The high school football season has wrapped up in Maryland and one thing remains clear: Montgomery County (MCPS) delivered another year of thrilling gridiron action, from breakout stars to powerhouse programs reaffirming their dominance. Here’s a closer look at the final Top 10 for 2024, highlighting the teams that defined the season:
1) Quince Orchard (13-0): At the summit, it’s the Cougars, kings of Maryland once more. Their unbeaten march culminated in a gritty win over Wise in the state final, a game that showcased their hallmark physicality and execution. Wide receiver Mason Mizzer’s 105-yard breakout game paved the way, while senior RB Iverson Howard capped his illustrious career with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including his signature dagger run. Coach John Kelley’s Cougars reminded everyone why betting against them is unwise. “It’s QO, stop trippin’,” as the Cougars faithful would say.
2) Paint Branch (9-2*) *One Forfeit: The Panthers’ season had flashes of historic brilliance, including their first-ever win over Northwest and an unbeaten regular season on the field. A narrow quarterfinal loss to Flowers was a tough end to a promising campaign, but the future is bright with sophomore phenom RB Alijah Bah (1,299 yards, 21 TDs) returning. The foundation for sustained success in Burtonsville is firmly in place.
3) Sherwood (10-3): Sherwood’s resurgence under Pat Cilento was nothing short of remarkable. The Warriors delivered dominant wins and proved their mettle against top competition, falling only to the elite. A dismantling of defending champ Oakdale turned heads, but a semifinal loss to a formidable Arundel team left Sherwood just shy of their ultimate goal. QB Matthew Larsen’s growth as a sophomore signals brighter days ahead for the Warriors.
4) Northwest (9-3): The Jaguars’ season began with lofty expectations but ended in frustration. Plagued by inconsistency and injuries, Northwest’s talent shone in moments but faltered against top competition. Despite this, the Jags remain loaded with potential, especially with QB Jayden Vongprachanh-Nelson ready to step into a leadership role. Northwest has the tools to reclaim their place among the elite.
5) Bethesda-Chevy Chase (8-4): B-CC leaned into their identity under new head coach Matt Schwartzback, and the results were impressive. The Barons’ physical triple-option offense led them to their best season in years, highlighted by playoff revenge against Blair. With a senior-heavy lineup moving on, maintaining this level will be a challenge, but Schwartzback seems to have the program on a steady course.
6) Blake (9-3): The Bengals are settling into their place as perennial contenders. Their high-flying offense, led by QB Kirby Matson, and hard-nosed defense kept them competitive, but struggles in the run game ultimately cost them in a quarterfinal loss to Leonardtown. With Matson graduating, it will be up to a new crop of Bengals to carry the torch as Blake steps into 4A competition.
7) Blair (8-4): The Blazers roared back from a 3-8 season to post a strong 8 win season. Led by an efficient offense and an improving defense, Blair established themselves as a county contender. A playoff loss to BCC stung, but the return of star RB Junior Rodriguez promises more success in 2024.
8) Seneca Valley (7-4): Seneca Valley, Maryland’s most storied program, is showing signs of life. Wins over rivals Damascus and Gaithersburg offered glimpses of past glory, but blowout losses to QO and Northwest highlighted the gap to the top tier. Still, the Screamin’ Eagles seem poised for a return to prominence if they can build on this foundation.
9) Churchill (7-5): After a strong 2022 campaign, Churchill took a step back this season but still managed a late surge, winning four of their last five regular-season games. With QB Vasi Hallas graduating, questions remain about their leadership next year, but Coach Rydzewski’s Bulldogs should remain competitive.
10) Damascus (7-4): The Swarmin’ Hornets may no longer be the unstoppable force they once were, but they remain a formidable program. A regional top seed and playoff win show Damascus is still a player on the state stage. With a move to 3A looming, challenges await, but their legacy of excellence gives them a strong chance to stay in the mix.
The 2024 season was one to remember, with familiar faces and new challengers making their mark. With young talent on the rise and storied programs fighting to reclaim their crowns, Montgomery County football is poised for another thrilling chapter in 2025.