The Gilman-McDonogh Football Rivalry

Note: Gilman players were in the light pants.

From the 1956-1957 Cynosure: "Gilman held the edge in victories, twenty-three to seventeen, as the teams took the field and prepared to square off. Early in the first period, Tom Bowyer recovered a Farmer fumble, and Riggs scored six plays later. Riggs scored twice more, and Brian, Garrett, and Barker, G. each scored once before McDonogh could gather any momentum. Everybody played, and everybody had a good time as Gilman gained the victory by a score of 39-14."

Note: Gilman players were in the light pants.

From the 1957-1958 Cynosure: "Gilman wound up the football season the following Friday when they journeyed to McDonogh. Neither team scored until the closing minutes of the second quarter when McDonogh made seven points after a sustained drive. Taking over on their own thirty-five early in the second half, the Blue and Gray moved the ball steadily behind the running of Alan Yarbro, Pete Taylor, and Bob Grose. John Spilman finally made it over from the one-yard line, and Taylor's kick tied the score. The rest of the game was dominated by Gilman, but the team was unable to score."

Note: Gilman players were in the light pants.

From the 1958-1959 Cynosure: "The season closed with the traditional battle with arch-rival McDonogh. The Gilman eleven, minus the services of the injured Bob Grose and Bill Stifler, was, nevertheless, a heavy favorite in a game which started off 'according to Hoyle' as the Blue scored first on a Wood to Hooker pass and seemed to be in full control. But McDonogh recovered a Gilman fumble and proceeded to score. From that point on, the Farmers played an inspired game and romped to a well-deserved 30-13 victory."

Note: Gilman players were in the light pants.

From the 1960-1961 Cynosure: "The Gray put up a valiant fight in its final game against McDonogh. The score at half-time was 20-0 in favor of McDonogh, but in the second half, the Gilman team outplayed and outscored McDonogh, although the final score was 22-8, McDonogh."

The 1960 season was Gilman's first using the single-wing offense.

Note: Gilman players were in the light pants.

From the 1961-1962 Cynosure: "November 17, the Blue and Gray defeated McDonogh, 22-8, on their field. Dell scored on a forty-five yard end sweep, and Stanley scored twice on line plunges. Lamb and Schweizer each caught an extra-point pass. Time and time again in the second half, the team stopped McDonogh threats by good pass defense and inspired line play. It was a fitting end to a great season."

The win was the first over McDonogh since 1956. Ending the season 6-2, it was Gilman's first winning season since 1953 and marked the beginning of a dominant era for the team.

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

A crowd of 5,000 gathered at Gilman to watch Gilman finish its season 8-0-1, the team's first undefeated season since 1921.

From the 1962-1963 Cynosure: "So then came that wonderful victory over McDonogh. The season was over, but the glory was not. John Claster, who had missed the M.S.A. scoring record by a mere two points in scoring 116 points, gained a place on the All-Maryland first team. Peter Rodman, three year letterman, made the second team. Ward Coe became the first Gilmanite since 1942 to receive the McCormick Unsung-Hero award. And to top these individual honors, Gilman was ranked twelfth in the state and third in the city behind only Poly (fifth ranked in the nation) and Patterson."

Note: Gilman players were in the dark jerseys.

The game began shortly after news had broken that President Kennedy had died in Dallas. School administrators and coaches for McDonogh and Gilman were aware of the events but chose not to tell the players and went ahead with the game. Having been told of the President's death during his team's warm-ups, Gilman head coach Redmond C.S. Finney '47 said that it was difficult to go ahead with the game, because "you couldn't exactly erase it from your mind," but that "we went ahead and did the best we could."

Gilman's publications did not give their normal full account of the game. The Gilman News did not mention the game at all when their next issue appeared, and the 1963-1964 Cynosure only says: "Both teams played their roughest, ignorant of the death of the President."

Note: Gilman players were in the dark jerseys.

From the 1964-1965 Cynosure: "Too much of the team, last year's bitter 8-7 defeat at McDonogh was a painful memory, and they were determined not to lose to the Farmers again. Their determination spread, and a well-prepared, fired up pack of Greyhounds met the country boys at Gilman on November 20."

Note: Gilman players were in the dark jerseys.

From the December 10, 1965, issue of The Gilman News: "While their school was decorated with banners and signs proclaiming noble intentions, Gilman's preparation seemed more effective because the football team stole the game from the farmers in the opening minutes. Hard hitting and cool thinking netted an early 14 to 0 lead. Restricted by mistakes on offense, the Greyhounds could only manage but one more touchdown. This was, however, sufficient because of an excellent defensive effort."

Note: Gilman players were in the dark jerseys.

From the 1966-1967 Cynosure: "McDonogh, seeking a share of the 'B' title, brought its spirited squad into the game well-prepared, but they were outmanned from the start. Quarterback Sherm Bristow opened the scoring with a one-yard plunge, and passed 64 yards to Hal Clagett for another TD. Stuart Simms sewed up the scoring with two more touchdowns, one a long run. The 28-0 victory gave Gilman the 'B' Division title."

Note: Gilman players were in the dark jerseys.

From the 1967-1968 Cynosure: "Sporting an 8-0-0 record and branded as 'B' Conference 'Bullies', the Big Blue fought off a determined McDonogh team to win a 28-16 war of attrition and retain the conference crown. Many had looked to McDonogh as a last hope of deliverance from the Gilman scourge, but such hopes proved futile as the Greyhounds remained the only undefeated and untied team in the M.S.A."

The 1967 Gilman team was dominant, finishing 9-0-0 and scoring an average of 41.3 points a game while allowing only 9.4 points per game. They were ranked number one in the state. The team featured several first-team All-M.S.A. players including Stuart Simms, Al Kirby, and Bill Reilly.

Note: Gilman players were in the dark jerseys.

From the 1971-1972 Cynosure: "The entire Varsity Football season was reflected in the McDonogh game. The first half was abominable, but the second half saw Gilman show a complete reversal of form and win. In the second half, the team redeemed itself by coming from behind with 80 seconds left to win, 14-12."

Gilman finished the 1971 season 2-4-2.

Note: Gilman players were in the dark jerseys.

From the 1973-1974 Cynosure: "The third important game was against the McDonogh Eagles. In an overwhelming display of power, the offensive team ate up large chunks of yardage while the defense penetrated into the Eagle backfield at will."

The 1973 Gilman Greyhounds went 7-1 in the regular season and beat Archbishop Curley 20-18 for the MSA B-Conference Championship.

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

From the December 20, 1974, issue of The Gilman News: "Before meeting Walbrook for the 'B' Conference championship, the Varsity had to contend with the traditional rival, McDonogh. The underdog Eagles pushed two times for the lead, but Gilman roared back for two touchdowns in the final quarter to win 26-20."

The Gilman (8-1-1) offense featured MSA leading rusher and Maryland High School Football Player of the year Mike Austin '76 (#43). Leading the defense was future Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich '75 (#85).

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

From the 1976-1977 Cynosure: "With a 36-6 rout of McDonogh, Gilman finished its second season in the "A" Conference with a 9-1 record, a piece of the championship, and the number one ranking in Maryland."

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

From the 1978-1979 Cynosure: "The 63rd renewal of the classic Gilman-McDonogh football game was, as anticipated, fantastic - that is for Gilman. All hopes and aspirations of McDonogh's football team were dashed as the Greyhounds clearly outclassed the Eagles 35-8 at Gilman before 2500 spectators on a sunny Friday afternoon in November."

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

Gilman finished 5-5 this season and won the division title. They lost to Poly in the MSA "A" championship game. The season was the first with head coach Kevin Spencer.

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

From the January 6, 1983, issue of The Gilman News: "For the first time in four years, Gilman's Varsity Football made McDonogh Day truly successful, as it tromped over the Eagles, 25-0. With this year's victory, Gilman not only recovered the memorial Gilman-McDonogh trophy, but also clinched a tie with Calvert Hall for the MSA "A" conference championship."

Note: Gilman players were in the dark jerseys.

From the 1988-89 Cynosure: "The offense was led by senior quarterback David Steele, junior Andrew Dausch, and sophomores Ed Trusty and Jamal Cox, and the team could always count on Andrew Matire to open the holes at the line. Led by tri-captains Rich Levi and Jon Davidson, the defense always played hard and tough. In short, Gilman had a successful 5-4 season and the team and coaches should be congratulated on a fine effort."

Note: Gilman players were in the dark jerseys.

This game was played at Gilman. With this loss, Gilman finished the season 4-6.

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

The game begins with a kickoff return for a touchdown by freshman Ambrose Wooden. The 1999 Gilman team was dominant, finishing 10-0 and taking the MIAA "A" Conference title for the second straight year. An explosive offense that averaged almost 41 points a game was matched by a stingy defense that allowed 24 points all season, 10 of which came in the McDonogh game.

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

From the 2002-2003 Cynosure: "With an all-senior starting lineup, the Greyhounds dismantled the Eagles in a thrilling 35-14 win over their arch-rivals. Gilman concluded the season 10-0, 5-time back-to-back MIAA "A" Conference Champions, #1 in the state, along with finishing #14 in USAToday's National Top-25."

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

Despite a season of close games, Gilman came out on the losing end more often than not, finishing with a 3-6 loss including this heart-breaker to McDonogh.

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

From the 2005-2006 Cynosure: "The team accomplished its yearly goal of winning the league and beating McDonogh, and ended with a national ranking of first in the East and 15th in the country."

Gilman finished the season 9-0, including five shutouts.

Note: Gilman players were in the dark jerseys.

The loss to McDonogh marked Gilman's first conference loss in three years. Despite the loss, Gilman retained a share of the MIAA "A" Conference Championship

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

From the 2007-2008 Cynosure: "Varsity Football placed all of its efforts into salvaging its season with a win over McDonogh. Gilman did just that, with a 21-14 victory on the Eagles' home field that redeemed the team's season and gave it hope for a strong performance next year."

Gilman finished the season 4-5.

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

Their victory in the 2009 game gave Gilman the MIAA "A" Conference championship, capping a 7-3 season.

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

Despite winning big over McDonogh, Loyola, and Mount St. Joe's, a tough loss to Calvert Hall prevented Gilman from taking the MIAA "A" Conference title.

Note: Gilman players were in the dark jerseys.

In 2012, Gilman and McDonogh faced off in the regular season as well as in the MIAA "A" Conference semifinals. Gilman went on to defeat Calvert Hall in the finals, taking the "A" Conference Championship.

Note: Gilman players were in the light jerseys.

This game marked Gilman's first loss in the series since 2008. The teams entered the game with identical conference records, and McDonogh's win gave them the MIAA "A" Conference title.

Video from Greyhound TV. In a close game, McDonogh beats Gilman in overtime.

Video from Greyhound TV. In a tight game, Gilman defeats McDonogh 24-21.