host Greg Swatek to talk about Friday's Class 3A semifinal clash between his top-seeded and unbeaten Lancers and the fifth-seeded Cadets, who are making their first appearance in the state semifinals since 1985. He talks about his love of practicing on Thanksgiving and what makes his team so special. Have the Lancers ever run the ball better during his long tenure at the school? Plus, can he ever see himself not coaching? And what prompted him to buy a motorcycle?

First up, though, FNP sports writer John Cannon stops in for his weekly chat about the county sports scene. He and Greg take a look back at last week's state football quarterfinals involving Linganore, Frederick, Urbana and Brunswick. They also preview and share insights on the semifinal clash between Linganore and Frederick.

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Shawn Baker, Brunswick boys soccer coach

With his team set to play in the Class 1A state championship game, Brunswick boys soccer coach Shawn Baker is the guest this week on the Final Score podcast.

Baker chats with host Greg Swatek about growing up in the Brunswick soccer program and how it shaped him as a person and a coach. He also shares what it would mean to lead his alma mater to its fourth state title and first since 2014.

Plus, does he still have the strongest leg in the Railroaders soccer program? What is it like having two very competitive siblings on his coaching staff? And what legendary sports icon inspired him to shave his head many years ago?

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg for their weekly segment on the Frederick County sports scene. This week, they discuss the state cross-country titles for the Brunswick boys team and Caroline Gregory of Frederick, as well as preview the two state soccer finals featuring the Brunswick boys and girls teams and the state football quarterfinals that involve Linganore, Frederick, Urbana and Brunswick.

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Annie Schwarzenberg, Oakdale girls soccer coach

With her team set to play in a state semifinal Saturday, Oakdale High girls soccer coach Annie Schwarzenberg is this week’s guest on the Final Score podcast.

Schwarzenberg chats with Greg Swatek about coaching at the school she once played for and what it means to have her alma mater in position to win another state title. The Bears play Mount Hebron at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Linganore High School. Schwarzenberg also talks about the evolution of the Oakdale program into more of an offensive-minded team and how her playing and teaching careers were shaped by family and coaching mentors. Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writer John Cannon drops in to chat with Greg about all of the regional and state playoff action going on with Frederick County sports.

They discuss the state soccer semifinals, which also include the boys and girls teams at Brunswick High and the boys team at Tuscarora. They also talk about the seven county football teams alive in the regional semifinals, Saturday's state cross country meet at Hereford High School and Urbana and Oakdale volleyball in the regional finals.

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Coach Dan Englestad, Nana Opoku, Mount St. Mary’s Men’s Basketball

With the season opener at Villanova less than a week away, Dan Engelstad, the men’s basketball coach at Mount St. Mary’s, and redshirt senior forward Nana Opoku are the guests this week on The Final Score podcast.

Engelstad and Opoku chat with host Greg Swatek about winning the Northeast Conference championship last season and how the experience of playing in the NCAA tournament in a strange, COVID-19 year shaped them heading into this season.

Opoku shares his story of coming to Mount St. Mary’s out of Woodbridge, Va., becoming a leader on the team and how his jaw-dropping athleticism can impact the game for his team. Engelstad, meanwhile, talks about the challenge of coaching college basketball in an era where the transfer portal is overcrowded with players. The Mountaineers have lost and gained players through the transfer portal. Whether it’s a good thing or bad thing for the sport, Engelstad shares his views on the portal and how it has fundamentally changed his job as a coach.

Plus, what will it take for the Mount to repeat as NEC champs and return to the Big Dance in March in a more traditional season?

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg for their weekly chat about the county sports scene. The two discuss regional playoff action in football, soccer, and field hockey and set the stage for the upcoming state playoffs.

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A.J. Stuart, Urbana Field Hockey Coach

Fresh off her team’s Central Maryland Conference championship last weekend, Urbana field hockey coach A.J. Stuart is this week’s guest on the Final Score podcast.

Stuart chats with host Greg Swatek about who and what makes her team so success and what she enjoys most about a job she has been doing for close to three decades. She also talks about why the level of play has risen in Frederick County in recent years and if any county teams, including her own, are getting closer to capturing that elusive state title. The last Frederick County field hockey state championship was won in 1993.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg for their weekly look at the county sports scene. John and Greg review the four CMC title games that were played last Saturday in boys and girls soccer, field hockey and volleyball and take a look ahead to the final week of the high school football regular season.

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Kendall Bresee, Antoine White, Mount women’s basketball

With the college basketball season approaching, Mount St. Mary’s women’s basketball is front and center on this week’s episode of the Final Score podcast.

New head coach Antonine White and forward Kendall Bresee, an Urbana High School graduate and the reigning Northeast Conference Player of the Year, chat with host Greg Swatek about the team’s run to the NCAA tournament last season and how it plans to make a return trip this season during more normal times. White talks about taking over a program he has served as an assistant for the last five years, and Bresee shares how the decision to transfer to Mount St. Mary’s impacted her life.

Prior to that, FNP sports writer John Cannon joins Greg for their weekly look at the high-school sports scene in Frederick County. They discuss the upcoming Central Maryland Conference championship games for fall sports and preview Week 8 of the high school football season.

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Joel Ramirez, Semi-pro men’s soccer

County. The coach and owner of the team is Joel Ramirez, who graduated from Tuscarora High School in 2016 and serves in the Maryland National Guard.

On this week’s episode of the Final Score podcast, Ramirez talks with host Greg Swatek about what inspired him to start the team, how he attracted players, his own background in soccer and passion for the sport and how much work and cost is involved in starting a semi-pro team from scratch. He also talks about how the organization plans to expand with indoor soccer during the winter months.

Prior to that, News-Post sports writer John Cannon joins Greg for their weekly look around the county sports scene. With the regular season winding down in high school football, they preview this week’s big matchups between Linganore and Frederick and Middletown and Brunswick.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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