The Class 4A state championship lived up to its billing Friday night as top-ranked Quince Orchard edged Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School 26–21 at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Our own Damon Anderson was on the sideline providing live updates as the Cougars completed another championship season in dramatic fashion. Photos below by Phil Fabrizio.
Quince Orchard struck first late in the opening quarter, taking a 7–0 lead on a short touchdown run from quarterback Evan Drakeford. The Cougars carried that lead into the second quarter and quickly added to it when Drakeford connected with Bankert for a short touchdown pass, putting QO up 14–0 with 11:12 remaining in the half.
Wise responded with a touchdown pass of its own to cut the deficit to 14–7 at the 5:34 mark, and that score held into halftime as both defenses tightened.
The second half opened with fireworks. Drakeford found Bond for another short touchdown, extending the Cougars’ lead to 20–7 with 9:00 left in the third quarter. But Wise immediately answered by returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, narrowing the gap to 20–14.
Quince Orchard pushed the lead back to 26–14 behind Drakeford’s second rushing touchdown of the night. Wise once again responded quickly, breaking free for a long touchdown run to make it 26–21 with 5:16 remaining in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter became a defensive battle, with Quince Orchard clinging to its five-point lead as Wise threatened late. The Cougars came up with the stop of the night, holding Wise on fourth down with just 34 seconds remaining to preserve the victory.
When the final whistle sounded, Quince Orchard walked away with a hard-fought 26–21 win, securing yet another state title and capping a dominant season with one of the program’s most memorable battles. Quince Orchard and Wise have combined to win every 4A Football State Chanpionship since 2015.
