This Saturday, the Stallions of South County High School will make the journey from Lorton, Virginia, to face off against Quince Orchard in the highly anticipated second leg of their home-and-home series. What was once hyped as a marquee matchup between two regional powers is now seen in a different light, as South County faces an uphill battle against the Maryland juggernaut that handed them a humbling defeat last season.
Flashback: QO’s Commanding Victory In their last meeting on September 2, 2023, Quince Orchard put on a clinic, dismantling South County 33-0 on their home turf. The game was expected to be a showcase of top-tier talent, but the Cougars quickly turned it into a one-sided affair. QO’s dominance in the trenches on both sides of the ball set the tone early, suffocating the Stallions’ vaunted offense and imposing their will on defense. By the final whistle, it was clear that South County was outmatched, and the Cougars rode back to Maryland with a convincing win under their belt. South County’s 2023 Season: Recovery and Disappointment Despite the demoralizing loss, South County rebounded to finish the regular season with an impressive 8-2 record. Their only other loss came in a close contest against Madison, another Fairfax County powerhouse. The Stallions seemed primed for a deep playoff run, as they had been in previous years. However, their postseason journey was cut short in shocking fashion. After narrowly escaping a first-round upset against a 5-5 West Potomac team, South County was stunned by Fairfax, falling 30-7 in a game that left many questioning what had gone wrong. The loss was particularly surprising given that South County had easily handled Fairfax during the regular season, winning by 43 points. As the Stallions look ahead to this weekend’s rematch, they face the challenge of retooling a roster that graduated 30 seniors, many of whom were key contributors. While South County has a deep pool of talent, this year’s team is largely untested and still searching for its identity.
How They Stack Up Now:
South County: Offensive Struggles and Defensive Questions South County’s season opener against Robinson last Friday did little to inspire confidence. In a game marred by sloppy play and held on a Friday morning due to a weather delay, the Stallions emerged with a 22-8 victory. However, the performance left much to be desired. Robinson, a team that went 3-7 last season and is not expected to be a contender this year, managed to make things difficult for South County, exposing several areas of concern. The biggest question mark for the Stallions is at quarterback. Junior Henry Miska was expected to take over as the starting QB following the graduation of three-year starter Jordan Dennis, but he struggled mightily against Robinson. The Stallions found some success with do-it-all athlete Tyler Orth taking snaps in a variety of roles, but relying on Orth to carry the offense isn’t a sustainable strategy against a team like Quince Orchard. Running back Seif Koroma is a tough runner, but without a reliable passing game, the Stallions’ offense could be in for a long day. Defensively, South County appears to have taken a step back from last year’s senior-laden unit. While they still have speed and the ability to swarm to the ball, they struggled to contain Robinson’s running game in the second half. Given Quince Orchard’s penchant for pounding the ball on the ground, this is a troubling sign for the Stallions.
Quince Orchard: A Powerhouse Reloading Quince Orchard, meanwhile, enters this game with high expectations but some uncertainty as well. The Cougars are always among the top teams in Maryland, but like South County, they have several new faces stepping into key roles this season. Their scrimmages have been a mixed bag, with a dominant performance against Loyola followed by some struggles against Paint Branch. However, there’s little reason to doubt that QO will be a force once again. On defense, the Cougars have a strong core of returning players, particularly at linebacker, where veterans like Angel Pelaez and Benny Becker will anchor the unit alongside St. Frances transfer Chris Koffi. The defensive line, while lacking the star power of last year’s group, still features several capable players. The secondary is anchored by Michigan State commit Aydan West, though the rest of the unit remains unproven. Still, given South County’s offensive struggles, Quince Orchard’s defense should have the upper hand. Offensively, QO is led by star running back Iverson “Rocket” Howard, who is more than capable of carrying the load. With the Stallions’ defense appearing vulnerable, Howard could be in for a big day. Quarterback Travon Jackson, a senior with a wealth of athleticism, will make his debut as the starter. Surrounded by talent at wide receiver and supported by a strong offensive line, Jackson’s job will be to manage the game and let his playmakers do the rest. Special teams are another area of strength for Quince Orchard, with veteran kicker Evan Church returning for his senior season.
The Verdict: All signs point to another Quince Orchard victory in this matchup. The Cougars’ ability to dominate the line of scrimmage and their depth of talent on both sides of the ball should be more than enough to handle a South County team that is still finding its way. While the Stallions will likely put up a fight, it’s hard to see them closing the gap from last year’s lopsided defeat. Expect QO to establish the run early and often, and if South County can’t find an answer, this game could get out of hand quickly. It will be up to the Stallions to prove they can compete at this level, but as of now, it seems Quince Orchard is on course for another commanding win. Prediction: Quince Orchard 42, South County 7.
Full week 1 preview and predictions for all MCPS games can be found here.
