Below are the Top 10 rankings for week 3 of the MCPS High School Football season. Predictions for week 3 games can be found here.
1) Quince Orchard (2-0) | Last Week: 1
The machine keeps humming. The Cougars steamrolled Walter Johnson behind a balanced offensive attack, with quarterback Will Drakeford tossing two scores and Jaiden Hebron pounding in three more on the ground. But the real test comes Friday: Stone Bridge returns to Gaithersburg in a matchup that feels like a state championship in September. If anyone can snap the Cougars’ regular-season dominance, it’s the Bulldogs from Ashburn (VA).
2) Sherwood (2-0) | Last Week: 2
No letdown here. The Warriors dispatched Seneca Valley 35-7, showing poise on both sides of the ball. Sherwood’s defense forced two turnovers, the offense, though not flashy, stayed efficient with 238 total yards. They travel to Rockville this week in what should serve as a tune-up before tougher battles loom.
3) Blake (2-0) | Last Week: 3
The Bengals are building momentum and buzz. Quarterback Wilton Cameron accounted for four touchdowns in a 49-14 thrashing of Whitman, while Anthony Jackson and Junior Rodriguez continued to prove themselves as one of the county’s most dangerous skill duos. Blake hosts Springbrook next, and if the offense keeps clicking like this, the Bengals could be in the thick of things come playoff time.
4) Churchill (2-0) | Last Week: 4
Talk about a statement win. The Bulldogs silenced doubters by edging Northwest in a thriller, 28-21, capped by Hunter Humphries’ late touchdown strike to Nathan Bugel. Humphries looks every bit like a breakout star after throwing for 184 yards and three scores. With their second straight win over a traditional power, Churchill is suddenly one of the most intriguing programs in the county. The energy will be off the charts Friday night when they square off with Walter Johnson in the Congressional Cup.
5) Paint Branch (1-1) | Last Week: 5
After being humbled in Week 1, the Panthers reasserted themselves with a 55-0 demolition of Einstein. The defense smothered the Titans, allowing just 31 yards and forcing four turnovers. When Paint Branch is locked in defensively, they look every bit like a championship contender. They’ll try to keep the momentum rolling against Blair, who’s reeling after a tough start.
6) Damascus (2-0) | Last Week: 9
The Hornets are climbing. Damascus methodically handled Wootton 28-14, leaning on their run game to the tune of over 200 yards. Coach Josh Klotz’s squad isn’t flashy, but they’re disciplined and getting more comfortable every week. Rivalry week arrives now, with Clarksburg standing in the way of a 3-0 start.
7) Northwest (0-2) | Last Week: 6
On paper, it’s been a nightmare start for the Jags. But don’t be fooled: both losses came against ranked opponents, and both went down to the wire. Isaiah Taylor continues to be a bright spot, rushing for 87 yards and two touchdowns against Churchill. Still, a trip to Bethesda to face a surging BCC squad feels like a must-win if Northwest wants to keep pace in 4A .
8) Walter Johnson (1-1) | Last Week: 7
The Wildcats ran into a buzzsaw in Quince Orchard, falling 56-6, but showed some grit with 175 total yards of offense and solid protection up front. Now comes the rivalry game that really matters: Churchill in the Congressional Cup. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and WJ has a chance to prove it belongs in the upper tier of MoCo football.
9) Bethesda-Chevy Chase (1-1) | Last Week: 10
The Barons bounced back in style, rolling Blair 50-12. Gabe Eisler was unstoppable, rushing for 177 yards and four touchdowns. BCC has the weapons to make noise in 4A , but they’ll need to prove it against Northwest this week in what could be one of the weekend’s most entertaining matchups.
10) Seneca Valley (1-1) | Last Week: 8
The Screaming Eagles slipped after a 35-7 loss to Sherwood but still flashed signs of promise on defense, particularly on third down. They’ll look to regroup in a historic rivalry clash with Gaithersburg. This game will tell us a lot about whether Seneca is a legitimate Top-10 mainstay or just a fringe contender.
