The "Be There, Be Loud, Be Red: Goin' After #100" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in the stands at the Damascus football field with my wife, daughter and granddaughters, right behind the Red Army.  Tonight my son-in-law, Dave Mencarini, is going after win #100 as a head coach for Quince Orchard High School in Montgomery County, MD.  Dave is in his 10th year as the head coach of a program that until his arrival was mediocre at best.  His worst year was his first, 2004, when he went 8-2.  Since then he has played for the State Championship three times, winning the 2007 4A State Title with a record of 14-0.  Another year he lost in overtime of the State Championship game.  You do the figuring ...... in his 10th year as head coach, third game of the year tonight, and he is going for win #100.  His players respect and love him!!  And they don't mind telling you they do. Coach Mac's success is unparalleled not only in wins 

Coach Dave Mencarini 

 and losses, but in the quality of the players he produces.  Many have gone on to major college football and are now coaches themselves, trying to emulate what their high school coach taught them.   Well, tonight we arrived real early to get great seats and we did, top row of the away team bleachers on the 50-yard line.  But, we didn't realize that all the rows in front of us would be filled with the Red Army, Quince Orchard's student cheering section.  The back of their t-shirts tells it all: Be There, Be Loud, Be Red.  And they were ..... all three!  Had to stand on the seat rather than sit on it in order to see over them.  But, I'll give them one thing ..... they sure do yell and make noise.  And, it's contagious.  Had to be disruptive to the opposing team who were trying to hear their quarterback calling the plays.  QO kicked off to start the game and held Damascus to a few yards before they punted.  Teams went back and forth a few rounds with the defenses dominating on both sides.  Then QO began a possession in their own territory, but in short order Damascus intercepted a pass and within a few plays their quarterback snuck in a 1-yard score late in the first quarter.  On the try for the point-after-touchdown, 6-foot-2, 235 pound Connor Tilton burst through the line and blocked the try.  Damascus kicked off and QO, with the help of a one-handed, 20-yard catch from receiver Elliott Davis made it to the Damascus 7-yard line where workhorse #5 Kevin Joppy took it the final 7 yards for the score.  Extra point by Troy Porter was good and QO led 7-6 as the quarter ended.  Well, the game remained the same with both defenses dominating, until Damascus began a drive with a few minutes left and with 47 seconds left on the clock and 4th down and long, decided to try a 44-yard field goal.  The snap, hold, and kick were off ....... and to the left!!  Coach Mac had win #100 as his Cougars ran out the clock!!  As usual, Dave was appreciative of the congrats, but said, "I've been around a lot of great kids.  The 100 wins certainly didn't come from Dave Mencarini.  They came from great players and the great coaches that we have."  I will agree with him except for one point ...... who does he think makes those players so great and coaches so great?  Non other than Dave Mencarini.  He leads by dedication, tireless effort, knowledge of the game, motivation, but most importantly, example!!  To his players he is their HERO, in capital letters!  After the game we shared an embrace and he was dripping wet, both from the dousing he took from the tank of water the players dumped on him, but also the sweat from the heat of the battle he just went through for the last two hours.  I'm so glad I was part of the historic occasion and wish him the best of luck as he heads towards #200.  Carol and I, as well as his family, couldn't be more proud of him.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - The game in photos follows (click on any photo to enlarge it):

The Quince Orchard Cougars enter the field.

The Red Army sitting in front of us.

Band gets the crowd in the mood for the game.

Defenses for both teams dominated.  Here the quarterback for Damascus is dumped.

After a Damascus score #72, Connor Tilton, a member of the "Special Forces Team", broke through and blocked the extra point.  You can see the ball above the second Damascus (green jersey) player from the right.  This blocked kick was the difference in the final score.

Quince Orchard comes right back with #1, Elliott Davis, making a one-handed catch for a 28 yard gain.  Photo by Geo. Smith/Gazette

#5, Kevin Joppy carries the final 7 yards into the end zone for the touchdown.  Photo from Washington Post staff.

#23, Troy Porter, puts the Cougars ahead 7-6.

Celebration after the Damascus 44-yard field goal was missed.

Coach Mac gets a wet congratulations!  Photo by Geo. Davis/Gazette

Teams congratulate each other at the end.  

Team celebrates after coach Mac addresses them.

Dave is greeted by Brynn and daughters Camille and Courtney.

Dave receives congratulations on his 100 win from his Principal, Carole Working, while Brynn looks on.

LDub gets a big hug from Terrence Stephens, one of Dave's former players who played for Stanford and then played in the pre-season games for the Bengals.  Kinda of makes me look like a little kid.

Dave being interviewed by the press.

Big sign greets Coach Mac on his return home after the game.  Brynn, Camille and Courtney are with him.

Dave presented the game ball to his father, Joe.  Joe has been one of his biggest supporters throughout his life as well as one of his assistant-coaches throughout the 100 wins.

Cupcakes that his wife Brynn has baked for him show the number of wins he has accumulated as a head coach since 2004.  With Dave are from the left, Barry Scott, Bob Glass, and his dad Joe.

Trophy given to Dave in honor of his 100 wins by Principal Working of Quince Orchard High School.

Goin'