Week 1 was chaos. Some results lined up, some were head scratchers. Typical Week 1: more questions than answers. The big theme going forward: is the winner actually good… or is the loser actually bad? With any luck, Week 2 brings more clarity. But knowing MoCo football, it’ll probably just make things messier. Let’s dig in.
Thursday, Sept. 11:
Quince Orchard (1-0) at Walter Johnson (1-0)
The Wildcats have pushed QO in recent years, but the result has always been the same. QB Jake Forburger is a gamer, but he won’t have much time against Kacey Gilliam and Jaheim Bond, who might be the scariest defensive front duo in Maryland. If QO is consistently generating pressure with just 3-4 guys, it’s going to suffocate WJ’s ability to get receivers open. WJ will move the ball a little, but QO is too fast, too deep, too nasty. Prediction: Quince Orchard 42, WJ 7
Paint Branch (0-1) at Einstein (1-0)
Don’t let last week fool you, Paint Branch isn’t bad. They just ran into the buzzsaw that is QO. Look for Alijah Bah to get going, and for the Panthers’ athletes to overwhelm Einstein. A get-right game for PB. Prediction: Paint Branch 36, Einstein 6
Clarksburg (0-1) at Magruder (0-1): Two teams licking their wounds. Clarksburg got locked down by Seneca Valley, Magruder never stood a chance against Sherwood. Expect a rockfight here, low scoring, field position battle, turnovers galore. Not ready to bury Clarksburg yet, they should grind one out.
Prediction: Clarksburg 18, Magruder 13
Friday, Sept. 12
Churchill (1-0) at Northwest (0-1): This matchup has been absolute chaos the last two years. Churchill stunned NW in ’23 and was one two-point conversion short last fall. But Northwest scoring three points against Blake last week was borderline unthinkable. Are the Jags broken, or is Blake’s D the real deal? The defense still looked like itself, so this one could turn into a trench battle. Churchill’s defense smothered B-CC, but it took them a while to get rolling. The “safe” pick is Churchill. But if I pick against NW this early, I may be writing their obituary too soon. Pick the Jags, but not confidently. Prediction: Northwest 14, Churchill 9
Sherwood (1-0) at Seneca Valley (1-0): First meeting in 11 years between these storied programs, and it’s a big one. Sherwood looked dominant against Magruder, and if they back it up here, they’ll solidify themselves as MoCo’s #2. SV handled Clarksburg, but they still look like a grinding, physical team without the firepower to score in bunches. That’s a dangerous formula against Sherwood, who can score quickly and has a defense that doesn’t give much. Prediction: Sherwood 24, Seneca Valley 7
Blake (1-0) at Whitman (0-1): Blake arrived on the big stage last week, choking out Northwest’s offense and announcing themselves as a contender. The next step? Avoiding a letdown. Meanwhile, Whitman’s situation looks bleak without Byrd– needing overtime to sneak by Kennedy is a bad sign. This could get ugly. Prediction: Blake 25, Whitman 0
Blair (0-1) at B-CC (0-1): Both teams are staring down long seasons, and this game already feels like a must-win for morale. Blair’s defense got shredded by Wheaton, while B-CC never got going against Churchill. Take the Barons because their offense is more trustworthy. Prediction: B-CC 27, Blair 3
Damascus (1-0) at Wootton (1-0): File last week’s results under “unexpected.” Damascus scoring 43 in a shootout win? Wootton hanging 37 on Rockville? Nobody had that bingo card. Damascus QB MJ Sullivan looks like a budding star, and while Wootton is fun, are they ready to hang with the Hornets? Expect fireworks early before Damascus leans on its pedigree. Prediction: Damascus 42, Wootton 14
Kennedy (0-1) at Richard Montgomery (0-1):
RM quietly put up 26 on Damascus after dropping 21 on Northwest in the playoffs last year. The Rockets might actually have some offensive weapons people are sleeping on. Kennedy nearly stunned Whitman, but this feels like the type of game where RM puts up numbers.
Prediction: Richard Montgomery 40, Kennedy 18
Springbrook (0-1) at Wheaton (1-0): Is Wheaton… good? Last week’s blowout of Blair was one of the most surprising results in recent memory, maybe their best win in a decade. The Knights’ challenge now is proving it wasn’t a fluke. Springbrook’s tough enough to make it interesting, but right now everything’s trending Wheaton. Prediction: Wheaton 35, Springbrook 14
Rockville (0-1) at Poolesville (0-1): Giving up 37 to Wootton is a nightmare start for Rockville, and it doesn’t help that Wootton barely threw the ball. Still, Poolesville remains a step behind the pack, even if they showed a bit more punch than expected last week. This is a “bounce-back” game for the Rams. Prediction: Rockville 44, Poolesville 19
Gaithersburg (0-1) at Northwood (0-1): Gaithersburg got bullied by Walter Johnson, but Northwood is nowhere near that tier. Expect the Trojans to get right in a hurry. Prediction: Gaithersburg 42, Northwood 0
Winters Mill (1-0) at Watkins Mill (1-0): Winters Mill blasted Poolesville last week and looks like they’re cruising. Watkins Mill beat Northwood, but 22 points against that defense isn’t inspiring. Winters has the edge in depth, execution, and momentum. Prediction: Winters Mill 30, Watkins Mill 8
