Baltimore Area MPSSAA Playoff Preview – 3A & 4A Quarterfinals

A look at the five quarterfinal games involving the seven Baltimore area teams this upcoming weekend.

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4A

#1 Quince Orchard (11-0) v #32 Arundel (8-3)

Quince Orchard – John Kelley 6th season 68-9, 14-4 p/o
Arundel – Jack Walsh 2nd season 17-5, 2-1 p/o

Quince Orchard O:51.2 D:6.2 PD:45.6
Arundel O:38.8 D:27.4 PD:11.4

You have to go back exactly twenty-five years to find a team to win the 4A state championship running the ‘Air Raid’ offense, one in which the Arundel Wildcats feature. That 1994 North County team was led by the area’s ‘Air Raid’ guru, Chuck Markiewicz, the legendary Anne Arundel County field general, who carried his system to Arundel, where he spent 18 seasons, before stepping down early last year. Now, the ‘Cats look to wake up the echoes, but will have to do so against, arguably, the best public school team in the state, and one of the formidable 4A programs of this century.

The defending 4A champion Quince Orchard Cougars have sustained the momentum that carried them to the state title last year, with an undefeated record this season, and leading the MPSSAA this season in both scoring, averaging 51.8 points per game, and point differential, with a +45.6 margin, while ranking 4th in points allowed, at 6.2 per clip. The Arundel Wildcats, who have won five straight games, average 38.8 points per game, 13th best in the MPSSAA.

The Cougars have won 24 straight games versus MPSSAA competition, 36 of their last 37, 47 of their last 49, and 57 of their last 60 against Maryland public schools. The Cougars tied a MPSSAA playoff record in points scored in their 70-12 opening round win over Gaithersburg, then followed that up with a 56-21 win over Walter Johnson on Friday. The Wildcats, meanwhile, ran off Broadneck in the opening round, 45-23, then put away previously undefeated Anne Arundel county champion South River, 47-34, on Friday.

The defending state champions are led by running back Marquez Cooper, who has rushed for 1,738 yards and 33 touchdowns, on 175 carries, averaging 9.9 yards per carry. Cooper is 42 yards away from the career 5,000 yard mark, and needs just three touchdowns to match former Damascus star, Jake Funk, for 2nd all-time in MPSSAA history in career touchdowns scored, trailing only Tavon Austin’s Dunbar astronomical number of 123.

Junior quarterback Brian Plummer has thrown for 1,419 yards and 21 touchdowns, completing 71 of 109 (65.1%) passes. Good Counsel senior transfer Ryan Swigart has been Plummer’s top target, with 26 receptions for 640 yards (24.6 ypr) and 9 touchdowns. The Cougars defense, who limited 8 of their 9 regular season opponents to 7 points or less, are led by 6’3 280 defensive tackle  ‘Chop’ Robinson and linebacker Charles Bell.

The Wildcats, who have scored more than 32 points in 9 of their 11 games, have also allowed 20 or more points in 9 of 11 games, and no less than 13 points in every game.

Senior Austin Slye has hit on 209 of 310 targets this season, for 2,629 yards and 29 touchdowns, and 5,480 yards and 57 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Jordan Andrews, who has rushed for 314 yards and 5 touchdowns over the last two weeks, has rushed for 1,325 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Slye has three targets that rank among the top 25 in receptions and receiving yards, and two of three in touchdown receptions – Petey Tucker (47-566-9), Zach Taylor (54-681-5), and Shaun-Trent Okoyo (54-671-10).

This matchup is a rematch of the 2007 4A state title game that saw the Cougars come back from a 23-7 fourth quarter deficit, scoring 29 straight points in less than 7 minutes, to go up 36-23, before a late ‘Cats score cut it to where it would stand, 36-30. Thomas Addison rushed for 219 yards and three scores on 19 carries, scoring on runs of 28, 86, and 42 yards. Coach Markiewicz’ ‘Cats were led by Nick Elko, who threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns, and Brandon Johnson-Ferrell, who caught two touchdown receptions, and added a punt return for a score.

#21 Parkville (11-0) v #30 Old Mill (9-2)

Parkville – Justin Payne 4th season 27-12, 2-0 p/o
Old Mill – Chad McCormick 8th season 72-19, 7-5 p/o

Parkville O:37.6 D:8.2 PD:29.4
Old Mill O:24.4 D:19.2 PD:5.2

The Parkville Knights may have failed to win over the masses, but Coach Justin Payne’s unheralded team has succeeded in triumphing over every opponent this season, nonetheless. The Old Mill Patriots are back in the thick of things again, after being shut out of the post-season the last two years, following 18 straight trips to the playoffs.

Posters across social media have questioned Parkville’s standing from the start of the season, when they were placed just inside the pre-season top 50, to their prominence now, going undefeated, and advancing to the state quarterfinals for the first time in school history.

Coach Payne acknowledges his Knights did not get a chance to compete against the best in Baltimore County, but knows his Knights have handled what has been put before them.  Since a 28-6 win over 1A quarterfinalist Randallstown, the Knights have outscored their last four opponents, 183-7, including a 97-7 margin through the first two rounds of the playoffs, and a 48-7 rout of Wheaton on Friday.

The two-time state champion Old Mill Patriots are looking for their first state semifinal appearance since 2014, when the Pats advanced to the 4A state title game, before falling just short of Northwest, 34-31. The Patriots have won 9 of their last 10 games, and have notched their first post-season victories since 2015.

Parkville, who had never won a playoff game prior to this season, matched a season-high of scoring 7 touchdowns in their win over Wheaton Friday night, with six different players tallying a touchdown score. Noah Hambrick, the Knights unquestioned leader, scored on a 26 touchdown, set up another on a 17 yard run, and registered two tackles for loss in the second round win. Coach Payne says, “Noah Hambrick ‘is’ Parkville. There are probably a dozen players as good as Noah in the state (MPSSAA), but there aren’t very many that are better”.

Hambrick has scored 17 touchdowns, amassed 1,540 yards total yards, and now the 5’9 160 senior has moved from safety to linebacker for the Knights. Hambrick is one of four Knights to rush for more than 550 yards (50 yards per game) this season, while another has rushed for 7 touchdowns. Quarterback Kevin Smith is the Knights leading rusher, with 696 yards and 10 touchdowns, adding 9 touchdown passes. Yasir Talib-Harrison, a 6’1 195 junior, leads the Knights with 103 solo tackles, adding 8 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.

Old Mill had to knock off Meade for a second time on Friday night to advance, and did just that, with a 19-6 win over the Mustangs. Caron Tull, the Patriots leading rusher, with 837 yards and 11 touchdowns, scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to break open a 6-0 contest, and finished with 105 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Joey Graves (700 rushing yards, 6 touchdowns) and quarterback Myles Fulton (12 passing touchdowns) add to the Patriots attack.

3A

#3 Franklin (9-2) @ #4 Damascus (9-2)

Franklin – Anthony Burgos 16th season 141-52, 25-9 p/o
Damascus – Eric Wallich 12th season 130-18, 21-8 p/o

Franklin O:39.5 D:12.3 PD:27.2
Damascus O:42.6 D:7.1 PD:35.5

In a week of compelling quarterfinal matchups, including #8 Paint Branch at #5 Northwest, #12 Potomac at #13 Milford Mill, #19 North Point at #7 Linganore, and #18 Middletown at #20 North Caroline, among others, this matchup between the #3 Indians and #4 Swarmin’ Hornets, is the ‘Granddaddy of ‘em all’. This has been the most anticipated, unscheduled matchup since the Tribe edged Linganore for the 3A title last year, and the 10-time state champion Hornets climbed back up to the 3A classification.

These two juggernauts have met in a state title game twice in the last six seasons, with the Indians coming back from a 21-7 halftime deficit in the 2014 3A state title game, scoring 28 unanswered second half points to capture back-to-back 3A state titles. Turnovers (4) crushed the Hornets, and the Indians capitalized, with Jacques Adams throwing 14 for 20 for 222 yards and three touchdowns, and Steve Smothers scoring four times, on three of his six receptions that accumulated 122 yards, and returning a fumble for a score to seal the deal at M&T in the final seconds.

Two years later, in 2016, it was the Tribe that was doomed by turnovers, committing five give-aways, as the Swarmin Hornets held on for a 14-12 win, following the Indians back-to-back 3A titles, with back-to-back 3A titles of their own. The Hornets managed just 105 yards of total offense, and 38 on the ground, but pulled out the victory with their defense, with an assist to the Indians blunders – a touchdown called back, a missed field goal, a blocked field goal, and an interception in the end zone.

Over the last six seasons, either Franklin or Damascus have won a state title, with Franklin adding to their back-to-backs with last year’s 3A title, and the Swarmin’ Hornets adding to their back-to-backs with a 2A state title in 2017. Since 2012, Franklin has gone 81-8 versus MPSSAA competition, losing four by one possession, and three by two. Since that same year, the Swarmin’ Hornets have gone 94-7 versus Maryland public schools, including 62-3 since 2015.

The Indians have rolled through the first two rounds, posting a 54-0 shutout of Edgewood, then routing Dundalk, 40-8, on Friday, where the Indians ran out to a 33-0 lead at intermission. The Indians have scored 37 or more points in all of their eight games versus MPSSAA opponents, and allowed 10 or less points in all eight, as well. The Swarmin’ Hornets have won 9 straight games, scoring 35 or more in every one of them, including their 35-6 win over South Hagerstown on Friday. The Hornets dominated the Rebels, building a 28-0 halftime lead, limiting their foes to 100 yards of offense.

Indians quarterback Vernon Brown III has thrown for 103 of 176 for 1,808 yards and 28 touchdowns in 10 games played, including going 7 for 11 and 169 yards and three touchdowns on Friday. Linebacker Montre Harris has registered 21 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks for Franklin. Junior Daymon David has 51 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 4 fumble recoveries, while Shawan Lewis leads the Tribe in tackles, with 71, adding 11 tackles for loss and 7 sacks.

Damascus features the top ranked player in the country, 6’6 280 defensive end Brian Bresee, a Clemson commit. Bresee has wreaked havoc this season, despite getting double and triple teamed. Chris Shaw has scored 21 touchdowns for the Hornets, 19 on the ground. Michael O’Neill has thrown for 1,084 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Indians Coach Anthony Burgos became the 10th coach in MPSSAA history to win 25 playoff games on Friday night. Hornets Coach Eric Wallich is 1 of 16 coaches in MPSSAA history to win 20 post-season games. Burgos .735 post-season win percentage ranks 15th all-time in MPSSAA history, while Wallich’s .724 mark ranks 16th all-time in MPSSAA history.

#6 Mervo (11-0) v #33 Westminster (9-2)

Mervo – Patrick Nixon 8th season 66-21, 5-4 p/o
Westminster – Chris Bassler 1st season 9-2, 2-0

Mervo O:39.1 D:4.0 PD:35.1
Westminster O:31.1 D:17.7 PD:13.4

The Mustangs put their footprint on a 4A regional title last year, and are legitimate 3A state title contenders this year, boasting a defense that leads the MPSSAA in points allowed, and one of the top 5 defensive units among public schools in the state.  The Owls are the Carroll County champions and have won 9 straight games since losing their first two games to #7 Linganore, and 11-1 South River.

Mervo has won 57 of 67 games since 2014, going 9-1 in ‘14, 9-2 in ‘15, 9-3 in ‘16, 8-2 in ‘17, 11-2 last season, and 11-0 this season. Coach Patrick Nixon is 66-21 in his 8 years at the helm for the Mustangs, following a 33-48 record for the program in the 8 years preceding him.

After a 20-14 win over Dunbar in the season opener, the ‘Stang Gang’ has outscored their nine opponents (not including forfeit win), 371-26, registering seven shutouts, including six in their last seven games. The Mustangs defense, led by lineman Kamar Missouri, hasn’t been scored on since October 18th. The Mustangs starting defense has allowed just four touchdowns all season, and just two since the season opener.

The Owls have outscored their opponents 322-122 over their nine game win streak, following their 16-7 win over Howard County co-champion Marriotts Ridge on Friday. Erik Stranko and Nate Mattingly each rushed for touchdowns, and Evan Warren added a field goal, and saw a 49 yard attempt fall just short. Stranko has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and has scored 19 touchdowns. Mattingly has surpassed 700 rushing yards and scored 12 touchdowns, including four in the last two weeks.

#11 Huntingtown (11-0) v Wilde Lake (4-7)

Huntingtown – Paul Friel 4th season 25-19, 4-1 p/o
Wilde Lake – Brian Henderson 1st season 4-7, 2-0 p/o

Huntingtown O:34.5 D:6.7 PD:27.8
Wilde Lake O:17.6 D:20.8 PD:-3.2

There was a time, during the encompassing decade of the 90’s, that Wilde Lake was one of the top five public programs in the state, winning state titles in ‘90, ‘91, ‘92, and ‘97, following their first in ‘85. Times have changed, after a four year run from ‘07 through ‘10, where the Cats won three regional titles, played in two state title games, culminating with their sixth state title in 2010, the Cats entered the post-season having gone 36-53 since, with just one post-season appearance in eight years.

This regular season for the ‘Cats saw similar results, after the six-time champs finished 2-7, including dropping their last five games. No worries, the ‘Cats have taken the lead role in the ‘Cinderella Story’ in 2019, in the inaugural 128 team tournament. Following a shocking upset over top seed River Hill in the opening round, the ‘Cats traveled to Manchester Valley on Friday, delivering a 22-0 shutout.

If the 2010 was one of the most improbable championship runs in MPSSAA history, after the ‘Cats finished 4th in Howard County, with a 7-3 regular season, this season’s run would seem just short of impossible, after finishing 10th in Howard County, rising from the ashes of an 8 seed, and winning two playoff games on the road.

The Canes, on the other hand, are 11-0, finishing six games with running clocks, allowing 8 points or less in 8 of 11 games, and limiting opponents to 14 points or less in 10 of 11 games. Friday night versus #25 St Charles, the Hurricanes took a 14-0 lead at halftime, then a 17-0 lead, before finishing with a 17-8 win.

Though the ‘Canes may not have a resume like the six-time state champion ‘Cats, but do have six regional titles to show, including five straight from ‘09 through ‘13, with two runner-up finishes in ‘09 and ‘12. The ‘09 ‘Canes were the only other team in school history to win their first 11 games of the season, going 13-0, before falling to Linganore in the state championship, 31-14.

Hurricanes quarterback Trent Connolly threw for a touchdown and rushed for a touchdown in the win over St Charles, and has thrown for 1,420 yards and 22 touchdowns this season, with just one interception. Anthony Smith is Connolly’s top target, recording 30 receptions for 734 yards (24.5) and 12 touchdowns.  Clay Wargo leads the Canes defense, who allow just 6.7 points per game, and has recorded 146 tackles, 18 for loss.