The midway point of the Montgomery County (MCPS) football season is here, and the hierarchy is starting to take shape. Quince Orchard continues to sit atop the mountain, but challengers like Sherwood and Churchill are circling, looking for a chance to shake the county’s balance of power. Meanwhile, traditional powers are scrambling to stay relevant, and a few upstarts are knocking at the door. Here’s this week’s Top 10 countdown:
10) Seneca Valley (2-2) | Last Week: 8
Quince Orchard exposed the Eagles in a 49-0 defeat, forcing four turnovers and completely shutting down any offensive rhythm. Still, this group has talent, and a Friday trip to Walter Johnson will tell us whether Seneca belongs in the county’s top ten or if they’ll fade into the middle of the pack.
9) Bethesda-Chevy Chase (2-2) | Last Week: 10
The Barons were clinical in a 43-0 shutout of Wheaton, showing their balance on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Gabe Eisler scored twice on the ground and picked off a pass on defense, underscoring his two-way impact. Now comes a huge test at Paint Branch, a chance for B-CC to prove they’re more than a mid-tier spoiler.
8) Damascus (3-1) | Last Week: 6
The Swarmin’ Hornets hit a wall against Oakdale, suffering a humbling 43-0 defeat, their worst in two years. Damascus still holds a strong record, but this one raises questions about how they stack up against the region’s best. A road trip to Rockville should provide an opportunity to steady the ship.
7) Northwest (1-3) | Last Week: 6
The Jaguars are battered but not broken. Playing four of the county’s top five programs in the first month has left them bruised, but Isaiah Taylor has been a bright spot, rushing for 164 yards last week. Paint Branch was the first game where the Jags never truly looked competitive, but the schedule eases up now. Expect a bounce-back against Gaithersburg.
6) Walter Johnson (2-2) | Last Week: 9
The Wildcats showed grit in a 21-20 win over Wootton, edging the Patriots in a game that tested their resolve. QB Jake Forburger carried the offense with more than 300 yards of total offense and three touchdowns, keeping WJ’s playoff hopes alive. A showdown with Seneca Valley on Friday will be another measuring stick.
5) Blake (3-1) | Last Week: 3
The Bengals went toe-to-toe with Sherwood but ultimately fell short in a 21-12 loss. Quarterback Wilton Cameron connected on two touchdown passes, including a 47-yard strike that briefly gave Blake the lead. Despite the loss, their goals remain intact—this is still a playoff-caliber group with dangerous upside. Blair awaits this week, offering Blake a chance to get right.
4) Paint Branch (3-1) | Last Week: 5
The Panthers have found their groove. A 27-7 dismantling of Northwest was a statement win, especially given how lopsided this rivalry used to tilt against them. Alijah Bah powered the offense with 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Paint Branch now gets a compelling matchup with B-CC, a chance to prove they belong firmly in the county’s top tier.
3) Churchill (4-0) | Last Week: 4
The Bulldogs completed a clean sweep of the Congressional Cup series with a 35-0 domination of Whitman. Running back Noah Zhang continued his stellar season with 138 yards and two scores. Churchill is unbeaten and brimming with confidence, but now comes the ultimate test: a date with Quince Orchard. Respectable or not, the county will learn a lot about Churchill this week.
2) Sherwood (4-0) | Last Week: 2
The Warriors earned their stripes with a gritty 21-12 win over rival Blake in what felt like an old-school rivalry brawl. Defense and special teams stole the show, with Jefferson Serkfem forcing not one but two safeties on botched punts. Matthew Larsen came through when it mattered most on offense, sealing a win that keeps Sherwood unbeaten. A trip to Clarksburg this week should give them a chance to regroup before October’s gauntlet.
1) Quince Orchard (4-0) | Last Week: 1
The Cougars barely broke a sweat in a 49-0 rout of Seneca Valley. Rico Jackson was the headliner, finding the end zone three different ways—on the ground, through the air, and on a blocked punt return. The defense proved impenetrable once again, turning away two Eagle trips inside the 5-yard line. QO now stares down a defining two-week stretch against Churchill and Sherwood. Handle both, and it’ll be hard to argue they’re not untouchable.
