The wait is over. Kickoff week is here, and Montgomery County’s best are about to put months of preparation to the test. With heavyweight showdowns right out of the gate, the 2025 season promises fireworks from Day 1. Here’s how the Top 10 stacks up heading into Week 1:
1) Quince Orchard: The kings remain kings, at least until someone takes the crown. Yes, the Cougars lost a lion’s share of contributors from last year’s state championship squad, but history has taught us that QO doesn’t rebuild, they reload. The culture, the depth, and the coaching pedigree under John Kelley keep them perched atop Maryland football. And there’s no easing into 2025: they open on the road in Burtonsville for a No. 1 vs. No. 2 collision with Paint Branch. “Title or bust” isn’t hyperbole in Gaithersburg, it’s the standard.
2) Paint Branch: Few programs statewide are more intriguing than Paint Branch in 2025. Last season was among the Panthers’ best ever, and while it didn’t end with hardware, it gave them belief. With nearly their entire skill group returning, PB has circled this opener on the calendar for months. They get their shot at the champ right away, and a win would instantly reset the pecking order not just in MoCo, but in the MPSSAA. If there’s ever a time to dethrone Quince Orchard, it might be Friday night.
3) Sherwood: The Warriors made noise last fall, and they don’t plan on fading. With quarterback Matthew Larsen steering the offense and defensive end Jefferson Serkfem anchoring the other side, Sherwood has blue-chip leadership on both ends. Their schedule sets up nicely for a build-up, starting with Magruder in Week 1, before the real tests arrive. The question: can Sherwood level up from “dangerous team” to “title contender”?
4) Northwest: It’s a new-look Northwest, but the Jaguars aren’t backing down from expectations. Senior quarterback Jayden Vongprachanh-Nelson provides stability at the game’s most important position, but the supporting cast will need to mature quickly. They don’t get the luxury of time, either, Week 1 brings a trip to Blake in a showdown that could set the tone for both programs. Win here, and the Jags announce they’re still very much in the MoCo elite conversation.
5) Blake: Blake football is no longer a novelty act, they’re here to stay. The Bengals expect to reload, not rebuild, as they transition to the 4A. The trenches, led by Monmouth commit Benji Wilson, will dictate whether this team takes the next step. New QB Wilton Cameron and RB Junior Rodriguez have talent, but they’ll need room to operate. Opening with Northwest at home is a massive opportunity to prove Blake’s rise isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
6) Churchill: Since 2021, Joe Rydzewski has steadily transformed Churchill from afterthought to contender. Now in Year 5, adversity has struck early with preseason injuries, but the Bulldogs have playmakers ready to shine. Junior QB Hunter Humphries takes over the offense, with versatile two-way threats Noah Zhang, Ian Larson, Bryan Ngouzo, and Nolan McHugh all expected to be impact guys. Churchill doesn’t just want respect they want hardware.
7) Bethesda-Chevy Chase: Last year was a breakthrough for B-CC, proving they could not only hang with the big boys but beat them. The Barons’ bread and butter remains the run game and a stingy defense, with Gabe Eisler leading the charge on both sides. A season-opening clash with Churchill doubles as both a measuring stick and a chance to cement their standing as a downcounty power.
8) Walter Johnson: Aaron Fiddler’s Wildcats continue to climb. A playoff win over Laurel last season showed their progress, but the next step means beating the county’s giants. QB Jake Forburger leads an offense with upside, but the defense will be tested right away, Week 2 brings defending state champion Quince Orchard to town. Talk about trial by fire.
9) Seneca Valley: The Screaming Eagles are lurking as a potential spoiler team. Coming off a solid 6-3 campaign, they’ll learn quickly where they stand: a trip to Clarksburg in Week 1, followed by hosting Sherwood in Week 2. Survive that gauntlet with confidence, and Seneca could emerge as a dark horse in the county’s second tier.
10) Damascus: Damascus remains a proud program, but by their lofty standards, the past few years have felt like a step back. Still, the Hornets can beat most teams on their schedule and will always be physical and well-prepared. Games against Sherwood and Frederick County power Oakdale will serve as the litmus test for whether Damascus is inching back toward championship form, or settling into life as a very good, but not elite, small-school power.
Final Word: The beauty of Week 1 is that all the hype finally meets reality. With titanic clashes like Quince Orchard–Paint Branch and Northwest–Blake, we won’t need to wait long to separate contenders from pretenders. Strap in, 2025 is about to deliver.
