Arundel Gets By Meade, 24-17 in OT

The Mears cup is back in Gambrills, thanks to a gutsy overtime effort by the Arundel Wildcats. 

Arundel won the annual rivalry game against Meade 24-17, ensuring that both teams will play in the Class 4A playoffs next week. The victory was sealed when the Wildcats stopped the Mustangs on 4th and goal inside the one-yard line in the overtime period. 

"This is one of the most memorable wins I've had in a very long time," Arundel head coach Chuck Markiewicz. 

That's a big statement from a coach who has seen the Wildcats qualify for the playoffs every year for a decade straight. 

The game was a tense defensive battle that also featured some scintillating playmaking on offense in the fourth quarter.

The game was 7-7 at the half and remained that way until the teams exchanged field goals in the fourth quarter. But Arundel went ahead 17-10 when Victor Mack took back a kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown with 3 minutes left to play. 

Meade would rally back, converting on 4th and 17 with a 1:40 to go, then Tyree Turner scampered in for a 48 yard touchdown reception with 48 seconds remaining. 

In the overtime, each team was given a possession and would start on the 10-yard line. Arundel's Larry Barnes scored on the first play to give the Wildcats a 24-17 lead.

Four plays later, they would emerge with the win after stuffing Meade at the goal line, setting off a raucous on-field celebration. 

With the win, Arundel took home the Mears trophy as winner of the annual Battle of 175. Meade won the game in 2012.

Arundel came into the game knowing that a loss would likely leave them out of the playoffs—an unusual occurrence for one of the county's most dominant teams. Things looked particularly bleak after a bad loss to Broadneck two weeks ago, but the Wildcats rebounded with an easy win over Chesapeake. Friday night's victory over Meade sealed the deal. 

"This is like our second playoff win," said Isaiah Watson, who kicked a field goal and three extra points in the game, "We're ready for our third."

Arundel and Meade could face off again in the Class 4A playoffs. Seedings for the tournament aren't yet set, but the top four teams from the county have qualified. Old Mill will likely be the top seed, hosting Arundel in the first round. Broadneck and Meade will face off in the other matchup, though it's unclear who will host that game.