Episode 043 - 10/17/17

In the latest installment of their weekly episode on the Final Score, sports editor Josh Smith, events manager Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek address myriad issues facing the NFL.

How does Aaron Rodgers’ injury change the competitive balance of the league? And are the league’s thick rule book and poorly officiated games turning people away?

As the NBA season begins, they also dive into the likelihood of another Cavs-Warriors Finals and the teams and players they are most intrigued to watch.

The question is also posed: Do you prefer the parity of the NFL or the superpower nature of the NBA?

Episode 042 - 10/14/17

Brunswick High School is enjoying one of its best volleyball seasons in the 11-year tenure of coach Brad Blumenauer. 

On this week’s episode of The Final Score, Blumenauer chats with host Greg Swatek about the Railroaders’ momentous win over Williamsport earlier this season, why the team is playing so well in general and how he got his coaching position.

Episode 041 - 10/6/17

In the latest installment of their weekly chat, Frederick News-Post sports editor Josh Smith, FNP events manager Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek wonder how two quarterbacks were selected in front of Deshaun Watson in the NFL draft, what team is in more trouble (the Cowboys or the Patriots) and what teams will advance in the major league baseball playoffs.

Episode 040 - 10/3/17

For more than two decades, much of Frederick County has been waking up and going to work with the news and analysis provided by Bob Miller on his morning radio show on Freetalk 930 AM WFMD.

Miller is a lifelong sports fan. On this episode of the Final Score, he talks with host Greg Swatek about playing on the first football team at Walkersville High School, his love for the Baltimore Colts and meeting Johnny Unitas, as well as why he now roots for the Dallas Cowboys and the voices that inspired him to launch his successful career in radio. He also discusses other passions, such as cooking and playing golf.

Episode 039 - 9/28/17

In this latest installment of what they hope becomes a weekly episode, sports editor Josh Smith. events manager Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek discuss national-anthem protests in the NFL, Cam Newton's status among NFL quarterbacks, the recent trend of NFL quarterbacks saying they want to play into their mid-40's, and Carmelo Anthony's trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Episode 038 - 9/26/17

Sheldon Shealer is one of the historical and informational gatekeepers when it comes to high school football in Maryland. For nearly three decades now Shealer has been tracking every game in the state and putting out a weekly poll reflecting the top teams.

On this episode, Shealer chats with host Greg Swatek about the rise of Frederick County football over the last decade. They also talk about the local soccer scene, as Shealer’s regular job is to compile national boys and girls soccer rankings for topdrawersoccer.com.

Stay tuned later in the week for another episode with FNP sports editor Josh Smith and News-Post events manager Colin McGuire discussing an assortment of NFL issues (national-anthem protests, Cam Newton, quarterbacks playing into their 40’s) and the NBA (Carmelo Anthony in Oklahoma City).

Episode 037 - 9/21/17

A renowned athlete in his native Pakistan, Oakdale High School field hockey coach Muzammal Malik is the guest this week on the Final Score podcast. Malik explains to host Greg Swatek why field hockey is the most popular sport in his home country. He also explains how he wound up coaching in Frederick County and what he is doing to grow the sport here.

Also, Frederick News-Post sports editor Josh Smith and FNP events manager and podcast host Colin McGuire stop by to talk about Kevin Durant’s strange activity on social media and the dearth of truly great teams in the NFL. Discover what they find when they open a pack of 1990 Fleer baseball cards.

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.