by

11-22-2007

For the first time in many years, the Seneca Valley & Gaithersburg rivalry was not played on a Friday night under the lights. With the new scheduling, this classic rivalry was discarded in 2007. Despite this, there was still a Seneca Valley vs. Gaithersburg game played this year. The game played pitted some of both schools top alumni playing against one another to honor two Seneca and Gaithersburg football greats who have passed away. Jerel Bryant an All-County player who played on the 1987 SV State Championship team and Robert Jackson an All-Met at Gaithersburg.
The opportunity to honor these two alumni even brought out two of Montgomery County’s all-time greatest players in Chris Kelley and Mark Bason. Something any fan of Montgomery County football will tell you is a dream come true. So on a blistery morning the game took place on the Seneca practice fields as the Varsity team practice on the game field as they prepared for their game the next night.
The first half of the game was very tight as Seneca led 14-7. But the beginning of the second half saw Gaithersburg rally to tie the game due to a BIG Tracy Turner interception. He ran it back about 65 yards and ran out of gas. The game went back and forth the rest of the way and with the game tied at 28, Gaithersburg had a chance to win the game inside of the SV 15 yard line. But time expired and the game went to overtime. In overtime, SV scored first and got the one-point conversion making it 35-28. Gaithersburg then got the ball and on 4th and 1, they scored making it 35-34. Now the decision to tie and go to a second OT or go for the win was presented to Gaithersburg. The Trojan alumni choose to go for the 2-point conversion and for the win. QB Mark Bason took the snap and proceeded to scramble around before launching the ball into the end zone only to have it picked off by Nick Riccuci securing a 35-34 win for SV.
This was the third year in a row that the SV alumni knocked off the Trojans. It was another fun and spirited game in which Chris Kelley threw 4 touchdowns and ran for the other. Chris threw scores to Riccuci, Mike Kelley, Mark Alegi, and Steve Kim. So next year if you want to see some of Montgomery Counties legends take the field, stop by Seneca on Thanksgiving morning.


Note: Jerel’s sister, mom, and dad showed up to this year’s game.