Only three weeks separate us from the opening whistles of official practices, and with it, the final chapter of our Montgomery County preseason coverage. Today, we turn our lens to the last five programs still waiting for their moment, four in the revamped 3A West and Poolesville, flying solo in 2A. The truth is, this group carries a disproportionate share of instability, inconsistency, and introspection. For some, 2025 represents a clean slate. For others, it’s about just staying afloat.
3A WEST
Damascus Hornets
Head Coach: Josh Klotz (5th season)
2024 Record: 7-4
Key Game: Week 6 vs. Westminster
Projected Record: 6-3
It’s strange to talk about a “reset year” in Damascus. But if any perennial contender feels like they’re entering uncharted waters, it’s the Hornets. This program is only a few seasons removed from standing atop 3A and even further removed from the invincibility of the pre-2019 days but the current roster is almost a blank slate. Key departures, a couple tough transfers, and a 2025 class that never quite proved itself make this a transitional year. And yet, that may be exactly what this program needs.
There’s no obvious superstar waiting in the wings, but early word is that there’s been an uptick in participation. That alone is a positive sign in an era where roster attrition is killing programs across the state. Coach Klotz enters his fifth year with an opportunity to cultivate new leadership, redefine the Hornets’ identity, and perhaps restore the edge that’s been missing in recent losses.
If they play with heart and toughness, if they lose close instead of folding early, the program may actually be trending in the right direction, regardless of final record. We’ll know more by Week 6, when Westminster comes to town.
Northwood Gladiators
Head Coach: Obadele Brown (4th season)
2024 Record: 1-9 (forfeit win)
Key Game: Week 8 @ Centennial
Projected Record: 1-8
Sometimes, the story isn’t about football. The Northwood program is in a deep identity crisis, one that goes far beyond what happens on Friday nights. The fact that they don’t have usable athletic fields at the new Woodward campus is tragic. Northwood has not won a game on the field since 2021, and the spiral has been impossible to ignore.
And yet, they still fight. That says something about this team’s resolve, even if the product on the field hasn’t turned around yet. This fall, the Gladiators will once again lean on scheduling relief to try and end the drought, Pikesville and Centennial are beatable in theory, but in practice, even that is far from guaranteed. Still, one win, any win, would be a step forward. Because right now, just fielding a team each week might be their biggest accomplishment.
Rockville Rams
Head Coach: Alimamy Kallay (2nd season)
2024 Record: 6-4
Key Game: Week 5 vs. Damascus
Projected Record: 5-4
The Rams are the lone MoCo team in this group that feels… functional. Rockville won six games last year under first-year head coach Alimamy Kallay, and even though they graduated standout QB Nicky Holloway, the arrival of Springbrook transfer Kobe Johnson should help keep the offense humming.
This team likely won’t be world-beaters, but they’re competent, athletic, and well-positioned to beat the teams they should. With Damascus, Sherwood, and Seneca Valley on the slate, they’ll get their tests, but the Rams should comfortably punch another ticket to the playoffs. Whether they can finally make noise in November is another question, but they remain one of the better “middle class” programs in MoCo.
Watkins Mill Wolverines
Head Coach: Chad Wilson (3rd season)
2024 Record: 0-10
Key Game: Week 3 @ Kennedy
Projected Record: 1-8
The Wolverines are still in the wilderness. There was once a time, not that long ago, when Watkins Mill could bang with anyone in MoCo. But those days feel like a fever dream now. The program is winless over the past two years, and depth is again a glaring issue—the JV team didn’t win a game last fall, either.
There are a few reasons for faint optimism. QB Jeremiah Sparkman and RB Kayon Prather are seniors who’ve played a lot of snaps, and there’s hope they can at least help the Wolverines stay in games. But surrounding talent and internal momentum remain major hurdles. Watkins Mill is trying to turn the corner, but until they start stacking wins against teams like Kennedy and Northwood, it’s hard to envision any kind of renaissance.
2A WEST
Poolesville Falcons
Head Coach: Brian Tupa (3rd season)
2024 Record: 1-8
Key Game: Week 3 vs. Wheaton
Projected Record: 3-6
At this point, Poolesville knows exactly who they are—a small, isolated public school with little football pedigree and even less recent success. That said, the Falcons have made a legitimate effort to schedule more realistically, after a 2023 campaign that saw them physically overwhelmed in most matchups. Gone are the Walkersvilles and Middletowns; in their place, beatable county foes.
This fall, Poolesville might be the most likely of the lower-tier teams to show measurable progress. A few wins, especially against programs like Wheaton or Kennedy, would be a massive mental boost. Anything more would be icing.
Still, the regional setup doesn’t do them any favors. They’re surrounded by established Howard County powers like Oakland Mills, Glenelg, and River Hill. Even if the Falcons get to 3-6, it’s hard to imagine them surviving long past Week 10.
Regional Outlook
3A West: Linganore and Oakdale are again your likely finalists. Frederick County dominance isn’t new, and until a MoCo team proves otherwise, the top of the bracket runs through Route 144. Damascus will have a shot to change that narrative—especially with Oakdale on the regular-season schedule—but it’s a tall ask. Rockville might win a few games. Northwood and Watkins Mill? Not built for this fight.
2A West: Poolesville’s region is brutal. Oakland Mills is a buzzsaw, Howard is well-coached, and Glenelg still has enough meat on the lines to grind out playoff wins. Unless something dramatically changes, the Falcons aren’t escaping the first round.
Final Thoughts:
As we close the book on this year’s preseason previews, it’s hard not to reflect on the widening chasm between Montgomery County’s top-tier programs and its stragglers. There’s undeniable talent across the area, but it’s more isolated than ever. Cultural investment, coaching stability, and school support remain the dividing lines, and many of these final five are still trying to find their footing on all three fronts.
But practice begins soon. And in this game, everyone starts even. The question is, who can make the most of it?
