The leaves are just beginning to turn, and so too is the Montgomery County football season taking shape. September has already separated contenders from pretenders, and Friday nights are showing us which programs have the depth, discipline, and dynamism to make November matter. Here’s how the county stacks up this week:
1. Quince Orchard (3-0) | Last Week: 1
Quince Orchard’s defense has become a horror story for opposing offenses. Stone Bridge gained more yards on Cougar penalties than on their own merit Friday night. Still, with three turnovers forced and NFL first-round pick “Chop” Robinson watching from the sideline, the Cougars never looked threatened in a 20-0 shutout. The offense wasn’t its usual crisp self, but with Seneca Valley rolling into the Cougar Dome, expect head coach John Kelley’s group to aim for the kind of dominance the “Red Army” have grown accustomed to.
2. Sherwood (3-0) | Last Week: 2
The Warriors haven’t broken a sweat yet, and Rockville found that out the hard way in a 49-0 blowout. QB Matthew Larsen was efficient and electric, tossing four touchdown passes, two each to Caleb Hollowell and Rocky Cox. But now comes the game circled on every calendar in Sandy Spring: Blake vs. Sherwood. It’s rivalry week, and we’ll find out whether Sherwood’s pristine numbers hold up when the Bengals come to town.
3. Blake (3-0) | Last Week: 3
The Bengals have scored 122 points in their last two games, and they don’t look like they’re slowing down. QB Wilton Cameron put on a fireworks display with six touchdown passes in a 61-7 rout of Springbrook. Revenge is on their minds heading into Sherwood, last year the Warriors bullied them up front. If Blake can flip that script, the Bengals will officially join the conversation as a team capable of making a deep state playoff run.
4. Churchill (3-0) | Last Week: 4
The Bulldogs showed maturity against rival Walter Johnson, brushing off an early deficit with 28 unanswered points. RB Noah Zhang was the engine, racking up 199 yards of offense and scoring twice. Churchill is finding different ways to win each week, a mark of a team built for the long haul. This Friday, another neighborhood clash awaits against Whitman, and it’s another chance for the Bulldogs to prove they’re more than just an early-season story.
5. Paint Branch (2-1) | Last Week: 5
When Alijah Bah gets rolling, defenses crumble. Blair found that out firsthand as Bah shredded them for 270 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns in a 61-14 demolition. The Panthers are heating up after a tough Week 1, and their trip to Northwest could be a season-defining test. If Paint Branch handles business in Germantown, the whispers about them being a state contender will grow louder.
6. Damascus (3-0) | Last Week: 6
The Swarmin’ Hornets keep doing Swarmin’ Hornets things. They weren’t flashy against Clarksburg, but a smothering defense forced two turnovers in a gritty 16-6 rivalry win. The offense still has work to do after being outgained by over 100 yards, but Damascus always seems to find ways to win close ones. Their trip to Oakdale could tell us whether this year’s Hornets have another title chase in them or whether they’ll need to grind their way through the season.
7. Northwest (1-2) | Last Week: 7
The Jags finally shook the monkey off their back, thanks to a monster performance from RB Isaiah Taylor who ran for 286 yards and three touchdowns. WR Chris Tangelo, a transfer from Bullis, also announced himself with a touchdown catch. Don’t let the record fool you: Northwest still has teeth. They’ll need all of them against Paint Branch in a heavyweight showdown this weekend that could define both teams’ seasons.
8. Seneca Valley (2-1) | Last Week: 10
The Screaming Eagles edged Gaithersburg in a back-and-forth shootout, piling up 368 yards of offense. The offense is clicking, but giving up 230+ yards to the Trojans raises questions about their defense. Now they face the ultimate exam: a trip to the Cougar Dome against defending state champion Quince Orchard. If they hang around in this one, Seneca’s stock will skyrocket even in defeat.
9. Walter Johnson (1-2) | Last Week: 8
Churchill got the better of the Wildcats in their annual grudge match, but QB Jake Forburger continues to show why he’s one of the county’s most dangerous dual threats, producing 160 yards and a short rushing score. WJ now turns to Wootton in what should be a “get right” game before the grind of October ramps up.
10. Bethesda-Chevy Chase (1-2) | Last Week: 9
The Barons gave Northwest everything they could handle before falling 22-20. RB Gabe Eisler carried the load with 128 yards on the ground, proving B-CC has the talent to compete with the county’s big boys. The schedule doesn’t lighten up much, as they’ll take on an upstart Wheaton squad that’s eager to crash the rankings.
