One of the most exciting aspects to the region playoff concept is the potential for regular-season rematches between rivals.
Yet, of the eight Class 3A games, only two pits league rivals against each other - Atholton vs. Wilde Lake and Huntingtown vs. Lackey. Four of this week's games feature contests between schools that have never met in football. The other two feature a rematch on a non-league contest (Hereford vs. North Harford) and the renewal of an longstanding rivalry (Damascus vs. Linganore).
Linganore and Damascus, although in different counties, share a boundary in the Mt. Airy area and have been natural rivals for much of the 35-plus years the schools have offered football. During the programs' histories, they were once league rivals in the now-defunct Central Maryland Conference. Although the schools parted ways as league members, Damascus was granted permission by Montgomery County to keep the rivalry game through most of the 1990s and 2000s. In fact, for a short time, prior to the opening of Urbana, Linganore and Damascus played in the Week 10 slot. After the 2006 season, the game was dropped from the schedule and this will mark the first rematch since that time. Damascus enters the game with a 12-8 all-time advantage in the series.
Most Dangerous No. 3 Seed: Poly. The Engineers were only five points shy of a 10-0 season, which would have netted the team the No. 1 seed in the region. Instead, Poly will open on the road at Franklin.
Most Dangerous No. 4 Seed: Tuscarora. The Titans were among the longshots to make the playoffs until a Week 9 victory over then undefeated Urbana changed their fortunes.
Tough Break: Clarksburg. All year we harped on the quality and depth of Class 3A West, so it's no surprise our "Tough Break" candidate comes from that region. Clarksburg has basically two plays from a 9-1 season, but instead is finished at 7-3. The Coyotes took region No. 1 Quince Orchard to overtime before losing and came up short on a two-point conversion attempt in an overtime loss to region No. 3 Damascus.
West
No. 4 Tuscarora (7-3) at No. 1 Quince Orchard (10-0)
Details: Friday at Quince Orchard, 7 p.m.
Most Recent Meeting: First meeting
Tuscarora Playoff History: 0-1 in one playoff appearance. The Titans made their first postseason appearance last year and lost to Urbana.
Quince Ochard Playoff History: 10-5 in seven playoff appearances. The Cougars won state titles in 1991 and 2007. Quince Orchard is making its sixth straight playoff appearance and is 5-2 in opening-round games
Game Notes: This is one of a couple first-time meetings among programs. Quince Orchard won the Class 4A state championship in 2007 while Tuscarora earns its second playoff berth in school history. The Cougars are led by running back Ben Sasu who is second in Montgomery County with 1,275 rushing yards and has accounted for 22 touchdowns. But if Tuscarora loads the box to stop Sasu, quarterback Drew Murphy (1,160 yards) has receiver Pernell Brantley (27 catches, 557 yards) and Karim Jones to rely on. The Titans also boast several offensive options. Led by two-year starter at quarterback, Josh Marshall (1,189 yards), the Titans can compete through the air or on the ground. Bobby Stup and Matt Scott lead the ground game. Tuscarora avenged last year's first-round playoff loss to Urbana with a 27-24 win in Week 8 that propelled the Titans into the playoffs.
No. 3 Damascus (8-2) at No. 2 Linganore (10-0)
Details: Friday at Linganore (Oakdale), 7 p.m.
Most Recent Meeting: 2006, Damascus won, 9-7
Damascus Playoff History: 31-11 in 18 playoff appearances. Damascus won state titles in 1981, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2007. The Hornets are making their 12th straight playoff appearance, which is the state's longest-active streak.
Linganore Playoff History: 22-9 in 13 playoff appearances. The Lancers won state titles in 1989, 1991, 1995 and 2003. Linganore has made the postseason six of the last seven years, including the past five.
Game Notes: These schools are 16 miles apart and played every year from 1995 to 2006, except in 2001 which was cancelled due to 9/11. If recent history is any indicator, Damascus holds the advantage - winning seven of the last nine meetings - but both years Linganore won this game it went on to a 3A state title (1995, 2003). Linganore has been ranked No. 2 in the MDVarsity.com Media State Poll all season and have a dominating offensive line, anchored by University of Wisconsin commit Robbie Havenstein. The Lancers have two players over the 1,000-yard rushing mark, Kevin Myers (1,147) and Penn State-bound Zach Zwinak (1,139). Damascus is led by two-way standout Brian Lucas, who leads the team with 1,023 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Lucas' game-saving tackle on an attempted two-point conversion by Clarksburg sealed a 14-13 victory and a playoff berth.
North
No. 4 North Harford (8-2) at No. 1 Hereford (8-1)
Details: Friday at Hereford, 7 p.m.
Most Recent Meeting: 2009, Hereford won, 35-10
North Harford Playoff History: 1-3 in three playoff appearances. North Harford's playoff run came in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The program's lone postseason victory was in 2007.
Hereford Playoff History: 23-9 in 12 playoff appearances. The Bulls won state titles in 1997, 2001 and 2002. Hereford has made the playoffs every year since 1997 with the exception of 2005.
Game Notes: After an early season stumble against Eastern Tech, Hereford is on a roll - riding a seven game winning streak. Willie Williams leads the team with 1,196 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns this season. . Led by Brandon Bayer (1,302, 17 touchdowns), North Harford averages 287 rushing yards per game. On defense, Steven Shinksky (73 tackles) leads a defense that allows an average of 12.2 points per game this season. Interestingly, North Harford and Hereford opted for a non-league game this year since both are members of the 3A North region, and now they meet in the first round of the playoffs. Therefore, for one team, the Hereford-North Harford contests will serve as both the season-opener and season-ender.
No. 3 Poly (9-1) at No. 2 Franklin (8-2)
Details: Friday at Franklin, 7 p.m.
Most Recent Meeting: First meeting
Poly Playoff History: 3-8 in eight playoff appearances. Poly's best playoff finish (and two of the program's three postseason wins) was came during a Class 3A runner-up finish in 1993, the school's first year in the MPSSAA. Poly is making its third straight playoff appearance. Poly has not won a playoff game since 1997.
Franklin Playoff History: 3-9 in nine playoff appearances. Franklin is making its fourth straight playoff appearance. Franklin's best playoff showing was a state runner-up finish in 1978.
Game Notes: Before the season started, Poly head coach Roger Wrenn said this was his best Poly team. After a 9-1 regular season and at least one player who appears to have All-State potential, he could be correct. Antoine Goodson has accounted for more than 1,900 total yards and 20 touchdowns this season. And if Goodson cannot find room to run, chances are Ali-El (900 yards) can. Franklin averages 26.9 points per game and has wins over Woodlawn, Perry Hall and Catonsville. Franklin has several options on offense. Quarterback Joey Dorsey has thrown for 1,215 yards and 17 touchdowns and running backs Zach Silverberg and Navassa Brown have combined for 2,116 total yards and 22 touchdowns, but both are injured.
South
No. 4 Lackey (5-5) at No. 1 Huntingtown (10-0)
Details: Friday at Huntingtown, 7 p.m.
Most Recent Meeting: 2009, Huntingtown, 19-0
Lackey Playoff History: 13-9 in 10 playoff appearances. Lackey won a state title in 1986. The Chargers have made the Class 3A South region playoffs every year since the playoff expansion of 2003. During that run, Lackey is 5-1 in opening-round games.
Huntingtown Playoff History: 0-2 in two playoff appearances. Huntington, a rather new school, lost in the region semifinals the past two years.
Game Notes: Huntingtown will be getting a steady diet of Lackey's Herman Bowman on Friday night. The running back has carried the ball 124 times for head coach Doug Lamb accounting for 716 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Two weeks ago, Bowman rushed for 92 yards against in a 19-0 loss to Huntingtown. The Hurricanes have no secret as to who will be counted on to once again defeat the Chargers. Greg Goodwin leads the state in rushing (2,053) and touchdowns (29) and has carried the ball 266 times. The next player on the carries list is Tyler Ricchiuto, with 34. Andrew Bose leads Huntingtown with 130 tackles this season. But do not expect Huntingtown to overlook Lackey. These teams met in the playoffs last year and Huntingtown was the No. 1 seed, but lost 19-14 to Lackey.
No. 3 Potomac (6-4) at No. 2 Westlake (8-2)
Details: Friday at Westlake, 7 p.m.
Most Recent Meeting: First meeting
Potomac Playoff History: 13-6 in eight playoff appearances. The Wolverines were back-to-back state champions in 2004 and 2005, which marks the program's most recent playoff appearances. Therefore, Potomac's eight-game postseason win streak is tied with River Hill for the longest active streak.
Westlake Playoff History: 9-10 in 11 playoff appearances. Westlake is the defending Class 3A state champion. Westlake, also the Wolverines, has been in the 3A South region playoffs every season since the 2003 expansion. Westlake is 4-2 in first-round games.
Game Notes: Potomac has one win over a current playoff team this season (Forestville) and Westlake, the defending 3A champios, has two wins over playoff teams (Lackey, McDonough). The battle of the Wolverines will showcase several talented athletes on both teams. Devonte Tabannah is questionable to play with an injury, but Potomac has a couple sophomores in running back Ronald Darby (914 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns) and linebacker Joshua Thorne to fill any holes. Thorne leads the team in both tackles (116) and sacks (17) and is a player who head coach Chris Davidson said, "will be the best linebacker in Maryland as a senior." Westlake is led by a trio of Divison I-AA athletes: Josh Alexander, Julian Blair and Marcus Anderson. Westlake has come underfire lately regarding the eligibility of a player. A hearing will be conducted Monday, after this game is played. If Westlake wins Friday and is cleared of any wrongdoing, it will advance to the region final. If not, Potomac will move on - and could move on despite a loss.
East
No. 4 J.M. Bennett (6-4) at No. 1 River Hill (10-0)
Details: Friday at River Hill, 7 p.m.
Most Recent Meeting: First meeting
J.M. Bennett Playoff History: 10-7 in 10 playoff appearances. J.M. Bennett won state titles in 1982, 1983 and 1985. This is Bennett's first playoff appearance since 2003, and the team has not won a playoff game since 1990.
River Hill Playoff History: 13-4 in six playoff appearances. The hawks won the Class 2A crown in 2007 and 2008. River Hill was the 3A runner-up in 2006, its most recent year in 3A until 2009. River Hill is riding an eight-game postseason win streak. The Hawks are making their seventh straight playoff appearance.
Game Notes: Despite the graduation of two-time Consensus All-State player Michael Campanaro along with Malek Redd and Leron Eaddy, River Hill has not missed a beat after moving back to 3A. The two-time Class 2A state champions use at least four players to lead the run-oriented offense, but University of Wake Forest commit Kevin Johnson is the main threat. The Hawks have the longest winning streak in the state, 38 games, and are only three games away from tying Seneca Valley for the third longest streak in history. J.M. Bennett appears to have an uphill battle, having lost three straight games and its starting quarterback.
No. 3 Wilde Lake (7-3) at No. 2 Atholton (9-1)
Details: Friday at Atholton, 7 p.m.
Most Recent Meeting: 2009, Atholton won, 35-30
Wilde Lake Playoff History: 21-010 in 15 playoff appearances. Wilde Lake won state titles in 1985, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1997. Wilde Lake was the state runner-up last season in Doug DuVall's final year as head coach. Despite Wilde lake's storied playoff past, the program is making only its fourth playoff appearance since 1999. The good news, however, is Wilde Lake is 6-0 in regional playoff contests.
Atholton Playoff History: 1-3 in three playoff appearances. Atholton's most recent playoff appearance was 2007. The program's lone playoff win was in 2005.
Game Notes: Atholton's Week 4 road win over Wilde Lake was a program-defining victory for first year head coach Kyle Schmitt. Now the Raiders have to do it again, this time at home. The Raiders will continue to rely on the quarterback/receiver duo of Kalvin Seamonson (1,276, 16 touchdowns) and Matt Robinson (37 catches, 808 yards). Wilde Lake has its own dynamic duo with running backs Khalil Vierra (1,040 yards, 12 touchdowns) and E.J. Gilman (740 yards, nine touchdowns).