RM Readies for Big Test

Before last week's game against Wheaton, Coach Neal Owens thought that his Richard Montgomery squad was the better football team. What he may not have expected was just how much better they looked in their 30-0 win.

“Our defense was absolutely unbelievable,” Owens said. “Wheaton is very hard to get ready for and Coach Ortega did a great job. I felt that we were the better team, and I wanted our team to establish that from the start, and they did.”

While the win was important, the style in which they won could end up being the most important thing. Their defense was stifling, forcing three turnovers, which led to Richard Montgomery's touchdowns after each one. The margin of victory could also help build something that Owens has been striving for: confidence.

“It's all about confidence,” Owens said. “I'm a big believer that confidence is half the battle, and them getting in the right place is a part of that. And they're starting to believe more and more than they're a better team.”

Owens also pointed to a play in the first quarter of last week's game as a sign of this team's growth. After Wheaton intercepted on the one-yard line, the Rockets defense forced a safety.

“Years past, a team would break a big run and it was over,” Owens said. “We talk about stepping up when bad things happen. If you can make a play after a bad thing happens, that's what makes you a good team.”

The team's determination and confidence will face a major test Friday night when they travel to play undefeated Quince Orchard. QO is considered by many to be the best public team in Montgomery County, a fact not lost on Owens.

“This game is going to be a very tough one,” he said. “But we're excited to show where we are. We think we can come out and play a tough game against them.”

Kickoff is at 6:30 tonight at Quince Orchard.