Rivalry games headline Week 8, with Quince Orchard looking to stay unbeaten, Sherwood and Damascus preparing for a defensive battle, and Blair-Seneca Valley shaping up as a potential shootout. There are also several games with playoff implications and a few teams looking to prove last week was no fluke. Here’s a look at every matchup on the schedule, along with predictions:
Thursday, October 22
Paint Branch (5-2) at Blake (4-3)
Prediction: Paint Branch 28, Blake 14
Paint Branch looks like a team on a mission, and the Panthers have the pieces to keep rolling. Blake took a step back with a narrow loss last week, but the defense remains a strength. The difference could be Paint Branch running back Elijah Bah, who gives the Panthers an advantage in a game they should control.
Rockville (0-7) at Richard Montgomery (1-6)
Prediction: Richard Montgomery 34, Rockville 14
Rivalry week in Rockville brings two teams looking to salvage something from a difficult season. The Rams are rebuilding, while the Rockets have managed to consistently put points on the board despite its record. Richard Montgomery should have the upper hand.
Springbrook (1-6) at BCC (5-2)
Prediction: BCC 39, Springbrook 0
BCC has been better than its record suggests, with a few plays separating the Barons from an undefeated season. Springbrook, meanwhile, has struggled to generate offense. That is a bad combination against a BCC team that can make opponents pay for mistakes. The Barons should handle business and get back to winning comfortably.
Poolesville (3-4) at Einstein (1-6)
Prediction: Poolesville 28, Einstein 11
Poolesville has shown a little more than Einstein this season, and the Falcons have a chance to keep their hopes of a winning record alive for another week. The Titans need to find more consistency on offense to pull off the upset. Poolesville has the edge and should take advantage.
Friday, October 23
Damascus (5-2) at Sherwood (6-1)
Prediction: Sherwood 21, Damascus 7
This is the kind of game that could come down to one mistake. Both teams bring solid defenses, but neither offense has consistently hit its stride. Sherwood gets the edge on paper, with a more battle-tested defense and quarterback Matt Larsen capable of making plays downfield. Damascus should keep it close for much of the night, but Larsen and the Warriors will find enough offense to pull away.
Quince Orchard (7-0) at Northwest (3-4)
Prediction: Quince Orchard 35, Northwest 0
Northwest was the last team to beat Quince Orchard, back in 2023. That history gives this rivalry some bite, but the current matchup heavily favors the Cougars. QO has dominated county opponents, and the defense has been downright suffocating. Northwest quarterback Christian Ruiz may create a few uncomfortable moments, but sustaining drives against this defense is another matter. The Jaguars need a near-perfect performance to make this interesting, and there is little reason to expect QO to let up.
Blair (4-3) at Seneca Valley (4-3)
Prediction: Seneca Valley 42, Blair 35
This could be the most entertaining game on Friday’s slate. Two of the county’s most talented quarterbacks, Seneca Valley’s Kenny Lennon III and Blair’s Malachi Rice, headline a matchup with plenty of offensive firepower. Lennon has quietly worked his way into the upper tier of MoCo quarterbacks, while Rice remains a proven playmaker despite some inconsistency this season. Seneca Valley has been a little steadier and gets the home-field advantage. Expect points, big plays and a finish that could come down to the final possession.
Kennedy (5-2) at Wheaton (5-2)
Prediction: Wheaton 49, Kennedy 22
It’s the Rumble on Randolph Road, and the identical records make this rivalry look even on paper. The schedules tell a different story. Kennedy has put together a strong season, but Wheaton has faced tougher competition and gets to play at home. The Knights have the advantage in both areas, and their offense should be able to create separation as the game unfolds.
Walter Johnson (2-5) at Whitman (4-3)
Prediction: Whitman 28, Walter Johnson 13
Whitman got a reality check last week. How the Vikings respond will say plenty about their ability to regroup before the postseason. Walter Johnson presents a favorable opportunity for a bounce-back, but Whitman cannot afford to lose focus. The Vikings should have enough to get the win and, at long last, snap a six-game losing streak against the Wildcats.
Churchill (6-1) at Wootton (1-6)
Prediction: Churchill 42, Wootton 0
This is technically a rivalry game, but the programs are heading in very different directions. Churchill has established itself as one of the county’s top teams, while Wootton has struggled to find answers. The Bulldogs should control the game from the opening kickoff, and a shutout is firmly in play.
Gaithersburg (3-4) at Magruder (4-3)
Prediction: Magruder 21, Gaithersburg 17
This could be one of the week’s most competitive matchups. Both teams have enough talent to make a run at the win, and the difference may come down to which side executes better in the fourth quarter. Magruder gets a slight edge behind running back Caleb Smallwood, but Gaithersburg should make the Colonels earn it.
Watkins Mill (0-7) at Clarksburg (3-4)
Prediction: Clarksburg 48, Watkins Mill 6
Watkins Mill has endured a rough season, and the road does not get any easier with a trip to Clarksburg. The Coyotes have their own inconsistencies, but this is a matchup they should be able to control. Expect Clarksburg to take advantage of the opportunity and pick up a convincing win.
Centennial (0-7) at Northwood (3-4)
Prediction: Northwood 27, Centennial 20
Don’t overlook this one. Centennial arrives from Howard County carrying a 44-game losing streak, but the Eagles may be more competitive than their record suggests. Both teams have played Poolesville, with Northwood barely winning and Centennial barely losing. That common opponent suggests the gap may be smaller than the records indicate. Northwood has the home-field advantage and the better record, but Centennial could make this a real fight. This has sleeper-game potential, and the Gladiators should not take the Eagles lightly.
