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Mervo Mustangs win 4A/3A state championship 22-13

 Mervo Mustangs win 4A/3A state championship 22-13
Posted at 10:46 PM, Dec 02, 2021
and last updated 2021-12-02 23:30:27-05

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — It was an emotionally charged atmosphere at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Thursday night.

It ended with Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School winning its first state football championship in school history.

The Mustangs defeated Dundalk 22-13 in the 4A/3A title game. They did so with Elijah Gorham on their minds and in their hearts.

The senior passed away in October after suffering injuries in a game the month before. The Mustangs carried his No. 7 jersey onto the field and each player hugged Elijah’s mother before kickoff.

RELATED: 'He's very much loved and going to be missed': Mervo coach remembers Elijah Gorham

It was the Owls who controlled the game early. They jumped out to a 13-0 first quarter lead.

But from then on it was all Mustangs. Mervo scored two second quarter touchdowns. Derek Dunn ran it in on a quarterback sneak. Then the Mustangs blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the end zone. Jaden Eldridge fell on it for the TD. Mervo took a 14-13 lead into halftime.

The only touchdown of the second half was a Dunn to Deandre Ferguson completion.

The chant after game echoed ‘Seven Strong' for Gorham.

The Mervo Mustangs and Elijah Gorham are now Maryland state champions forever.

Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook