As we head into the final stretch of the regular season, playoff seeding is on everyone’s mind. Teams are jostling for position, while some are fighting just to keep their postseason hopes alive. This week’s slate features critical matchups, high stakes, and a few potential blowouts. Let’s dive into the games.
Paint Branch (6-1) at Blair (6-1)
This is the game that could define Blair’s season. Despite an impressive 6-1 record, many doubted the Blazers could reach this point. But they’ve consistently proven the doubters wrong. A win here would make Blair the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs, and there’s no doubt Coach Nosoff has his squad believing they can get it done. The key for Blair is stopping Paint Branch’s ground attack, led by Alijah Bah, one of the best running backs in the county.
Blair’s defense has been solid, but no team has found a way to slow down Bah and the Panthers’ rushing attack all season. Blair needs to not only play flawless defense but also find ways to move the ball against a tough Paint Branch defense. It’s a tall task, and while Blair has heart, the Panthers’ physicality and experience in big games should be too much.
Prediction: Paint Branch 28, Blair 7
Sherwood (6-1) at Walter Johnson (4-3)
Sherwood is in a great position with a 6-1 record, but this has all the makings of a trap game. Walter Johnson, despite their struggles, has been a competitive team and is still fighting to avoid their first losing season since 2018. The Wildcats could make this interesting if their star running back, Jake Forburger, returns from injury. His absence was felt in the loss to Blair and the underwhelming win over Wheaton.
Sherwood, though, has too much talent on both sides of the ball, even if they come out flat. Forburger might keep the Wildcats competitive if he plays, but Sherwood’s athleticism and depth should allow them to pull away comfortably.
Prediction: Sherwood 35, Walter Johnson 13
Seneca Valley (4-3) at Damascus (5-2)
A classic rivalry game, and one that likely won’t be pretty. Both teams are defense-first, and neither offense has shown much consistency this season. Seneca Valley’s defense will be one of the best Damascus has faced in recent weeks, but the Hornets have developed a knack for doing just enough to win ugly games, much like Iowa football has in recent years.
Damascus may not light up the scoreboard, but they’ve found ways to win, and that should continue here. Expect a low-scoring affair where both defenses dominate.
Prediction: Damascus 7, Seneca Valley 0
Wootton (4-3) at Magruder (3-4)
This is a sneaky important game for both teams in terms of playoff seeding. Wootton is in position for a top-two seed in the 4A/3A West, while Magruder is looking to secure a favorable playoff matchup. The Colonels have a lot on the line, as a loss here could drop them into the tougher side of the bracket.
Both teams have had their ups and downs, but Wootton’s advantage in quarterback play gives them the edge in what should be a tightly contested game.
Prediction: Wootton 20, Magruder 18
Whitman (4-3) at BCC (5-2)
Whitman enters this rivalry game with hopes of pulling off an upset, but it feels like a tall order. Their wins have come against weaker competition, and when they’ve faced stronger teams like Blake, Walter Johnson, and Churchill, they’ve struggled mightily. BCC, on the other hand, is having one of their best seasons in recent memory and should have little trouble handling Whitman.
Unless BCC self-destructs, this one should be a mismatch from the start.
Prediction: BCC 42, Whitman 7
Richard Montgomery (2-5) at Churchill (3-4)
Churchill’s record might be underwhelming, but they’re a better team than it shows. Richard Montgomery has struggled mightily all season, and Churchill should be able to blow off some steam in this one as they look to get back to .500.
Prediction: Churchill 48, RM 0
Gaithersburg (1-6) at Rockville (5-2)
Gaithersburg hit a new low last week, getting shut out by Seneca Valley. Things don’t get easier against a solid Rockville team that has its sights set on the postseason. Rockville should cruise in this one, with Gaithersburg’s offensive struggles continuing.
Prediction: Rockville 29, Gaithersburg 15
Springbrook (4-3) at Kennedy (1-6)
It’s been a long time coming, but Springbrook is on the verge of their first winning season in 14 years. Expect them to finish the job this week against a Kennedy team that hasn’t been able to keep pace with most of their opponents this season.
Prediction: Springbrook 41, Kennedy 6
Wheaton (2-5) at Einstein (2-5)
Both teams have had their struggles, but this one should be a tight battle. Einstein has shown some life, winning two in a row, and they’ll have the home-field advantage on homecoming. Wheaton will fight hard, but I expect Einstein to ride their recent momentum to a narrow victory.
Prediction: Einstein 21, Wheaton 18
Blake (5-2) at Northwood (0-6)
Blake is rolling, and Northwood is winless. This one won’t be close.
Prediction: Blake 66, Northwood 0
Clarksburg (3-4) at Poolesville (0-7)
Clarksburg is looking to avoid a first-round playoff matchup against Quince Orchard or Northwest, and they should have no problem picking up a win against winless Poolesville.
Prediction: Clarksburg 42, Poolesville 7
Chesapeake-AA (4-3) at Watkins Mill (0-7)
Chesapeake-AA travels to face a winless Watkins Mill team, and it should be a relatively easy victory for the Cougars from Anne Arundel County.
Prediction: Chesapeake-AA 35, Watkins Mill 0
With playoff seeding at stake and teams jockeying for position, this week’s games should deliver some great drama—and a few blowouts—across the county.
