Two weeks in, we’re starting to separate the teams that have something cooking from the teams that are just taking up space on the schedule.
Week 3 gives us a few games worth watching, a few games that should be over by halftime, and at least one that could tell us something real about where a team is headed.
Thursday, Sept. 17:
B-CC at Northwest: This is the Thursday night game everyone should want to see. Two teams that like to run the football. Two teams that play with intensity. Two teams that can be a real pain in the neck when they’re playing well.
B-CC probably has the better résumé right now, but I think Northwest matches up nicely with the Barons. The Jaguars have done a decent job against the run, and that’s going to be critical against a B-CC offense that would much rather beat you up than throw the ball 40 times.
Eric Odina is a legitimate running threat, but here’s where I think Northwest can make this interesting: his arm. If Odina can make a few big throws when B-CC inevitably loads the box, the Jaguars have a chance to control the game rather than spend four quarters playing catch-up.
And yes, I know Northwest fans are tired of hearing that their team is “pesky.” They’d like to be feared again. Fair enough. This is a chance to take a step in that direction. Prediction: Northwest 35, B-CC 28
Blake at Springbrook: Blake isn’t what Blake was a year ago. Springbrook isn’t going to be the team that makes us forget about that. The Bengals should be able to do pretty much whatever they want here, and if this game is competitive in the second half, something has gone very wrong. Pick: Blake 48, Springbrook 7
Kennedy at Watkins Mill: Kennedy has life. The Cavaliers have some momentum, and Watkins Mill is coming in at 0-2 looking like a team that hasn’t found many answers yet. Kennedy should be able to keep the good vibes going. Prediction: Kennedy 35, Watkins Mill 7
Friday, Sept. 18:
Paint Branch at Blair: Blair’s problem is pretty simple: stop Alijah Bah. Bah went for 200 yards against Einstein, and now he gets a Blair defense that has already shown some serious issues against the run. That’s not exactly the matchup you draw up when you’re trying to turn your season around.
Blair does get some good news if Malachi Rice is healthy after the scare against B-CC. He’s going to need to be more than healthy, though. He’s going to need to be really good. Paint Branch can hurt you with Lucas Copeland on the ground, and Rice is going to have to hit some explosives through the air to keep this thing from getting ugly. Prediction: Paint Branch 52, Blair 21
Walter Johnson at Churchill: It’s a rivalry. Churchill is 2-0. Walter Johnson looks like a team still trying to figure out what it’s supposed to be. At some point, even rivalry games need a competitive team on both sides of the ball. Churchill gets to enjoy a rare Friday night where it doesn’t have to sweat until the final whistle. Prediction: Churchill 45, Walter Johnson 14
Whitman at Wootton: Sleeper game of the week. Whitman is quietly becoming interesting under Coach Galloway. Wootton? I’m still trying to figure out exactly what the Patriots are. They destroyed Rockville, which tells us approximately nothing. Then Damascus punched them in the mouth, which tells us quite a bit more.
Both teams are breaking in new quarterbacks and running backs, and both saw their rushing attacks cool off after strong Week 1 performances. So who can actually put together a complete offensive game?
Lucas Manatos got some valuable experience against Blake, and this feels like the type of game where that experience pays off. Don’t be surprised if we’re talking about the Vikings a little more after Friday night. Prediction: Whitman 27, Wootton 21
Damascus at Clarksburg: The green-and-gold machine keeps rolling. Damascus has handled everything put in front of it so far, and Clarksburg isn’t exactly arriving with the personnel to change that. Look for the Hornets to jump out early, put this thing away, and then start thinking about next week’s real test. Prediction: Damascus 35, Clarksburg 0
Seneca Valley at Gaithersburg: Gaithersburg isn’t terrible. Seneca Valley is just better. The Eagles should control this game from the opening kickoff, this one won’t stay interesting for long. Prediction: Seneca Valley 35, Gaithersburg 14
Rockville at Sherwood: I’m not sure what else there is to say. Rockville has played two games. It has scored zero points and allowed 96. Now it gets 2-0 Sherwood. The Warriors have bigger things to worry about this season, so the Warriors should get their starters out of there as soon as reasonably possible. Prediction: Sherwood 45, Rockville 0
Richard Montgomery at Magruder: Magruder has been one of the bigger disappointments of the first two weeks. Richard Montgomery hasn’t exactly been the picture of stability either. The Rockets getting handled by Kennedy was particularly concerning. If RM loses this game, it would be a major step backward from last season. Magruder has its own problems, but the Colonels get the benefit of the doubt for one more week. Prediction: Magruder 21, Richard Montgomery 7
Einstein at Northwood: Northwood broke a five-year losing streak against Einstein last year. Now the Gladiators get a chance to make it two. Einstein hasn’t exactly looked like a team that has solved its problems since then, and Northwood has enough going for it to make this another close one.
Don’t expect fireworks. Expect three hours of field position, punts, missed opportunities and somebody eventually making one more play than the other team. Prediction: Northwood 19, Einstein 16
Poolesville at Wheaton: Poolesville is 1-1. Theynaren’t beating Wheaton. The Knights should absolutely win this matchup. Prediction: Wheaton 53, Poolesville 0
