Terry Connolly on stepping away after 20 years coaching in Frederick County

After coaching boys basketball in Frederick County for more than 20 years, Terry Connolly recently decided to step away from the game.

On this week’s episode of The Final Score podcast, Connolly explains his decision, which caught many around the county by surprise. He also talks with host Greg Swatek about starting two programs from scratch at Urbana and Oakdale, how his love and passion for the game developed over time and his unique relationship with referees in the county.

Connolly also share great stories about playing for Shepherd and the University of Richmond, where he helped the Spiders spring one of the biggest upsets in NCAA tournament history over Syracuse at Cole Field House in College Park. It marked the first time a No. 15 seed had ever beaten a No. 2 seed.

The Final Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP). 

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Mitch Rubin, Oakdale boys soccer coach, plus, Joe Ferraro discusses CMC championship weekend

Oakdale boys soccer coach Mitch Rubin, a noted junkie of the sport, is the guest on this week’s episode of the Final Score podcast.

Rubin chats with host Greg Swatek about the success his team has had this season in reaching the Central Maryland Conference championship game, why the Oakdale soccer program has been so wildly successful in its brief history for both the boys and the girls, how he wound up coaching in Frederick County and his approach to coaching both boys and girls teams.

Plus, FNP sports writer Joe Ferraro joins Greg to take a look at a Saturday full of CMC championship games and review Week 8 of the high school football season in Frederick County.

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Doug Williams, head coach of the 6-0 Catoctin football team, plus updates with reporter John Canon

With his team off to its best start at 6-0 since its state-championship season in 2009, Catoctin football coach Doug Williams is the guest this week on The Final Score podcast.

After 40 years of coaching high school football, including the last 28 at Catoctin, Williams chats with host Greg Swatek about his passion for the job and what he enjoys the most about it. He shares the story about how he got into coaching and what brought him to Catoctin. And he explains what he likes about this current team, and why the Cougars have been able to pull out so many close, hard-fought wins so far this season.

Plus, FNP sports writer shares his thoughts on the Catoctin football team, the shockingly lopsided result between Oakdale and Linganore last week and the revival of Maryland School for the Deaf’s cross country program.

The Finals Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP).

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Previewing this week's Oakdale-Linganore football game

To breakdown the big showdown between Linganore and Oakdale, state football insider Kyle McFadden joins host Greg Swatek on this week’s episode of The Final Score podcast.

What are Kyle’s impressions of Linganore and Oakdale? Who do the guys think will win and by how much? And who are some of the other contenders around the state?

Plus, FNP sports writer John Cannon stops by to share his thoughts on the Linganore-Oakdale game, as well as the Bears’ impressive win over Middletown last week and the Frederick County volleyball and field hockey scenes. 

The Final Score is presented by PFP (Players Fitness and Performance).

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Aric Canonico, Oakdale girls soccer coach + reporter Joe Ferraro joins with updates

With his team off to a blazing start this season, Oakdale girls soccer coach Aric Canonico is the guest this week on The Final Score podcast.

The Bears look like a team that can win a state title. At 8-0, they have outscored the opposition 29-2 so far. Canonico talks to host Greg Swatek about the team’s potential and what it will take to maximize it. He also talks about his passion for coaching and just how dedicated he is to the job and helping other people.

Plus, FNP sports reporter Joe Ferraro drops in to talk about the fall sports season in Frederick County. What are his impressions of the football season as it reaches its midpoint? Who are the teams to beat in boys soccer, girls soccer and volleyball?

The Final Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP).

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Howie Putterman, acting athletic director at Tuscarora HS, update on fall season

Howie Putterman, the acting athletic director at Tuscarora High School, is the guest this week on The Final Score podcast.

Putterman talks with host Greg Swatek about the sudden nature of his appointment to his position, the extreme challenges he faced during his first week on the job and the difficulties of leaving his longtime post as the girls soccer coach at Linganore High School.

Plus, FNP sports writer John Cannon stops by to share his impressions on the high school football and volleyball seasons in Frederick County.

The Final Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP).

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Tuscarora volleyball coach Ricardo Vera and then an update on football and soccer scene with Joe Ferraro

With his team off to another good start this season, Tuscarora volleyball coach Ricardo Vera is the guest this week on The Final Score podcast.

Vera chats with host Greg Swatek about the depth and talent of his team and why it has a shot to make a run at a state championship this season. He also talks about his background in the sport as a coach and a referee, immigrating to the United States after spending his early years bouncing around South America with his family and why volleyball is such a vastly improved sport in Frederick County.

Plus, FNP sports writer Joe Ferraro stops by to talk about the high school football season and the tremendous impact the weather has already had on it, as wells as the boys soccer scene in Frederick County and how the season might shake out.

The Final Score is presented by PFP (Players Fitness and Performance).

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Walkersville football coach Joe Polce and the challenges presented by storms and heat

After an opening week dominated by weather interruptions, Walkersville High football coach Joe Polce is the guest this week on The Final Score Podcast.

Polce chats with host Greg Swatek about the major challenges the weather has presented already this season, whether it be storms delaying games or the heat limiting what can be done in practice. Walkersville won its season opener over visiting New Era Academy 46-0. But, like many Frederick County teams, the Lions were forced to come back a day later to finish the victory by storms that rolled through the area. Polce said this has been one of the worst weather years that he can remember when it comes to the rain and the heat.

He also talks about what he likes the most about his team, which is comprised mostly of players who are new to varsity football, and the challenges of replacing 26 seniors, who, over a three-year period, won 36 of 40 games and a state championship.

The Final Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP).

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Preview of the Frederick County high school football season

With the start of the high school football season upon us, The Final Score podcast takes an in-depth look at the coming season this week.

FNP sports writers Joe Ferraro and John Cannon and Kyle McFadden, a statewide football reporter, join host Greg Swatek to take a team-by-team look at the 10 public schools and two private schools that play football in Frederick County.

Insight and analysis is offered for every team. Plus, the guys run down who they believe will be the top five teams in Frederick County and who will be left standing at the end of the season across the state.

The Final Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP).

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Vince Ahearn, Tuscarora High School football head coach

Just over a week away from the start of the high school football season, Tuscarora coach Vince Ahearn is the guest this week on The Final Score podcast.

Ahearn chats with host Greg Swatek about how his coach style has evolved since the end of last season, a wild 4-6 campaign for the Titans that featured impressive wins and head-scratching losses.

In light of recent allegations and problems on the college level, Ahearn addresses the culture of football and treating players the right way.

Tuscarora will open the season amid high exceptions. The Titans have playmakers in the running and passing game and should be solid along the offensive and defensive lines. What does Ahearn expect from his team? What does he enjoy the most about his job and the start of a new season?

The Final Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP). 

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Kurt Stein, Oakdale High School Head Football Coach

With the start of the high school football season just over two weeks away, Oakdale coach Kurt Stein is this week’s guest on The Final Score podcast.

Stein chats with host Greg Swatek about the growth of his program. The Bears, who about to enter their eighth varsity season, have established themselves as one of the top programs in Frederick County. Stein talks about the biggest strides the program has made since its inaugural season in the fall of 2010 and how he has become a better coach since starting the program from scratch.

Stein also talks about his quarterback’s recent commitment to Division I Kent State and how he expect Collin Schlee to be even better this season, the Bears’ productive offseason and his expectations for the coming season, as well as the culture of football and the practices he implements to make sure his players are being treated properly.

The Final Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP). 

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Rick Conner, coach of the reining 3A state champion Linganore Football team

Continuing our look at the upcoming Frederick County high school football season, Linganore coach Rick Conner is the guest on this week's installment of The Final Score.

About to begin his 33rd season as a high school football coach, Conner explains to host Greg Swatek why he is as passionate and energetic about his job as ever and why the first day of practice still feels like Christmas morning for him.

The Lancers won their sixth state title — the most ever for a Frederick County team — with a memorable 28-27, come-from-behind victory over Milford Mill last December in Annapolis.

Conner recalls his fondest memories about that game and the final, game-winning drive and discusses the expectations and challenges ahead for the coming season, among other topics.

The Final Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP).

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Bobby Humphries, the first-year varsity football head coach at Gov. Thomas Johnson

Continuing to look ahead at the 2018 high school football season in Frederick County, Bobby Humphries, the first-year varsity head coach at Gov. Thomas Johnson, is the guest this week on The Final Score podcast.

Humphries shares the unique story with host Greg Swatek about how he learned he got the job at his alma mater and outlines his vision for the program. He also talks about how former TJ coach Ben Wright shaped him as a player and a person and why being back at TJ means so much to him.

Coach Humphries was an assistant on the TJ coaching staff last year as the Patriots suffered through a 1-9 season. He talks about what he learned and why this season might be different.

The Final Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP).

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Jerry Smith, Brunswick High School Football Coach

With the fall sports season fast approaching, The Final Score podcast begins to take at look at the upcoming Frederick County football season. 

This week, Brunswick coach Jerry Smith joins host Greg Swatek to talk about his team’s remarkable improvement in his first season on the job and expectations for the coming season.

After suffering through two winless seasons and 22 consecutive losses, the Railroaders finished 5-5 last season against an independent schedule. How was Coach Smith able to chance the entire vibe around the program so quickly? What did he learn about himself and his players? Who will be some of the players to watch for Brunswick this season?

The Final Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP).

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Zac Lowther, Frederick Keys left-handed starting pitcher

Continuing what's been a summer-long series with the Frederick Keys, left-handed starting pitcher Zac Lowther is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast.

Lowther chats with host Greg Swatek about his hot start to the season. He has already been promoted from Low-A Delmarva and been named the Orioles' Minor League Pitcher of the Month twice this season.

He also talks about growing up in Cleveland, how he developed his sneaky fastball, how he prepares for a start and how he goes about attacking hitters.

The Final Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP).

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Keys lefty Alex Wells on being chosen to play in the MLB's Futures All-Star Classic, plus Geoff Arnold, the Keys’ Director of PR and Broadcasting

Alex Wells is having a fine season as a starting pitcher for the Frederick Keys. On Sunday, the left-hander will participate in Major League Baseball’s Futures All-Star Classic that will be televised a 4 p.m. on MLB Network.

Prior to playing alongside some of the top prospects in baseball at Nationals Park, the native Australian chatted with host Greg Swatek about being selected to such a prestigious game, his impeccable control and how he became pitcher.

Plus, Geoff Arnold, the Keys’ Director of Public Relations and Broadcasting, stops by to talk about the team at just past the halfway point of the season.

The Final Score is brought to you by PFP (Players Fitness and Performance).

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Tyler Erwin, Frederick Keys relief pitcher and Carolina League All-Star

On this week’s episode of The Final Score podcast, Frederick Keys relief pitcher Tyler Erwin stops by to chat with host Greg Swatek about his strong season so far.

Erwin talks about taking over the closer’s role full-time for the Keys, being named a Carolina League All-Star, the deception in his throwing motion and how pitching in altitude in college (New Mexico State) made him unafraid to pitch in so-called hitter’s parks.

The Final Score is presented by PFP (Players Fitness and Performance).

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Dave Ziedelis, general manager of the Frederick Keys

Frederick is celebrating its 30th year as a minor league baseball town, and next June it will host the Carolina League All-Star Game. On this week’s episode of the Final Score podcast, Frederick Keys general manager Dave Ziedelis joins Greg Swatek to discuss what a game like that means to an organization and a community when the chance to host comes around.

Zidelis, now in his 14th season with the Keys, talks about how his career as a baseball executive began, why he work harder and longer in the offseason, why Frederick is such a great town for minor league baseball and what to look forward to over the next year as the All-Star game approaches.

The Final Score is presented by PFP (Players Fitness and Performance).

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Preston Palmeiro, Carolina League All-Star with the Frederick Keys

Growing up as the son of a major league baseball player, Preston Palmeiro had a front-row seat to life in the big leagues both on and off the field.

On this week’s episode of the Final Score podcast, Palmeiro shares some of these amazing stories with host Greg Swatek. Who did he get to meet? What did he get to experience as the son of former major league and Oriole great Rafael Palmeiro?

Plus, how did he react to his dad’s fall from grace during the steroid era? What does he think about his dad’s quest to continue playing professional baseball at age 53?

Preston Palmeiro was recently named to the Carolina League All-Star Game as a member of the Frederick Keys. Why is he having such a good season for the Keys? How does he feel about moving from first base to second? What does he think of the minor-league lifestyle?

The Final Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP).

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Orioles prospect Ryan McKenna of the Frederick Keys

In the first half of this season, Ryan McKenna of the Frederick Keys has been one of the best players in all of minor league baseball. He is second in the minors in total hits (86) and presently leads the Carolina League in batting average (.369), on-base percentage (.456), OPS (.979), runs scored (50) and total bases (122). He has nearly hit for the cycle on two occasions.

On this week’s episode of the Final Score podcast, McKenna chats with host Greg Swatek about why he is hitting so well. How has his approach changed? What adjustments has he made? McKenna also discusses growing up in New England, the impact the Red Sox 2004 World Series title had on him, deciding to turn pro instead of going to college in 2015, being named a Carolina League All-Star and the less-than-glamourous, day-to-day lifestyle of minor league baseball.

Plus, what did he think the first time he was asked to sign an autograph? What would he being doing if he wasn’t playing professional baseball.

The Final Score is presented by Players Fitness and Performance (PFP).

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