South County Football Rivalry An Afterthought as Both Schools Raise Funds for Student Killed in Car Crash
September 7, 2012 
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Friday night’s South River vs. Southern football game at Southern (6:30 p.m. kickoff) is usually all about the South County schools’ rivalry, bragging rights for the year— the South County Championship trophy. In 2010, South River won; in 2011 Southern won. But this year, thoughts of the rivalry and trophy have been usurped by a fundraising effort for the family of a student who was killed in a car accident last Friday in Davidsonville.
Marvin “Buddy” Wallace, Jr., 14, a student at Southern and his mother, Carrie Desmond, 36, died last Friday (Aug. 31) when their car left the roadway and hit a tree. The story is even more tragic because Desmond’s brother (Wallace’s uncle), Timothy Desmonddied in a car crash three years ago.
Photo of Wallace and Desmond from a public Facebook page.
At the game, along with the trophy and bragging rights, the winning team typically gets a cash prize donated each year from Edgewater Chick fil-A. In the aftermath of the crash, that cash contribution will go to help the Desmond family—regardless of who wins. In addition, organizers will take donations at the entry gate. There will also be blue and yellow ribbons and bracelets for sale with proceeds helping the family.
According to a Facebook page set up for the game, both schools have have come together to help the family. Students, friends and family are being encouraged to wear white in memory of Wallace. In addition, the Facebook page has been a source for information and a place for mourning.
Desmond was a lifelong resident of Davidsonville. She was a graduate of South River High School and the University of Maryland Baltimore County. She worked as a software engineer at Northrup Grumman. She is survived by her parents, Jean and Tim Desmond of Davidsonville, and a sister, Amy Desmond, of Georgia. There will be a life celebration for Desmond Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road in Edgewater. Internment is private. To leave a message for the Desmond family, visit the Kalas Funeral Home Guestbook.
There will be a service for Wallace beginning at 9 a.m. at Franklin United Methodist Church in Churchton on Saturday (Sept. 8). The viewing will begin at 9 a.m. The funeral service will take place at 10:30 a.m.
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[...] money for the Wallace family of Shady Side. A week ago, Marvin “Buddy” Wallace, Jr., 14, died when the car his mother was driving hit a tree on Patuxent River Road in Davidsonville. The funds that were raised will help to cover funeral and burial [...]