MoCoShow Game of the Week: Sherwood (3-2) at Damascus (4-1): Warriors have lost two in a row. They could legitimately finish the regular season 4-5. Damascus has done a good job getting to 4-1. They’ve won big all 4 times so far, but it’s typically been a 4 quarter effort and the scores have often been in the 14-7 and even 7-6 range in the second quarter. If Sherwood is able to put together a big first quarter with multiple scores, the Hornets will be in trouble. Sherwood has been a pretty frustrating team so far offensively. If Coach Fields is able to iron the mistakes out of the Warriors and get them back in a winning mindset, I think they overwhelm Damascus. But if the Warriors have a losing mentality, then Damascus may just as easily light them up.. Prediction: Sherwood by 9
Northwest (5-0) at Paint Branch (3-2): Northwest looked very mortal against BCC and the Panthers, who were looking like distant longshots last week, may just have a shot if they can find a way to apply the film. One might think the Panthers’ defense, which has been performing consistently well in spite of the gloom, might be able to do what the Barons defense did. Could this, of all years, be the year PB gets that long sought after first ever win vs. the Jags? WJ was able to gash PB on the ground, and NW’s offense has the personnel to run a similar attack between dual threat QB David Davis, a plethora of speedy rushers and a huge O-Line. Prediction: Northwest by 15
Seneca Valley (3-2) at Quince Orchard (5-0): SV’s got a little mojo back after boat racing RM. Unfortunately, handling the Rockets in the trenches is not a particularly notable accomplishment and SV will likely be in for a world of hurt against QO. Prediction: QO by 35
Blair (2-3) at Walter Johnson (5-0): Blair’s is trying to figure out their offense as they try to compete in the 4A North. WJ’s D has been nasty though and will be a very steep hurdle for the Blazers. Provided the offense keeps chugging along, WJ should extend their historic start. Prediction: WJ by 14
Richard Montgomery (2-3) at Rockville (2-3): Rivalry game! After rattling off 6 straight wins from 2015-2021, RM was upset by a feisty Rockville squad last year. Both teams should come into this one hungry, with RM having been battle tested and Rockville coming off 2 straight wins looking to get back to .500. While neither team will be contenders, both pack enough weapons that this should be a good one, perhaps even a shootout. Against Anthony Dixon Jr, the Rams defense had better sharpen up fast or it’s gonna be an aerial assault in the woods. Prediction: RM by 13
Churchill (4-1) at Whitman (3-2): 3-2! We anticipated improvement from Whitman this year but they have surpassed all expectations, Unfortunately, Churchill will be too talented for Whitman to hang with, but hopefully we will see another spirited effort. Prediction: Churchill by 21
Watkins Mill (1-4) at Blake (5-0): The historic start will continue and Blake may be tempted to start thinking about next week’s matchup a bit earlier than they should. Prediction: Blake by 42
Gaithersburg (4-1) at Magruder (3-2): Potentially a competitive one. If Gburg is as locked and loaded as they were against Sherwood they should pull away and clinch their first winning record in a decade, but Magruder will make them sweat if they aren’t. The Colonels will want to win this one bad but Gburg is too talented for them. Prediction: Gaithersburg by 24
Wheaton (1-4) at BCC (2-3): BCC ain’t your usual 2-3 team. No doubt the Barons will be looking to blow off some steam this week against a very vulnerable opponent. Prediction: BCC by 50
Clarksburg (2-3) at Wootton (2-3): An intriguing matchup. Wootton’s defense came to play against a good WJ team last week. Clarksburg’s win showed continued strides from the Coyotes. Overall Wootton has looked a bit more impressive, but we won’t be surprised if Clarksburg keeps it close especially if their defense can keep the Patriots’ poor offense in check. Prediction: Wootton by 6
Boonsboro (3-2) at Poolesville (0-5): Boonsboro’s 3 wins are against Catoctin (by 4), Liberty (by 14) & Williamsport (by 29). They lost by 10 to a decent Middletown team and by 17 to a pretty good Brunswick squad. Overall Boonsboro should be good enough to beat Poolesville – though we will say, the Falcons have steadily been showing more of a pulse on offense lately. This will be the fifth meeting between the two schools, as they previously scheduled each other in the ’07-’08 and ’13-’14 rotations; Boonsboro has won all four prior meetings.Prediction: Boonsboro by 14
