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St. John's Catholic Prep unveiled its no-name offense, and Gilman countered with big-time plays Friday night as the Greyhounds, ranked No. 4 in the state, rolled to a 63-16 victory in the season-opening football game at McCurdy Field in Frederick.

The Greyhounds scored on nine of 10 possessions en route to scoring the most points in coach Biff Poggi's 13 years as Gilman's head coach. Although Gilman ran only 37 plays, 14 of them covered 10 or more yards, including scoring plays of 20, 35, 50 and 53 yards.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to stay competitive in its first game against an MIAA A Conference program, St. John's debuted a new offensive scheme. The offense is unnamed by Vikings coach Jimmy Ward but has the feel of the banned A-11 with the offense spread out across the field often with just a center and three backfield players over the ball. St. John's was able to move the ball on Gilman, netting 127 rushing yards.

PIVOTAL PLAY: Gilman set the tone right away with junior Darius Jennings connecting with sophomore Cyrus Jones for a 50-yard score on Gilman's first offensive play of the season. Although St. John's countered with a score, the Jennings-Jones connection flaunted the Greyhounds' quick-strike abilities that were on display the rest of the game.

BY THE NUMBERS: Gilman gained 415 yards on 37 plays, an average of 11.2 yards per play. & Jennings completed six of seven passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 97 yards on 10 attempts with a score. & Jones caught four passes for 112 yards. & Dexter Davis rushed for 65 yards on nine carries for Gilman. & Connor Doyle, Gilman's back-up quarterback who played the final series, rushed for 42 yards on five carries. & Four players completed passes for St. John's, but collectively the group went nine of 22 for 35 yards. & Dontaye Johnson led St. John's with 61 rushing yards, 47 coming on his first carry  a touchdown run. LaMont Wims added 53 yards.

OUT OF NOWHERE: No one had a preview of St. John's new offense since the team opted not to scrimmage this year. Coach Jimmy Ward has 30 players in the program and said the value of a scrimmage did not outweigh the risk of sustaining preseason injuries.

THEY SAID IT: In describing the reasons behind the new offensive wrinkle, Ward said it was the byproduct of losing key transfers and long nights wondering how to be competitive in the MIAA B Conference. "We're a long shot," he said. "After a week of drawing on the board, it started to raise some eyebrows. We have to get our five best players against their best players. If we're better, we'll win. If not, that's what will happen," he said, pointing to the scoreboard that read Gilman 63, St. John's 16. Ward said this was not a one-week gimmick offense and that the Vikings will play from this formation the entire season.

MAN IN THE STANDS: Yes, Cal Ripken Jr. was on hand at McCurdy Field on Friday. The Orioles great and Hall of Famer has a son who attends Gilman. Interesting to note, while McCurdy Field is home to the football team of St. John's Catholic Prep, the facility's primary use is as a baseball field where the local Babe Ruth League plays.

LOOK AHEAD: Gilman takes on one of its greatest challenges during the Poggi era when it faces Bear Creek (Colo.) next Friday at Towson University at 7 p.m. The pass-happy Bear Creek team averages 60 passes a game. The team features six college prospects, but reports of Southern Cal-, Nebraska- and UCLA-bound players are wildly incorrect. No Bear Creek player has committed to any college at this point. That said, Poggi indicated that passing teams have been a problem for Greyhounds squads of the past. "People who throw the ball give us problems," he said. "I'm concerned about our defense against their offense. & The game originated after Bear Creek initially contacted DeMatha. DeMatha already had a game scheduled and recommended Gilman. Poggi accepted the offer. "If they are willing come," he shrugged, "it's good for us. We might get exposed, but we'll know what we need to work on." & St. John's Catholic Prep has a bye week next week before returning to action Sept. 11 at St. Mary's-AA.

Summary

Gilman 63, St. John's Catholic Prep 16

Gilman 28-21-7-7=63
St. John's CP 8-0-0-8=16

Scoring Summary

First Quarter
G-Cyrus Jones 50 pass from Darius Jennings (point after failed), 11:50 (G: 6-0)
SJ-Dontaye Johnson 47 run (LaMont Wims run), 9:23 (SJ: 8-6)
G-Dexter Davis 1 run (run failed), 7:27 (G: 12-8)
G-Davis 2 run (Jennings run), 4:05 (G-20-8)
G-Jennings 8 run (Bryan Willis pass from Jennings, 1:15 (G-28-8)
Second Quarter
G-Jennings 20 run (Mimmo Cricchio kick), 6:01 (G: 35-8)
G-Davis 9 run (Cricchio kick), 3:28 (G: 42-8)
G-Walter Saunders recovered block punt in end zone (Cricchio kick), 1:00 (G: 49-8)
Third Quarter
G-Jones 53 pass from Jennings (Cricchio kick), 8:05 (G: 56-8)
Fourth Quarter
SJ-James Hughes 11 pass from Johnson (Johnson run), 9:05 (G: 56-16)
G-Brian Zimmerman 35 run (Cricchio kick), :42 (G: 63-16)

Sheldon Shealer has covered high school football in Maryland for more than 20 years. He can be reached at Sheldon.Shealer@espn.com .