The regular season is winding down, and the playoff picture is beginning to take shape. Quince Orchard continues to set the standard, Sherwood keeps finding ways to win, and B-CC is closing in on a division title. Meanwhile, Blake delivered a statement win over Paint Branch, Seneca Valley appears to be hitting its stride, and Wheaton has played its way into the Top 10.
Here’s where things stand heading into the final week of the regular season.
1) Quince Orchard (8-0) Last Week: 1
With quarterback Carter Dailey sidelined, the Cougars needed an all-hands-on-deck effort against rival Northwest. They got one. Junior athlete Ryan Drakeford delivered a rushing touchdown and a kickoff return score, while freshman Corey Cortner worked his way into the quarterback rotation and threw the first varsity touchdown pass of his career to tight end Jonah Miller. The defense remained suffocating, holding Northwest to just 72 total yards before senior defensive tackle Amare Terry capped the 28-0 victory with a fourth-quarter fumble return touchdown. QO found another way to win without key contributors, and the results speak for themselves. The Cougars have allowed just one touchdown all regular season. Gaithersburg is next, with another undefeated regular season firmly within reach.
2) Churchill (7-1) Last Week: 2
In what was likely Wootton’s final home game on Wootton Parkway, the Bulldogs made sure the Patriots wouldn’t have the last laugh. Churchill rolled to a 41-0 victory behind former Patriot Hunter Humphries, who accounted for four touchdowns with two through the air and two on the ground. The Bulldogs have shown plenty of grit in close games this season, but the regular-season finale against Paint Branch presents another opportunity to make a statement. A win in Burtonsville would send Churchill into November with considerable momentum.
3) Sherwood (7-1) Last Week: 3
Sherwood passed another important test, surviving a furious challenge from Damascus in a 34-29 victory. The Warriors faced their toughest defensive test of the season, but senior quarterback Matthew Larsen delivered when it mattered. Three years after helping Sherwood beat Damascus as a freshman starter, Larsen came through again with one of the finest performances of his career. Junior Jason Washington supplied the decisive blow with a four-yard rushing touchdown to put the Warriors ahead for good. Sherwood has demonstrated an ability to win games in multiple ways, a quality that could prove valuable in November. Richard Montgomery stands between the Warriors and another 7-1 regular season.
4) Bethesda-Chevy Chase (6-2) Last Week: 5
The Barons took care of business against Springbrook, cruising to a 61-0 victory. Fourteen different ball carriers combined for 216 rushing yards, and even senior defensive lineman De’Andre Blakeney got in on the action with three carries and a touchdown. B-CC has emerged as a legitimate contender in the 4A North region, but the biggest opportunity of the regular season awaits. Rival Whitman stands between the Barons and a historic division title. A win would leave little doubt about who owns the division.
5) Seneca Valley (5-3) Last Week: 7
The Screaming Eagles delivered their most complete performance of the season, dismantling Blair 60-21. Senior athlete Khamarion Imes put on a show on senior night, accounting for six touchdowns while adding an interception on defense. That’s the kind of all-around performance that can change the outlook for a team entering the postseason. Seneca Valley has looked increasingly dangerous, and a matchup against Rockville offers an opportunity to finish the regular season on another high note. The Eagles appear positioned to secure the No. 3 seed in the 4A West region.
6) Damascus (5-3) Last Week: 6
The Hornets came up just short against Sherwood, but they gave the Warriors everything they could handle. All-purpose standout MJ Sullivan accounted for 220 total yards in the 34-29 defeat, giving Damascus plenty to build on despite the loss. The Hornets have shown they can compete with one of the county’s top programs. Now they need to turn that performance into a win. Magruder comes to Damascus for the regular-season finale.
7) Blake (5-3) Last Week: 8
Blake delivered one of the biggest wins of the season, knocking off rival Paint Branch 26-13. The Bengals have now beaten the Panthers for just the third time in the last 15 years, and this one was no fluke. Junior running back Jaion Gray led the ground attack with 67 yards and a touchdown, while senior quarterback Wilton Cameron accounted for 118 total yards and three scores. His fourth-quarter rushing touchdown proved decisive after Paint Branch briefly grabbed the lead. The defense added two interceptions and continues to show significant improvement from the start of the season. Blake hasn’t always been consistent, but the Bengals have enough pieces to make noise in the postseason. A win over Walter Johnson could also improve their seeding.
8) Paint Branch (5-3) Last Week: 4
The Panthers took a significant hit in the rankings after falling to rival Blake, 26-13. Running back Alijah Bah accounted for 146 total yards and two touchdowns, but the offense couldn’t do enough to overcome a Bengals defense that continues to improve. Paint Branch now faces a critical regular-season finale against Churchill. The Panthers need a strong response to avoid carrying a second straight loss into the postseason.
9) Whitman (5-3) Last Week: 9
The Vikings handled business against Walter Johnson, earning a victory behind another productive outing from running back Caleb Merenstein. The senior rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown as Whitman kept its postseason hopes moving in the right direction. There is no easing into the final week, however. Rival B-CC awaits, with a division title and plenty of bragging rights on the line. Whitman has an opportunity to disrupt the Barons’ season and finish with its biggest win of the year.
10) Wheaton (6-2) Last Week: NR
The Knights break into the Top 10 after delivering a decisive 43-0 victory over rival Kennedy. The running back tandem of Izzy Andries and Michael Tatso fueled an offense that had little trouble finding the end zone, while the defense delivered a shutout. At 6-2, Wheaton has earned its place among the county’s best. Rival Einstein is next, giving the Knights a chance to close the regular season with another convincing performance.
