DL Jaylen Harvey (Quince Orchard) 6’2 250 SR – Harvey was a physical force for the Cougars for three seasons, winning two state championships and going 35-1 as a starter. Harvey was a highly sought recruit before committing to Penn State, choosing the Nittany Lions over offers from Ohio State, Michigan, and Florida State, among others. Harvey was selected as Montgomery County’s Defensive Lineman of the Year, and earned All-Met second team honors by the Washington Post. 

Harvey played in just eight of the Cougars ten games, but he played big in the big ones. Harvey produced seven tackles for loss, four sacks, and seven quarterback hurries in eight games, and added a safety. The Cougars allowed only 32.1 rushing yards per game this season, while yielding just 1.33 yards per attempt. The Cougars shut out 9-2 Gaithersburg and 11-2 Churchill, and allowed Sherwood just one score in a 64-6 rout. Harvey leaves for Happy Valley as one of the best defensive players in Cougars history.  

DL Obinna Onwuka (Flowers) 6’3 236 SR – Onwuka was a force for the Jaguars defense, one that led the program to a 22-2 record over the last two seasons. Onwuka was one of the handful of premier edge rushers in the MPSSAA, for a Jaguars defense that was arguably the best in the MPSSAA this season, and one of the top three over the last two seasons. Onwuka was named to the Prince Georges 4A All-County first team, and also named to the Washington Post’s All-Met honorable mention team. 

Like Quince Orchard’s Harvey, Onwuka made his presence known in the Jags biggest moments, and like Harvey, missed some time and missed out on several post-season games that were anticipated. Still, in seven games, Onwuka finished second on the Jaguars in solo tackles and total tackles, and registered nine tackles for loss and a sack. Onwuka was a MPSSAA All-State second team selection as a junior, and a shortened season is what all but kept Onwuka out of a first time selection this season. 

DL Brian Collins (Dunbar) 6’2 205 JR – Collins had a breakout season for the undefeated state champion Poets, serving as their top pass rushing defender, while also formidable against the run. The Poets junior lived in opposing backfields, slinging around both quarterbacks and running backs. Collins emergence helped the two-time defending champions survive the loss of nine starters on defense from the ‘22 team. Not only did Collins hold down the fort, he made a name for himself. 

Collins was just one of three public school players to be named to the Baltimore Sun’s All-Met first team on defense, and the only junior of the three. Collins produced 28 tackles for loss and an MPSSAA-best 22 sacks for the Poets, with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The Poets held nine of their eleven opponents to six points or less, including Calvert in the state title game.  

Collins produced six tackles for loss and four sacks in the Poets 60-0 shutout win over City College, with their high-powered passing game. The Poets junior totaled three tackles for loss and three sacks in the Poets 20-18 win over state champion Mervo. 

DL Sultan Badmas (Bowie) 6’5 240 SR – Badmus was another one of the terrorizing forces at the defensive end position in Prince Georges County this season, with numbers that prove it. Badmus was equally effective against both the run and pass for the Bulldogs, with his 6’5 240 frame imposing pain on ball carriers. Badmus was selected to the Prince Georges County 4A All-County first team.  

The Bulldogs senior produced 44 solo tackles and 14 assisted tackles for the Dawgs this season, including 16 tackles for loss. Badmus led the county with 14 sacks, and added a fumble recovery. Badmus added a 32 yard touchdown reception on his only offensive touch of the season. Badmus also made eight of ten extra point attempts.  

In the Bulldogs 26-20 opening week loss to eventual 4/3A state champ Mervo, Badmus produced six solo tackles, four assisted tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, and returned a fumble recovery 45 yards. In a 30-14 loss to Suitland, Badmus totaled four solo tackles, three assisted tackles, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hurry. Badmus totaled eight tackles and a sack in a loss to Wise, then, a week later, produced four solo tackles, two tackles for a loss, and a sack in a 24-14 loss to Eleanor Roosevelt.  

DL Denis Tebo (Blake) 6’0 215 SR – Tebo played a huge role in the Bengals emergence over the last two seasons, leading his team to the best season in their program’s history, finishing with a program-best record of 11-1, and advancing to the state semifinals for the first time in their program’s history. The Bengals held eight of their twelve opponents to seven points or less, and Tebo was the best player on the unit. 

Tebo was named Montgomery County’s All-Small-School (non 4A) Defensive Player of the Year. Tebo registered 17 tackles for loss and six sacks. Tebo led a Bengals defense that allowed only 9.8 points per game, and was named to the Washington Post’s All-Met honorable mention team, as well as the Montgomery County All-County first team (all divisions).  

Tebo made two tackles for loss and a sack in the Bengals 34-13 win over Paint Branch. In the Bengals 35-7 win over Whitman in the second round of the post-season, Tebo totaled eight tackles, including four for loss, and forced a fumble. In the Bengals 28-7 loss to North Point, Tebo registered five solo tackles, three assisted tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack.  

DL Dashawn Fields (Milford Mill) 6’4 260 SR – Fields was a force on the ‘D-line’ for the Millers this season, and was the only starter to return on the defensive line for the defending 2A state champions. The Millers lost All-State linemen Emmanuel Gee and Rashard Herring, but Fields built upon a great junior campaign and earns All-State honors in his senior season, following his teammates. With Fields in the trenches, the Millers allowed only 8.6 points per game, just above the 7.9 average the 14-0 state champion Millers did.  

Fields made 28 solo tackles, assisted on 21 tackles, and recorded 11 tackles for loss. Fields produced five sacks, two fumble recoveries and a blocked kick. In two seasons for the Millers, Fields supplied 30.5 tackles for loss, and went 23-3 as a starter. Two of those losses came to undefeated state champions – Oakdale and Decatur, both by a point.  

Fields registered two tackles for loss and a sack in the 22-21 loss to Oakdale. Fields made five solo tackles, two tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries in the Millers 26-0 shutout win over league rival Franklin. The Millers senior produced two tackles for loss and a blocked kick in their 14-7 win over Dundalk.  

DL Moises Bailey (Reservoir) 6’3 235 JR – Bailey was dominant on the defensive line for the Gators this season, helping lead his team to the first county championship in their program’s history. Bailey, a 6’3 235 three-sport star, was named Howard County’s Defensive Player of the Year. Bailey, a junior, is a two-time All-County first team selection. 

Bailey totaled 82 tackles, including 37 solo tackles, and ranked among the top ten in the MPSSAA in tackles for loss, with 25. Bailey added seven sacks in eleven games, two pass deflections, and five quarterback hurries. Bailey also ranked among the top ten in the MPSSAA in both forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, totaling four apiece in those two categories. 

The Gators held seven of their eleven opponents to two touchdowns or less. Two of the three Gators losses came with the Gators allowing 13 points or less.  

Bailey totaled seven tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and a sack in the Gators 13-5 win over Glenelg. Bailey produced five tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble in the Gators 28-27 win over Long Reach. Bailey supplied nine tackles, including two for loss, in the Gators week nine 28-24 win over Mt Hebron, clinching the program’s first county title. In the Gators season-ending playoff loss to Leonardtown, Bailey totaled 11 tackles, including three for loss.  

DL Kam’ron Bryant (Patuxent) 5’8 215 SR – Bryant was a key component to the Panthers success over the last two seasons, back-to-back 11-win seasons, providing disruption on the defensive line and often taking down ball carriers in the backfield. Bryant and the Panthers held seven of twelve opponents to seven points or less, including Douglass PG in the second round of the playoffs, and Middletown in the quarterfinals.  

Bryant totaled 65 tackles, including 52 solo tackles and 19 tackles for loss. Bryant added four sacks and two forced fumbles. Bryant produced nine solo tackles, including three for loss in the Panthers 41-31 win over Huntingtown. Bryant committed seven solo tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble in the Panthers 53-39 win over Northern. Over the last two seasons, as a state finalist in ‘22, and a state semifinalist in ‘23, Bryant produced 37 tackles for loss.  

DL Owen Piavis (North Caroline) 6’1 210 JR – Piavis had a monster season at the edge position for the Bulldogs, who finished 9-2 and second in the Bayside Conference 2A Division. Piavis lived in opposing backfields, taking down running backs and quarterbacks, and ranking among the top ten in the MPSSAA in both sacks and tackles for loss.  

Piavis produced a team-best 103 tackles this season, including 72 solo tackles and 31 assisted tackles. Piavis boasted 33 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. Piavis also totaled two pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Piavis was named to the All-Bayside Conference first team.  

Piavis finished with five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in the Bulldogs 14-7 win over Wicomico. The Bulldogs junior totaled six tackles for loss and three sacks in the Dawgs 28-16 win over Queen Anne’s County. In the Dawgs 21-14 win over Kent Island, Piavis totaled nine tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.  

DL Joseph Reed (Linganore) 6’5 220 SR – Reed was dominant at the defensive end position for the state finalist Lancers. Reed constantly fought off double-teams to drop the ball carrier or quarterback in the backfield. The Lancers held eight of their 14 opponents to one touchdown or less, and held Oakdale to a season-low 21 points in their 21-14 week four loss to the Bears. 

Reed finished second to only Oakdale’s Dominic Nichols in the county in both sacks and tackles for loss, with 12 and 16, respectively.  

LB Coby Jones (Milford Mill) 5’11 160 SR – Jones was a tackling machine and playmaker for the Millers in each of the last two seasons, registering back-to-back 100+ tackle campaigns and helping lead his team to a 23-3 record over the last two seasons and a state title in ‘22. An undersized hybrid who led the Millers in solo tackles and total tackles in both ‘22 and ‘23.  

A year after registering 90 solo tackles and 41 assisted tackles in 14 games in ‘22, Jones recorded 81 solo tackles and 46 assisted tackles this season. Jones added 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.  

Jones produced eight solo tackles and four assisted tackles in the Millers 26-0 shutout win over league rival Franklin, while also adding a forced fumble. Jones boasted 13 solo tackles, including three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a sack in the Millers 33-0 shutout win over Dundalk. In the Millers 24-20 loss to Perry Hall, Jones totaled 11 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. In the Millers season-ending one-point loss to Decatur in the state semifinals. Jones registered seven solo tackles and six assisted tackles.  

LB Dylan Minnick (Walter Johnson) 6’2 210 SR – Minnick was instrumental in the Wildcats this season, leading Cats to their best season in their program’s history, and first 9-win season. Minnick was the leader of the Wildcats defense at middle linebacker, and led Montgomery County in tackles.  

Minnick registered 109 tackles this season, including 18 tackles for loss, ranking second in the county to Northwest’s Xavier Rivers in that category. Minnick also added three sacks. The Bulldogs limited Paint Branch to one score in a 22-7 win over the Panthers, and limited Sherwood to just two touchdowns in a 14-10 loss to the Warriors.  

Minnick was selected to the Montgomery County All-County first team, and was named to the Washington Post’s All-Met honorable mention team.  

LB Braden McCassie (Broadneck) 6’3 200 SR – McCassie was a leader of the Bruins defense for two back-to-back 11-win seasons, the first ending to eventual state champion Quince Orchard in the state semifinals, and the second ending in the Bruins with a loss to Wise in the 4A title game. McCassie was a sure tackling presence for the Bruins defense, a unit that held seven opponents to seven points or less, including Churchill, who featured the MPSSAA’s leading rusher David Avit, in the state semifinals. 

McCassie was named to the Baltimore Sun’s All-Met first team, just one of three public school players among the 14 players named on the first team defense. McCassie registered 76 tackles this season, 11 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. McCassie also added an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.  

In the state title game loss to Wise, McCassie produced a game-high six solo tackles, a game-high (share) six assisted assisted tackles, and a tackle for loss. McCassie was named to the Anne Arundel All-County first team for a second year in a row.  

LB Daniel Atsou (Suitland) 6’1 200 SR – Atsou was the leader of a Rams defense that was one of the best in the MPSSAA, a unit that posted six shutouts in eleven games, and limited opponents to 7.2 points per game. At linebacker and tight end, Atsou led the Rams to their first 9-win season since they lost in the 4A state final to Northwest in 2013. 

In ten games, Atsou produced 50 solo tackles and 55 assisted tackles, including 12 tackles for loss. Atsou added two forced fumbles, an interception, and a sack for the Rams, who held eight of their eleven opponents to eight points or less, and nine of eleven to 14 points or less. At tight end, Atsou caught seven passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. Atsou was named to the Washington Post All-Met honorable mention team.  

Atsou totaled seven solo tackles, three assisted tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack in the Rams 20-6 opening game win over Coolidge (DC). Atsou supplied 13 tackles and a forced fumble in the Rams 27-8 win over Oxon Hill. Atsou recorded ten tackles in the Rams 24-2 loss to Eleanor Roosevelt, and produced six solo tackles and six assisted tackles in the Rams season-ending playoff loss to Mervo.  

LB Malachi Barnes (Milford Mill) 6’1 215 SR – Barnes manned the middle for the Millers defensive unit for the last two seasons, and with Coby Jones, formed one of the best linebacking tandems in the MPSSAA in ‘22 and ‘23. Barnes was in the middle of a defense that went 23-3 over the last two seasons, allowing only 8.65 points per game over 26 games.  

Barnes finished second to Jones on the Millers in tackles in each of the last two seasons. Barnes registered 95 tackles this season, including 63 solo tackles. Barnes also provided four tackles for loss, one sack, and a fumble recovery. The Millers held nine of their twelve opponents to ten points or less this season, and 20 of 26 opponents over the last two seasons to ten points or less.  

Barnes produced a team-best eight solo tackles in the Millers 22-21 season opening loss to Oakdale, adding an assisted tackle. Barnes totaled six solo tackles, three assisted tackles, and a fumble recovery in the Millers 26-0 shutout win over league rival Franklin. Barnes made ten tackles in their 33-0 win over Dundalk, nine tackles in their 24-20 loss to Perry Hall, and eight tackles in the Millers season-ending one point loss to eventual state champion Decatur.  

LB Ray Chapman (Arundel) 5’11 215 SR – Chapman was the leader of the defending state finalist Wildcats defense at middle linebacker, earning Anne Arundel All-County first team honors for a second year in a row.  

Chapman led the Wildcats in tackles, with 74, and tackles for loss with 14. The Wildcats held undefeated county champion to only two touchdowns in their 14-9 loss to the Patriots. Chapman made eight tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack in the Wildcats 27-26 win over Glen Burnie. Chapman totaled nine tackles, including two for loss, in the Cats 27-14 win over Chesapeake.  

LB Kris Paul (Churchill) 5’11 170 SR – Paul was a hard-hitting undersized linebacker who was the 4A semifinalist Bulldogs leading tackler, a playmaker at linebacker who also could read out the underneath passing games of his opponents. Paul teamed with fellow senior Danziel Duckett to give the Dawgs an outstanding linebacker tandem. With their leadership and production, and the running prowess of David Avit, the Bulldogs finished 11-2 and posted their best season in 28 years. 

Paul totaled 86 tackles, including a team-best 40 tackles and four tackles for loss. Paul produced two sacks, two interceptions, four pass break ups, two fumble recoveries, and forced a county-best five fumbles. Paul totaled six solo tackles and seven assisted tackles in the Dawgs 18-15 win over Urbana. The Bulldogs senior totaled five solo tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the Bulldogs 15-7 win over Northwest. In the Bulldogs season-ending loss to Broadneck in the semifinals, Paul posted five solo tackles, five assisted tackles, and forced a fumble. 

LB Jacob Wilson (Parkdale) 6’0 205 JR – Wilson was a do-it-all performer for the Panthers, emerging as a breakout star in Prince Georges County. Wilson was a standout in both sides of the ball. At linebacker, Wilson proved to be a hard-hitting playmaker, while on offense he served as the Panthers top threat at running back, and a more than capable receiver.  

Wilson was a shining star for the 3-7 Panthers, who faced the likes of Wise, Flowers, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Suitland, who registered a combined 33-2 record versus MPSSAA opponents outside of themselves on the gridiron this season. Wilson registered a team-best 48 solo tackles and a team-best 82 total tackles. Wilson added 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions, and six pass break ups. On offense, Wilson accounted for more than 800 yards, and scored a team-best 12 touchdowns.  

In a 33-26 loss to Bowie, Wilson accounted for 154 yards from scrimmage, scored three touchdowns, totaled 12 tackles, had two pass break-ups, and blocked an extra point. Wilson was named to the Prince Georges County 4A All-County first team, one of only three juniors to earn first team honors on defense.  

LB Brandon Fauntleroy (Forest Park) 5’10 185 SR – Fauntleroy was the leader of the Foresters defensive unit that helped propel the team to their best season in their program’s history, finishing 11-2 and advancing to their first state semifinal berth. The Foresters held 10 of their 13 opponents to single-digits this season. The Foresters held Mervo to six points through three quarters – in a slugfest – before the Mustangs finished with a 20-0 win.  

Fauntleroy produced a team-high 112 tackles, including 58 solo tackles and 16 tackles for loss. The Foresters junior added eight sacks, four forced fumbles, four pass deflections, and three fumble recoveries. The Foresters held Winters Mill to nine points in their quarterfinal win, with Fauntleroy totaling 12 tackles, including five tackles for loss. Fauntleroy totaled six solo tackles, one tackle for loss, and a forced fumble in the loss to Mervo. 

DB Davian Pryor (Frederick) 6’2 170 SR – Pryor used his athletic prowess on both sides of the ball, as a hard-hitting, playmaking cornerback, and a legitimate downfield threat at receiver for the Cadets. Pryor led Frederick County in interceptions, and finished third in receiving yards. Pryor was a key two-way asset over the last two seasons for the Cadets, who posted a 12-3 record versus county competition over the last two campaigns. 

Pryor boasted seven interceptions at cornerback, taking two back for touchdowns. Pryor totaled 30 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, recorded four pass break ups and a fumble recovery. On offense, Pryor nabbed 45 receptions for 653 yards and five touchdowns. Pryor has committed to Morgan State.  

In the Cadets 34-26 win over Westminster in week two, Pryor caught five passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns, while adding two interceptions, four solo tackles, and two pass break ups in the win. Pryor caught seven passes for 100 yards in the Cadets 49-35 loss to Linganore, and added an interception. Pryor totaled five tackles and caught four passes for 90 yards and a score in the Cadets season-ending quarterfinal loss to North Point.  

DB Ayden West (Quince Orchard) 6’0 170 JR – West was one of the best complete cornerbacks in the MPSSAA, and if not for missing three games, would be higher on this list. Nonetheless, West displayed his skills as one of the best ‘cover corners’ in the MPSSAA, as well as a hard-hitting, sure tackler in the run game for the Cougars, who registered five shutouts in ten games, and held seven of ten opponents to seven points or less. 

West was third on the team in solo tackles per game, and picked off three interceptions, including a 79 yard ‘pick 6’. West added five pass break ups, despite getting few thrown his way because of the junior staying step-by-step with the receiver. The Cougars limited their opponents to a 25.3% success rate on third down, and allowed just six passing touchdowns all season. 

DB Seth Gathers (North Point) 6’0 185 JR – Gathers was one of a number of talents on the defensive side of the ball for the defending champion Eagles, delivering blanket coverage and heavy blows, lining up at safety and on the corner. The Eagles registered nine shutouts this season, and allowed only 4.1 points per game. Gathers was named to the All-SMAC first team. 

Gathers supplied 35 tackles this season, and forced a fumble. Gathers picked off three interceptions and totaled 11 pass break ups. The Eagles allowed only four passing touchdowns in 14 games. On offense, Gathers caught seven passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns.  

DB Keyon Washington (St Charles) 6’1 175 SR – Washington was one of the best all-around athletes in the MPSSAA over the last two seasons, excelling in all three phases. Washington was an excellent cover cornerback, and a great open field tackler, while also a threat to score at any time while at receiver. To add, Washington was one of the more adept kick returners in the MPSSAA.  

Washington scored four different ways this season, on offense, defense, and special teams. Versus state finalist Calvert, Washington caught four passes for 140 yards and a touchdown, while adding five solo tackles, an assisted tackle, and two pass break-ups. Washington was selected to the All-SMAC first team on offense, defense, and as the top return man in the league. Washington was a two-time All-SMAC first team selection.  

DB Kasir Hicks (Mervo) 5’8 160 JR – Hicks and senior Kamari Williams formed one of the top three cornerback tandems in the MPSSAA this season, headlining a defensive unit that forced opponents into 18 interceptions. The Mustangs junior was outstanding in coverage, and had his best game of the season versus the top passing attack in the MPSSAA.  

Hicks was a great tackler, producing 21 solo tackles, including six for loss, and 12 assisted tackles. Hicks produced 12 pass break ups, including four versus City College in their 44-12 win over the Black Knights. Hicks was a key part in a Mustangs defense that held 11 of their last 13 opponents to seven points or less, including their 14-7 victory over North Point in the 4/3A title game. Hicks was selected to the Baltimore Sun All-Met second team.  

DB Taj Kontosis (Blake) 5’9 155 SR – Kontosis was a big-play cornerback for the Bengals, contributing equally well against the pass and run, and helping lead his team to the state semifinals for the first time in their program’s history. The Bengals held eight of their twelve opponents to seven points or less, and allowed only 9.8 points per game. 

Kontosis led Montgomery County in interceptions, with seven, including a ‘pick 6’, and led the county with pass break ups, with 11. Kontosis added 31 tackles. Kontosis was named to the Montgomery County All-County first team.  

DB Jaden Sasu (Walkersville) 6’1 170 SR – Sasu was one of the most consistent all-around cornerbacks in the MPSSAA over the last two seasons, offering great coverage skills, along with sure tackling. To add, Sasu was a menace on special teams. Sasu was part of a Lions defensive unit that posted back-to-back-to-back shutouts versus Poolesville, at Damascus, and at Owings Mills in the playoffs.  

Sasu totaled 35 tackles, including three for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble. Sasu produced a county-best 12 pass break ups, and an interception. On special teams, Sasu blocked three field goals for the Lions. Sasu lined up in ‘man coverage’ on the opponents top receiver on 80% of the snaps.  

DB Jamal Drummond (Wise) 6’0 180 SR – Drummond was a key asset on the backside of the defense for the 4A state champion Pumas, cleaning up anything that got past the ‘front seven’, and administering devastating blows to ball carriers and receivers who came across the middle. Together with senior cornerback Raevon Johnson, and senior safety Teon Lavender, the Pumas boasted one of the best secondaries in the MPSSAA. 

Drummond finished second behind MPSSAA Athlete of the Year DeCarlos Young on the team in total tackles, with 76, including 45 solo tackles and three tackles for loss. The Pumas senior manufactured three interceptions, a ‘scoop 6’, and eight pass break ups, for a defensive unit that shutout eight of their twelve MPSSAA opponents this season, including Broadneck in the 4A title game. 

Drummond played his best game in the Pumas 17-14 overtime win over Flowers, registering a season-high 16 tackles, including nine solo tackles, and returned an interception 61 yards, foiling a potential scoring drive for the Jaguars. Drummond recorded an interception and a tackle for loss in the Pumas title game victory.  

DB Kyran Harry (Franklin) 6’0 155 SR – Harry was one of the top tackling safeties in the MPSSAA this season, with the Indians senior delivering devastating blows in both the run game and in pass coverage. Harry was a three year starter for the Tribe, and a leader of the defensive unit.  

In twelve games, Harry produced 43 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Harry totaled nine pass break ups, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Harry finished his three year Indians career with 107 solo tackles, ten interceptions, and 19 pass break ups.  

DB Teon Lavender (Wise) 5’10 195 SR – Lavender was a two year starter at safety for the 4A state champion Pumas, after contributing in the backfield as a sophomore. The Pumas senior joined fellow senior Jamal Drummond to form arguably the best pair of safeties in the MPSSAA, capable of making plays against both the run and pass. The Pumas defense allowed only five passing touchdowns versus their 12 MPSSAA opponents this season. 

Lavender finished second on the team in solo tackles, and third in total tackles, for a unit that shutout eight of their twelve opponents this season. Lavender registered 47 solo tackles, 28 assisted tackles, five tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, an interception, and a blocked punt. Lavender posted nine tackles, including six solo tackles, in the Pumas 22-16 week two win over Eleanor Roosevelt. In the overtime win over Flowers, Lavender registered four solo tackles, three assisted tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack. The Pumas senior made six solo tackles and picked off a pass in the Pumas 42-14 quarterfinal victory over Walter Johnson.  

Honorable Mention Special Teams 

K Brogan Eastlack (Decatur) 5’10 165 – Eastlack was a key ingredient to the state champion Seahawks success, both as a place-kicker and a kickoff specialist. Eastlack’s booming kickoffs played a huge role in the Seahawks huge field possession advantage this season, allowing the defense to ‘tee off’ even more. 

Eastlack produced 45 touchbacks on 90 kickoffs this season, leading the MPSSAA in touch-backs. Eastlack converted 64 of 68 extra point attempts, and five of seven field goal attempts. Eastlack totaled five touchbacks on seven kickoffs in the Seahawks 33-15 win over Kent Island, while adding two field goals. Eastlack made all 15 of his extra point attempts in the final three playoff rounds (and also his only field goal attempt), including five in the Seahawks 35-34 win over Milford Mill in the semifinal. 

K Sachin Bijlani (Wootton) 5’10 175 SR – Bijlani was nearly perfect for the Patriots this season, a bright light in a 5-6 season. Whether kickoffs or placekicking, Bijlani was outstanding. 

Bijlani delivered 18 touchbacks on 28 kickoffs, producing the best touchback percentage in the MPSSAA, at 64.3%. Three of the four misses by Bijlani this season came on blocked kicks. Bijlani converted 16 of his 18 extra point attempts, with two blocked, and nailed four of six field goal attempts, with a miss from 52 yards, and one blocked.  

K Tyler Potts (Northern – Cal.) 5’10 155 SR – Potts was a key ingredient to the Patriots success the last three seasons,

The post MPSSAA All-State Honorable Mention Defense & Special Teams appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

 Cyrus completed 234 of 328 passes (71.3%) for 4,156 yards and 48 touchdowns, with 13 interceptions. Cyrus’ completion rate was the highest percentage in MPSSAA history in a single-season among quarterbacks with 200 attempts or more. Cyrus’ 48 touchdowns ranks fourth in MPSSAA history, and his 234 completions this season are tied for sixth-best in any one campaign. Cyrus also rushed for 551 yards and ten touchdowns on 46 attempts.  

Cyrus also set an MPSSAA record for yards accounted for in a season, with 4,707, and fifth in touchdowns accounted for, with 55. Cyrus set a MPSSAA single-game record when he threw for 667 yards versus Poly, while completing 27 of 39 passes and throwing six touchdowns. Cyrus was blessed with three 1,000 yard receivers in Maryland commit Jahmari Powell-Wonson, and juniors Vernon Allen and Romero Ison. The trio became the first threesome to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Next season, Cyrus, Allen, and Ison, will look to build on their success, and rewrite some career passing and receiving all-time marks.  

QB Anthony Dixon Jr (R Montgomery) 5’10 165 SR – Dixon finished his career at Richard Montgomery as one of the greatest passers in Montgomery County history, starting for the Rockets in each of his last three seasons. Dixon finished ranked among the top ten in county history in both passing yards and passing touchdowns. While the Rockets finished 3-7 this season, Dixon stood strong versus a quartet of top 25 teams, producing points and yardage very few others did against some of the county’s best.  

Dixon led the Rockets to 50 points in their 64-50 loss to Churchill, the most any opponent scored on the Dawgs this season. Only Quince Orchard scored more points versus Northwest this season than the Rockets. Only two opponents scored more points against both Walter Johnson and Gaithersburg than Dixon and his mates did in their losses to the two. Dixon completed 181 of 297 passes (60.9%) for a MPSSAA second-best 2,697 yards and a MPSSAA third-best 28 touchdowns. Dixon also ranked second in the MPSSAA in ‘23 in passing yards per game, at 269.7. 

In the loss to Churchill, Dixon completed 28 of 45 passes for 412 yards and four touchdowns, without an interception, while adding a score on the ground. In a 39-35 win over Rockville, Dixon completed 23 of 27 passes for 303 yards and five touchdowns, with one interception. Dixon finished tied for sixth in county history in career touchdown passes, with 58, and seventh in passing yards, with 5,470.  

QB Kyrece Walker (Westminster) 5’10 170 SR – Walker will go down as one of the most accomplished offensive players in Carroll County history, after earning the county’s Offensive Player of the Year award in his junior and senior seasons. Walker is a repeat MPSSAA All-State selection, after also earning honorable mention honors in ‘22. Walker became the first player in Carroll County history to both throw for 1,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in two different seasons. As a sophomore, Walker was selected to the All-County first team at cornerback.  

This season, Walker completed 84 of 132 passes (63.6%) for 1,277 yards and 16 touchdowns, with five interceptions. On the ground, Walker rushed for 1,141 yards and 16 touchdowns on 102 attempts, averaging a MPSSAA-best 11.2 yards per carry among those with 100 attempts or more. Walker joined Oakdale’s Evan Austin as the only two players to have thrown for more than 1,000 yards and rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons.  

Walker led the Owls to two county championships, sharing the title with South Carroll and Liberty in ‘22, and winning it outright this season, clinched with a 34–10 win over Winters Mill in the ‘quasi’ county title game in week nine. In 22 games over two seasons, Walker accounted for 5,331 yards and 69 touchdowns.  Walker accounted for all four touchdowns in the Owls 28-21 win over Walkersville, and rushed for 201 yards and threw for 107 yards and accounted for five touchdowns in the Owls 48-42 comeback win over Franklin.  

QB Ray Moore III (Mervo) 6’4 190 SR – Moore III rebounded from a junior campaign that saw a season-ending injury in week four, to a senior season that led his team to a 3/4A state championship. Moore III had a plethora of weapons at his disposal, and he utilized five receivers regularly, while also very capable of making big plays on the ground. Moore III punctuated his high school career by throwing the game-winning pass in the Mustangs 14-7 victory over North Point in the 4/3A title game.  

Moore III lost just two games as a starting quarterback for the ‘Stangs in one-plus seasons, going 16-2, with both losses coming to Dunbar, who went on to win a state title in both of those seasons. This season, Moore III threw for 2,228 yards, seventh-best in the MPSSAA this season, and 27 touchdowns, which ranked sixth-best in the MPSSAA. Moore also added 484 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.  

Moore III threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns in the Mustangs 26-20 opening week win over Bowie. In the Mustangs 44-12 win over City College, Moore III accounted for 384 yards and five touchdowns, throwing for 284 yards and three touchdowns, and rushing for 100 yards and two touchdowns. But, Moore III’s most memorable moment will be connecting with Justin DeVaughn from 31 yards out for the game-winner in the 4/3A title game with 2:17 to play.  

QB Evan Kuntz (Huntingtown) 5’10 160 SR – Kuntz helped lead the Hurricanes to the 2A state title game, the third state championship appearance in the program’s history, and first in 11 years. The dual-threat signal caller accounted for 3,023 yards and 36 touchdowns this season, guiding the Canes to 11 wins. Kuntz wasn’t only a 2,000 yard passer, but ranked among the top ten in the SMAC in rushing. Kuntz was just one of six quarterbacks this season to account for 3,000 yards or more, and just one of five to account for 35 touchdowns or more.  

Kuntz tied for third-best in the MPSSAA in touchdown passes, and eighth in passing yards. Kuntz completed 132 of 234 passes (56.4%) for 2,212 yards and 28 touchdowns (12 int). Kuntz also took 135 carries for 811 yards and eight touchdowns.  

In a week two 41-31 loss to #13 Patuxent, Kuntz completed 14 of 25 passes for 346 yards, with five touchdowns (3 int). In the Hurricanes 35-21 win over Kent Island in the quarterfinal round, Kuntz completed 19 of 22 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns (2 int), while taking 14 carries for 65 yards and a score. The following week, Kuntz produced two touchdowns on the ground and one through the air in the Hurricanes 27-7 win over Walkersville. In the Canes 21-13 loss to Decatur in the 2A state title game, Kuntz rushed for 147 yards on 18 carries, and added a touchdown pass.  

QB Isaiah Randall (Northern – C) 5’9 150 SR – Randall took command of coach Rich Holzer’s Patriots offense this season and helped lead the Pats to the 3A semifinals. The senior joined with junior receiver Miles Halbert to form the top producing passing-receiving tandem in the MPSSAA this season. Randall, for his part, finished among the MPSSAA’s top ten passing leaders in passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions, and completion percentage.  

Randall completed 190 of 291 passes for 2,871 yards and 23 touchdowns (10 int) this season. Randall’s 2,871 passing yards ranked second among all passers in the MPSSAA this season, while his 23 touchdown passes ranked seventh. Randall’s 65.3% completion percentage ranked third in the MPSSAA, and his 190 completions ranked second. Randall added 472 rushing yards and five touchdown on the ground, averaging 7.2 yards per carry.  

Randall was named to the All-SMAC first team. Randall’s 1,847 passing yards to Halbert ranks as the most of any tandem in MPSSAA history, and his 98 completions to the Patriots star junior ranks sixth-best in MPSSAA history.  

QB Nino Marzullo (Quince Orchard) 6’2 210 – Marzullo followed Savan Briggs highly producing, highly efficient two seasons as the Cougars quarterback, with one that almost mirrors Briggs production those two years, albeit without a state crown. Nonetheless, Marzullo helped lead the Cougars to a 9-0 regular season record, as well as the #1 ranking for nine weeks, until their 29-26 loss to Northwest. Marzullo directed one of the top offensive units in the MPSSAA, a unit that averaged 38.9 points per game, and scored 26 points or more in all ten of their games.  

In ten games, Marzullo threw 20 touchdowns, versus just three interceptions, finishing second in Montgomery County in touchdown passes. Marzullo completed 89 of 143 passes (62.2%) for 1,468 yards, and added 199 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Marzullo ranked fourth in the MPSSAA in touchdown-to-interception ratio (6.7-1), and second among those with 20 touchdown passes or more. Marzullo’s 10.27 yards per attempt ranked tenth best in the MPSSAA. 

Though Marzullo had two interceptions against his three touchdown passes in the Cougars 29-26 loss to Northwest, Marzullo completed 12 of 17 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns in their week eight 34-21 win over the Jags. The week before, Marzullo threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score in the Cougars 43-7 win over Robert Montgomery. Marzullo completed eight of nine passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns in the Cougars 35-0 victory over #18 Churchill. Marzullo threw the game-winning touchdown pass in the Cougars thrilling 29-22 win over Stone Bridge (VA) in week two with 17 seconds to play. 

QB Will Patterson (Mountain Ridge ‘24) 5’10 180 SR – Patterson led Mountain Ridge to their third straight 1A state championship game, before falling to undefeated Fort Hill for a third year in a row. Patterson was a vital piece in both of the Miners state finalist teams in ‘21 and ‘22 as a receiver/utility weapon on offense, and a playmaking defensive back on defense. This season, Patterson had to fill the shoes of MPSSAA All-State quarterback Leuma Pua’auli, who accounted for 3,112 yards and 51 touchdowns, and he did so admirably.  

Pua’auli himself served as a ‘untilty knife’ in his junior campaign, with Bryce Snyder behind center. Snyder began this three year run with outstanding play at the quarterback position, accounting for 2,888 yards and 41 touchdowns in ‘21. Patterson almost mirrored Snyder’s production this season, accounting for 2,924 yards and 41 touchdowns in his senior campaign. Patterson completed 146 of 226 passes (64.6%) for 1,739 yards and 21 touchdowns, with just five interceptions. Patterson did the same amount of damage on the ground, rushing for 1,166 yards and 20 touchdowns on 171 carries. 

Patterson accounted for 305 yards and scored both of the Miners touchdowns in their week three 16-13 win over Allegany. The following week, Patterson rushed for 107 yards and threw a touchdown pass in a 27-6 win over Frederick. Patterson scored three touchdowns in the Miners 35-14 win over Allegany in a second round rematch. While Fort Hill’s defense was dominant in the title game, Patterson managed to complete 10 of 15 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown (0 int) in the loss.  

RB Tyler Womack (Annapolis) 5’10 180 JR – Womack was a bright light for the 4-6 Panthers, shining against the best in Anne Arundel County, all while being the primary focus of opposing defenses. Despite the Panthers playing just ten games, the junior finished second in the county in rushing yards, and eighth across the MPSSAA – one of eight to amass 1,500 yards or more. 

While the Panthers opened the season with two losses to Old Mill and Glen Burnie, Womack totaled 200 rushing yards on 34 carries. The following week, in a 42-30 win over Severna Park, Womack rushed for a season-high 341 yards and three touchdowns on 29 attempts. Womack rushed for 221 yards and a score on 25 carries in the Panthers 28-14 win over South River. In a tough 35-28 week seven loss to 4A finalist Broadneck, Womack took 33 carries for 152 yards and three touchdowns. In the Panthers 54-27 opening round loss to Dundalk, Womack totaled 116 yards from scrimmage, including a 45 yard reception.  

Womack finished sixth in the MPSSAA in rushing yards per game, at a 153.6 average, rushing 211 times for 1,536 yards and 14 touchdowns in ten games, adding two touchdown receptions. In games versus the Panthers six toughest opponents – Broadneck, Old Mill, Dundalk, Arundel, Glen Burnie, and Meade, Womack averaged 99.3 rushing yards per game over those six games.  

RB Shane Bogardus (Kent Island) 5’7 160 SR – Bogardus became the Buccaneers ‘bell cow’ this season, a year after Kasey Heath set program and Bayside Conference rushing records and led the Bucs to the state title game. Bogardus was the catalyst of the Buccaneers offense this season, for a unit that averaged 32.9 points per game. While Heath stood at 5’10 205, Bogardus ran between the tackles at 5’7 160. 

Bogardus took 258 carries this season, rushing for 1,473 yards and 22 touchdowns, ranking tenth in the MPSSAA in rushing yards for the 9-3 Bucs, and tied for ninth in touchdowns scored. Bogardus led the Bayside Conference in both rushing yards and touchdowns, and by extension, scoring.  

Bogardus rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the Bucs 31-30 win over City College in week two. In the Bucs 31-15 loss to Decatur, Bogardus rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Bogardus rushed for 204 yards and a score on 32 attempts in the Bucs 21-14 loss to North Caroline in week eight, then rushed for 241 yards and a touchdown as the Bucs avenged that loss with a 28-14 victory over the Bulldogs in the second round of the playoffs.  

RB Devin Rollins (Franklin) 6’0 190 SR – Rollins was looked on to carry the load for the Franklin offense, and the 6’0 190 senior did just that, taking the Indians to the state quarterfinals with a monster performance in the second round. Rollins produced against everyone, including the Tribe’s toughest opponents. Rollins also served at linebacker. 

Rollins rushed for 1,386 yards and 15 touchdowns on 181 carries this season, averaging 7.7 yards per carry. Rollins led Baltimore County in rushing yards, and ranked 15th in the MPSSAA. Rollins added five receptions for 93 yards and averaged 31.7 yards per kickoff returns on three attempts. On defense, Rollins produced 19 solo tackles. 

Rollins produced 175 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in the Tribe’s 48-42 opening week loss to Franklin. Despite a shutout loss to Milford Mill, Rollins rushed for 124 yards on 18 carries. Rollins rushed for 78 yards and scored a touchdown in the Indians 17-10 loss to Mt St Joe. Rollins delivered Franklin to the state quarterfinals by rushing for 245 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries in the Indians 46-22 win over then 1-loss Edgewood in the second round. The following week, Rollins produced 215 yards from scrimmage in the Indians loss to Linganore in their ‘Elite 8’ matchup, in a game that had a four point margin with four minutes to play. Rollins rushed for 134 yards on 21 attempts, and caught four passes for 81 yards.  

RB Coleman Hallums (Mt Hebron) 5’8 150 – Hallums was part of the top 1-2 producing running back tandem through seven weeks this season, before his backfield mate Aidan Huff was injured in the first half of the Vikings 18-14 week eight loss to Howard. Hallums was a threat to take it to the house at any time with his speed, while Hauf made opponents stay honest by damaging runs between the tackles. Still, there was no denying Hallums talents, as the Vikings senior set the Vikings program record for rushing yards in a single season.  

Hallums led Howard County in rushing with 1,423 rushing yards, ranking 11th-best in the MPSSAA. Hallums achieved that total on only 136 attempts, averaging 10.5 yards per carry. Hallums finished the season with 1,508 yards from scrimmage and scored 16 touchdowns. Hallums was selected as the Howard County Offensive Player of the Year. 

Hallums rushed for 266 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries in the Vikings 35-0 win over River Hill, their largest margin of victory over the Hawks in their program’s history. With 15 receiving yards, Hallums totaled 281 yards from scrimmage versus the four-time state champions. The Vikings fell just short of Reservoir in week nine, 28-24, but Hallums did everything he could, rushing for 155 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.  

RB Da’Marques Ross (Walkersville) 5’10 190 JR – Ross stood out in a very tough Frederick County league, then wreaked havoc in the playoffs and led the Lions to an improbable post-season that landed in the state semifinals. Ross ranked third in the county in rushing yards and fourth in touchdowns scored. Ross paired with fellow junior Jordan Bennett to give the Lions two 1,000 yard rushers, for an offense that averaged 32.7 points per game.  

Ross rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on 199 carries, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Ross ranked 16th in the MPSSAA in rushing yards, and fifth among underclassmen. Ross also tied for 16th in touchdowns scored, with 19, including a kickoff return for a score.  

In the Lions stunning 42-0 win over Damascus in the second round of the playoffs, Ross gained 176 yards on the ground, and scored two touchdowns. A week later, Ross rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in the Lions dominant 42-0 victory at Owings Mills in the quarterfinals.  

RB Jeremiah Seaton (Blake) 5’10 180 JR – Seaton has been a catalyst in the Bengals success over the last two seasons, igniting the run game as the team’s leading rusher in ‘22 and ‘23, and helping lead his team to the best season in the program’s history, advancing to the 4/3A state semifinals and finishing 11-1. Despite missing three games, and never being 100%, Seaton still put together a season deserving honors.  

In nine games, Seaton rushed for 1,181 yards and 14 touchdowns on 161 carries this season, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Seaton also added eight receptions for 123 yards and two touchdown receptions, finishing with 16 touchdowns in all. The junior added an interception on defense. The Bengals didn’t lose a game with Seaton in the lineup this season.  

RB Cole Floyd (Dunbar) 5’10 180 JR – Floyd transferred from Archbishop Curley and flourished for the Poets in his junior campaign, leading the undefeated state champions in rushing. Floyd was a part of a Poets rushing attack that averaged better than 350 rushing yards per game, for a team that finished second in the MPSSAA in scoring, at 46.9 points per game.  

Floyd rushed for 1,184 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging better than 15 yards per carry versus very mediocre competition – outside of Mervo, Patuxent, and Calvert. Floyd needed just eight carries to rush for 102 yards and a touchdown in a blowout win over City College. Floyd stood out in the Poets 20-18 victory over fellow champion Mervo, taking 12 attempts for 135 rushing yards and a touchdown. Floyd produced four runs of 20 yards or more in the win. Floyd scored the go-ahead touchdown in the Poets comeback victory over Patuxent in the state semifinal.  

While Floyd will lose two of his backfield mates in DeShawn Parks and Antonio Lyde, he will return with junior quarterback as the Poets seek their fourth straight title, and 14th overall. As a sophomore, Floyd rushed for 682 yards and eight touchdowns at Archbishop Curley, including 130 yards and two touchdowns in the Friars 27-24 loss to Concordia Prep in the MIAA B semifinals.  

RB Iverson Howard (Quince Orchard) 5’10 185 JR – A year ago, Howard’s biggest successes came in the post-season, after just a limited workload in the regular season. Well rested, Howard dominated in the Cougars championship run, punctuated by the then sophomore’s 191 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the Cougars 32-7 win over Flowers in the 4A title game. The Cougars followed the same plan this season, with Howard averaging just under ten carries per game in the regular season. Still, when it counted, Howard showed he was a threat to take it to ‘the house’ at anytime.  

The Cougars stunning loss to Northwest in the second round stemmed Howard’s junior season to just ten games, yet the talented back still ranked among the MPSSAA’s best in touchdowns. Howard rushed for 16 touchdowns on only 104 carries, gaining 872 yards on the ground, at 8.4 yards per clip. Howard also caught 14 passes for 140 yards and a score, and returned a kickoff 96 yards for a score. Howard finished with 18 touchdowns, playing against a handful of the best teams in the region.  

On the Cougars first offensive play of the season, Howard scored from 21 yards out leading to a 33-0 victory over South County of Virginia. The following week, Howard rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns on just eight attempts in a 56-0 win over Gaithersburg. In week three, Howard scored on the Cougars first offensive play again, going 80 yards in the Cougars 29-22 win over Stone Bridge of Virginia.  Howard scored two touchdowns in the Cougars 34-21 win over Northwest in week eight.  

RB Tymond Foxx (Largo) SO – Foxx had a sophomore campaign few others could match, and registered rushing numbers no other sophomore could match, and only five other underclassmen in the MPSSAA could match. This, while playing just nine games. Foxx was not only one of the more physical backs in the MPSSAA this season, regardless of class, but one that could hit the ‘home run ball’ too.  

Foxx rushed for 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns on 182 carries in nine games, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. Foxx scored in all nine games he played in this season, and recorded five multi-score games. Foxx ranked second to only Wise’s DeCarlos Young in Prince Georges County in rushing yards this season, and second only to the Pumas junior in touchdowns scored. Again, in nine games. Foxx finished eighth in the MPSSAA this season in rushing yards per game, at 146.9 per game. 

Welcoming Foxx back in two of his first four games back were Douglass and Potomac, the two top teams in the Prince Georges County 3/2/1A league. While the Lions took losses in both, Foxx produced two 100 yard games. In a 12-6 loss to Douglass, Foxx rushed for 113 yards on 23 carries and scored the Lions only touchdown. Two weeks later, the sophomore rushed for 114 yards and a score on 19 attempts in the loss to Potomac. Foxx followed that with three straight 200 rushing yard games.  

RB Ben Wells (Brunswick) SR – Wells powered the Railroaders to a 17-7 record the last two seasons, including a state semifinal finish in ‘22. Wells finished among the top dozen in the MPSSAA in rushing yards for a second year in a row, and was part of a 1-2 punch with junior quarterback Ethan Houck that propelled the Roaders to a 35.9 point scoring average.  

A year after toting the ball 281 times (for 1,649 rushing yards), Wells wasn’t tasked to run the ball 20 times a game this year, but nonetheless put together numbers that placed him second in Frederick County in rushing yards. Wells took 152 carries for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, averaging 9.2 yards per carry. Wells also registered nine receptions for 163 yards and three more scores.  

Wells joined the MPSSAA’s top three rushers this season – Churchill’s David Avit, Linganore’s Ethan Arneson, and Gaithersburg’s Gideon Ituka, as well as Old Mill’s Maximus Jones, as the only five players in the MPSSA- to rush for more than 3,000 yards over the last two seasons. Wells finished his Roaders career with more than 4,000 all-purpose yards, and 37 touchdowns.  

WR Joshua Burnette Jr (Rockville) 5’10 145 SR – Burnette Jr was a bright spot for the 3-7 Rams, finishing with all-time single-season county top ten marks in receiving yards and receptions. This, while garnering the most attention on his offensive unit. Burnette Jr set program single-season records in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions. 

Burnette Jr caught 69 receptions for 1,209 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Rams, ranking fourth in the MPSSAA in receptions, and third in receiving yards. Burnette Jr averaged 17.5 yards per reception. Burnette Jr ranked second in the MPSSAA in receiving yards per game, at a 120.9 yards per game average. Burnette Jr added three interceptions on defense.  

Burnette Jr’s 1,209 receiving yards were the sixth most in a single-season in county history, and his 69 receptions rank as the tenth best in county history in a single-season. Burnette Jr caught at least one touchdown pass in every game of the regular season. The Rams senior caught seven passes for 95 yards and scored the Rams only touchdown in a 27-6 loss to Damascus, then caught nine passes for 210 yards and two scores in a 19-18 win over Springbrook a week later. In the Rams season-ending loss to Linganore, Burnette Jr produced more than half of the offense, nabbing 11 receptions for 113 yards. 

WR Evan Jones (Patuxent) 5’10 160 SO – Jones emerged as a top weapon for coach Steve Crounse and the Panthers, becoming junior quarterback Evan Blouir’s top target for the state semifinalists. The sophomore set the Panthers program record for receiving yards, and became just the fifth different receiver in league history to record 1,100 receiving yards or more.  

Jones finished his sophomore season with 49 receptions for 1,127 yards and 12 touchdown receptions, averaging 23 yards per reception. Jones finished second in the SMAC in both receptions and receiving yards, behind only MPSSAA leader Miles Halbert of Northern. Jones’ 1,127 receiving yards ranked sixth in the MPSSAA this season, and set an MPSSAA record for a sophomore. Jones 23.0 yards per reception average ranked third in the MPSSAA this season among receivers with 30 receptions or more. Jones recorded 41 solo tackles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery on defense, and returned a kickoff for a score on special teams.  

Jones caught ten passes for a program single-game record 268 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the Panthers 53-39 victory over Northern. Jones nabbed five receptions for 207 yards and three scores in the Panthers 35-0 second round win over Douglass. A week later, the sophomore caught six passes for 196 yards and a touchdown in a 42-7 quarterfinal win over Middletown.  

WR Tyrique Jones (Meade) 5’9 165 SR – Jones was a big play machine for the Mustangs and senior quarterback Brian Jamison this season, and tied for third in Anne Arundel County in touchdowns scored – this, from the receiver position. Jones scored in eight of the nine games he played in this season. 

Jones caught 33 passes for 780 yards and 12 touchdown receptions, averaging 23.6 yards per reception, the best mark in the MPSSAA this season among receivers with 30 receptions or more. Jones’ 12 touchdown receptions were second only to Broadneck’s Eli Harris for the county best this season, and tied for ninth-best in the MPSSAA this season. Jones added 94 yards on the ground on ten carries, and returned a kickoff for a score. Jones scored 13 touchdowns on 44 touches in nine games.  

Jones caught six passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns in the Mustangs 35-28 loss to Arundel, and produced 143 yards from scrimmage and two scores in the ‘Stangs 28-27 loss to league champion Old Mill in week nine. In the Mustangs season-ending 28-27 playoff loss to Glen Burnie, Jones caught five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, and returned a kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown.  

WR Ryder Johnston (North Hagerstown) 6’1 175 SR – Johnston shined through a 3-7 season for the Hubs, a disciplined route runner with sure hands. Johnston also was the Hubs top scoring threat and playmaker at the receiver position. Johnston built on a solid junior campaign and produced the best receiving season in their program’s history.  

Johnston pulled in 56 receptions this season for 1,051 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 18.8 yards per reception. Johnston’s 14 touchdown receptions ranked tied for fourth in the MPSSAA this season, while his 1,051 receiving yards ranked eighth-best in the MPSSAA. Johnston’s 56 receptions ranked eighth best among public school receivers this season. At safety, Johnston registered 33 solo tackles and two interceptions.  

WR Deshaun Ryals-Wilson (Richard Montgomery) 5’11 170 SR – Ryals-Wilson produced a brilliant senior season, despite the Rockets 3-7 record. Teaming with senior quarterback Anthony Dixon Jr, Ryals-Wilson ignited a Rockets offense that averaged 31.9 points per game. Despite tough losses to a handful of Montgomery County’s best, Ryals-Wilson and his quarterback formed a combination hard to stop.  

Ryals-Wilson finished his senior campaign with 64 receptions for 963 yards and nine touchdown receptions in ten games, averaging 15 yards per reception. Ryals-Wilson ranked seventh in the MPSSAA this season in receptions and tenth in receiving yards. Ryals-Wilson 96.3 receiving yards per game ranked sixth in the MPSSAA, and his 6.4 receptions ranked fourth in ‘the Association’ this season.  

The Rockets senior set a program single-game record in both receptions and receiving yards in a 52-29 loss to Northwest, grabbing 18 receptions for 259 yards and two touchdowns. To add to his heroics, Ryals-Wilson threw a 75 yard touchdown pass, accounting for 334 yards. Ryals-Wilson caught eight passes for 125 yards and two scores in a 39-35 win over Rockville, and seven passes for 90 yards in a loss to two-time defending champion Quince Orchard. Ryals-Wilson registered ten receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown in a 64-30 loss to Churchill, and six receptions for 123 yards and a score in a 48-37 loss to Gaithersburg.  

WR DJ Piner (Elkton) 6’0 170 JR – Piner followed up a promising sophomore campaign with the Golden Elks with an outstanding junior season, becoming the top outside threat in the UCBAC this season. Piner was one of the more consistent receivers in the MPSSAA this season, grabbing a touchdown reception or more in each of his ten games, and at least two receptions in each one too. 

Piner pulled in 45 receptions for 1,019 yards and 12 touchdown receptions for the Golden Elks this season, averaging 22.6 yards per reception. Piner ranked ninth in the MPSSAA in receiving yards this season, and tied for seventh-best in touchdown receptions. Piner’s 22.6 yards per reception ranked the second-highest among MPSSAA receivers with 40 receptions or more. Pinder’s 101.9 receiving yards per game average ranked sixth in the MPSSAA this season.  

The Golden Elks junior caught five passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns in a 19-14 victory of C Milton Wright. Pinder caught six passes for 75 yards and a score in loss to league champ Edgewood. Pinder caught four passes for 119 yards and a touchdown in a 28-21 loss to Perryville. Pinder caught five passes for 127 yards and a touchdowns in the Golden Elks season-ending loss to Chesapeake in the first round.  

ATH Tyler Brown (Northern) 6’0 182 SR – Brown was a two-way standout for the Patriots, finishing among the top ten in the MPSSAA in rushing yards this season, and serving as one of the Pats leading tacklers. Tyler’s running exploits help propel the Patriots to the 3A state semifinals, despite a 5-4 regular season record. Brown was a workhorse, averaging nearly 20 carries a game, then applying pressure at the linebacker position.  

Brown rushed for 1,487 yards and 21 touchdowns on 258 carries. Brown also caught 21 passes for for 250 yards and a score, giving the senior 1,737 yards from scrimmage. Brown ranked ninth in the MPSSAA in rushing yards, and his 22 overall touchdowns tied for ninth-best in the MPSSAA this season. On defense, Brown provided 72 tackles, six sacks, six tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. 

Brown totaled 165 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown in the Patriots 53-39 loss to Patuxent, and rushed for 93 yards and scored the Pats only two touchdowns in their 19-17 loss to Calvert. Brown also added two sacks in both of the losses. Brown took 39 carries for 281 yards and three touchdowns in their 42-21 second round win over Arundel. Brown also added an interception in the win. The following week, Brown again took 39 carries, rushing for 271 yards and two touchdowns in the Patriots 28-7 quarterfinal win over Chesapeake, while adding a touchdown reception. 

ATH Dallas Conway (Perry Hall) 5’9 170 SR – Conway produced in all three phases for coach Ryan Pittillo’s 12-1 Gators, and led the Baltimore County Division I champions in touchdowns scored. Conway’s production on both sides of the ball helped lead the Gators to 20 wins over the last two seasons, including this season’s program-best 12-1 overall record. Conway was a valuable utility knife for the Gators, one who could line up in the backfield, in the slot, or as a H-back on offense, and at cornerback, linebacker, or safety on defense.  

Conway complimented Jacob Wagner in the Gators running game, and teamed with Corey Costner to give his brother Da’Shaun two explosive weapons in the passing game. Conway scored 18 touchdowns this season, on 76 touches. Conway rushed for 474 yards and 11 touchdowns on 53 carries this season, averaging 8.9 yards per carry. As a receiver, Conway caught 22 passes for 368 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 16.7 yards per reception. On defense, Conway recorded 29 tackles, four for loss, and returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown. On special teams, Conway blocked two punts.  

Conway ran for a touchdown and added five tackles, including 1.5 for loss in the Gators 14-7 win over Dundalk. Conway produced 97 yards and a touchdown on five touches in the Gators 45-7 win over Franklin. In the Gators 44-20 win over Harford Tech, Conway rushed for 182 yards and three touchdowns on just eight attempts, and blocked a punt. The following week, Conway blocked another punt versus Milford Mill. Conway also ran for a score in the Gators 24-20 win over the Millers.  

ATH Jahmir Torres (Edgewood) 6’0 170 SR – Torres was a three-way star for the Rams for three seasons, leading Edgewood to back-to-back 8-win seasons for just the second time in this century. Torres was the Rams top producer on offense, top return man, and top cover man in the secondary. Torres helped lead the Rams to the UCBAC Chesapeake title.  

Torres produced 1,170 yards and 13 touchdowns on offense, 211 yards and two touchdowns on kick returns, and 20 solo tackles, two interceptions, a ‘pick 6, and a team-best nine pass break-ups. Torres was named to the Harford County All-County first team for a second year in a row.  

Torres produced 291 total yards in the Rams 27-12 opening game win over City College. Torres rushed for 181 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries versus the Black Knights, adding four receptions for 80 yards and a another score, 30 yards on two punt returns, and two pass break ups. Torres produced 127 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on twelve touches in the Rams 43-24 win over Elkton, and added a ‘pick 6’. Torres rushed for 126 yards and three touchdowns in a 32-12 win over Joppatowne. In the Rams only regular season defeat, a 17-16 loss to Harford Tech, Torres totaled 172 yards from scrimmage and a score on twelve touches, along with three tackles and two pass break-ups.  

ATH Domaine Wallace Jr (Calvert) 5’8 185 SR – Wallace has done just about everything for the Cavaliers in his three-plus seasons with the team. Wallace was a MPSSAA All-State honorable mention selection as a junior, after scoring 27 touchdowns, and grabbing five interceptions. This season, Wallace Jr’s two-way heroics helped lead the Cavaliers to the 2/1A state championship game, their first appearance in the title game in 23 seasons, and second in program history.  

Wallace rushed for 1,340 yards and 15 touchdowns on 226 attempts this season, while adding 14 receptions for 134 yards. On defense, Wallace produced 38 solo tackles, including eight tackles for loss and two sacks.  

Wallace totaled 146 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown in the Cavs 19-17 victory over state semifinalist Northern. Wallace was the key factor in the Cavaliers 19-14 win over Patuxent in their regular season finale, rushing for 133 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Wallace rushed for 197 yards in the Cavaliers 36-0 quarterfinal win over Fallston, followed by a 135 rushing yard performance in the Cavs 17-14 state semifinal win over Forest Park. While the Cavaliers didn’t score in their 8-0 title game loss to Dunbar, Wallace did rush for a game-best 75 yards, and added two solo tackles. Wallace finished his Cavaliers career with 3,091 rushing yards, 3,701 all-purpose yards, and 48 touchdowns in 41 games. And, 21 tackles for loss and seven interceptions, among other things.  

ATH Tye’Shawn Cox (Mervo) 5’9 160 SR – Cox was a ‘Jack-of-all-trades’ for the Mustangs in their 2023 championship season, serving as their top receiver, top return man, and third leading rusher. Cox was one of five Mustangs this season to score ten touchdowns or more, joining running back Bobby Johnson (14), De’Sean Thorton (13), quarterback Ray Moore III (10), and Justin DeVaughn (10). Cox was a threat wherever he lined up – outside, in the slot, or in motion on the ‘jet sweep’.  

Cox provided the Mustangs not only a deft route runner, but a receiver that could make the tough catch down the middle or in coverage. Cox led the Mustangs with 30 receptions for 584 yards and seven touchdown receptions, averaging 19.5 yards per reception. Cox added 432 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground, and a total of 360 yards returning kickoffs and points. 

Cox produced 1,216 yards from scrimmage and a total of 1,526 all-purpose yards, scoring 11 touchdowns. Cox produced 202 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns in the Mustangs 26-20 opening week win over Bowie. Cox totaled 155 all-purpose yards in the Mustangs 44-12 win over City College. Cox was the top yard producer for the 2023 4/3A state champions, and leaves Mervo with two state titles.  

ATH Ethan Gunter (Perryville) 5’10 190 SR – Gunter was ‘the’ two-way star for the Panthers over the last two seasons, leading his team to state quarterfinals in each of the last two seasons. Gunter led the UCBAC in rushing in both seasons, and led the conference in touchdowns scored this season.  

This season, Gunter rushed for 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns on 189 attempts, averaging 7.4 yards per carry. Gunter ranked 13th in the MPSSAA in rushing yards this season, and 11th in rushing yards per game, at 127.3 yards per game. At safety, Gunter produced 23 solo tackles – two for loss, and four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. With a touchdown reception, Gunter scored 19 touchdowns in all, tied for 16th best in the MPSSAA this season. The senior running back even completed all three of his pass attempts, for 84 yards. 

Gunter rushed for 195 yards and two touchdowns in their opening week loss to North Hagerstown, and 105 yards and the Panthers only score in a 7-6 loss to league champ Patterson Mill. Gunter rushed for 214 yards and three touchdowns in the Panthers 38-0 quarterfinal win over Lake Clifton. In their state semifinal loss to Mountain Ridge, Gunter managed 72 rushing yards. 

 ATH Dashawn Parks (Dunbar)!5’7 165 SR – Parks was a three year producer on offense for the Poets, a valuable weapon in the Poets 37 game win streak. Parks was just as comfortable running through the tackles as he was lining up outside as a receiving threat. For three championship seasons, Parks served as one of the Poets top offensive players. 

This season, Parks rushed for 885 yards and ten touchdowns, and added 489 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions. With the majority of carries going to Cole Floyd, and the majority of passing targets going to Antonio Lyde and Malachi Washington, Parks averaged 124.9 yards from scrimmage per game, and finished second in touchdowns. Parks took nine carries for 58 yards in the 8-0 title game win over Calvert, where yards were hard to come by.  

ATH Junior Aderomilehin (Harford Tech) 6’1 180 SR – For a second season in a row, Aderomilehin provided the Cobras with one the biggest threats on the outside in the UCBAC, as well as a lock-down cornerback. The Cobras senior was one of the better two-way players in the MPSSAA over the last two seasons. 

Aderomilehin caught 45 passes for 736 yards and seven touchdowns in ten games this season, averaging 16.4 yards per carry. Aderomilehin contributed 26 solo tackles on defense, with six pass break-ups.  

Aderomilehin totaled nine catches for 101 yards and a touchdown in a loss to league champ Edgewood. Aderomilehin caught nine passes for 132 yards in the Cobras 17-14 win over C Milton Wright. In his final game as a Cobra, Aderomilehin hauled in seven receptions for 132 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-26 loss to Elkton in the second round.  

TE Tristin Borgholthaus (Patuxent) 6’2 185 SR – Borgholthaus served as a valuable ‘utility knife’ for coach Steve Crounse and junior quarterback Evan Blouir, a hybrid tight end that could do damage right off the line at tight end, outside as a 6’2 target, or a blocking tool at the ‘H-back’ position. Wherever he lined up, Borghothaus was a key cog in the Panthers offensive success, for a team that averaged 38.8 points per game.  

While Borgholthaus is honored here on offense, the senior served as a two-way star for the Panthers, also serving as a playmaking outside linebacker. But, it was on offense where Borgholthaus caught 28 passes for 682 yards and five touchdowns as one of the Panthers top weapons, and his 24 yards per receptions ranked second among MPSSAA receivers with 25 receptions or more. At outside linebacker, Borgholthaus registered 43 solo tackles, including eight for loss, two interceptions, a sack, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt. 

Borgholthaus caught a 47 yard touchdown pass in the Panthers 41-31 win over Huntingtown, while producing seven solo tackles and an interception on defense. The Panthers senior caught five passes for 140 yards and one touchdown in their 53-39 win over Northern, adding seven solo tackles. Versus Leonardtown, Borgholthaus contributed an interception, a fumble recovery, a sack, and a blocked punt in a 27-7 win. Borgholthaus caught an 86 yard touchdown pass in the Panthers 42-7 quarterfinal win over Middletown, and boasted six catches for 76 yards in their 36-29 semifinal loss to Dunbar. 

TE Tristan West (Liberty) 6’4 207 JR – West was the most consistent big play tight end in the MPSSAA this season, and a bigger part of his team’s offensive yardage production than any other tight end in the MPSSAA. West, a junior, led Carroll County in receiving yards, yards per reception, and touchdown receptions, an almost unheard of trifecta for a tight end.  

West caught 34 passes for 815 yards and eight touchdowns for the Lions this season, ranking first in the MPSSAA in receiving yards among tight ends. West’s 24.0 yards per reception ranked first in the MPSSAA in yards per reception among any receivers with 30 receptions or more, including wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs. Among tight ends, West led the MPSSAA in touchdown receptions.  

West was the catalyst in the Lions upset bid versus undefeated county champion Westminster, setting up a scoring drive and catching a two-point conversion that gave his team late, before the Carroll County OPOY, Kyrece Walker, answered with a game-winning scoring drive.  

TE Reid Wisniewski (Walter Johnson) 6’1 198 SR – Wisniewski was a huge part of the Wildcats success this season, one that saw them register the best season in their program’s history. The Wildcats senior presented quarterback Charlie Blessing a great target down the middle, as well as giving 1,000 yard rusher Dylan Byrd some valuable blocking on the edge. Wisniewski made several notable grabs this season – one-handed, in traffic, jump balls, and over the shoulder. 

Wisniewski caught 33 passes for 512 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 15.5 yards per reception, leading the county in all four categories among tight ends. The ‘23 Wildcats became the first team in school history to win nine games, and first to get two wins in the same post-season.  

OL Andrew Racosky (Brunswick) 6’7 330 SR – Racosky just finished his third season playing organized football, and for the second season in a row, the mammoth Railroaders lineman dominated. For the second year in a row, Racosky was selected to the Frederick County first team. Racosky played a huge role in running back Ben Wells success, as well as protecting the Roaders talented junior quarterback Ethan Houck.  

The Railroaders took advantage of Rocosky’s dominance, producing more than 330 yards per game, averaging 35.9 points per game. Wells was just one of three running backs in the MPSSAA to rush for more than 1,400 yards in each of the last two seasons, along with Linganore’s Ethan Arneson and Old Mill’s Maximus Jones. The Railroaders were just one of six teams in the MPSSAA to feature a running back with 1,250 or more rushing yards, and a passer with 1,250 or more passing yards.  

OL Rasheen Duncan (Old Mill) 6’2 295 SR – Duncan was dominant on both sides of the ball for the Patriots, at guard and tackle on offense, and inside at tackle on defense. Duncan helped lead the Millers to an Anne Arundel County championship and an unbeaten league record with his line play. Duncan was named to the Washington Post’s All-Met honorable mention team on the offensive line.  

On offense, Duncan paved the way for senior Maximus Jones, who finished fourth in the MPSSAA in rushing yards, with 1,865, and sixth in touchdowns, with 26. The 4A quarterfinalists produced 3,815 yards of offense this season. On defense, Duncan totaled 37 tackles, four tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.  

OL Maurice Coclough (Dunbar) 6’0 240 SR – Coclough opened plenty of holes for the Poets and their running game, whether at guard or tackle, for an offense that averaged scoring 46.9 points per game. Coclough and his line mates made way for three Poets to gain more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage, while protecting for quarterback Savion Witherspoon, who threw just one interception all season.  

Behind Coclough and the ‘O-line’, the Poets averaged more than 12 yards per carry this season, and rushed for 45 touchdowns in eleven games. On defense, Coclough contributed 36 tackles, including eight for loss. The Poets held nine of eleven opponents to six points or less. Coclough was named to the Baltimore Sun All-Met first team on offense.  

OL Brayden Sines (Fort Hill) 6’1 260 SR – Sines was a force at left tackle for the Sentinels this season, serving as a bookend to right tackle Carter Hess, who was selected as the MPSSAA Defensive Player of the Year. Sines was part of an offensive unit that averaged 48.1 points per game, and produced 369 yards of offense per game during their tenth state championship season.  

Behind Sines, Hess & Co., the Sentinels averaged 307.2 rushing yards per game, at an average of 8.0 yards per carry. The Sentinels scored 35 or more points in ten of their twelve games played on the field (one forfeit win). The Sentinels rushed for 308 yards in their 37-14 week six win over Mountain Ridge, and rushed for 432 yards in their 47-21 victory over Allegany on Homecoming. Led by junior Jabril Daniels heroics, the Sentinels rushed for 402 yards and six touchdown in the Sentinels 45-21 state title game win over Mountain Ridge.  

OL Anthony Coreas (Magruder) 6’3 380 SR – Coreas has been a powerful force in the Colonels running game over the last three seasons, and was selected to the Montgomery All-County first team this season. At the left guard position, and at 380 pounds, Corea simply overpowered the competition, oftentimes just mauling his opponent.  

Coreas provided many of the holes for Marcus McCritty, the Colonels senior running back who finished third in Montgomery County in rushing, behind two of the top three rushers in the MPSSAA this season – David Avit and Gideon Ituka.  

OL Brady O’Neal (Kent Island) 6’3 240 SR – O’Neal was one of just a few standouts that returned from a 2022 Buccaneers team that finished 12-2 and advanced to the 2A state title game. But, the Bucs, who lost 95% of their offensive production from that state finalist team, could count on O’Neal to provide the leadership and skill to lead the Buccaneers on the line on both sides of the ball.  

Despite losing senior Kasey Heath and his 2,588 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns, O’Neal and his linemates paved the way for the Buccaneers to average 32.9 points per game. O’Neal was named to the All-Bayside Conference first team at both the offensive tackle and defensive tackle positions for a second year in a row.  

OL Cortez Johnson (Calvert) 6’0 258 SR – Johnson was a three year starter and a two-way starter the last two seasons with the Cavaliers, helping the Prince Frederick program to back-to-back 10-win seasons, and their first state championship game appearance in 23 years. Johnson played a huge role on two of the five best teams in their program’s history, including this year’s team, which would rank second only to their ‘00 state championship team.  Johnson helped make way for running back Domaine Wallace, who rushed for 39 touchdowns over the last two seasons. On defense, Cortez teamed with his brother Cornell on the line, where he totaled 21 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble.  

OL Amory Hills (Milford Mill) 6’6 235 JR – Mills was dominant at the tackle position for the defending state champion Millers, and now has garnered more than a dozen D1 offers, quickly approaching two dozen. Hills provided the needed protection for quarterback DeShawn Purdie, and the blocking for a running back corps that was replacing Sean Williams and his 2,059 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns. Despite losing Williams and their three top receivers, Hills and Purdie helped guide the Millers to a 33.2 point scoring average.  

Just a junior, and likely a top target at guard at the next level, much of the Millers running game involved Hills paving the way. On the season, the Millers averaged 8.3 yards per carry, with their top two runners averaging 9.8 and 9.9 yards per attempt, respectively. The Millers offense produced 399 yards per game, including 151.3 yards per game through the air, with Hills protecting the blind side.  

OL Demetrius Johnson (Suitland) 6’2 350 SR – Johnson devoured opposing nose guards and defensive tackles from the center position for the Rams, taking out that defender (or two) shortly after the point of contact. The Rams senior powered the Rams to a 9-3 record, a 4A quarterfinal appearance, and the best season and most wins for the program in ten years.  

With Johnson the anchor at center, the Rams rushed for 210.7 yards per game, averaging 7.7 yards per carry, with each of their top four rushers averaging better than seven yards per carry. The Rams rushed for 337 yards and four touchdowns in their 30-14 win over Bowie. Johnson was named to the Prince Georges 4A All-County first team.  

OL Jeffrey Afedi (Reservoir) 5’11 245 SR – Afedi was a punishing guard for the county champion Gators, delivering hits than left many of his opponents on ‘fours’. Afedi was equally adept at sealing a defender as he was issuing a menacing block on a pull. Afedi was a two-way star for the Gators, but gets the nod on the offensive side here for his contribution to the successes of quarterback Jordan Tate and running back Adrian Alvarado, both All-County first team selections.  

Afedi paved the way for Alvarado, who rushed for 1,243 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, finishing second in the county in rushing. The Gators averaged 7.5 yards per carry this season. Afedi also helped Tate account for 1,742 yards and 18 touchdowns in ten games.  

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DL Xavier Rivers (Northwest) 6’2 235 SR – Rivers capped off a great career with the Jaguars with an outstanding senior season, producing time after time, and when the Jags needed it the most. Rivers was the key figure in the Jaguars 29-26 win over Quince Orchard in the second round of the playoffs, ending the Cougars 37 game win streak. Rivers was a constant threat at the edge, with great closing speed and an elasticizing wing span. 

Rivers totaled 49 solo tackles this season, 12 assisted tackles, and 21 tackles for loss. Rivers led Montgomery County in tackles for loss. The Jags senior added five sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, two safeties, a ‘pick 6’, and three blocked extra point attempts. While an excellent edge rusher, Rivers showed some versatility this season by lining up at inside linebacker and nose tackle, to bolster the Jaguars run defense.  

Rivers delivered three tackles for loss in the Jaguars dominating 47-14 win over Damascus in week two. Rivers totaled six solo tackles including a sack in the Jags 28-0 shutout win over rival Seneca Valley. The Jags star produced seven solo tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a sack in the Jaguars 28–13 win over Paint Branch. In the Jaguars regular season loss to Quince Orchard, Rivers blocked two kicks. Rivers produced five tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, and three pass deflections in the Jags 36-0 opening round playoff win over Seneca Valley.  

Rivers was named the Montgomery County Defensive Player of the Year for 2023, and was named to the Washington Post All-Met second team. Rivers finest moments came in the win over Quince Orchard, with the senior producing ten total tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, a blocked extra point, and what turned out to be the game-winning 30 yard ‘pick 6’, that, at the time, gave the Jags a three score lead. Rivers has committed to Yale, and will be an ‘Ivy Leaguer’. 

DL Dominic Nichols (Oakdale) 6’5 245 SR – While Evan Austin and Hunter Thompson were providing fireworks for the state champion Bears on offense, it was Nichols providing the frontal assault on the defensive side of the ball. Nichols punctuated a great three year career with the Bears by delivering a monster season season. The undefeated champions played eight opponents that finished in the MPSSAA Top 50 this season, all who averaged scoring more than 30 points per game. The Bears defense was needed more than it would appear, and Nichols was here for it.  

Nichols presented a mismatch at his edge position, dominating offensive tackles, and putting relentless pressure on opposing quarterbacks and running backs. At 6’5, his size presented as many challenges for opposing passing games as his relentless pass rush did. Nichols even provided his talents on the offensive side of the ball this season, for good measure. The Bears senior is committed to top ranked Michigan, choosing the Wolverines offer over those from Georgia, Penn State, Florida State, Maryland, and 31 others.  

Nichols led the Bears with 48 solo tackles, adding 46 assisted tackles, and producing 28 tackles for loss, which ranked second in the MPSSAA. Nichols totaled 16 sacks and a MPSSAA-best 83 quarterback pressures. The Bears senior added 15 pass break-ups, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, that he returned for 58 yards, and an interception that he returned for 28 yards. Nichols threw for a touchdown, ran for a touchdown, and caught a touchdown pass. Nichols also blocked two punts.  

Nichols came up big in the Bears 22-21 opening week win over Milford Mill, producing a team-best four solo tackles, four assisted tackles, two sacks, seven quarterback pressures, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. Nichols offered 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a 38 yard touchdown pass, and a 40 yard reception in the Bears 46-21 win over Allegany. Nichols nabbed four tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble in the Bears 56-6 semifinal win over Oakland Mills. Nichols totaled a team-best ten tackles in the Bears title game victory.  

DL Ronald Hull (Wise) 6’2 275 SR – Hull was a lynchpin on the Pumas defensive line for three seasons, starting since he was a sophomore for the now six-time state champions. Hull not only clogged the middle running lanes, but often made opposing centers and guards a part of the backfield shortly after the snap. While the Pumas have boated a litany of super-talented skill players over the last 15 seasons, it’s been their defense that has led them to six 4A state championships, and that was no different this year, with Hull leading the charge.  

Hull was the centerpiece of a Pumas defense that allowed only 5.4 points per game versus their 12 MPSSAA opponents this season, registering eight shutouts in those 12 games, including their state title victory. Only one MPSSAA opponent reached at least half of their scoring average versus the Pumas – Eleanor Roosevelt, who scored 16 in their 22-16 week two loss to the Pumas, and 21 in their 62-21 loss to the eventual champion in the semifinals.  

Hull provided 27 solo tackles and 14 assisted tackles this season, including 20.5 tackles for loss. Hull added six sacks, five forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick. In their week two win over Eleanor Roosevelt, Hull totaled a sack, a tackle for loss, and blocked a Raiders field goal attempt. In the Pumas win over Oxon Hill, Hull produced three tackles for loss, two sacks, and forced a fumble, and in a win over Laurel, forced three fumbles, recovered one, and added three tackles for loss and a sack. 

Hull’s success continued into the post-season, where he recorded 8.5 tackles for loss in four post-season games. In the Pumas 42-14 win over Walter Johnson, Hull recorded 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. In the Pumas semifinal win over Roosevelt, Hull tallied four solo tackles, two tackles for loss, and forced a fumble. In three seasons, Hull registered 83 solo tackles, 60 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, and forced nine fumbles. Hull finishes his career as a state champion, and with a 35-4 record as a starter. Hull was named the Prince Georges County 4A Defensive Player of the Year. Hull is committed to Akron.  

DL Xavier Gilliam (Quince Orchard) 6’3 265 – After transferring from Wilde Lake for his senior season, Gilliam became the Cougars most dominant player in the defensive side of the ball, and playing much of the season on the inside, after playing end and on the edge for the Wildecats. Gilliam did move around on the line, but wherever he lined up, he was penetrating and throwing running backs around like rag dolls. Gilliam was named to the Washington Post All-Met first team, one of only four MPSSAA players selected to the first team among the twelve players chosen.  

Gilliam joined Jaylen Harvey on the Cougars defensive front, giving the two-time defending champions a pair of high ‘D1’ recruits on the defensive line. Both were outstanding when they played, leading the Cougars to five shutouts in ten games, and holding seven of ten opponents to seven points or less. The Cougars shut out 10-3 South Lake (VA), 9-2 Gaithersburg, and 11-2 Churchill. The latter two boasted the top pair in the MPSSAA this season in rushing yards per game.  

In ten games, Gilliam led the Cougars with 24 solo tackles, added 18 assisted tackles, and a team-leading 17 tackles for loss and six sacks. The Cougars allowed only 32.1 rushing yards per game, and just 1.33 yards per carry. The Cougars stopped 74.7% of their opponents third down conversions, and 19 of 25 fourth down conversions. Despite the loss to arch rival Northwest in the second round, the Cougars boasted one of the five best defensive units in the MPSSAA. Gilliam is headed to Happy Valley, where he’ll join Harvey.  

LB Kamari Loving (North Point) 5’11 222 SR – Loving was dominant in his two years with the Eagles, helping lead a defensive unit that was one of the two or three best in the MPSSAA in each of the last two seasons. A true ‘Mike’ linebacker, Loving was a hard-hitting sure tackler for the Eagles, leading the team in total tackles, solo tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks in each of the last two seasons. The Eagles allowed only 4.1 points per game, and held 12 of 14 opponents to one touchdown or less.  

With Loving at middle linebacker, the Eagles won 24 games in two seasons, advancing to the state championship game in both seasons, and winning it all in ‘22. In 28 games over the last two seasons, the Eagles allowed only 6.4 points per game, and shut out 13 of their last 19 opponents, allowing only 3.7 points per game in that span. And Loving and senior defensive tackle Kendall Carter, a fellow two-time MPSSAA selection, were in the middle of it all. 

A year after registering 67 solo tackles and 109 total tackles as a junior, Loving raised the bar even further in his senior campaign, recording 80 solo tackles, 49 assisted tackles, and 17 tackles for loss. Loving also added five sacks, two pass break-ups, and a forced fumble for the 13-1 Eagles. Loving was named the SMAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row, and was named to the Washington Post’s All-Met first team. The Eagles senior holds offers from Charlotte, Pittsburgh, and Boston College.  

LB Anthony Campbell (Dunbar) 6’1 235 SR – Campbell was the ‘heart and soul’ of the 13-time state champion Poets defensive unit, a year after providing the key play in the 2/1A title game with an 87 yard ‘pick 6’ in the final minutes that turned the game on its head. Campbell led a ‘23 Poets defensive unit that lost nine starters to graduation from their 2022 state championship team, but the senior middle linebacker provided coach Michael Carter Sr and the Poets a mainstay in the middle, with leadership skills to bring the unit up to the Poets standards.  

Campbell headlined a defense that held nine of their eleven opponents to seven points or less, and allowed only 6.5 points per game. In week two, the Poets shutout high-powered City College, 60-0, a team that averaged 33.7 points per game and set a handful of MPSSAA single-season passing and receiving records. In the state title game, the Poets blanked then 12-1 Calvert, who came in averaging scoring 34.9 points per game.  

Campbell led the Poets with 59 solo tackles and 16 assisted tackles in 11 games this season. Campbell provided nine tackles for loss and four forced fumbles, including a game-clinching punch in their 20-18 win over fellow state champion Mervo, with the Mustangs inside the ten yard line. Campbell totaled seven solo tackles, three assisted tackles, and two tackles for loss in the shutout win over City College.  

A year after making the biggest play in the state title game, Campbell came up big again when the lights were its brightest this December. Campbell supplied a team-best four solo tackles, three assisted tackles, and two tackles for loss in the 8-0 win over Calvert. But, his biggest play may have been when he was called on to punt in the fourth quarter, and the Poets at midfield, up a score. Campbell nailed a 42 yard punt that put the Cavaliers on their own three yard line. It was too much for the Cavaliers to overcome against the Poets. Two big plays, two one score games, two state titles.  

LB Tre Hunley (Mervo) 6’3 195 SR – Hunley manned the middle linebacker position for the formidable Mustangs defense, a unit that ushered the ‘Stangs to their second state championship in three seasons. The Mustangs defense registered eight shutouts this season, and allowed only 4.7 points per game. While the Mustangs have had two great quarterbacks and a variety of playmakers around them during their two title runs, the Mustangs defense has been the ‘heart and soul’ of their championship teams.  

Henley recorded a team-best 76 solo tackles and 60 assisted tackles this season, including six tackles for loss. Henley also forced two fumbles. Henley was the Mustangs most reliable tackler, a sure thing at the second level who displayed great instincts reading out plays. Henley was great pass coverage too, recording two interceptions, including a ‘pick 6’, and adding four pass break ups.  

Hunley was instrumental in limiting crossing routes by the prolific City College passing game, helping limit the Knights to 12 points, with nine tackles and two pass break-ups. The Mustangs shutout 11-2 Forest Park. Only two of the Mustangs last 13 opponents scored more than a touchdown on them – Dunbar, who scored three, and City, who scored two. In their final three games, the Mustangs limited 9-3 Suitland to six points, shutout 12-1 Perry Hall, and held North Point to seven points in the state championship game.  

DB Braydon Lee (Flowers) 6’1 163 SR – Lee was one of the most talented cornerbacks to play in the MPSSAA in this century, and the four star recruit had two dozen ‘Power 5’ offers to prove it. Lee was a lockdown corner in coverage, and more than capable open field tackler in the run game. Lee headlined a secondary on a unit that was arguably the best defense in the MPSSAA. A year after earning MPSSAA All-State second team honors and All-Met second team honors as a junior, Lee lands on both the MPSSAA All-State first team and All-Met first team this season.  

The Jaguars allowed a paltry 3.6 points per game in ten games this season, and shut out seven of ten opponents. The Jags defensive unit allowed only two touchdowns in ten games, and suffered their only loss on the field, a 17-14 overtime thriller with league rival Wise, with their defense not allowing the Pumas a touchdown. Lee garnered 30 college offers, from the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State, but dipped an original commitment to South Carolina to Maryland in December.  

In ten games, Lee produced three interceptions, including a ‘pick 6’, and totaled five pass break-ups. What isn’t tallied is the amount of times the opposing ‘WR1’ couldn’t get the ball thrown to him, because he was blanketed by Lee. The Jaguars allowed just two passing touchdowns in ten games, limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 38.5% completion percentage, and yielded only 3.7 yards per pass attempt. With Lee at cornerback, the Jaguars went 33-4 on the gridiron over the last three seasons, won a county title, and made the program’s first state title game appearance.  

DB Mason Farstar (Linganore) 5’11 195 SR – Farster was the leader of the 3A finalist Lancers defense – a hard-hitting, playmaking safety that helped lead the six-time state champions to a 12-2 record and their fifth 3A title game appearance in the last six post-seasons. Farstar was a punishing tackler that used physicality on both running backs and potential receivers. Farstar was a three year varsity player and a part of two state finalist teams and a pair of 12-win teams.  

While the Lancers offense received most of the headlines, with the Frederick all-time leading rusher Ethan Arneson leading the ground game, and Bucknell commit Christian Petruzello at quarterback, the Lancers defense was stellar, save for a shootout win over Franklin, and the state championship shootout loss with  undefeated Oakdale. The Lancers held the state champion Bears to a season-low 21 points in their 21-14 week four loss to the Bears. The Lancers limited Walkersville to 12 points and shutout Middletown. The Lancers only allowed one touchdown in each of their first three playoff games.  

Farstar led the Lancers with 43 solo tackles and 50 assisted tackles, and forced two fumbles. Farstar also picked off five interceptions that totaled 145 return yards, including a ‘pick 6’. Farstar added three rushing touchdowns on offense. Farstar was named to the All-Frederick County first team for a second year in a row.  

DB Michael Nwaogwugwu (Gaithersburg) 5’11 165 SR – Nwaogwugwu was a three-phase star for the Trojans, helping lead his team to the second best season in 20 years for their program, and finishing 9-2. Nwaogwugwu was a menace in the secondary, foiling passing games with lockdown coverage and outstanding playmaking ability. At receiver, Nwaogwugwu was a threat down field or in the ‘jet’, and contributed on all special teams units. 

Nwaogwugwu intercepted six passes this season, returning the half dozen for 242 yards and three touchdowns. Nwaogwugwu  added nine pass break ups. On offense, Nwaogwugwu provided ten plays of 20 yards or more in the Trojans run-heavy offense, led by Wisconsin commit Gideon Ituka. On special teams, Nwaogwugwu returned two kicks for 50 yards or more, and blocked both an extra point and a punt. 

Nwaogwugwu nabbed three interceptions in the Trojans impressive 35-21 win over Sherwood, returning one for a touchdown, and added a tackle for loss and a 25 yard run on his only carry. Versus Rockville and All-State receiver Joshua Burnette Jr, the Trojans senior held the Rams star to 20 receiving yards, and totaled six pass break ups. To add, Nwaogwugwu scored on a 65 yard run. Nwaogwugwu supplied 106 yards of offense in the Trojans 48-37 win over Richard Montgomery. Nwaogwugwu holds an offer from Howard.  

DB Roger Jones Jr (Huntingtown) 6’0 190 SR – Jones was an ultra-talented two-way weapon for the 2A state finalist Hurricanes, serving as one of the best receiving threats in the MPSSAA, while also offering some of the best all-around skills in the secondary for the Canes. Few scored more touchdowns on fewer touches than the Air Force commit did. Jones Jr was the Hurricanes top offensive threat, and a sure tackling safety, who was great in coverage.  

In twelve games, Jones Jr caught 41 passes for 894 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 21.8 yards per reception. Jones tied for the fourth most touchdown receptions in the MPSSAA, and ranked third in yards per receptions among receivers with 40 receptions or more. On the defensive side, Jones Jr produced 80 tackles, four for loss, three interceptions, and eight pass break ups. Jones was named to the All-SMAC first team at both wide receiver and defensive back, and was named to the Washington Post’s All-Met second team at defensive back.  

The Hurricanes senior caught six passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-31 week two loss to Patuxent, adding ten tackles. Jones Jr caught four passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-7 win over Northern in the regular season finale. Jones Jr was the key factor in the Canes 35-21 win over Kent Island in the quarterfinals, catching seven passes for 91 yards and scoring three touchdowns, while adding an interception on defense. A week later, Jones Jr contributed an interception, a tackle for loss, and three pass break ups in their 27-7 quarterfinal win over Walkersville. In the Canes 21-13 loss to Decatur in the state final, Jones Jr shared team-high honors in solo tackles, with five, and picked off an interception for the third post-season game in a row.  

ATH TiJuan Reed (Forest Park) 5’10 175 JR – Reed has been a catalyst in the Foresters rapid emergence among the best small school programs in the MPSSAA, building on a tremendous sophomore campaign with an outstanding junior season. Reed was a two-way star for the 2/1A semifinalists – performing as one of the top running backs in the MPSSAA, and doubling as a hybrid tackler on the Foresters impressive defensive unit. 

Reed finished sixth in the MPSSAA in rushing yards, with 1,570, and tied for seventh in touchdowns, with 24. Reed finished second only to Fort Hill’s Jabril Daniels in rushing yards in the MPSSAA among underclassmen, and third in touchdowns, behind Daniels and Wise’s DeCarlos Young. Reed also registered 322 receiving yards, giving him 1,892 yards from scrimmage. On defense, Reed posted 56 tackles, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and a ‘pick 6’.  

Reed scored on three touches in a win over Ben Franklin, taking two carries for scores and returning a ‘pick 6’. Reed rushed for 144 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Foresters 12-9 quarterfinal win over Winters Mill, adding three solo tackles. Reed rushed for 119 yards and two scores in the Foresters heartbreaking 17-14 loss to Calvert in the semifinals. The Foresters were trailing eventual state champion Mervo 6-0 in the fourth quarter of their matchup, before taking a 20-0 loss. Reed and the Foresters will look to build on this season in 2024.  

ATH Gavin Solito (Decatur) 5’7 170 SR – Solito was a complete ‘gamer’ for the state champion Seahawks, lining up as one of the best slot receivers in the MPSSAA, and serving as a safety-linebacker hybrid on defense, and leading the state champions in tackles. Solito made big plays on both sides of the ball, in the biggest games. Seahawks coach Jake Coleman said of Solito “I haven’t coached a better player”. That’s saying something, considering all of the greats Coleman has coached, including his son Brycen, a three-time All-Bayside honoree, two-time OPOY, and headed to Vanderbilt. For his work this season, Solito was named the Bayside Conference Two-Way Player of the Year.  

As a slot receiver, Solito grabbed 30 receptions from Coleman for 465 yards, averaging 15.5 yards per reception, with seven touchdown receptions. On defense, Solito produced 36 solo tackles and 76 assisted tackles, including six tackles for loss. Solito added six sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, a blocked punt, and a blocked extra point. There wasn’t much Solito didn’t do.  

 Solito totaled 11 tackles, forced a fumble, and scored a touchdown in the Seahawks 33-15 win over Kent Island. The Seahawks senior amassed 12 solo tackles and five assisted tackles in the Seahawks 35-34 semifinal win over defending champ Milford Mill, including three tackles for loss, but maybe more importantly, blocked an extra point in a one point win. In the state title game, Solito forced two fumbles, registered six solo tackles and 11 assisted tackles, added a sack and a tackle for loss, and provided five receptions for 57 yards.  

Special Teams First Team 

K Keith Baker (Calvert) 6’0 160 SR – Baker was all but perfect for the Cavaliers this season, setting up the defense with outstanding kickoffs and touchbacks, and missing just three scoring opportunities on 52 placekicking attempts. Baker kicked at least one field goal and made all of his extra point attempts in three wins decided by ten points or less for the state finalists. When Baker wasn’t pinning opponents back on kickoffs, the Cavs senior was doing so on punts. 

Baker converted 44 of 45 extra point attempts, for a 97.8% success rate. Baker also converted five of seven field goal attempts, with a long of 42 yards. Baker produced 29 touchbacks on 66 kickoffs, and averaged 34.4 yards per punt, with ten downed inside the opponents twenty yard line.  

Heading into the Cavaliers week five showdown with defending champion North Point, Baker had hit on all 21 extra point attempts, and two of three field goal attempts, before delivering a 37 yard field goal and converting his one extra point in the Cavs 20-10 loss. Baker nailed his 42 yard field goal in the Cavaliers 16-6 win over state finalist Huntingtown. Baker hit both of his extra point attempts and made his one field goal attempt in their 19-14 win over Patuxent.  

P Matt Hauptman (Linganore) 5’10 180 SR – Hauptman was a vital ingredient to the Lancers success this season, serving as a huge asset to the defense with his outstanding punting performance, while also serving as the 3A finalists top receiving threat. Hauptman led the MPSSAA in punting average. 

Hauptman averaged 41.1 yards per punt, putting eight of 21 punts inside the opponents 20 yard line. In the state title game loss to Oakdale, Hauptman punted three times, allowing only a total of four punt return yards on the three punts. Hauptman ranked second in Frederick County in touchdown receptions, with eight, and averaged 26.9 yards per catch on 14 receptions.  

KR Newton Essiam (Frederick) 5’11 175 SR – Essiam was a three-way weapon for the Cadets, and a scoring and big play threat every time he touched the ball. On offense, he paired with classmate Davian Pryor as one of the best downfield receiving tandems in the MPSSAA, as well as one of the best secondary duos on defense, all while leading the MPSSAA in return yards.  

Essiam produced a total of 647 kickoff and punt return yards on a total of 17 returns, returning three for touchdowns and having another two called back on penalties. Essiam took 12 kickoff returns for 463 yards, for an astounding 38.6 kickoff return yard average, returning two for touchdowns. Essiam also averaged 36.8 return yards on five punt returns, scoring on one.  

Essiam added 305 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns on 20 touches on offense, and 31 solo tackles, 47 total tackles, four interceptions, nine pass break-ups, and two forced fumbles on defense. The Cadets senior totaled 759 return yards, including 112 on the four interceptions. Essiam produced 1,064 yards and ten touchdowns on 41 touches in all this season. Essiam is committed to Villanova.  

Defense Second Team 

DL TJ Wilkerson (Mervo) 5’9 240 SR – Wilkerson was a key element in the Mustangs defensive unit, one that led to their second 4/3A state title in three seasons. Wilkerson not only plugged the middle, the 5’9 240 senior got into the backfield and made plays. The Mustangs allowed a paltry 4.7 points per game, and registered eight shutouts, with Wilkerson in the middle of it all.  

Wilkerson led the Mustangs with 12 sacks, adding 14 tackles for loss. Wilkerson recorded 39 solo tackles and 50 assisted tackles, and forced two fumbles. The Mustangs defense was outstanding down the stretch, holding then 9-2 Suitland to six points in the quarterfinal, followed by a shutout over then 12-0 Perry Hall in the semifinals, then holding then 13-0 North Point to seven points in the title game.  

DL Favor Bate (Eleanor Roosevelt) 6’2 242 SR – Bate was dominant this season across the defensive line for the Raiders this season, lining up in every position across the line. The Raiders advanced to the 4A state semifinals for the first time since 2003. Bate was named to the Prince Georges County 4A All-County first team. 

Bate led the Raiders with 56 solo tackles and 20 assisted tackles. Bate ranked among the top five in the county in sacks, with 11, and top ten in tackles for loss, with 16. Bate also recorded two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. While the Raiders saw Wise run away from them in the semifinals, they did hold the eventual 4A champs to their third lowest point total of the season in a 22-16 loss to the Pumas in week two. The Raiders held then 6-1 Suitland to two points in week eight.  

Bate registered four solo tackles and five assisted tackles, including two for loss in the Raiders week two loss to Wise. Bate recorded six solo tackles, three assisted tackles, two tackles for loss, and three sacks in the win over Suitland. Bate holds an offer from Temple.  

DL Nate Bedell (North County) 6’3 215 SR – Bedell was a standout for the 4-6 Knights, a two-way threat that had an outstanding season at the edge. While the Knights didn’t get past the first round of the playoffs, Bedell’s production outshined most that played two, three, or four games more. Bedell was named to the Anne Arundel County first team, and honored on the Washington Post All-Met honorable mention team.  

Bedell totaled 62 tackles, which included a county-best 25 tackles for loss. Bedell added 11 sacks, eight pass break ups, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick. On offense, Bedell supplied 592 yards from scrimmage, and scored three touchdowns. Bedell recorded seven tackles and two tackles for loss in a loss to Old Mill. The Knights senior registered six sacks in a 40-30 win over Severna Park.  

Versus 4A state finalist Broadneck, Bedell totaled four solo tackles, six assisted tackles, a tackle for loss, two quarterback hurries, a sack, and a pass break up. On offense, Bedell rushed for 107 yards on three carries, including a 55 yard scoring run. The Knights senior rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown in their 33-13 win over South River in the regular season finale. In the season-ending playoff loss to Old Mill, Bedell recorded 11 tackles, including six for loss.  

DL Kendall Carter (North Point) 6’2 275 SR – Carter was a stalwart on the Eagles for three seasons, starting on both sides of the line in each of his sophomore, junior, and senior campaigns. Carter was instrumental in the Eagles success over the last three seasons, opening holes at guard in their powerful running game, and as a ground game killer at defensive tackle for one of the best defensive units in the MPSSAA.  

Carter produced 68 tackles this season, including 15 tackles for loss, adding seven sacks and a forced fumble. The Eagles allowed just 4.07 points per game this season, with only one opponent scoring more than 14 points in any of the Eagles 14 games – Frederick, who lost by 36 (56-20). Carter is committed to Merrimack College.  

With Carter starting on both sides of the ball, the Eagles won 31 games over the last three seasons, winning a state championship as a junior, and falling just short of Mervo in this year’s 4/3A state title game. The Eagles registered a MPSSAA-best nine shutouts this season, and 15 blank sheets over the last two seasons. Carter was named to the All-SMAC first team for a second year in a row, and earned All-Met second team honors by the Washington Post for his offensive line play.  

LB Kendric Council (Flowers) 6’1 225 SR – Council was a leader for a Jaguars defensive unit that ranked among the top few in the MPSSAA in each of the last two seasons, and a unit that allowed only two offensive touchdowns this season. Council was a MPSSAA All-State second team selection in 2022, and repeats this season, with the Jaguars abbreviated season severely limiting his reps, due to the amount of Jaguars blowout wins, and a post-season that ended abruptly.  

Still, Council repeated as the Jaguars top tackler on the defensive side of the ball this season, though fellow All-State linebacker Nasir Smith led the team overall, with the addition of his special teams prowess. Council was named to the Prince Georges 4A All-County first team for a second year in a row, and was named to the Washington Post’s All-Met honorable mention team.  

Council was part of a defensive core that went 33-4 as starters, one that snapped Wise’s 71 game winning streak versus county foes, and one that won the PG4A title in ‘22, and helped usher in the Jaguars program as one of the most formidable in the MPSSAA. And, leading the program to a 33-4 record and all of that success over the last three seasons was the defense, with Council starting at linebacker. Council holds offers from Maryland, Charlotte, Nebraska, and James Madison, among others.  

LB Giuseppe Mellinger (Kent Island) 5’9 185 SR – Mellinger was a menace to the opposing offensive units the Buccaneers faced this season, earning him Bayside Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. Mellinger was the defensive leader for the 9-3 Buccaneers, and a tackling machine. Mellinger was a three year starter for the Buccaneers, with the Bucs winning 31 games over that span.  

Mellinger totaled a team-best 95 tackles this season, including 20 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Mellinger also led the Buccaneers with four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Mellinger was a two-time All-Bayside first team selection at linebacker. Mellinger finished as the Buccaneers all-time leading tackler, with 278.  

LB Nasir Smith (Flowers) 6’0 205 SR – Smith displayed reckless pursuit toward ball carriers and kick returners for the Jaguars this season, leading the team in overall tackles and special teams tackles. Smith teamed with Kendric Council to form an outstanding linebacking duo for the Jags, who allowed just two offensive touchdowns all season. The Jaguars were thought to be title contenders, before their season came to a halt for using an ineligible player.  

Nonetheless, Smith was the leading tackler for what was arguably the best defense in the MPSSAA. Smith also contributed seven tackles for loss and two sacks, to go with seven special teams tackles. The Jaguars didn’t allow an offensive touchdown in their 17-14 overtime loss to 4A state champion Wise, the only time this season the Pumas offensive unit didn’t score a touchdown. Smith produced two tackles for loss in defeat.  

Smith was a ringleader of a team that produced seven shutouts in ten games and allowed a MPSSAA-best 3.6 points per game. Smith was named to the Prince Georges 4A All-County first team, joining Council.  

DB Elisha West (Quince Orchard) 5’11 180 SR – West and his younger brother Ayden formed half of one of the best secondaries in the MPSSAA, playing for the 4A two-time defending state champion Cougars. The West brothers were part of one of the best defensive units in the MPSSAA, and both were selected to the Montgomery County 4A All-County first team. Elisha was also selected to the Washington Post All-Met honorable mention team.  

West tied for fourth on the formidable Cougars defense in solo tackles, and was a force against both the run and pass. While receiving post-season honors as a safety, West was one of the best kick returners in the state. West finished with four interceptions, nine tackles for loss, one ‘pick 6’, six pass break-ups, and three fumble recoveries.  

In the Cougars season-ending loss to Northwest, West scored on a 60 yard kickoff return, picked off two interceptions for 47 return yards, recovered a fumble, and made four tackles. West, who was selected to the Washington Post’s All-Met honorable mention team, is committed to Merrimack College, choosing the Warriors offer over those from Bucknell and Marshall, among others.  

DB Raevon Johnson (Wise) 6’3 170 SR – Johnson was a lock-down cornerback for the 4A state champion Pumas, taking a top receiver out of the action time and time again. Johnson was also a playmaker, scoring three touchdowns on defense for the six-time champions. Defense has been a cornerstone of the Pumas success, and this year’s title run was no different.  

Together with All-State athlete DeCarlos Young, All-State defensive lineman Ronald Hull, and fellow All-State defensive back Teon Lavender, among others, the Pumas offered one of the best defensive units in the MPSSAA, one that held Broadneck scoreless in the title game.  

Johnson produced 28 solo tackles and 16 assisted tackles at cornerback, with three tackles for loss. Johnson nabbed four interceptions for 133 return yards, returning three for touchdowns. Johnson posted eight pass break ups, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt. Johnson produced three solo tackles and five assisted tackles in the Pumas 17-14 win over Flowers, adding a 43 yard interception return. Johnson made four tackles, including one for loss, and picked off an interception in the Pumas 42-14 quarterfinal win over Walter Johnson.  

DB Brayden DeWaal (Oakdale) 6’0 165 JR – DeWaal was a versatile safety for the undefeated state champion Bears, one that could deliver the blitz from the edge, offer elite pass coverage, and make the open field tackle. To add, the junior came up big in the biggest of games, versus some of the best offensive units in the MPSSAA.  

DeWaal produced 67 tackles this season, including 33 solo tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. A playmaker, the junior totaled four interceptions, four fumble recoveries, four sacks, two forced fumbles, 12 quarterback hurries, eight pass break ups, and scored two defensive touchdowns.  

DeWall took a ‘pick 6’ 61 yards in the Bears one point win over Milford Mill in the opener, adding a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The Bears junior recovered a fumble in the Bears 21-14 win over Linganore in week four. DeWaal came up with an interception and two pass break ups in the Bears state semifinal win over City College, holding the Black Knights scoreless over the last three quarters. In the state final, DeWall was all over, producing 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and five quarterback pressures.  

DB Kamari Williams (Mervo) 6’0 170 SR – Williams was a dynamic playmaker in the Mustangs secondary, a turnover manufacturer. The Mustangs were dominant this season, causing opponents to have to go to the air early and often. The Mustangs were built for it, with Williams, Kasir Hicks, and the rest of the secondary deeming it fruitless for any opponent’s passing game.  

Williams totaled 34 tackles this season, including five tackles for loss. The Mustangs senior produced a team-best six interceptions, including a ‘pick 6’, and added seven pass break-ups.  

The Mustangs defense allowed only seven touchdowns over their last 13 games, and produced eight shutouts. The ‘Stangs allowed only three passing touchdowns all season. In winning their second 4/3A state title in three seasons, the Mustangs allowed Suitland, Perry Hall, and North Point, to a total of 13 points between them in their final three games. Those three teams had a cumulative record of 34-2 entering their matchups with the Mustangs.  

ATH Julien Horton (Bel Air) 6’1 175 JR – Horton was not only one of the busiest receivers in the MPSSAA this season, but a notable safety, a threat in the kick return game, and could provide running power when needed. The talented junior ranked fifth in the MPSSAA in receptions per game, threw for a touchdown, produced a 100 yard game on the ground, and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.  

Horton caught 65 passes for 696 yards and eight touchdowns this season, and ranked sixth in receptions. Horton rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown in the Bobcats 22-21 win over UCBAC Susquehanna champ Patterson Mill. On defense, Horton contributed 32 solo tackles and an interception. Horton threw a touchdown pass in a win over Elkton, and returned a kickoff 60 yards for a score in the Cats 22-0 opening round win over Overlea. 

Horton caught 11 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown in the Bobcats opening week 22-21 win over Fallston. A week later Horton recorded seven receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns in a 18-14 win over North Hagerstown. Horton caught nine passes for 101 yards in a loss to league champ Edgewood. Horton caught a touchdown pass and added five solo tackles in the Bobcats season-ending 38-26 loss to City College. Horton was named the Aegis Player of the Year.   

ATH Corey Costner (Perry Hall) 6’1 185 JR – Costner has been a highly skilled two-way star for the Gators over the last two seasons, with another season ahead of him. Costner helped lead the Gators to their first county division title in ten years, and with a 12-1 record, the only blemish a one score loss to eventual state champion Mervo. After being a catalyst for the Gators during his sophomore campaign, Costner continued to make big plays on both sides of the ball this season. 

Costner led the Gators in receiving for a second year in a row, grabbing 39 receptions for 709 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 18.2 yards per reception. At safety, Costner made 28 tackles, nabbed three interceptions, including a ‘pick 6’, added four pass pass break ups, forced a fumble, and picked up a fumble recovery. On special teams, Costner blocked a punt, blocked an extra point, and returned a kickoff 73 yards.  

In the Gators 14-7 win over Dundalk, Costner caught three passes for 51 yards, and added four tackles, including one for loss in the win. Costner posted the same receiving numbers in their 24-20 win over Milford Mill – three receptions for 51 yards, and added three tackles and the game-winning ‘pick 6’. Costner caught five passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns in the Gators 34-20 quarterfinal win over Leonardtown, adding three solo tackles. Costner grabbed an interception in the Gators 6-0 semifinal loss to Mervo.  

Special Teams Second Team 

K Jason Roberts (Fallston) 6’0 155 SR – Roberts was phenomenal this season for the Cougars, who advanced to the state quarterfinals. Roberts led the MPSSAA in field goals, and missed just one extra point all season.  

Roberts converted eight of eleven field goal attempts, including three of 40 yards or more. Roberts also converted 29 of 30 extra point attempts, and punted 19 times for an average of 32.4 yards per punt. Roberts was selected to the All-Aegis first team as a kicker. 

P Chris Coleman (Broadneck) 6’1 190 SR – Coleman finished an outstanding career with the Bruins, the last in a litany of legendary kickers in the program. Coleman was a vital part of the Bruins success, both in the kicking and punting games. In ‘22, Coleman set an MPSSAA single-season record for field goals, with 14. 

At punter this season, Coleman averaged 35.8 yards per punt, and placed 13 of his 32 punts inside the 20 yard line. Coleman had one extra point blocked, but hit on all of his other 49 attempts. Coleman converted four of six field goal attempts, including a 44 yarder in the Bruins 31-7 semifinal win over Churchill. In the state final loss to Wise, Coleman punted four times for a 36.8 yard average, and pinning one inside the 20 yard line.  

KR Jaderon Thompson (Queen Anne’s County) 5’9 148 FR – Thompson was extraordinary as a return man this season, and as a three-way standout. Thompson was the most productive freshman in the MPSSAA this season. Thompson produced 1,289 total yards this season and scored nine touchdowns, including four on a total of 14 kickoff and punt returns.  

While teams learned to kick away from the young Thompson,  the freshman returned nine kickoffs for 368 yards and three touchdowns, for an MPSSAA-best 40.9 yards per return (8 min.). Thompson also returned five punts for 121 yards and a touchdown, averaging 24.2 yards per return. In all, Thompson totaled 489 kickoff and punt return yards on 14 touches. On offense, the Lions freshman caught 37 passes for 635 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 17.2 yards per reception, adding 100 rushing yards and a score on 12 rushing attempts. On defense, Thompson produced four interceptions, including one in their season-ending playoff loss to eventual state champion Decatur.   

The post MPSSAA All-State Defense and Special Teams – First and Second Teams 2023 appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

First Team Offense 

QB Brycen Coleman (Decatur) 6’5 200 SR – Coleman delivered Decatur to the promised land, winning the program’s first state championship, and earning the first state crown by a Bayside Conference member in 27 years. Coleman produced what is arguably the best season at the quarterback position in Bayside Conference history. The Vanderbilt commit led the Seahawks in both passing yards and rushing yards, and accounted for more touchdowns than any other quarterback in any other season in Bayside history.  

Coleman was an All-Conference receiver as a sophomore, but was moved behind center last season following Ashten Snelsire’s graduation in ‘22. With Coleman and Zimere Handy serving as his top two weapons, Snelsire rewrote the single-season passing records for the Seahawks. Two years later, Coleman accounted for more touchdowns than any other player in any other season in Bayside Conference history, accounting for 46 touchdowns in 2023. And, to add icing to the cake, went undefeated and won a state title with his father, Seahawks coach Jake Coleman. 

Coleman completed 156 of 225 passes for 2,241 yards and 32 touchdowns (10 int) this season, adding 705 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 99 carries. Coleman finished second in the MPSSAA in touchdown passes, while Coleman’s 69.3% completion percentage also ranked second in the MPSSAA among passers with 120 attempts or more. Coleman’s 14.2% passing touchdown rate ranked third in the MPSSAA. Coleman ranked sixth in the MPSSAA in passing yards, and sixth in passing yards per attempt, at 9.96 yards per attempt. 

Coleman completed 14 of 20 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns (1 int) in the Seahawks 33-15 week five win over then undefeated Kent Island. A week later, Coleman completed 8 of 13 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns (1 int) in the Hawks 44-20 victory over then undefeated North Caroline, adding 71 rushing yards and another score on nine carries. Coleman accounted for six touchdowns in the Seahawks 41-10 win over Wicomico.  

Coleman took eight carries for 133 yards and two touchdowns in the Seahawks 41-7 second round win over Queen Anne’s. Coleman rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two more scores in the Hawks 52-7 win over Wilde Lake in the quarterfinals. Coleman threw for a touchdown and rushed for 63 yards in the Seahawks 35-34 win over 2A defending champ Milford Mill in the semifinals, adding an 18 yard reception. Coleman threw three interceptions in the state final, but was nonetheless the catalyst in the state championship win. Coleman completed 19 of his other 23 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown, while adding 67 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 17 attempts.  

Coleman accounted for 7,142 yards and 93 touchdowns in his three-plus (Covid) seasons with the Seahawks, and helped lead the Hawks to 37 wins and a state title in his time in Berlin. Coleman completed 310 of 501 passes (61.8%) for 4,130 yards and 52 touchdowns (18 int) in his scholastic career, while adding 1,854 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground on 241 attempts. The future Commodores receiver (whether it be at receiver or tight end) also added 72 receptions for 1,158 yards and 12 touchdowns. Coleman became the first quarterback in MPSSAA history to throw for 4,000 yards, rush for 1,000 yards, and also surpass 1,000 receiving yards.  

RB Ethan Arneson (Linganore) 5’7 180 SR – Arneson left a legacy few have in MPSSAA history, igniting the Lancers offense for three seasons, leading to a pair of state title game appearances, and a pair of 12-win seasons. Arneson broke on the scene with a 2,000 yard sophomore campaign in ‘21, one that led to a one score loss in the state championship game, then rushed for more than 1,500 yards during a 5-6 rebuilding year in ‘22, before putting a bookend on the ‘21 season with another 2,000 yard season and a trip to the state finals in his senior season.  

This is Arneson’s third selection to the MPSSAA All-State team, garnering first  team honors as a sophomore, honorable mention honors as a junior, and top team honors again this season. Arneson rushed for 2,168 yards as a sophomore, and led the MPSSAA in rushing, joining Glenelg’s Wande Owens as the only two sophomores to lead the MPSSAA in rushing in the 21st century. Last season, during a 5-6 campaign – dismal, by Lancers standards, Arneson still managed to muster 1,535 rushing yards, and finished second in Frederick County in rushing.  

This season, Arneson set several all-time Frederick County records, and in doing so, set several of the Lancers single-season record marks. Arneson rushed for 2,389 yards and 36 touchdowns on 288 attempts, averaging 8.3 yards per carry. Arneson’s 2,389 rushing yards ranked second in the MPSSAA this season, set a Lancers single-season record, and is the third highest mark in Frederick County history. Arneson led the MPSSAA in touchdowns this season, with 36, the fourth most in a single-season in Frederick County history. Arneson added six receptions for 105 yards, and threw a touchdown pass.  

Arneson rushed for 204 yards and six touchdowns in the Lancers 42-12 win over Walkersville. Arneson rushed for 163 yards and a score on 27 attempts in the Lancers 21-14 loss to Oakdale in week four. Arneson rushed for 233 yards and four touchdowns on 40 carries in the Lancers 49-35 win over Frederick. Arneson rushed for 177 yards and a touchdown in a 30-10 win over Franklin, in a game where the Lancers led 7-3 with four minutes to play. The following week, Arneson rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns in a 56-20 win over Northern in the semifinals. In the Lancers 42-35 state final loss to Oakdale, Arneson rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.  

Arneson set county records in career rushing yards and career touchdowns, and finished as the third all-time leading rusher in MPSSAA history. In the state championship game, the Lancers senior became the third player in MPSSAA history to reach 6,000 career rushing yards, finishing with 6,092, and joining Dunbar’s Tavon Austin and Glenelg’s Wande Owens as the only three players in MPSSAA history to rush for ‘6k’. Arneson snapped Urbana’s Ray Gray’s county record of 70 career touchdowns, finishing with 73, the 13th most in MPSSAA history. Arneson is just the last of a litany of great Lancers running backs, from John Seymour, to Matt Castor, to Zach Zwinak, to Xander McClure, and now, finishes as the most accomplished.  

RB David Avit (Churchill) 6’0 220 SR – Avit has been the Bulldogs ‘bell cow’ for the last two seasons, ever since he and his brother Ezekiel (Maryland) transferred from Urbana, and this season, the younger brother finished as the MPSSAA’s leading rusher in 2023. Behind the powerful running back, the Bulldogs put together consecutive 9-win seasons for the first time in more than 25 years, and registered the program’s best season in the last 27 years. Behind Avit, the Bulldogs went 11-2, and snapped a nine game losing streak to Northwest, registering a win over the previously unbeaten Jaguars in week seven.  

With Avit literally running the show, the Bulldogs advanced to the 4A state semifinals for the first time since 1995. That too was the last campaign the Bulldogs posted an 11-win season. The Bulldogs won three games versus MPSSAA top 25 opponents, registering wins over Montgomery County foes – Northwest, Walter Johnson, and Gaithersburg. Avit, a Villanova commit, finished his high school career with 4,525 rushing yards and 62 touchdowns. Avit’s career rushing yards rank as the 26th most in MPSSAA history, and his career touchdowns score stand tied for 21st-best in MPSSAA history.  

This season, Avit took 306 carries for 2,487 yards and 30 rushing touchdowns, averaging 8.1 yards per carry. Avit also caught 12 passes for 210 yards and four touchdowns, and returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. In all, Avit accounted for 3,066 yards and scored 35 touchdowns this season. Avit’s 2,487 rushing yards are the third most in Montgomery County history, behind Damascus Jake Funk’s 2,862 yards in 2015, and Seneca Valley’s Adrian Felix-Platt’s mark of 2,579 in 2016. Avit’s mark is the 18th most rushing yards in a season in MPSSAA history. Avit finished second in the MPSSAA in touchdowns, with 35. 

Avit began the season by rushing for 268 yards and two touchdowns in the Bulldogs 27-7 opening week win over Seneca Valley. In the Bulldogs 15-7 win over Northwest in week seven, Avit rushed for 172 yards on 32 carries and returned a kickoff 50 yards. The following week, Avit scored six touchdowns in the Bulldogs 64-50 win over Richard Montgomery, amassing 482 total yards of offense, including 237 rushing yards, 220 return yards on three returns, and a 25 yards reception. The next week, in the regular season finale, Avit rushed for 248 yards and three scores in 27 carries in a 32-30 win over Walter Johnson.  

Avit didn’t let up in the post-season, rushing for 813 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns in four games. Avit rushed for 187 yards and four touchdowns in the Dawgs 41-12 opening round over Richard Montgomery, then followed that with 207 rushing yards and five touchdowns in a 41-14 over then 1-loss Gaithersburg. In the Bulldogs 27-13 win over Bethesda Chevy Chase in the quarterfinal, Avit rushed for 201 yards and scored four touchdowns. Despite the Bulldogs 31-7 loss to Broadneck in the semifinals, Avit produced 288 total yards, including 218 rushing yards on 33 attempts, and scored the Dawgs only touchdown.  

RB Gideon Ituka (Gaithersburg) 5’10 230 SR – Ituka was the driving force in the Trojans offense over the three seasons, with a heavy load put upon his shoulders. This season, with even more loaded onto the shoulders of the Trojans senior, the Wisconsin commit carried the Trojans to a 9-2 record, and one of the program’s two best seasons in the last twenty years. Ituka carried on his family’s athletic legacy at Gaithersburg by running past defensive units designed to stop him for the last three seasons.  

A year after being selected as Montgomery County’s 4A Offensive Player of the Year, Ituka took it to another level in 2023, becoming just the second 2,000 yard rusher in the MPSSAA in the last seven years to average 200 rushing yards per game. This season, following his ground game heroics, Ituka was named Montgomery County’s Most Valuable Player. Ituka’s excellence on the gridiron mirrored that of his older brother Jao’s excellence on the hardwoods for the Trojans several years ago. Jao was the Montgomery County Player of the Year, and now plays at Wake Forest, after being honored as the MAAC Rookie of the Year in ‘21-22, while playing for Marist.  

In his final scholastic season, the Badgers commit rushed for 2,250 yards and 32 touchdowns on 221 carries, averaging 10.2 yards per carry. Ituka also added a touchdown reception. Ituka led the MPSSAA in rushing yards per game, at 204.5 rushing yards per game, and finished third overall in rushing yards. Ituka also led the MPSSAA in touchdowns per game, at 3.0, and finished third overall in touchdowns scored, with 33. Ituka finished his Trojans career with 4,336 rushing yards, the sixth most in Montgomery County history. Ituka’s 55 career touchdowns also ranks sixth in county history.  

Ituka rushed for 234 yards and four touchdowns on only 13 carries in the Trojans 32-12 opening week win over Clarksburg. Ituka took 26 carries for what was then a career-high 304 yards and scored all four of the Trojans touchdowns in a 28-14 win over Seneca Valley. In the Trojans regular season finale, Ituka rushed for 382 yards and five touchdowns in the Trojans 48-37 win over Richard Montgomery. Ituka posted six 200 yard games in ‘23. Over his last two seasons, Ituka scored 49 touchdowns in twenty games. Ituka chose the Badgers offer over those from Tennessee, Maryland, and Cincinnati, among others.  

The Ituka legacy will live on at Gaithersburg, with Gideon’s younger brother Barry ready to take the reigns. Barry, a 6’2 230 sophomore, was named to the Montgomery County All-Division second team at both tight end and defensive end, blocking for Gideon, and adding nine sacks and four forced fumbles on defense. Barry will now follow in the footsteps of Jao, a two-time Montgomery County Player of the Year, and Gideon, who finished with a pair of Player of the Year honors himself.  

WR Hunter Thompson (Oakdale) 6’3 205 SR – Thompson finished his illustrious Bears career as the most productive receiver in Frederick County history, and will go down as one of the best playmakers in county history. Not only did Thompson have the numbers, but two or three game films will reveal that he is one of the two most talented receivers in county history, joining former first team All-American and current Minnesota Viking, Jordan Addison, in a table for two. No one should have a doubt about that after watching Thompson put on an extraordinary exhibition in the state title game.  

Thompson was a MPSSAA All-State second team selection last season, after garnering 59 receptions for 959 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns, in addition to a ‘pick 6, a punt return for a touchdown, and a kickoff return for a score. Thompson’s connection with Bears quarterback Evan Austin was unequaled over the last two seasons, one that led to a title game appearance, and the other that led to an undefeated 14-0 season and the program’s second state championship. Not only did Thompson star on offense, but the Ohio University commit excelled in all three phases of the game.  

This season, Thompson recorded 78 receptions for 1,451 yards and 21 touchdowns, averaging 18.6 yards per reception. Thompson led the MPSSAA in touchdown receptions, and finished second in receptions and receiving yards. Thompson set a Frederick County single-season record in receiving yards, which ranks as the fifth-best in a single-season in MPSSAA history. Thompson’s 21 touchdown receptions is also a Frederick County record, and is the sixth-best in MPSSAA history. On defense, Thompson produced 20 solo tackles, two interceptions, and five pass break-ups. Thompson also added 421 yards on kick and punt returns, taking one kickoff back for a score, and bringing back two punts for touchdowns. Thompson scored 24 touchdowns on 101 touches this season.  

In the 3A title game, Thompson took it to another level, registering 15 receptions for 269 yards and four touchdowns, including a pair of top ten highlight reel snares. Thompson caught eight passes for 175 yards and four touchdowns in the Bears 41-24 week two win over Allegany, and caught seven passes for 102 yards in their 21-14 week four victory over Linganore, while also returning a punt 75 yards for a score. Thompson caught nine passes for 212 yards and a score in the Bears 42-25 win over Middletown. Thompson scored three touchdowns in the Bears 41-22 win over Walkersville, including a 78 yard punt return.  

Thompson’s 35 career touchdown receptions are a Frederick County record, snapping Urbana’s Billy Gaines mark of 34, set in 2001. Thompson finished with 2,698 receiving yards, the eighth most in MPSSAA history, and his 152 receptions rank as the 11th-best. For his career, Thompson returned 20 kickoffs for 601 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 30.1 yards per return, and returned 17 punts for 361 yards and three scores, averaging 21.2 yards per return. Thompson picked off four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Thompson scored 41 touchdowns in all as a Bear.  

WR Miles Halbert (Northern) 6’0 175 JR – The Patriots passing game under coach Rich Holzer in his three seasons at Northern has been a formidable one, with three different ‘QB1s’ and three different ‘WR1s’ headlining each campaign. And, this year’s ‘WR1’, junior Miles Halbert, produced a season for the ages, shattering the MPSSAA single-season receiving yards record, and becoming just the sixth receiver in MPSSAA history to register 100 receptions or more in a season. In addition, the Patriots junior made a huge impact on defense, helping lead the Pats to the state semifinals. But, it was at receiver where Halbert boasted mind-boggling numbers.  

In ‘21, Holzer had Zach Crounse at quarterback, the youngest of the three SMAC slinging siblings. Crounse set new SMAC single-season records for passing yards and passing touchdowns, snapping records set by his older brother Reese, four years earlier. Crounse’s top weapon, Tyler Baskett, set SMAC records in both receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Last season, Patriots quarterback TJ Lattimore led the MPSSAA in passing yards per game, at 215 per. This season, senior Isaiah Randall stepped into the ‘QB1’ slot, and Halbert filled the ‘WR1’ role like nobody had done before.  

Halbert’s production in his junior campaign resembles that of a video game, and hard to comprehend. Halbert finished the ‘23 season with 104 receptions for 1,955 yards and 19 touchdowns, setting a MPSSAA record in receiving yards, and setting SMAC single-season records in all three categories. Halbert’s 104 receptions rank as the fourth-best in a single-season in MPSSAA history, while his 19 touchdown receptions is tied for eighth-best in MPSSAA history in a single-season. At safety, Halbert totaled 68 tackles, five tackles for loss, four interceptions, and forced two fumbles.  

Halbert began the season with a bang, totaling 333 receiving yards and three touchdowns in a 47-7 win over Westlake, adding an interception. Versus defending state finalist Patuxent, Halbert recorded 16 receptions for 255 yards and four touchdowns in a 53-39 loss. In the Patriots 42-21 second round win over ‘22 4/3A state finalist Arundel, Halbert nabbed seven receptions for 153 yards and three touchdowns, scored a rushing touchdown, and forced two fumbles. In the Pats 56-20 loss to Linganore in the state semifinals, Halbert caught 12 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. In four playoff games, Halbert registered 42 receptions for 672 yards and six touchdowns, while adding 25 tackles, two forced fumbles, and an interception.  

WR Jahmari Powell-Wonson (City College) 6’2 205 SR – Powell-Wonson was the veteran leader of the Black Knights record-setting receiving corps, which boasted three 1,000 yard receivers, a MPSSAA first. Powell-Wonson was the only senior among the quartet that produced MPSSAA single-season records in passing yards, a foursome that included junior quarterback Nick Cyrus, and junior receivers Vernon Allen and Romero Ison. Powell-Wonson was a constant over the last three seasons, one that saw the Black Knights have their best three year run in 15 years, and first state semifinal appearance since 2005. The Black Knights senior was named to the Baltimore Sun’s All-Met second team.  

Despite having to share targets with two other dynamic receivers, Powell-Wonson, a Maryland commit, finished his scholastic career as Baltimore City’s all-time leading receiver, and finished among the top ten in MPSSAA history in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Not including Tavon Austin, who spent most of his time in Dunbar’s backfield, Powell-Wonson may be the most talented receiver to come out of the Baltimore City public school system since Poly’s Antonio ‘Buttons’ Freeman graduated in 1991. Powell-Wonson chose Maryland over offers from North Carolina, Wake Forest, and Charlotte, among others.  

This season, Powell-Wonson caught 59 passes for 1,151 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 19.5 yards per reception. Powell-Wonson ranked third in the MPSSAA in receiving yards per game, at 115.1 per game, and fifth overall in receiving yards. Powell-Wonson also tied for fifth in the MPSAA in touchdown receptions. Powell-Wonson’s yards per reception average ranked sixth in the MPSSAA among those with 40 receptions or more. Powell-Wonson caught six passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns in the Knights 47-7 rout of Poly on Homecoming. Powell-Wonson recorded more than 1,000 all-purpose yards for a third straight season. 

Powell-Wonson finished his high school career with 137 receptions and 2,681 receiving yards, to go with 34 touchdowns receptions. Powell-Wonson finishes ranked ninth in MPSSAA history in receiving yards, and tied for 11th in receiving touchdowns. Powell-Wonson’s career 19.6 yards per reception average ranks second among those with 125 career receptions or more. Overall, in three seasons, Powell-Wonson produced 3,382 all-purpose yards and scored 39 touchdowns as a Black Knight.  

ATH Antonio Berry (Northwest) 5’9 155 SR – Berry was one of the most versatile offensive weapons in the MPSSAA for the last three seasons, lining up wide, in the backfield, or taking the snap in the ‘Wildcat’ formation. The two-time All-Met athlete was named Montgomery County’s Athlete of the Year this season, leading the Jaguars to a 9-3 record and a win over then #1 Quince Orchard, their arch rival, in the second round of the playoffs, snapping the Cougars 37 game win streak. Berry was one of just three MPSSAA players to be named to the Washington Post’s All-Met first team on offense.  

This season, Berry led the Jaguars in rushing yards, kickoff return yards, punt return yards, and finished second on the team in receiving yards. Berry took 80 carries for 566 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 7.1 yards per carry, and caught 31 passes for 548 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 17.7 yards per reception. Berry also completed both of his pass attempts for touchdowns. On special teams, Berry returned 14 kickoffs for 404 yards, averaging an astronomical 28.9 yards per return. The Jags senior also returned ten punts for 228 yards and a touchdown. In all, Berry totaled 632 return yards on kickoffs and punts.  

Berry totaled 165 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in the Jaguars 47-14 win over Damascus in week two, and produced 210 all-purpose yards in the Jags 28-13 victory over Paint Branch. Berry accounted for all three of the Jaguars touchdowns in their 34-21 week eight loss to Quince Orchard, throwing for a touchdown, running for a score, and adding a touchdown reception, totaling 166 all-purpose yards.  

Berry returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown and added a touchdown reception in the Jaguars 36-0 playoff victory over rival Seneca Valley. The following week, in the Jaguars shocking 29-26 win over Quince Orchard, Berry manufactured 120 yards from scrimmage and 202 all-purpose yards, with a rushing touchdown and a touchdown pass. In the Jaguars heartbreaking 21-20 season-ending loss to Broadneck, Berry rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts, and produced 235 all-purpose yards in defeat.  

ATH Romero Ison (City College) 6’0 175 JR – Ison produced a blockbuster season in a breakout campaign for the Black Knights, one that saw the aerial attack set virtually every single-season passing and receiving record in Baltimore City history. The Black Knights junior was one of the most explosive playmakers in the MPSSAA, and led arguably the best receiving trio in MPSSAA history in both receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Ison was a threat wherever he lined up on the field, at receiver, in the backfield, or as a kickoff or punt returner.  

Ison was the leading scorer of a Black Knights team that produced more than 4,000 passing yards, and averaged 32.9 points per game. Teaming with senior Jahmari Powell-Wonson and junior Vernon Allen, the three became the first receiving trio in MPSSAA history to each register 1,000 receiving yards in the same season, and first to have three receivers record 50 receptions or more in the same campaign. The Black Knights aerial attack led the program to their first state semifinal appearance since 2005. 

Ison set a couple of Baltimore City single-season receiving records, and next year, barring injury, will likely put his name among the top ten receivers in MPSSAA history. Ison set a Baltimore City record with 1,438 receiving yards and 15 touchdown receptions. Ison recorded 69 receptions, averaging 20.4 yards per reception. Ison’s 1,438 receiving yards rank tied for the sixth most in a single-season in MPSSAA history, while his 69 receptions ranked second only to Allen in the MPSSAA this season, who finished 74 receptions.  

Ison added 465 rushing yards, averaging 10.1 yards per carry. The junior also added 750 kickoff and punt return yards on a total of 31 returns. In all, Ison produced 2,653 total yards in 2023, and scored 20 touchdowns overall. Ison Jr was just one of three non-quarterbacks in the MPSSAA this season to produce more than 200 all-purpose yards per game. Ison’s talents haven’t gone unnoticed, with the Black Knights junior holding offers from Penn State and Vanderbilt, among others. Next season, Ison, Allen, and quarterback Nick Cyrus will build on their monstrous numbers and look to take the Black Knights one step further, to their first state title game appearance.  

OL Carlton Meeks (Wise) 6’3 280 SR – Meeks was a pillar for the state champion Pumas at offensive tackle, taking talented defensive linemen, edge rushers, and aspiring blitzes out of the equation. Meeks was a shining star for a Pumas offense that averaged 48.3 points per game and went undefeated versus their twelve MPSSAA opponents. With Meeks leading the way in the trenches, the Pumas averaged 9.7 yards per carry this season, boasting three ball carriers that each produced more than 850 rushing yards this season. Meeks was selected to the Washington Post All-Met second team, as well as the Prince Georges County 4A All-County first team.  

Meeks provided holes for the Pumas talented rushing trio of juniors DeCarlos Young and Peyton Nelson, and senior Gregory Pruitt III, who provided the large majority of the Pumas 290.9 rushing yards per game, and 59 rushing touchdowns on the season. In addition, Meeks served as a huge security blanket to sophomore quarterback Eric Wedge III’s blind side. The soph’ felt comfortable enough this season to throw for 11 touchdowns and no interceptions this season. Meeks holds offers from Frostburg State and Shippensburg, among others.  

OL Wyatt Ferguson (Chesapeake) 6’4 280 SR – Ferguson has been a human plow for the Cougars over the last two seasons, earning All-County first team honors in each of the last two seasons, and this season winning the Al Laramore Award, recognizing the county’s Most Outstanding Lineman. The Navy commit pulverized opponents from the left tackle position, and denied entry in pass protection. Ferguson was one of the catalysts in leading the Cougars to a 27-9 record over the last three seasons, making a state semifinal appearance in ‘21, and earning a state quarterfinal berth this season.  

Behind Ferguson, the Cougars finished 9-3 this season, putting a cap on their first string of three straight 8-win seasons in their program’s history. Ferguson paved the way for Cougars senior Collin Lewis to rush for 1,155 yards this season, registering 36 pancake blocks. Ferguson and his Cougars line mates put up a pass protection that helped provide 12 passing touchdowns versus just one interception in 102 pass attempts. On defense, Ferguson also registered 47 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and blocked two punts this season. Ferguson was selected as the Cougars MVP this season.  

OL Christian Blackwell (Flowers) 6’0 260 SR – Blackwell was a valuable anchor at center for the Jaguars over the last two seasons, where they won 22 of their 24 games on the field. Blackwell was an imposing force as a run blocker, firing off and gaining great leverage after the snap of the ball. The Jaguars averaged a MPSSAA-best 48.9 points per game this season. Blackwell and the offensive line paved the way for 41 rushing touchdowns in ten games, while averaging an astounding 9.1 yards per carry. The offensive line allowed just two sacks all season, on 126 drop backs.  

Blackwell was named to the Prince Georges County first team this season, after earning second team honors last season, and was named the Omega Psi Phi’s Scholar Athlete of the Year. Blackwell, a Sacred Heart commit, was part of an offensive line that powered the Jaguars to 35 points or more in 19 of their 24 games  over the last two seasons. The Jaguars senior was named to the Washington Post’s All-Met honorable mention team, one of just six MPSSAA offensive linemen to be named to the Post’s first, second, and honorable mention teams.  

OL Joshua Blackston (Dunbar) 6’5 275 JR – Blackston unleashed pure dominance at the right and left tackle positions for the undefeated state champion Poets, providing lethal blocking in both the running and passing games. Behind Blackston & Co., the Poets averaged more than 400 yards of offense per game, and averaged scoring a MPSSAA second-best 46.9 points per game. The Poets scored 36 points or more in nine of their eleven games.  

Blackston drove defensive linemen ten yards down the field in the run game, and was unmovable as a pass protector. The Poets averaged more than 300 rushing yards per game, as the extended their overall win streak to 37 games. The Poets junior also provided protection for junior quarterback Savion Witherspoon, who threw 16 touchdowns against just one interception. Blackston will be a key piece in ‘24 for the Poets and quarterback Savion Witherspoon, as the 13-time state champions look for a fourth straight state title.  

OL Gregory Maddox (Dundalk) 6’4 300 SO – There is a reason the Owls sophomore has garnered seven D1 offers already – he possesses the skill, strength, and technique that will translate well at the next level, possessing a skill set that allows him to dominate at the high school level. Within two months of playing his last game of his freshman season, Maddox was offered by Michigan State and Penn State in back-to-back days. This season, the talented tackle entered the season with huge expectations, built on the foundation he laid as a freshman, and left it as one of the best lineman in the MPSSAA. 

The Owls suffered huge losses in the 2023 graduating class, but Maddox displayed his prowess throughout the Owls 8-3 season. Maddox registered a team-best 52 pancake blocks, and led a ground game that averaged seven yards per carry. The Owls averaged 318.4 yards of offense per game this season, while playing three top 15 opponents this season – Perry Hall, Milford Mill, and Broadneck. Last winter, recruiters had been descending on Dundalk to pursue Chimdy Onoh, who went off to Happy Valley, but were enamored with the tape of the freshman, and wanted to get a beat on the competition before the recruiting onslaught began in earnest. In addition to offers from Happy Valley and ‘Sparty’, the sophomore also holds offers from Maryland and Charlotte, among others.  

Second Team Offense 

QB Evan Blouir (Patuxent) 6’0 200 JR – A year after helping lead the Panthers to the 2/1A title game, Blouir flourished in his junior campaign, becoming one of the most five productive quarterbacks in the MPSSAA this season. With Blouir behind center, the Panthers put together back-to-back 11-win seasons for the first time in their program’s history. Next season, Blouir could very well become the first quarterback in MPSSAA history to throw for 6,000 yards in his career, while also rushing for 3,000 yards in his career.  

A season after throwing for more than 1,500 yards and rushing for more than 1,200 yards and accounting for 29 touchdowns in 13 games as a sophomore, Blouir accounted for 3,636 yards and 38 touchdowns in 11 games this season. Blouir completed 142 of 232 passes (61.2%) this season, throwing for 2,695 yards and 25 touchdowns, with only four interceptions. The Panthers junior ranked fourth in the MPSSAA this season in both passing yards and passing yards per game, seventh in touchdown passes, and second in passing yards per attempt, at 11.62 yards per attempt.  

Blouir also rushed for 941 yards and 13 touchdowns on 154 carries, ranking third in the MPSSAA in rushing yards among quarterbacks.  

In two seasons, Blouir has thrown for 4,215 yards and 41 touchdowns, and rushed for 2,146 yards and an additional 26 more scores. Together, Blouir has accounted for 6,361 yards of offense and 67 touchdowns.  

Blouir, for his accomplishments this season, was named the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference (SMAC) Offensive Player of the Year. In week two, Blouir threw for 195 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 154 yards and three scores in the Panthers 41-31 win over 2A finalists Huntingtown. Versus Northern, the junior threw for 419 yards and four touchdowns in the Panthers 53-39 win over the Patriots. Blouir completed 17 of 21 passes for 408 yards and four touchdowns in the Panthers 42-7 quarterfinal win over Middletown. In the Panthers season-ending 36-29 loss to Dunbar in the semifinals, Blouir threw for 167 yards, and rushed for two touchdowns.  

RB Jabril Daniels (Fort Hill) 6’0 180 JR – Daniels emerged as the hottest running back in the MPSSAA as the post-season began, and left with that title after a blockbuster performance in the 1A title game. Daniels performance in the Sentinels 45-21 championship game victory over Mountain Ridge was one of the best handful of performances ever produced in a MPSSAA championship game since the association’s inception in 1974. With another year remaining, Daniels may very well place his name atop the Sentinels all-time career rushing lists, while he and the Sentinels seek their fourth state championship, and 11th overall.  

Daniels finished his junior campaign with 1,823 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns on 190 carries, averaging 9.6 yards per carry. With a touchdown reception, Daniels scored 34 touchdowns overall, setting a Sentinels single-season record in both rushing touchdowns and overall touchdowns, breaking Steve Trimble’s marks of 32 in both categories, set 48 years ago in 1975. Daniels had only 16 carries as the Sentinels headed into week four, but the junior amassed 1,685 rushing yards and scored 32 touchdowns over the last ten games, leading ‘Big Red’ to their tenth state championship.  

Daniels ranked second in the MPSSAA in touchdowns per game, at 2.83, third in overall touchdowns, fifth in rushing yards, and seventh in rushing yards per game. In week six, Daniels rushed for 214 yards and three touchdowns in the Sentinels dominating 37-14 win over Mountain Ridge. In week eight, Daniels scored five touchdown in the Sentinels 49-21 win over then 8-0 New Oxford of Pennsylvania, rushing for 223 yards on 21 carries. In the annual ‘Homecoming’ game with the Campers of Allegany, Daniels scored five touchdowns again, rushing for 146 yards on 19 carries. Daniels needed just 11 carries to score three touchdowns and rush for 107 yards in the Sentinels 38-20 win over Cambridge South Dorchester in the state semifinals.  

Daniels saved his greatest performance for the state title game, where he set one quarter and one half championship game rushing marks, and finished with the second most rushing yards ever in a championship game, becoming just the second player to rush for 300 yards or more in a MPSSAA title game. Daniels rushed for 207 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter, and 292 yards and five touchdowns in the first half in the title game matchup with the Miners, all but sewing up #10 for Fort Hill. Daniels finished with 301 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 21 attempts in the Sentinels 45-21 win.  

RB Maximus Jones (Old Mill) 5’9 200 SR – Jones was the latest of the all-time great running backs to don a Patriots jersey over the last 20 seasons, from Ryan Callahan, to Josh Furman, to Rob Chesson, to Jones. Jones has been one of the most consistent rushers in the MPSSAA over the last two seasons, and joins Linganore’s Ethan Arneson as the only two players in the MPSSAA to rush for 1,500 yards or more in both ‘22 and ‘23, and joins the Lancer senior as the only two players to score 20 touchdowns or more in each of the last two seasons.  

A year after rushing for 1,538 yards and scoring 22 touchdowns in twelve games as a junior, Jones led Anne Arundel County in rushing yards for a second year in a row by amassing 1,865 yards on the ground, on 265 carries, ranking fourth in the MPSSAA in rushing yards. Jones finished with 23 rushing touchdowns, and 26 touchdowns overall, ranking sixth in the MPSSAA. Jones average of 155.4 rushing yards per game ranked fifth in the MPSSAA this season, and led all Baltimore area public school rushers.  

Jones began his senior campaign by rushing for 321 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-12 win over Annapolis. Jones rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns in the Patriots 31-28 win over Broadneck, then rushed for 174 yards on 27 carries the following week in a 14-9 win over Arundel. The Patriots senior rushed for 107 yards and two scores on 23 attempts in the Patriots 28-27 win over Meade in the regular season finale. Jones rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the Pats 27-6 victory over Glen Burnie in the second round.  

Jones repeats as a MPSSAA All-State selection, after being selected to the honorable mention team last season. Over the last two seasons, Jones  rushed for 3,403 yards and 44 touchdowns on 511 carries, scoring 48 touchdowns in all. And, leaves out as a county champion, adding his name to the legacy of running backs to have suited up in Millersville.  

RB Kaleb Hart (North Point) 5’11 195 SR – Hart has been the ignition in the Eagles running machine over the last two seasons, whether in a traditional running back formation, or running the ‘Wildcat, a formation that propelled the Waldorf program to back-to-back 4/3A title games. While the Eagles boasted one of the most punishing defensive units over the last two seasons, Hart delivered the punishment on the offensive side, which led the Eagles to 24 wins over the ‘22 and ‘23 seasons.  

Despite missing the first two games of the season as he recovered from an injury, Hart nonetheless ranked seventh in the MPSSAA in rushing yards, for a SMAC squad that averaged 37.1 points per game. The Eagles scored 28 points or more in 12 of the 14 games, fueled by the Hart-led power running game.  

Hart rushed for 1,560 yards and 15 touchdowns on 190 carries this season, leading the SMAC in rushing yards, and averaging 8.2 yards per carry. Despite missing two games, Hart led the SMAC in both rushing yards and rushing yards per game, at 130.0 per clip. Over the last two seasons, one that led to the program’s first state title, and the other leading to another title game appearance, Hart accounted for more than 2,800 yards and 43 touchdowns.  

Hart made his ‘23 debut in week three, and picked up where he left off last season, as an All-State running back. Hart rushed for 126 yards on 14 attempts in his first game back, a 28-0 win over Great Mills, then rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns two weeks later in a 20-10 win over fellow state finalist Calvert. Hart rushed for 264 yards, rushed for five touchdowns, and threw for a score, in the Eagles 56-20 win over Frederick in the quarterfinals. Then, Hart rushed for 144 yards a week later in the Eagles 28-7 semifinal victory over Blake. Hart was selected to the Washington Post’s All-Met honorable mention team, and was named to the All-SMAC first team.  

ATH Tavahri ‘Tick’ Groves (Quince Orchard) 5’11 165 SR – Groves was a threat to score anywhere on the field with the ball in his hands. Groves was the two-time defending champion Cougars top perimeter threat for a second season in a row, as well as one of the MPSSAA’s top return men. Groves ranked among the top ten in the MPSSAA in touchdown percentage, among those with ten scores or more. Groves was selected to the Montgomery County All-County first team for a second year in a row, as well as being selected to the Washington Post All-Met honorable mention team.  

Groves caught 31 passes for 648 yards and ten touchdowns, averaging 20.9 yards per reception over ten games. Groves was just one of eight receivers in the MPSSAA to average more than 20 yards per reception, among those with 30 receptions or more. Groves also scored twice on the ground, and returned both a kickoff and a punt back for scores. Groves scored 14 touchdowns on 45 touches, for a 31.1% touchdown rate. 

In the season opener, Groves returned the second half kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown to put the Cougars up four scores in a 33-0 victory over South County (VA), then returned a punt 70 yards for a score a week later in a 56-0 win over Gaithersburg. The following week, Groves hauled in the game-winning touchdown pass with 17 seconds to play in the Cougars thrilling 28-22 victory over Stone Bridge (VA).  

Groves scored three touchdowns in the Cougars 35-0 win over Churchill, scoring with a 60 yard touchdown reception, a 54 yard touchdown reception, and a ten yard score on a ‘jet sweep’. Groves caught two touchdowns in the Cougars 34-21 week eight win over arch rival Northwest. Groves grabbed a touchdown in the final minute of their 29-26 season-ending loss to Northwest, but it wasn’t enough to extend the Cougars 39 game win streak. Groves was a three-time All-County selection, including his sophomore season at Seneca Valley, where he earned honorable mention honors.  

ATH Antonio Lyde (Dunbar) 6’0 170 SR – Lyde provided production in all three phases for the Poets over the last two seasons, a period where the Poets went unbeaten in 24 games and won two of their three consecutive 2/1A state championships. Lyde was the most valuable player, literally, in the 2/1A title game in early December, scoring the only touchdown of the game, on the longest gain of the game.  

Lyde gave coach Michael Carter and the Poets whatever they needed – whether out wide, in the backfield, or in the ‘Wildcat’ on offense, or his playmaking ability on special teams and defense. Lyde provided more than 1,800 total yards and scored 16 touchdowns for the Poets. Lyde was the Poets leading receiver with 1,135 receiving yards and 11 touchdown receptions. Lyde provided 457 rushing yards and five touchdowns, more than 300 in kick return yards, and a 31 yard completion. Lyde added two interceptions on defense.  

Lyde began the season with three 100 yard receiving games in wins over Poly, City College, and Edmondson. Lyde scored a touchdown in the Poets 20–18 win over Mervo. Lyde provided 205 yards of offense and scored three touchdowns in a 62-6 win over then 6-2 Carver Tech. Lyde scored a touchdown in the Poets 36-29 win over Patuxent in the semifinals. Lyde saved his best for last, netting 187 all-purpose yards on 16 touches in the state title game, including his 36 yard scoring run in the third quarter in the 8-0 win, the only score of the game. Lyde returned four punts for 103 yards, returned a kickoff 24 yards, and added an interception in the title game victory.  

WR Eli Harris (Broadneck) 6’0 175 SR – Harris finished his high school career as not only one of the best players in Bruins history, but as one of the best receivers in MPSSAA history. Harris has been the best player on the Bruins over the last two seasons – the state semifinals team in ‘22, as well as this season’s state finalist team. Harris led the Bruins in receiving yards in each of his four seasons, including his freshman campaign in the Spring of ‘21. The Bruins registered a 34-7 record over Harris’ four years, including 26 of 27 versus league opponents.  

This season, despite missing two games with a leg injury, Harris caught 56 passes for 884 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 15.8 yards per reception. Despite the time missed, Harris tied for sixth in the MPSSAA in touchdown receptions, tied for ninth in receptions, and ranked 12th in receiving yards. Harris ranked among the top ten in the MPSSAA in receptions in each of his last two seasons. 

Harris accounted for 170 yards in the Bruins 21-14 loss to McDonogh, registering four receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown. The Bruins senior caught six passes for 136 yards in their 31-28 loss to Old Mill. The following week, the Navy commit caught ten passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns in their 35-28 win over Annapolis. Harris tipped the pass on the Bruins game-winning ‘pick 6’ in their 21-20 quarterfinal win over Northwest, following his touchdown reception that knotted the game in the first half.  

Harris finished his Bruins career with 2,671 receiving yards, ranking tenth in MPSSAA history, and 167 receptions, ninth-best in MPSSAA history. An abbreviated Spring season in ‘21 likely cost the Bruin a 3,000 (receiving) yard mark, which would have made him the fifth player in MPSSAA history to hit that mark. The Bruins senior was selected to the Baltimore Sun’s All-Met first team, the Washington Post’s All-Met second team, and earned All-County honors for a third time.  

WR Vernon Allen (City College) 6’3 193 JR – Allen was the quiet assassin of the Black Knights ‘Big 3’ receiving trio, the Charlie Joiner of the San Diego Chargers ‘Air Coryell’ fame in the early 80s. The sure-handed junior led the most prolific passing attack in MPSSAA history in receptions, and joined junior Romero Ison and senior Jahmari Powell-Wonson to form the most talented and productive receiving trio in any single season MPSSAA history. 

Allen caught 74 passes for 1,123 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, averaging 15.2 yards per reception. Allen’s 74 receptions ranked third in the MPSSAA this season, tied for 16th in MPSSAA history, and set a Baltimore City single-season record. Allen ranked seventh in the MPSSAA this season in receiving yards, and sixth in receiving yards per game. Allen’s 13 touchdown receptions tied for fifth-best in the MPSSAA this season, and tied for the fourth-best in Baltimore City history.  

Allen, Powell-Wonson, and Ison, became the first trio in MPSSAA history to each reach 1,000 receiving years in the same season, while they also became the first ‘triplets’ to each gather in 50 receptions or more in the same campaign. Allen caught nine passes for 153 yards and a score in the Knights 47-7 rout of arch rival Poly on Homecoming. The Black Knights junior has garnered offers from Michigan, Penn State, Duke, and Maryland, among others.  

TE Zachary Michael (Allegany) 6’4 235 SR – Michael is a cut of the cloth of the traditional tight end, lining up along the trenches, and adept in both run blocking, and finding space down the seams for big play production. Michael was a two-way star for the Campers, whose all four losses came to stae finalists and state champions – Mountain Ridge twice, Oakdale, and Fort Hill.  

Michael was a key component in the Campers running game, one that produced 279.3 rushing yards per game, at 8.1 yards per carry. But, Michael, at 235, also served as quarterback Brody Williams’ top downfield threat. Michael caught 25 passes for 529 yards this season, averaging 21.2 yards per reception, with ten touchdown receptions, the most in the MPSSAA among tight ends this season. Michael scored on 40% of his receptions for the Campers this season. At linebacker, Michael totaled 60 tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, a sack, and a forced fumble.  

Michael caught three passes for 120 yards and a touchdown in the Campers 16-13 week two loss to Mountain Ridge, adding 11 tackles. Michaels caught two touchdown passes in each contest versus St James, Keyser (WV), and Northern, where the Campers senior also recorded a sack. The following week, Michaels caught three passes for 68 yards and a score in the Campers 47-21 loss to Fort Hill.  

OL Jalen Jones (Westminster) 6’4 280 SR – Jones was literally a driving force in the Owls ground game, headlined by quarterback Kyrece Walker, who led Carroll County in rushing, and won his second consecutive Offensive Player of the Year award. At guard, Jones created holes up the middle for Walker and running back Raquan Warfield, and was a menace as a pulling guard for the Carroll County champions. Jones was the best linemen for a unit that averaged 335.8 yards of offense per game.  

With Jones as his lead blocker, Walker threw for more than 1,000 yards and rushed for more than 1,000 yards, while the Owls averaged 29.4 points per game and went undefeated in league play. Walker averaged 11.2 yards per carry, with many of those carries following Jones. On defense, Jones recorded 36 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. The Owls senior was selected to the All-County first team for a second year in a row. The Owks notched wins over 3A quarterfinalist Franklin and 2A semifinalist Walkersville.  

OL Eric Lowe (Linganore) 6’0 260 SR – Lowe provided the blocking for the MPSSAA’s third all-time leading rusher for three seasons for the Lancers, supplying a number of key blocks for classmate Ethan Arneson’s, who finished his career with 6,092 rushing yards and 73 touchdowns, both all-time Frederick County records. Lowe started for three seasons on the offensive line for Coach Rick Conner, and started in two state championship games, in 21, and again this season. 

Behind Lowe, fellow senior Mikey Ayers, and others, the Lancers offense produced more than 4,800 yards and scored 77 touchdowns. The Lancers rushed for more than 3,000 yards, and scored 59 touchdowns on the ground, and threw for more than 1,700 yards, for another 18 touchdowns. At left tackle, Lowe provided the blind-side blocking for quarterback Christian Petruzzello, who boasted a 4.5-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Lowe was a two-time All-Frederick County first team selection.  

OL Jackson Rood (Churchill) 6’3 275 SR – Rood stood out as one of the best linemen in Montgomery County over the last two seasons, plowing holes for the Bulldogs David Avit, the MPSSAA’s leading rusher in 2023. The left tackle was honored this season as the Montgomery County Offensive Lineman of the Year, a season after being the only junior offensive lineman named to the county’s first team. 

Behind Rood & Co., Avit rushed for 2,479 yards and 30 touchdowns this season, scoring 35 touchdowns in all, ranking second in the MPSSAA. Rood protected the blind side of junior quarterback Vasi Hallas, who threw 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. Rood was a catalyst in leading the Bulldogs to their first 4A state semifinal appearance in 28 years, and their first 11-win season in that same time frame.  

OL Mike Southerland (Flowers) 6’0 280 SR – Southerland was a consistent asset on the Jaguars offensive line for three seasons, a period where the 2022 4A finalists posted a 33-4 record on the gridiron. Southerland teamed with senior center Christian Blackwell to form one of the best interior line duos in the MPSSAA, a pair that helped power drive the Jaguars to a 48.9 point scoring average through ten games, before having been found to have played an ineligible player.  

The Jaguars scored 41 points or more in nine of their ten games, in all but their 17-14 overtime loss to Wise, which was a heavyweight tussle. For the season, Southerland, Blackwell, and the line, provided for 10.6 yards per carry, and scoring on 19.8% of their rushing attempts. Southerland was selected to the Prince Georges All-County first team for a second year in a row, a year after being the only junior selected among the five linemen on the ‘22 first team.  

OL Hayden Raymond (Broadneck) 6’2 280 SR – Raymond has been a lynchpin in the Bruins over the last two seasons, helping lead his team to the 4A state semifinals in ‘22, and their first state championship game appearance in 20 years this season. After serving on the interior line in his sophomore and junior campaigns, Raymond lined up at the tackle position for the Bruins this season and flourished. As did the Bruins, scoring back-to-back wins in Montgomery County in both the quarter and semifinals. 

Raymond started at offensive guard as a sophomore for the county champions, moved to center as a junior, where he earned All-County honors for the back-to-back county champions, then moved to tackle this season, helping usher the Bruins to the 4A title game. The Bruins won 30 games in three seasons with Raymond starting on the offensive line, including 21 of 22 versus league competition.  

The post MPSSAA All-State Offense – First and Second Teams 2023 appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

OPOY – Evan Austin (Oakdale) 6’1 180 SR – Austin had an outstanding season, shining when the lights were their brightest. With Austin at quarterback, the Bears finished 14-0 and as undefeated 3A state champions. Over two seasons, Austin finished with a 25-3 overall record at quarterback, earning title game appearances in each of his two seasons behind center. Austin was part of the Bears ‘Big 3’ in the 2023 class, along with Austin’s top target Hunter Thompson, an Ohio commit and All-State receiver, and All-State defensive end Dominic Nichols, a Michigan commit.  

But, it was Austin who ran (and threw) the show over the last two seasons for the Bears, playing in one of the most competitive leagues in the MPSSAA. Austin did whatever was needed from him, whether through the air or on the ground. Austin finished his Bears career as the only quarterback in MPSSAA history to throw for 3,000 yards or more in a career, while also rushing for 3,000 yards in a career. Last season, Austin became just one of two quarterbacks in MPSSAA history to throw for more than 1,500 yards in a season, and rush for 1,500 yards or more in the same campaign.  

This season, Austin went to the air a bit more often, completing 138 of 206 passes for 2,283 yards and 28 touchdowns, versus just eight interceptions. Austin completed 66.9% of his passes, which ranked fourth in the MPSSAA among quarterbacks with 120 attempts or more. Austin tied for third in the MPSSAA in passing touchdowns, and fifth in passing yards. Austin also ranked third in the MPSSAA in passing yards per attempt, at 11.8. Austin’s 13.6% touchdowns per attempt percentage ranked fourth in the MPSSAA. 

Austin added a team-best 1,244 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns on 149 attempts, averaging 8.4 yards per carry. Austin tied for ninth in the MPSSAA in touchdowns scored. For the season, Austin accounted for 3,539 yards and 50 touchdowns for the state champions.  

Austin overcame two interceptions in the opener, rushing for 119 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears 22-21 win over Milford Mill, including what turned out be game-winning score with 1:07 to play, but not clinching it until his game-winning two-point conversion toss to Thompson. Austin accounted for 265 yards in the win. Austin completed 11 of 15 passes for 283 yards and five touchdowns in the Bears 46-21 rout of Allegany. The following week, Austin rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns in their 28-16 win over Frederick. Austin threw for 190 yards and added 95 yards and a score on the ground in the Bears 21-14 win over Linganore in week six.  

Austin began the post-season by completing 14 of 16 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns (2 int) in the Bears 57-12 win over North Hagerstown in the opening round, adding two rushing touchdowns. Austin rushed for 158 yards and four touchdowns on 14 attempts in their 49-14 win over Sherwood. Austin accounted for five touchdowns in the Bears 56-6 quarterfinal win over Oakland Mills.  

The Charlotte commit accounted for 391 yards and seven touchdowns in the Bears 57-20 win over City College in the semifinals. In the title game, Austin closed his high school career by completing 16 of 21 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns, and adding 185 rushing yards and a score on 25 carries in their 42-35 win over Linganore. The Bears quarterback accounted for 464 yards and five touchdowns in the program’s second state championship game victory.  

For his career, Austin completed 248 of 404 passes (61.4%) for 3,926 yards and 46 touchdowns (18 int) for the Bears, adding 3,228 rushing yards and 45 rushing touchdowns on 427 carries. Austin also registered 16 receptions for 313 yards and four touchdowns, and added 397 yards on kick and punt returns. On defense, Austin added four interceptions and returned a fumble recovery for a score. In all, Austin accounted for more than 7,900 yards and 96 touchdowns for the Bears. Austin committed to Charlotte, choosing the 49ers offer over those from Maryland, Indiana, and James Madison, among others.  

APOY – DeCarlos Young (Wise) 5’11 220 JR – Young did everything asked of him by Coach Parrish and the Pumas, and for the second year in a row, was the best all-around player in the blue, black, and gold. Young was a touchdown machine at running back, a tackling machine at linebacker, and a threat to score any time he lined up to return a kick. Young’s talents this season, in his junior campaign, led the Pumas to their sixth 4A state title in 11 post-seasons, and their first crown since 2019.  

Young displayed the toughness of the ‘old school’ two-way player that served as both a running back and a linebacker, while blessed with the athletic ability of today’s best athletes. Young led the Pumas in rushing yards and scoring for a team that averaged 44.8 points per game, while also leading the team in tackles, on a defensive unit that registered eight shutouts, and allowed just 7.6 points per game. Young was named the Prince Georges County 4A Offensive Player of the Year, while earning Washington Post All-Met first team honors at linebacker.  

Young averaged an astronomical 11.1 yards per carry, taking 126 attempts for 1,395 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. Young led the MPSSAA in yards per carry among runners with 120 attempts or more, and touchdowns among those with 175 attempts or less. Young returned two of his kickoff returns for touchdowns, including in the overtime win over Flowers, and the state semifinal victory over Eleanor Roosevelt. On defense, the Pumas junior produced 50 solo tackles, 41 assisted tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and four quarterback hurries. 

Young took 27 carries for 211 yards and scored all three of the Pumas touchdowns in their 22-16 week two win over Eleanor Roosevelt, while adding four tackles for loss and two sacks on defense. Over the next four games, where the Pumas posted four blowout, shutout victories, Young had just 25 carries over those four games, but scored nine times. Young furnished eight solo tackles and nine assisted tackles with his kickoff return for a touchdown in the win over Flowers. Young rushed for 177 yards and scored twice on ten attempts in the Pumas 45-0 win over Bowie. 

Young rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown on only seven carries in the Pumas 42-14 quarterfinal win over Walter Johnson, adding six solo tackles, four assisted tackles, and 1.5 tackles for loss. In addition to his 83 yard kickoff return for a score in the Pumas 62-21 win over Roosevelt in the semifinal, Young amassed 212 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns on just nine carries. Young touched the ball ten times in the game, totaled 295 yards and scored four times. For an encore, Young rushed for 146 yards and scored twice in the Pumas 21-0 win over Broadneck in the 4A state championship game, adding five solo tackles, two assisted tackles, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hurry.  

In two seasons, Young has scored 38 touchdowns on 205 touches. The junior has rushed for 2,127 yards and 35 touchdowns on 189 attempts, averaging 11.3 yards per carry over two seasons. Counting the four games he played on defense as a freshman, Young has produced 125 solo tackles, 76 assisted tackles, and 28.5 tackles for loss. That’s to go with two kickoff returns for touchdowns, and a touchdown reception. He also has completed his only pass for a touchdown. Young holds offers from Michigan and Maryland, among others.  

DPOY Carter Hess (Fort Hill) 6’2 285 SR – No defensive player was more dominant than the Sentinels Hess was at defensive tackle this season. The massive sized senior destroyed offensive game plans, disrupting of not destroying plays just after the snap on the interior. Hess sewed up his brilliant Sentinels career by winning a third straight championship, and finishing his four year career with a 40-2 record with Fort Hill. In a program with such a rich tradition, Hess is arguably not only the best lineman in school history, but Allegany County history. Certainly most dominant. 

Hess was a dominant force on the interior line on both sides of the ball for the Sentinels in each of their last three state championship seasons. Hess won the Cumberland Area Lineman of the Year award as a sophomore, then earned MPSSAA All-State first team honors and won the Cumberland Area Defensive Player of the Year award as a junior. Now, the Sentinels senior takes the MPSSAA All-State Defensive Player of the Year crown. Hess has committed to play at the next level at Fordham.  

In twelve games this season, Hess produced 74 solo tackles, 71 assisted tackles, and 23 tackles for loss. Hess totaled 13 sacks, 64 quarterback pressures, and four forced fumbles. At offensive tackle, Hess helped power the Sentinels to 307.2 rushing yards per game this season, and 55 rushing touchdowns. Hess produced 48 pancake blocks this season. Hess paved the way for an offense that averaged 40.1 points per game, and headlined a defense that held high-powered Mountain Ridge to seven points through three quarters in the title game.  

Hess produced seven solo tackles, four assisted tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, and six quarterback hurries in the Sentinels 37-14 week six win over Mountain Ridge. Hess totaled 13 tackles and a sack in the Sentinels 47-21 Homecoming victory over Allegany. Hess delivered 16 tackles, two sacks, and nine quarterback hurries in the Sentinels state semifinal win over Cambridge South Dorchester. In the state title game, the Sentinels third straight, the Sentinels senior produced 13 tackles, nine quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, and a sack. Over his last two seasons, Hess totaled 297 tackles, including 45 for loss.  

COY – Michael Carter Sr (Dunbar) – Carter led the Poets to their MPSSAA-best 13th state championship after a turbulent beginning, a start that put Carter into the helm on an interim basis in week two. Carter, the Poets defensive coordinator, took over after eight-time state champion coach Lawrence Smith had to step down after being being charged with tax fraud tied to overtime pay as a Baltimore City policeman. Carter joined the Dunbar staff in 2010, after serving as the tight end coach at Morgan State for four seasons.  

The Poets never finished either of their first two games, after gunfire across the street from their home field ended their week one game with Loyola, and a heavy rainstorm put an end to things at Dunbar of DC in week two. Still, while neither game yielded an official result, no one came away after the two first weeks thinking the Poets were going to runaway and win the third straight state championship, and #13 overall. Except Smith, who told me, “Folks better catch us early, cause once the ship gets moving, its going to be special.” 

There was nothing special about their opener, after trailing 21-0 to the Dons late in the second quarter, before gunfire erupted across the street, ending the game. The Poets were trailing 14-0 when they appeared to be cutting the margin to one score, but as the ball was extended to reach the goal line, a Dons defender snatched the ball and went 99 yards for a score. Week two, the Poets were tied at 8-8 in a slugfest with the Crimson Tide, before the game was called after playing one half, and after rain two delays. 

Days after Coach Smith said “folks better catch us early”, Carter was the head coach of the Poets, who headed into week three with an 0-0 record, but having been outscored 29-8 in 47 minutes of action.  

There was reason to believe the Poets weren’t going to have a cakewalk to #13. Never mind emerging threats like Patuxent and Calvert, the Poets had to replace nine starters on defense from their ‘22 title team. Not only that, they had to replace one of the best ‘QB1/RB1’ rushing combinations in MPSSAA history in Devin Roche (Old Dominion) and Tristen Kenan (Maine), as well as their top two receivers, including All-State selection Tony Hart (Elon). In addition, the Poets lost the leader of their ‘o-line’, All-State center Ebubedike Nnabugwu (Delaware State). In all, the Poets had to replace 17 of 22 starters on offense and defense.  

After the rocky start in the first two weeks, the Poets snapped back into it, thumping Poly 50-6 in week three, and pummeling City College, 60-0, the following week, handing the Black Knights their only shutout of the season. The Poets survived another battle with Mervo, a fellow state champion, and dominated the rest of the regular season. Carter and the Poets had two stiff tests to close out #13, with a rematch of the ‘22 game with Patuxent in the semifinals, and then Calvert in the 2/1A state title game. The Poets pulled through, surviving a 36-29 shootout with the Panthers in the semis, and winning a 8-0 slugfest with the Cavaliers in the final. Like they had all season, the Poets and Carter persevered.  

The post MPSSAA All-State Awards 2023 appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

The Dunbar Poets captured their MPSSAA-best 13th state crown on the gridiron, pulling out an 8-0 win over Calvert in the 2/1A championship game on Friday night. A week after coming back, then holding off a SMAC juggernaut on the road in a 36-29 win over Patuxent, the Poets held the Calvert County champions scoreless in the title game, one in which they allowed the Cavaliers just one offensive play gaining more than 20 yards.  

With the win, the Poets put a bow on the program’s third ‘three-peat’ in their 30th season in the MPSSAA, becoming the winningest post-season program in the association’s history, breaking a tie with Damascus and Seneca Valley, who both hold an even dozen of state crowns on the gridiron.  

After a scoreless first half, senior Anthony Lyde’s 36 yard run around the right end on a 4th-and-1 midway through the third quarter ended up being the only score of the game. The Poets defense did the rest, limiting the Cavaliers to only 91 yards of offense on 41 offensive plays, yielding just 2.2 yards per play. Neither team gained a first down in the second quarter, and the two finalists totaled just 26 yards of offense between them in the quarter. Poets senior Anthony Campbell, who starred in the 2022 title game, led a Poets defensive unit that allowed only five first downs in the game.  

Coming out of halftime, the Poets put together the only drive of the game that went for more than 30 yards, one that spanned ten plays and 71 yards, punctuated by Lyde’s difference maker. Calvert’s Keith Baker boomed the second half kickoff to the Poets five yard line, before Lyde carried it back 24 yards and out of harm’s way. The Poets converted on a 3rd-and-5 on their side of the field with an 11 yard run by Deshawn Parks, the followed that by Cole Floyd just making the yard to gain on a 3rd-and-6. 

After coming up a yard short on a 3rd-and-3, the Poets faced a 4th-and-1 at the Cavaliers 36 yard line. After a Cavaliers timeout, Lyde broke off tackle and went down the sideline for a 36 yard score. Then, Lyde took the snap and ran in for the two-point conversion. The Cavaliers turned it over on the ensuing possession with an interception, but the Poets gave it right back when Lyde fumbled after gaining 11 yards. On the next possession, the Cavaliers were forced to punt yet again, their fifth punt in three quarters. 

The Poets kept the ball on the ground and gained two first downs on the following possession, but took more than six minutes off of the clock. Campbell, who also serves as the Poets occasional punter, pinned the Cavaliers on their own three yard line with a 42 yard punt. The Cavaliers produced their fourth and fifth first downs of the game, but were forced to punt from their own 25 yard line, after facing a 4th-and-10 scenario.  

But Lyde did damage again, returning the punt 22 yards, which placed the two-time defending champions at the Cavaliers 40 yard line, with 3:01 remaining. Parks would produce another third down conversion with a 13 yard run, and the Poets would run out the clock and celebrate their 13th state championship. Lyde finished with 187 all-purpose yards, including 60 rushing yards, 103 punt return yards on four punts, and a kickoff return for 24 yards. Campbell totaled four solo tackles, including two for loss, and added three assisted tackles.  

With the win, the Poets will carry a 37 game win streak into next season, the longest current streak in the MPSSAA. Michael Carter Sr won his first state title as head coach of the Poets, and his seventh overall on the staff, after serving as an assistant to Lawrence Smith since 2010. Calvert finished 12-2, but coach Rick Sneade’s Cavs can hold their heads high after a 12-win season that saw victories over Huntingtown and Patuxent, and coming within a score of the 13-time state champions.  

4/3A State Championship 

Like Dunbar, Mervo had to survive a dogfight to capture their second state championship, outlasting defending champion North Point, 14-7, to win the 4/3A title. And like the Poets, where one big play proved to be the game-winner, it was the Mustang’s defensive unit that delivered the program’s second state crown.  

The two titans, who feature arguably two of the best five defensive units in the MPSSAA, held each other scoreless through a first quarter draped in fog and mist. The Mustangs entered the championship game having shut out eight of their last 11 opponents, including then-undefeated Perry Hall in their state semifinal clash, while North Point entered having shut out nine opponents.  

North Point did produce a scoring drive just inside the second quarter, on a four yard run by Damien Brown to take a 7-0 lead. On the ensuing drive, senior quarterback Ray Moore III produced the biggest gain of the game at the time after scrambling away from pressure and going 26 yards around the left side to give the Stangs a first down at the Eagles 38 yard line. But, after an incompletion on a dropped pass, followed by a one yard gain and three yard loss, the Mustangs were forced to punt, and went into halftime down by a score.  

Midway through the third quarter, the Mustangs put together a drive that placed them at the Eagles 28 yard line, but penalties pushed them back to the 38, and they were forced to punt. But, on first down on their own 22 yard line, Eagles sophomore quarterback Kyler Ferreira was chased and sacked by Mustangs senior Jekai Smart, and fumbled at the nine yard line. Finally, on fourth down, senior Bobby Johnson punched it in from two yards out. However, the Mustangs failed to convert the extra point to tie the score, and trailed 7-6, with 2:40 remaining in the third quarter.  

After an exchange of three punts, the Mustangs took possession at their own 31 yard line, with 8:13 remaining. On second down, Moore III connected with senior Tye’Shawn Cox on a 39 yard pass play that set them at the Eagles 30 yard line. After getting pushed by a sack, Moore III found De’Sean Thorton for a 23 yard gain at the 13 yard line. But, it wasn’t to be, as the Eagles defense stood strong, and gained possession on downs with 5:09 to play.  

But, not to be outdone, the Mustangs defense produced again, forcing the Eagles to punt from deep in their own territory, and giving Moore III and Co. one last chance to take the victory, with 2:33 remaining in the game. On first down, Moore III found junior Marquise McDougal on a quick-hitter for five yards. And then, Moore III delivered the game-winner when he dropped back and hit Justin De’Vaughn on the left sideline and the senior took it into the end zone to give the Mustangs their first lead of the game, 14-7, with 2:17 left on the clock. The Mustangs defense delivered one last time, stopping the Eagles on 3rd-and-1 and 4th-and-1, and clinching the 2023 4/3A crown.  

Coach Patrick Nixon has led the Mustangs to four state semifinals in the last five seasons, which included an 11-2 finish in ‘18, a 12-1 record in ‘19, a 12-1 record in their championship season in ‘21, and a 13-1 mark this season. North Point has established themselves as perennial, bonafide contenders, with four state semifinal appearances in six post-season, and three state final berths in the last five post-seasons, including their first in 2018 in the 4A classification, losing to Quince Orchard, 40-33. Eagles coach Billy Condo is 24-4 in his two seasons at the helm. 

The Mustangs victory on Saturday evening gave Baltimore City a 4/3A-2/1A sweep for the second time in three seasons, with the Poets notching their third ‘three-peat’ on Friday. Forest Park and City College also made state semifinal appearances, with the Foresters making their first in their program’s history, and the Black Knights making their first since 2005. The Foresters finished 11-2, and booked the best season in their program’s history, while the Black Knights featured the most prolific passing attack in any season in MPSSAA history.  

4A 

Broadneck’s magical season came to an end with a 21-0 loss to Wise in the 4A title game, but it doesn’t diminish an outstanding season by the Bruins. Coach Rob Harris’ Bruins advanced to the state championship game for just the second time in their program’s history, and became the first Anne Arundel County team to advance to the 4A state championship game since Old Mill’s bid in 2014.  

Harris had his Bruins battle McDonogh in their season opener to prepare the Bruins for November, and possible road games versus any one of a handful of quality teams in Prince Georges and Montgomery counties. The Bruins lost to the eventual MIAA finalists, 21-14, but the experience did help them take victories in back-to-back weeks at Northwest and Churchill. The Bruins pulled out a thrilling 29-26 win at Northwest, then posted a commanding 31-7 victory over the then 1 loss Bulldogs.  

Coach DaLawn Parrish and the Pumas won their sixth 4A crown in 11 post-seasons, and fifth in eight. Parrish, a former Howard Lion and Howard County Player of the Year, tallied his 42nd post-season victory in the win, where he places second in MPSSAA history in that category. The Pumas rushed for 345 yards, with junior DeCarlos Young rushing for 146 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, and fellow junior Peyton Nelson rushing for 138 yards and a score on 21 carries. Young added a team-high five solo tackles, and two assisted tackles. Young, Nelson, and sophomore quarterback Eric Wedge III return next season.  

The post Defense Rules; Dunbar and Mervo Win State Crowns appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

Stadium on Friday in the 2/1A state championship game. The Poets will also be looking for their third consecutive 2/1A state crown.  

In a season that begun in flux, the Poets team has ignored the outside forces that they can’t control, and focused on what they could control, their play on the field.  

And, after a rocky start in their opener with Loyola, in a game that never reached halftime, and never had a winner, followed by an 8-8 draw with Dunbar of DC, which did reach halftime, but went no further, the Poets reeled off seven straight wins to finish the regular season, including a 20-18 win over fellow state finalist Mervo, and six dominating wins over Baltimore City competition that amounted to a result of 332-12.  

After losing their coach Lawrence Smith on game day in week two, the Poets have produced like the Poets of old, but without the household names of yesteryear, and instead with a collective effort by those that learned from the leaders of their back-to-back state titles in ‘21 and ‘22. Those two teams were led by a backfield that finished among the top ten backfields in MPSSAA history over any two year period going back to its inception in ‘74, with quarterback Devin Roche and running back Tristen Kenan.  

Roche moved on to Old Dominion, where he became the first Monarchs freshman to play this season, and Kenan to Maine, where he produced 688 yards from scrimmage this season, and scored six touchdowns. In addition to Roche and Kenan, both two-time All-State picks, the Poets saw three other All-State selections graduate with the 2023 class. Center Ebubedike Nnabugwu was named to the first team, and is playing at Delaware State. Tony Hart III was named to the first team at safety, and now plays at Elon. And defensive leader Joshua Fedd was named to the second team, and is now at Harvard. 

Week three allowed Coach Michael Carter and this Poets team to refocus, “With all of the adversity, it made us come together. To focus on the team, and eliminate the outside noise. On the field, the guys just locked in to identify their own Identity. We’re a total different team than the last two years. We’re more of a grind it out team,  whereas in the past we had multiple home run hitters.” 

Despite all of the talent lost to graduation, the bare wasn’t dry. Carter had a number of returnees that showed glimpses of talent when they had some time to shine, and were just waiting for ‘their time’, when they’d become the leaders and top producers, and the Poets added several key transfers to the cast. Carter did have junior quarterback Savion Witherspoon – 6’3 170 – returning, who helped lead the Poets to their title in ‘22, taking the majority of snaps behind center after Roche was injured in the Mervo win. This season, the junior has completed 61.8% of his passes and thrown for 2,047 yards and 18 touchdowns, while adding 425 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.  

The Poets had senior Deshawn Parks returning, after finishing third on the team in rushing last year, behind Roche and Kenan, with 965 rushing yards, and added junior transfer Cole Floyd from Archbishop Curley, who rushed for 692 yards and eight touchdowns for the Friars as a sophomore. This season, Parks has totaled 1,243 yards from scrimmage and has scored 12 touchdowns in ten games. Cole has rushed for a team-best 1,154 yards, and has scored a team-best 16 touchdowns.  

Senior Antonio Lyde returned after finishing third in the receiving yards on the ‘22 championship team, and leads this ‘23 edition, with 1,006 receiving yards and ten touchdown receptions. Witherspoon has another big target in Malachi Washington – 6’2 192 – a transfer from Kenwood who played quarterback for the Bluebirds. Washington’s 694 receiving yards rank second in the team, while Parks 421 receiving yards ranks third. 

Defensively, the Poets returned senior Anthony Campbell – 6’1 235 – who stepped in as the leader after an outstanding season junior season, one in which he clinched the ‘22 title game with an 87 yard ‘pick 6’ in the game’s final five minutes. Campbell leads the Poets in tackles this season, with 75, including 52 solo. Junior defensive end Brian Collins – 6’2 195 – has totaled 30 tackles for loss and 24 sacks. On the other end, Jabari Torbit – 6’0 222 – has totaled 17 tackles for loss and 14 sacks. Junior defensive tackle Eli Turpin – 5’10 220 – has supplied 37 solo tackles, and sophomore linebacker Joseph Benjamin has totaled 30 solo tackles.  

While the Poets embark on their 16th title game appearance, the East Baltimore powerhouse had to fend off a game Patuxent team for a second year in a row to get there. Last December, the Poets fought back from a 13-0 deficit to the Panthers in the 2/1A championship game, and scored 22 unanswered points, capped off by Campbell’s ‘pick 6’ to capture a 22-13 victory. Friday, the Poets trailed 14-6 in the second quarter, before going on a 30-7 run to take a 36-21 lead, and then settling on a 36-29 win over the hosts in Lusby. The victory was the Poets 36th straight win a row, the longest current mark in the MPSSAA.  

The Poets now face another SMAC (Southern Maryland Athletic Conference) powerhouse in Calvert, after the 12-1 Cavaliers edged Forest Park, 17-14, in their semifinal. The Cavaliers have played a number of low-scoring tug-of-wars this season, including their only loss of the season to fellow finalist North Point, 20-10, and posting a 16-6 over fellow finalist Huntingtown, and a 19–14 victory over Patuxent. Friday, the Cavaliers needed a 32 yard field goal from senior Keith Baker to avoid overtime with Forest Park, and earn the second state title game berth in their programs history, 23 years after winning their only state crown in 2000. 

Cavaliers coach Rick Sneade took over the head coaching job in 2011, after the program had suffered eight consecutive losing seasons. Sneade’s first head coaching job came at 19 years of age at his alma mater, Northern, where he played under Jerry Franks. Sneade was the head coach of the jayvee for four seasons before going back to school to get his undergraduate degree. After graduating in 1999, Sneade linked up with his former coach at Calvert, coaching the offensive line, and together they helped lead the Cavaliers to the state championship in 2000. Franks would go on to the University of Connecticut the following year, and Sneade stayed around two more seasons, with the Cavs going 17-4 in that span.  

The Cavaliers notched an 11-2 record in 2016, losing to Elkton, 21-6, in the 2A semifinals, and advanced to the ‘Final Four’ a year ago, before getting routed by the Poets, 47-6. The Poets, behind Roche and Kenan, rushed for 338 yards in the victory. Still, these Cavaliers can’t be overlooked, after going toe-to-toe with two state finalists this season, and garnering a split with the pair of SMAC titans.  

The Cavaliers, like the Poets, featured a balanced offense, with a lean to the ground game. Senior Domaine Wallace Jr leads the Cavaliers running attack for a second year in a row, rushing for 1,249 yards and 15 touchdowns on 201 carries, a year after rushing for 1,223 yards and scoring 27 touchdowns, and earning All-State honors as an athlete. Wallace, who grabbed five interceptions last season, has totaled 38 solo tackles this season, including eight for loss. Wallace Jr rushed for 135 yards on 27 carries in the Cavs semifinal win over Forest Park. Senior quarterback Dajuan Robinson has completed 79 of 146 passes (54.1%) for 1,295 yards, with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Robinson has also rushed for 397 yards and four touchdowns on 65 rushing attempts. Senior Jalen Barnes – 6’2 180 – is Robinson’s top target, nabbing 37 receptions for 577 yards and eight touchdowns.  

Junior defensive end King Jones – 5’10 205 – has been a menace in opposing backfields, producing 18 tackles for loss, 26 quarterback hurries, and 5.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Marquel Holland – 5’11 205 – leads the team with 66 solo tackles, while sophomore linebacker Cameron Wilson – 6’0 185 – ranks second, with 55. Senior defensive lineman Damon Mansfield has contributed 14.5 tackles for loss, 22 quarterback hurries, and five sacks. Sophomore Brunsie Carrington has picked off seven interceptions, and added five pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.  

Though both Campbell and Parks shined in the Poets 46-7 rout of the Cavaliers in the semifinals last season, with Campbell leading the team in tackles, with nine, and Parks scoring a touchdown, the two seniors are the leaders and top producers now, and won’t let their team overlook the SMAC juggernaut. After all, these Cavaliers came closest to North Point this season, beat one of this year’s 2A finalists – Huntingtown, and beat one of last year’s 2/1A finalists, Patuxent, by two points less than the Poets did.  

Coach Carter, Campbell, Parks and Co., are going for history – #13, which would lift the Poets on a mantle by themselves, separating them from Seneca Valley and Damascus, who both are tied with the Poets with 12 crowns. This is the Poets 30th season competing in the MPSSAA, while the majority of its teams are playing, or have just completed, their 50th campaign in the association.  

Coach Carter stresses that this is just the culmination of an 11 month process, and they are still a step away from the ultimate goal, “We’ve been preparing for this opportunity since January 5th, when we started study hall and off season conditioning. This team is really connected, with no egos, just one goal of winning their last game. Now we have to finish the task this Friday to achieve our goal – the state championship.” Number 13.  

#7 Dunbar (10-0) v #10 Calvert (12-1) 

@ Navy-Marines Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis Friday 4:00 

Playoff history: D – 73-14, 12-3 in state championship game; C – 15-6, 1-0 in championship game 

Scoring: D – P 50.8 PA 7.1 PD +43.7; C – P 29.5 PA 9.5 PD +20.0 

Coaches: D – Michael Carter 1st season 10-0, 3-0 p/o; C – Rick Sneade 13th season 78-59, 11-4 p/o 

Offense: 

D – Passing #5 Witherspoon 2047/18 pass, 426/6 rush; Rushing #3 Floyd 1154/16, #4 Parks 822/11; Receiving #8 Lyde 1006/10, #7 Washington 694/7 

C – #8 Robinson 79-146-1295-7 pass, 397/4 rush; Rushing #25 Wallace 201-1249-15; Receiving #1 Barnes 27-577-8 

Defense: 

D – #1 Campbell 75t, 52 solo; #15 Collins 30 tfl, 24 sks,; #30 Torbit 17 tfl, 14 sks; #40 Turpin 37t; #21 Benjamin 30t; #2 Hart 2 int 

C – #3 Jones 18 tfl, 26 qh, 5.5 sks; #13 Holland 66 solo; #7 Wilson 55 solo; #33 Mansfield 14.5, 22 qh, 5 sks; #4 Carrington 7 int 

The post MPSSAA 2/1A State Championship Preview appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

The Mustangs advanced to the 2023 4/3A state championship game in the same fashion they’ve fought through the challenges that have presented themselves over the last 27 months for the program, pulling out a 6-0 win over previously undefeated Perry Hall on the road.  

In week three of the ‘21 season, in a grueling 48-46 loss to Dunbar, Mustangs senior Elijah Gorham was taken by ambulance after a hard fall in the end zone. Three weeks later, Gorham passed away from serious brain injuries. The Mustangs dedicated their season to Gorham and went on to win their program’s first state championship on the gridiron, topping Dundalk, 22-13, in the inaugural 4/3A title game.  

Last season, before Coach Patrick Nixon’s Mustangs could even begin to defend their title, junior running back Jeremiah Brogden was shot and killed just after dismissal on game day in week one. The opener was scrapped, as the Mustangs had to deal with yet another tragedy. The Mustangs responded in weeks two, three and four with a trio of dominating wins. Then, in their 24-20 week five loss to eventual 2/1A state champion Dunbar, their star quarterback, Ray Moore III, was lost to a season-ending injury, dousing all but any hope of defending their first state crown.  

Coach Nixon is proud of the way his team has dealt with the amount of adversity they have, “Having this opportunity means the world to our program. Between last year’s injuries to several key players, and the back-to-back years of dealing with the tragic loss of Jerimiah Brogden and Elijah Gorham, it definitely took a toll on our program. This year shows the toughness and the resiliency that this team has.” 

The Mustangs ‘22 season came to an end at Perry Hall, where the Gators pulled out a 7-6 win at home – a year after a 43-6 loss to the ‘Stangs, and Tech finished 6-4. That’s where the Mustangs found themselves on Friday in the semifinal matchup, and just like last year, scoring was extremely difficult to come by for both teams. The Gators eventual game-winning drive in ‘22 came on their opening possession. That’s all they needed. That would have been all they needed with an extra point on Friday, but the Mustangs foiled every opportunity afforded to the Gators, shutting out the previously undefeated hosts.  

The undefeated Gators and one-loss Mustangs dueled to a scoreless first half, with both defensive units dominating. There were a few opportunities, but turnovers, sacks, and penalties thwarted those few chances. Mervo senior running back Bobby Johnson was able to find some running lanes for the Mustangs, but not enough to ignite a scoring drive. The Gators produced three sacks of Moore III in the first half, putting a damper on the Mustangs passing game, neutralizing their outside weapons.  

Meanwhile, the Mustangs defense was suffocating, forcing two interceptions deep in their own territory. Mervo senior safety Terrance Couser came up with the first ‘pick’ for the Mustangs, while senior middle linebacker Tre Henley supplied the second. Gators junior Corey Costner grabbed an interception on the very play just before Henley’s grab, scrapping a potential scoring bid that had the Mustangs at the Gators 12 yard line. As the teams headed into intermission, it looked as though any score could be enough to win it, after just two touchdowns between the pair in six quarters of post-season action over the last two years.  

The second half seemed to be even more challenging for both offensive units, after having had to fend off constant pressure, series after series. Neither team crossed midfield in the third stanza, and the game would be decided in the fourth quarter or extra time, with the game tied at nil.  

On the second play of the fourth quarter, the Mustangs were forced to punt, and the Gators fair caught the kick at their own 46 yard line, giving the hosts their best field possession in the second half. After a three yard run by senior quarterback Da’Shaun Conway, senior running back Jake Wagner plowed two yards to cross midfield, setting up a 3rd-and-5 at the Mustangs 49 yard line.  

The Mustangs defensive front produced again, as senior defensive tackle Tayjon Wilkerson jetted through the line to drop Conway for a one yard loss, aided by defensive end Jabriel McDonald. After a short punt, the Mustangs took possession at their own 37 yard line, with just over eight minutes to play. On first down, the Gators blitzed Moore III from the right side and dropped him for a ten yard loss, leading to a 2nd-and-20 from their own 27 yard line.  

That’s when Moore III dropped back and fired a dime to senior De’sean Thorton on a post play down the middle for a 73 yard touchdown, snapping the scoreless draw. Just as they did in ‘22, Mervo missed the extra point attempt, and now the Mustangs would rely on their defense for one or two more stops to prevent the miss from being the difference, as it was in ‘22. The Mustangs kickoff unit used the momentum from the touchdown to pin the Gators at their own three yard line. After two first downs, the Mustangs forced the Gators to punt again, and the Mustangs had the ball at the Gators 44 yard line, with less than five minutes remaining. Five runs by Johnson, and another by Moore III, ran some clock, and put the ‘Stangs inside the Gators ten yard line.  

However, two penalties pushed the Mustangs back out to the 30 yard line, and after a five yard run from Johnson, the Mustangs turned the ball over on possession at the Gators 25 yard line, with just 32 seconds left on the clock. Four short completions pushed the Gators in Mustangs territory, but time expired on the fourth, and after 48 minutes of a defensive slugfest, Mervo was headed to their second state title game in three seasons, and Perry Hall finished their best campaign in decades, finishing 12–1. 

Coach Nixon couldn’t have been more proud of his defense, “We pride ourselves in being an aggressive, physical, disciplined, and defensive minded team. The guys executed the defensive game plan which was to stop the run and keep all of their passes in front of us. No big plays. We wanted to get as many guys to the ball as possible each and every play. The guys played extremely hard and I am proud of them.” 

Moore III has been magnificent this season, throwing for more than 2,130 and 26 touchdowns, while adding nine rushing touchdowns. Johnson leads the Mustangs running attack for a second year in a row, and has rushed for 873 yards and 14 touchdowns. Thorton joins senior Tye’Shawn Cox as Moore’s top two targets among a handful of their weapons. The two have combined for more than 2,100 all-purpose yards and 23 touchdowns.  

Wilkerson – 5’9 240 – and Henley – 6’2 190 – have been lynchpins for the Mustangs defense, with the senior tackle producing 40 solo tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, a safety, and a 52 yard ‘pick 6’, while the senior middle linebacker leads the unit with 70 solo tackles and 51 assisted tackles, adding two forced fumbles and a 41 yard ‘pick 6’. Senior linebacker Kenneth Ford has produced 65 solo tackles, while junior linebacker Lindsey Tankard has added 58.  

The Mustangs have a pair of playmaking cornerbacks too, in senior Kamari Williams and junior Kasir Hicks, with Williams totaling a team-best six interceptions, six pass breakups, and five tackles for loss, and Hicks netting ten pass breakups, six tackles for loss, and two interceptions. 

Mervo will have its hands full in the final when they take on the defending champion North Point Eagles, in a battle between the ‘21 4/3A state champs and the ‘22 4/3A state champs. Like the Mustangs, the Eagles possess a smothering defense, and an offense that wins behind their line play.  

The Eagles defense has stifled offensive units all season, and did again Friday, forcing ‘three-and-outs’ on the Bengals first three possessions, and limiting the hosts to only 45 offensive yards before intermission, while mounting a 14-0 lead. The Eagles rushed for 169 yards and two scores on 25 carries in the first half, but saw one drive end on downs after entering the Bengals ten yard line, and another end with an interception in Bengals territory.  

In the second half, the Eagles pounded it out on the ground with seniors Kaleb Hart and Isaiah Coleman, and junior Damien Brown, before Hart threw a 22 yard touchdown pass to give the visitors a 21-0 lead early in the third quarter. The Bengals countered with a 56 yard touchdown pass, but the defense continued to get stops, and Brown scored his third touchdown of the day to push their margin to 28-7 with just more than seven minutes to play, and all but seal it.  

Hart has been the catalyst for the Eagles ‘Wildcat-inspired’ offense for two seasons now, and was literally the most valuable player on the field in the ‘22 4/3A title game, rushing for 145 yards and two scores, and throwing for 93 yards and a touchdown in their 31-14 win over Arundel. Friday, Hart and Coleman combined for more than 275 rushing yards, with Brown supplying three rushing touchdowns.  

While sophomore Kyler Ferreiera has thrown for 1,074 yards and 17 touchdowns with one interception, the Eagles have relied on the ‘Wildcat’ offense in the last two post-seasons. Hart, who missed the first two games, has rushed for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Brown has scored a team-best 19 touchdowns.  

The Eagles defense is led by a pair of 2022 MPSSAA All-State selections in senior linebacker Kamari Loving – 6’0 215- and senior defensive tackle Kendall Carter – 6’2 275 – headlining a unit that has allowed only five touchdowns this season. Loving leads the Eagles in tackles, including 77 solo, and Carter has registered 52 tackles in the middle, and is tied for the team lead with six sacks. Brown, the Eagles leading scorer, also doubles as linebacker, and has recorded 40 solo tackles. Senior Seth Gathers leads the Eagles secondary, and has three interceptions on the season.  

The Eagles have shutout nine opponents this season, and limited 12 of 13 opponents to ten points or less. The Eagles have limited all 13 of their opponents to less than 100 rushing yards in each game.  

Billy Condo is in his second season as head coach at North Point, after having been an assistant since the program’s infancy. Condo is surrounded by two former head coaches in Defensive Coordinator Mike Rucker, who led Parkdale to a 4A state title in 2002, and assistant Ken Lane, who was an assistant on three state championship teams under Larry Johnson at McDonough in ‘83, ‘85, and ‘90. Former Eagles two-way star Malik Lawrence, the Post’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2018, is also an assistant.  

Over the last decade or so, the Eagles have seen a meteoric rise among Maryland public school programs much like the Mustangs impressive trajectory. Over their last ten seasons (eight under Tom Petre), the Eagles boast a 93-17 record (.845), four ‘Final Four’ appearances in six post-seasons, and three title game berths in the last five post-seasons. The Mustangs, for their part, hold an 87-19 record (.821) over the last nine seasons, and have advanced to the state semifinals in four of the last five post-seasons.  

Coach Nixon understands what this opportunity presents, and appreciates the challenge that lies ahead, after such a roller-coaster ride over the last 27 months, “We have a against all odds attitude, which gives us a chance to compete with anyone. We know that defeating North Point wont be easy, but we want to do this for our school, community, and fallen student athletes.” 

#2 North Point (13-0) v #9 Mervo (12-1) 

Playoffs: NP – 18-11, 1-1 in championship game; M – 16-10, 1-0 in championship game 

Scoring: NP – P 39.5 PA 3.3 PD +36.2; M – P 34.5 PA 4.8 PD +29.7 

Coaches: NP – Billy Condo 2nd season 24-3, 9-0 p/o; M – Patrick Nixon 13th season 104-42, 16-6 p/o 

Offense: 

NP – Passing #7 Ferriera 72-108-1074–17-1; Rushing #33 Hart 175-1504–15, #2 Brown 71-515-19, #24 Coleman 42-515-2; Receiving #5 Jackson 33-402-7 

M – Passing #2 Moore III 2,130 yards, 26 tds; Rushing #11 Johnson 873 yards, 14 tds; Receiving #1 Cox 692 receiving, 255 rushing 12 tds, #4 Thorton 673 receiving, 303 rushing, 10 tfd 

Defense: 

NP – #25 Loving 124t, 77 solo; #23 Carter 58t, 36 solo; #10 Lawrence 47 solo, 6 sk; #2 Brown 41 solo; #4 Farmer 3 int; #28 Gathers 3 int,; #22 Barratt 34 solo 

M – #10 Henley 121t, 70 solo, 2 ff; #52 Wilkerson 40 solo, 16 tfl, 4 sacks; #41 Tankard 58 solo; #6 Ford 65 solo; #2 Hicks 6 tfl, 10 pbu, 1 int; #5 Williams 6 int, 6 pbu, 5 tfl 

The post MPSSAA 4/3A State Championship Preview appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

A week after their thrilling 21-20 victory over Northwest in Germantown, the Bruins produced a convincing 31-7 win over Churchill in Potomac on Friday night, securing the first 4A title game berth by an Anne Arundel County team since Old Mill advanced in 2014, before falling to Northwest in a thriller, 34-31. That was the Patriots third trip to the 4A final in six-post-seasons, winning the 4A crown in both 2009 and 2011.  

But, that bit of supremacy that Old Mill might have held over that six year period was unique, as success for Anne Arundel County teams in the semifinal and state championship rounds have been few and far in between for county teams since the MPSSAA’s first five seasons. At any level, much less 4A.  

In the first five seasons of the MPSSAA, from ‘74 through ‘78, Anne Arundel boasted two state champions in AA (now 4A) – Arundel in ‘75 and Annapolis in ‘78, and another finalist – Severna Park in ‘74. But since, it’s been rough sledding in the ‘Final Four’. 

Prior to the Bruins game Friday night, Anne Arundel County teams had gone 7-25 in the 4A (or AA) semifinals since Nap Town’s title in ‘78, and that includes the Patriots 3-0 mark from ‘09-14. Broadneck had held a 1-7 record in the semis before last night’s game, including an 0-5 mark since its title game appearance in ‘03, when the Bruins lost to Damascus, 13-7, in the 4A title game. Last season, the Bruins suffered a 42-9 loss at Quince Orchard in the semifinals.  

Not only did the Bruins defy 43 post-seasons of history on Friday, but they went in to Montgomery County and beat two of their three best 4A teams to get to the title game. A week after Northwest shocked #1 Quince Orchard with a 29 point first half and eventual victory, Broadneck went toe-to-toe with the Jaguars in the quarterfinals, and clinched a huge road victory in the ‘Black Hole’ on Logan McGill’s game-winning ‘pick 6’ in the final stanza. Then came 11-1 Churchill, whose only loss came to Quince Orchard, and who themselves registered an impressive victory over Northwest, 19-7, in week seven. 

Friday night, the Bruins dominated the game in all three phases, opening up with a 17-0 halftime lead, and keeping the Bulldogs off of the scoreboard until the final minute. Bruins senior kicker Chris Coleman put the first points on the board in the opening quarter with a 44 yard field goal, while junior quarterback CJ Watkins added a ten yard scoring run and a seven yard passing touchdown to classmate Joey Smargissi to give the visitors a three score lead at intermission.  

The Bruins defense may have not stopped the Bulldogs star running back David Avit, the MPSSAA’s leading rusher, but they contained the 6’0 220 force, and kept him out of the end zone until the game’s final moments. With a three score lead, the Bruins used their ground game to move the chains and grind the clock. Watkins scored on a two yard run in the third quarter, followed by junior Ian Mauldin’s five yard scoring haul to take a 31-0 lead into the fourth quarter.  

Watkins fought through a three-way competition at the ‘QB1’ position for the Bruins, one that carried into the season, and not only earned the job, but flourished, completing 61.1% of his passes this season for 1,218 yards and 15 touchdowns, against just one interception. Watkins has also added six scores on the ground. Mauldin, a junior, leads the Bruins ground game for a second year in a row, rushing for 1059 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Senior wide receiver Eli Harris, Coach Rob Harris’ son and a Navy commit, has registered 53 receptions for 870 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, and ranks eighth in MPSSAA history with 2,664 career receiving yards, and ninth with 165 career receptions. Smargissi has supplied 40 receptions for 469 yards and seven touchdowns.  

Coach Harris has continued a winning tradition at Broadneck started by Jeff Herrick in 1989. Over the last 35 seasons, the Bruins have averaged eight wins per season. Harris, who spent six seasons as an assistant to Herrick, touts an 104-33 record in 13 seasons at the helm for the Bruins. Eli will play his last game for the Bruins in the title game, after leading the team in receiving yards in all four of his seasons with the Bruins, beginning with the Covid-abbreviated Spring season in ‘21. Harris needs 50 receiving yards to surpass former Arundel star Ronnie Harris (2,713) for seventh place on the MPSSAA’s career receiving yardage list.  

While Broadneck has had a reputation as having an efficient and productive passing game, to go with a very complimentary running game, it’s been the Bruins defense that delivered them to the 4A title game. After allowing Northwest a touchdown on the opening possession of their quarterfinal clash, the Bruins held the Jags to just two more scores, and provided the game-winner with McGill’s ‘pick 6’. Friday, the unit had a blank sheet for 46 minutes, versus the MPSSAA’s leading rusher, on the road.  

When asked about the mettle his Bruins have shown on the road over the last two weeks in the winningest football county in the state, Harris stressed the importance of scheduling top notch out-of-conference opponents in the openers of the last two years. “We set about four years ago and wanted to set our out-of-county game to be as tough as possible for moments like the last two games. We believe you need to face adversity to understand how to handle adversity in the times of high stress. Playing Spalding, McDonogh, etc, has helped a lot. The high stress ending to the Old Mill game this year helped. I kids believed in each other, their coaches and our game plan, and they executed it. We went up to both (Northwest and Churchill) expecting to compete well, and if we take care of the ball, win.” 

And, on the task of stopping such a force as Avit, Harris says his Bruins were prepared for a dogfight, “David lived up to the hype. Churchill is doing some good things, and it was a tough task. We faced them last year and they are much improved this year. They are as scrappy as any team we have faced. It was hard hitting and our kids knew they were going to be in brawl for four quarters on defense. We had to send as many bodies at him as possible, and change up the looks for the ‘OL’ and coaches to keep them guessing. I am so proud of all the boys, selling out and giving everything they had for their teammates.” 

Senior linebacker Braeden McCassie headlines a defensive unit that has allowed just 8.25 points per game in four post-season games, including each of the last three versus top 25 teams – Dundalk, Northwest, and Churchill. McCassie has totaled 77 tackles this season, including 54 solo tackles, and a team-best seven sacks. Junior safety Tyler Chinn-Thompson leads the team in both tackles and solo tackles, with 79 and 55 respectively. Senior Jed Pelicano, who joins McCassie and McGill among the linebacking corps, has produced 62 tackles – 44 solo, and captured a key fumble recovery in the Northwest win. Like McCassie, defensive end Tyler Hicks is a three-year starter, and like McCassie (Jacksonville commit), will play lacrosse (VMI commit) at the next level.  

The Bruins face the most successful 4A program in the 21st century, the Dr Henry A Wise Pumas, who made themselves a name shortly after the program’s inception in 2006. Coach DaLawn Parrish has been with the Pumas from their very beginning. And has since established himself as one of the most successful coaches in MPSSAA history. Parrish ranks second in MPSSAA history in playoff wins, boasting a 41-9 post-season record. Parrish holds a 182-53 record over 19 seasons as a head coach, including a 178-37 mark in 17 seasons at Wise. In the last 15 seasons, the Pumas have produced a 169-21 record (.889) versus MPSSAA competition.  

The Pumas five 4A state titles rank second in MPSSAA history in the classification, behind only Springbrook, who won six with coach Bob Milloy from ‘79 through ‘89. Coach Parrish joins Milloy, who won two more 4A state crowns at Sherwood, as the only two coaches in MPSSAA history to win more than three 4A state championships, with five. Since 2015, the Pumas have a 99-4 record versus MPSSAA competition, including a 26-3 post-season mark. Two losses came to Quince Orchard – in the ‘18 semis and the ‘21 final, and the other two came to Flowers in ‘22, the second coming in the semifinals.  

Still, despite the Pumas incredible success over the last 15 seasons, the Prince Georges County champions will be seeking their first state crown since 2019, after having their seasons come to an end with losses to the Cougars and Jaguars. Wise didn’t play in the abbreviated Spring season in ‘21, as Prince Georges County, Baltimore City, and Charles County, were the only jurisdictions in Maryland not to play any football that season.  

Wise suffered their only loss in their opener to nationally ranked Maury in Virginia, 31-10, and have since gone 11-0, despite losing their senior quarterback transfer Khalil Wilkins on game day in week two, as the West Virginia commit was deemed ineligible and out of district. The Pumas have pushed through nonplussed, and avenged their 2022 losses to Flowers with a 17-14 overtime over the Jaguars in week seven.  

The five-time state champion coach has learned to be prepared for the worst situation, “At Wise we have always preached the next man up. Coming back from Covid made me rethink and reconstruct the way we practiced, as you could lose a player at any given moment without notice during that time. With that approach and a new commitment to a different practice schedule, we were able to make better adjustments. This team and our coaches have had to deal with some of our players transferring out, residence issues and appeals for the first five weeks of the season, the loss of ‘D1’ quarterback, the transfer of our previous backup quarterback, fan limitations, injuries, and more.” 

Parrish went on, “Khalil was an outstanding leader and player, but his leadership also helped prepare Eric Wedge, who is only a sophomore, gain more confidence. ‘EJ’ was put in a bad situation an hour before the second game of the year, but he has responded well. At Wise, we believe it us versus eveyone, and we deal with adversity every year.  This year has been another way to help young people learn to seize the moment and to never give up no matter the circumstances.” 

Without Wilkins, and with sophomore Eric Wedge at quarterback, the Pumas have primarily relied on a punishing running game, and that was no different in their 62-21 win over league rival Eleanor Roosevelt in the semifinals. Friday night, it was ‘him’ that led the way for the Pumas, in the ground game and everywhere else. Junior DeCarlos Young – 6’1 220 – rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries on offense, added five tackles, including one for loss on defense, and added an 83 kickoff return for a score, to add to his 84 yard rushing touchdown. As a team, the Pumas rushed for 433 yards and seven touchdowns on 38 Carrie’s in the win over the Raiders. The Pumas also produced a total of 231 return yards on three kickoff and four punt returns, netting more than 30 yards on each kickoff return, and averaging 20 yards per return on four punts.  

Young has had a monster junior campaign, after making a huge impact as a sophomore, when he first became the Pumas best all-around player. Last season, Young was the Pumas second leading rusher and third leading scorer, while also serving as their second leading tackler. This season, Young leads the Pumas in rushing yards, touchdowns, tackles, and kick return yards. After averaging 11.6 yards per carry last season, Young is averaging 11.7 yards per carry this campaign, rushing for 1,249 yards and 23 touchdowns on only 107 carries. Only once in twelve games has Young totaled more than 13 carries. In all, including his pair of kickoff return touchdowns versus Flowers and Roosevelt, Young has scored 25 touchdowns on 113 touches. On defense, Young has amassed 84 tackles, including 45 solo, and 14.5 for loss.  

Parrish said of his talented junior, “It is a blessing to have a player like DeCarlos, who always shows up when the lights are the brightest. His willingness to sacrifice personal success for team success is what makes a coach want to keep coaching. He is a three-way player and I do not know where we would be without him. Sometimes he has put us on his back like my players of old, and willed us to victory with effort, intensity, and his refusal to allow us to lose.” 

But, by no means is Young a ‘one-man show’, as the Pumas feature a deep, relatively young cast of talents. Compounding the quandaries defensive opponents face with Young and his running prowess, is junior Peyton Nelson and senior Greg Pruitt III. Nelson has produced 1,016 yards from scrimmage and scored 14 touchdowns, while Pruitt has supplied 804 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns on only 84 carries. Wedge, like Watkins at Broadneck, has taken care of the ball at the quarterback position for the Pumas, and taken advantage of opportunities when they present themselves, completing 57.4% of his passes, with 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions.  

The Pumas defensive unit, who has produced seven shutouts in twelve games this season, consists of seven freshman, sophomore, and juniors, among the 14 members with 20 tackles or more. However, a handful of senior members on the unit are intent on not becoming the first class since the 2011 class not to win a 4A title anywhere in their four years. Senior defensive tackle Ronald Hull – 6’1 320 – has registered 19.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, and five forced fumbles. Senior defensive ends Marquis Thomas – 6’1 225 – and Demi Olanlokun – 6’2 239 – line outside of Hull, and have combined for 21.5 tackles for loss, while senior safeties Teon Lavender and Jamal Drummond have totaled 144 tackles, 88 solo tackles, five fumble recoveries, and three interceptions.  

Both Broadneck and Wise feature outstanding kicking games. Broadneck senior Chris Coleman earned MPSSAA All-State first team honors after setting a MPSSAA single-season record 14 field goals in ‘22. This year, Coleman hasn’t been quite as busy, or successful, converting three of six field goals, but has converted 50 of 51 extra points, with the one miss being blocked. Coleman drilled in a crucial 35 yard extra point (after a 15 yard penalty for excessive celebration following a touchdown) in the Bruins one point win over Northwest in the quarterfinals. Coleman also averages 35 yards per punt, including placing 12 inside the opponents 20 yard line. Wise senior Geovanie Deguenon has made 73 of 76 extra point attempts (96.1%), and has made all five of his field goal attempts, including the game-winning 27 yard field goal in the Pumas 17-14 overtime win over Flowers.  

The Bruins and Pumas showdown premieres in prime-time on Friday night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, with both having a ‘Homecoming’ of sorts. While the Bruins are making their second state final appearance, it’ll be the first they played on the big stage in their hometown, less than seven miles from their stadium. For Coach Parrish and the Wise faithful, it’ll be their fifth trip to Nap Town in the seven post-seasons since the title games were moved from M&T Stadium in Baltimore.  

The Pumas coach takes nothing for granted. “It’s always good to have a chance to play for a state title. And this team has battled and gotten better every week since losing to Maury. Getting to the title game is not promised, nor is it normal to have gone to the championship nine times in 17 years. I never take it for granted, and I try to relay that to our players, school, and parents. The 2021 loss to QO hurt, as I felt we had a great team returning for 2020, and were robbed of that chance to repeat and defend our title, or even practice that whole year. This week my team will not take this opportunity for granted, and we will prepare them to give their all. We are excited to represent our true fans and we’ll try to bring back title number six to Henry A. Wise HS. We face a great opponent, and we have tremendous respect for the Bruins.” 

Coach Harris is looking forward to his first state title game, “I’m not gonna lie, this is a moment we have all worked so hard to get to. The core of my staff has been together since I was named the head coach, and to get here with them is very rewarding. But, we are not happy just being here, we have bigger goals.  We have faced Wise before (2010 in semis) and lost, 13-7, in a dog fight, and we limited them to less than 150 yards of offense. We almost had this matchup in 2015. Truthfully, we thought we were going to beat Howard and face them at M&T.  You want to be the best, you got to beat the best, and there is no doubt that Wise has been one of the two best teams in the 4A for the last decade. DaLawn does an amazing job and we are going to need to have a heck of a game to win, but we can do it.” 

#1 Wise (11-1) v #11 Broadneck (11-2) Friday 7:30 

@ Navy-Marines Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis 

Playoff history: B – 23-19, 0-1 in the championship game; W – 41-9, 5-3 in the championship game 

Scoring: B – P 31.5 PA 12.3 PD +19.2; W – P 47.7 PA 8.3 PD +39.4 

Coaches: B – Rob Harris 13th season 104-33, 11-10 p/o; W – DaLawn Parrish 19th season, 17th with Wise 182-53, 41-9 p/o 

Offense:  

B – Passing #4 Watkins 93-152-1218-15-1, #9 Doyle 55-82-7-1; Rushing #2 Mauldin 179-1059-15; Receiving #5 Harris 53-870-13, #6 Smargissi 40-469-7 

W – Passing #10 Wedge III 58-101-924-11-0; Rushing #1 Young 107-1249-23, #2 Nelson 91-819-11, #6 Pruitt Jr 84-804-11; Receiving #7 Butler 23-493-4 

Defense: 

B – #3 McCassie 77t, 54 solo, 7 sacks, #1 Chinn-Thompson 79t, 55 solo, #7 Pelicano 62t, 44 solo, #52 Hicks 30t, 4 sacks, #12 McGill 41t, 2 int, #17 Levicki 4 int 

W – #1 Young 80t, 45 solo, 14.5 tfl, #55 Hull 38t, 19.5 tfl, 6 sk, 5 ff, #5 Lavender 70t, 45 solo, 5 tfl, 4 fr, #9 Drummond 74t, 43 solo, 8 pd, 2 int, #8 Thomas 42t, 12 tfl, 4.5 sk, #12 Olanlokun 37t, 9.5 tfl, 1 ff 

The post MPSSAA 4A State Championship Preview appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

Broadneck (9-2) pulled out one of the most impressive victories of the weekend’s 24 games, going into the ‘Black Hole’ in Germantown and beating the three-time state champion Northwest Jaguars, seven days after the Jags stunned #1 Quince Orchard. The game featured three lead changes, punctuated by Logan McGill’s 70 yard game-winning ‘pick 6’ that delivered the Bruins a 21-20 win.  

The Jaguars put points on the board on their first possession, going 73 yards on seven plays to take a 7-0 lead on Christian Idoma’s three yard score. After an exchange of punts, the Bruins took over at the Jaguars 45 yard line and capitalized on a CJ Watkins six yard scoring toss to Eli Harris on a third-and-goal to even the game, 7-7, with 10:59 remaining in the second quarter.  

Then, on the Jags ensuing possession, the Bruins Jed Pellicano fell on a Jaguars fumble on the host’s 11 yard line. Two plays later, Watkins found Joey Smargissi from 11 yards out to give the Bruins a 14-7 lead. The teams exchanged more punts in the second quarter, but the Jags tied things up on seven yard scoring toss from Jayden Vongprachanh-Nelson to Anthony Gengarella with just :04 remaining before intermission.  

The Jaguars retook the lead with 4:09 to go in the third quarter on a four yard scoring run from Tony Berry. But, the extra point sailed left, and the Jags settled for a 20-14 lead. Both defensive units continued to stand firm, though the Jaguars looked poised to make it a two score margin midway through the fourth quarter with the ball at the Bruins 34 yard line.  

That’s when Harris, playing defense for the first time in a long time, put a finger on a Vongprachanh-Nelson pass and McGill took it to the ‘house’. Still, the extra point would be no gimme, when the Bruins were flagged for excessive celebration. Still, Christopher Coleman banged in the 35 yard attempt, giving the Bruins a 21-20 lead with 4:40 left in the game.  

The Jaguars made one last run in an entertaining game between two of the best teams in the MPSSAA, before their final ‘Hail Mary’ into the end zone on the final play was picked off by Braden McCassie to seal the deal for the Bruins. The Bruins struggled offensively, posting 154 offensive yards to the Jaguars 338, but made the most of their opportunities, and turned a pair of Jaguars turnovers into 14 points. Watkins completed 15 of 27 passes for 140 yards, and Harris caught eight passes for 83 yards to move into eighth place on the MPSSAA’s all-time career receiving yards list, with 2,654 receiving yards. 

The Bruins advance to their eighth state semifinal in their program’s history, and second in as many seasons, after losing to the eventual 4A state champion Quince Orchard, 42-9, in last year’s semifinals. The Bruins have been one of the most consistent 4A teams in the MPSSAA over the last two decades, and as a 3A contender before that. Bruins coach Rob Harris holds a 102-33 mark in twelve seasons in Annapolis. Harris followed Jeff Herrick (165-78), who spent 22 seasons at the helm for the Bruins. Over the last 34 seasons, the Bruins have averaged better than eight wins per season.  

Still, the Bruins will be seeking just their second title game appearance, and twenty years to the week of their only other one when they lost to Damascus, 13-7, in the 2003 4A title game. The Bruins have advanced to the 4A semifinals five times since, but fallen short of their second state championship game bid each time. 

The Bruins will face Churchill in the state semifinal, with the Bulldogs making their first state semifinal appearance in 1995. Churchill advanced to the 4A (AA ‘74-87) state title games six times from ‘76-93, winning the championship in back-to-back seasons in ‘76 and ‘77. The meeting between the two will be a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal clash when the Bruins ran away with a 39-7 victory. With a win, the Bruins would become the first Anne Arundel County team to advance to a 4A state championship game since Old Mill fell just short of Northwest in 2014, 34-31. 

Broadneck will expect a much tighter game this year, with the Bulldogs having their best season since 1995 when the Dhani Jones-led Dawgs lost to Dunbar in double-overtime thriller in the 3A title game, 30-28. The Bulldogs also topped Northwest in their regular season tilt, 15-7. Bulldogs 6’1 230 running back David Avit ranks in the MPSSAA in both rushing yards, with 2,269, and touchdowns scored, with 33.  

Old Mill (10-2) and Eleanor Roosevelt matched the fireworks of the Bruins and Jaguars matchup, with several momentum swings before the Raiders pulled out a 30-28 victory over the Anne Arundel County champions. The Millers and Raiders battled for just two minutes short of a three hour marathon, in a game marred by lengthy stoppages for player injuries, including the first that came within the first minute of the game, and one that required medical personnel and an ambulance. 

Once action restarted, the Raiders raced out to a 13-0 lead, scoring on each of their first two possessions. After the Raiders first score, Jordan Penn returned the kickoff 47 yards before fumbling at midfield, and the Raiders capitalized, punching in a one yard score five plays later. Following the Raiders second score, the Millers countered, bolstered by a 43 yard run by Maximus Jones on the first play of the possession. Jones scored from three yards out to cut the hosts deficit to 13-7. But, the Raiders answered, pushing their lead to 20-7 margin following a 34 yard quarterback keeper for a score.  

The Patriots scored on their next possession when Jones took a direct snap on a third-and-five from the Raiders seven yard line into the end zone to make it a one score game again, 20-13. After stopping the Raiders on downs, Jones took a quick-pitch 43 yards to the end zone, and with the extra point, took a one point lead, 21-20, with 4:12 to play in the first half. However, the Raiders put themselves in position to get points just before halftime, and junior Niles Brown made good on that opportunity, drilling a 47 yard field goal as time expired in the first half, giving the visitors a 23-21 edge at intermission.  

The third quarter began with punts on the first four possessions, but the fourth was muffed by Old Mill, and recovered by Roosevelt, presenting an opportunity for the Raiders to go up by two scores. But, the Millers defense stuffed the Raiders on fourth-and-one at the seven yard line. On the ensuing possession, after gaining one first down, the Millers were forced to punt after a 17 yard loss on a sack. The Millers punt was blocked, giving the Raiders the ball on the Millers five yard line. Again, the Millers defense stood strong, holding the Raiders on three downs and forcing a field goal attempt, one that went wide left. 

Just inside the fourth quarter, a short punt gave the Raiders the ball at the Millers 39 yard line, and three plays later, Kamal Ali’s 27 yard touchdown pass gave the Raiders a 30-21 edge with 7:24 remaining. On the next play from scrimmage, the Patriots responded with Martini connecting with Connor Adams on a quick-hitter that Adams took 59 yards for a touchdown, and cut the margin to two, 30-28, with 7:01 to play. After the Raiders ventured into Millers territory, the hosts came up with an interception, setting them up at their own 29 yard line, with 5:30 remaining. But, after moving to the Raiders half of the field, the Millers fell a half yard short on a fourth-and-five at the 42 yard line with 2:26 left. The Millers stopped the Raiders, but not until it was too late. The Millers took possession with :32.0 left, but saw three incompletions and a quick pitch come up short.  

4A Semifinals 

5 Broadneck (10-2) @ 1 Churchill (11-1) 

7 Eleanor Roosevelt (10-2) @ 3 Wise (10-1) 

4/3A 

Perry Hall (12-0) continued its magical run and added to its unblemished record with the Gators 34-20 win over Leonardtown in the 4/3A quarterfinals, holding off a fiery Raiders comeback bid at the end. With the win, Coach Ryan Pittillo’s Gators’ advance to just their third state semifinal appearance, and the program’s second in 48 post-seasons.  

The Gators raced out to a 21-0 lead over the Raiders on Friday, scoring on each of their first three offensive possessions. Da’Shaun Conway threw two touchdown passes, the first to junior Corey Costner, and the second to Tyler Green. Gators senior Jacob Wagner added the third to give the hosts a three score margin over their St Mary’s County visitors. 

With the Raiders featuring a ‘wing t’ offense, it seemed a three score margin may be too tall of a task to climb, but the visitors, who had run through Howard and Reservoir in the first two rounds of the post-season, went to the air and refused to go away. The Raiders didn’t complete a pass until the final play of the first half when Phillip Smith scored on a toss from Jacob Floyd from eight yards out to cut their deficit to 21-6 at intermission.  

Looking to cut the margin to one score, Leonardtown gambled on the opening possession of the second half, before failing on a fourth down conversion attempt, and leaving the Gators a short field. Three plays later, Conway connected with Costner for a 36 yard touchdown, and gave the hosts a 21 point lead a second time, 27-6.  

But the Raiders fought back in the fourth quarter, going back to the passing game that cut the deficit to a one possession game, 27-20, after recovering an onside kick in between the two scores. But, after the Gators used some of the clock, they were forced to punt and give the Raiders one more chance. But, that chance was foiled with the Gators Noah Williams ‘strip-sack’ in the end zone in the final minute-plus to give the Gators a 34-20 win and send them to their first state semifinal game in 30 years.  

Conway completed 9 of 11 passes for 128 yards and three touchdowns, with Costner grabbing five receptions for 83 yards and two scores. Wagner finished with 127 yards on 12 carries. The Gators last state semifinal appearance came in 1993, when they fell to Watkins Mill, 31-11, in the 4A classification, and finished 10-2. The Gators only other ‘Final Four’ appearance came in the MPSSAA’s inaugural season in 1974, when they advanced to the AA (now 4A) state title game, before losing to Parkdale, 28-8.  

The Gators will face a familiar foe in Mervo in the semifinal, after facing the Mustangs in the post-season in both ‘21 and ‘22. The Mustangs dominated the Gators in the second round of the former, 42-3, before the Gators turned back the ‘Stangs, 7-6, in last year’s second round slugfest. The Mustangs (11-1) advanced to their fourth state semifinal in five post-seasons with their sound 27-6 victory over Suitland, holding their opponent to seven points or less for the ninth time in twelve games.  

The Mustangs advanced to their first state semifinal in 2018, in 4A, losing to North Point, 23-13. The following season, the Mustangs were two extra points shy of Linganore, 27-25, in a 3A semifinal. Following the pandemic period inthe fall of ‘21, the Mustangs advanced to their third straight ‘Final Four’, albeit in a third different classification, in the inaugural season of the 4/3A division, where they took out Sherwood, 34-7, to win their first state semifinal, then topped Dundalk, 22-13, in the title game for their first state championship on the gridiron.  

Last season was one of hardship for coach Patrick Nixon’s Mustangs as they looked to defend their title, with a teammate murdered on game day in week one, then losing their starting quarterback Ray Moore III in their 24-20 week five loss to fellow defending champion Dunbar. After an opening round 66-17 rout of Catonsville, the Mustangs were eliminated with the one point loss to the Gators, and finished with a 6-4 mark.  

4/3A Semifinals 

4 Mervo (11-1) @ 1 Perry Hall (12-0) 

3 North Point (12-0) @ 2 Blake (11-0) 

3A 

It was thought to be an intriguing matchup between the 3A  four and five seeds when City College (8-4) travelled to Valhalla to take on Mt Hebron (8-3). The most prolific passing game in the MPSSAA versus the Vikings running machine, featuring their ‘1-2’ punch. But, it turned out to be a one-sided affair, with the Black Knights running away with a running-clock 42-7 victory.  

The Black Knights athleticism proved to be just too much for the Vikings, and their defense shut down the once-vaunted Vikings ground game. The Vikings were without half of their ‘1-2’ punch in the backfield, with Aiden Hauf limited to defense after missing the last two games and the last half in week eight.  

Hauf missed the second half of the Howard game and the entire week nine clash with Reservoir, both resulting in losses after a 7-0 start. Hauf was leading Howard County in touchdowns at the time of his injury, and was third in rushing yards.  

Nonetheless, Hauf was part of a defensive unit that had no answer for the Black Knights spread offense, who utilized the ground game a bit more than they had in the regular season, mirroring their 38-26 win over Bel Air in the second round.  

The Black Knights scored three touchdowns in their first four possessions to take a 20-0 lead and never looked back. Junior quarterback Nick Cyrus scored on a one yard run on the first possession of the game, then from five yards out for the Black Knights second score. Cyrus finished with three passing touchdowns to go with a pair on the ground. Junior Romero Ison scored twice, once on a 48 yard run, and the other on a 65 yard reception.  

Cyrus leads the MPSSAA in passing yards and passing touchdowns, with 3,848 and 45, respectively. Cyrus’ passing yards mark ranks third best in a season in MPSSAA history, and needs just 66 passing yards to snap Billy Cosh’s MPSSAA record mark of 3,913, set at Arundel in ‘08. Cyrus currently ranks third, 42 yards behind Deryk Kern’s total of 3,890, set at Westminster in 2012.  

Cyrus’ 45 passing touchdowns ranks fourth in MPSSAA history for a single-season, behind Cosh’s totals of 55 and 56 in ‘09 and ‘08, and Kern’s record-best of 63 in 2012. Cyrus has also rushed for 507 yards and ten touchdowns, totaling 4,355 yards and 55 touchdowns of offensive production.  

Ison leads the MPSSAA in receiving yards, with 1,375, and needs just nine yards to break the record held by Sean Farr of Dunbar in 2007. Ison’s mark currently ranks ninth in MPSSAA history for a single-season, and with 64 more receiving yards, will move into fourth place. Ison, also an adept runner and returner, has amassed 2,403 yards and 20 touchdowns.  

Jahmari Powell-Wonson, the only senior of the electric trio and a Maryland commit, has caught 53 passes for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns, while junior Vernon Allen boasts a team-best 72 receptions, for 1,053 yards and 12 touchdowns. Powell-Wonson intercepted a pass in the end zone to end Mt Hebron’s only scoring threat just before halftime on Saturday.  

Now, the Black Knights will face one of the best teams in all of the MPSSAA when they travel to Oakdale on Friday to take on the undefeated, top seeded Bears. This is the Black Knights first semifinal berth since 2005, when they lost to Westminster, 35-6, in the 3A semifinal. For Mt Hebron, Coach Shawn Frederick’s Vikings can hold their heads high in knowing they put together a season not seen in Valhalla in 41 years. 

Franklin (6-6) gave Linganore all they could handle for 44 minutes on Friday night, before the game went from a 7-3 margin to a 30-10 decisive edge in the game’s final four minutes.  

The Indians had three chances in the second half to take the lead, but a fumble, an interception, and a sack by the Lancers thwarted those three drives. The first turnover came inside the ‘red zone’ with the Lancers recovering on their own five yard line. Then, on the following possession, Lancers quarterback Christian Petruzzello went around the right side for a 19 yard touchdown to begin an avalanche of four scores in the final four minutes. Franklin finished the season with a 6-6 mark.  

Chesapeake finished their season with a notable 9-3 record, following their 28-7 loss to Northern of Calvert County. Oakland Mills (5-7) saw their five game win streak come to an end with their 56-6 loss to undefeated Oakdale. 

3A Semifinals 

5 City College (8-4) @ 1 Oakdale (12-0) 

6 Northern Cal. (8-4) @ 2 Linganore (11-1) 

2A 

Milford Mill (9-2) routed Potomac, 42-10, in pursuit of their second straight title in 2A, after building a 42-0 halftime lead. Senior Deshawn Purdie threw three touchdown passes, two to Josh Pearson. Keion Sutton added a pair of scores on the ground, including one from 72 yards out to open the scoring on the Millers first drive. The Millers held their opponent to one touchdown or less for the ninth time in ten games.  

The defending champs now travel to Decatur to take on the undefeated Seahawks, in a rematch of their 2A state semifinal of a year ago, where the Millers escaped with a 40-33 victory on their way to the second state championship in their program’s history. Last season’s clash was an instant classic, with four lead changes in the second half, the final coming on Purdie’s game-winning touchdown with 38 seconds to play. Last season, it was the Seahawks that had to cross the bridge, and this year it’s the Millers making the trek.  

Owings Mills magical run came to an abrupt halt after a red-hot Walkersville came to town a planted a 42-0 shutout win over the Eagles. The Lions followed their 42-0 shutout at Damascus by handing the same result to the previously unbeaten Eagles. Coach Travis Hall’s Eagles finished 10-1 and registered their best season since 1990, when they advanced to their only state semifinal game. Wilde Lake’s (6-6) season came to an end with a 52-7 loss at Decatur.  

2A Semifinals 

8 Walkersville (7-5) @ 5 Huntingtown (9-2) 

3 Milford Mill (9-2) @ 2 Decatur (12-0) 

2/1A 

Dunbar (9-0) won their 35th straight game with their 48-6 win over Harford Tech (7-4), advancing to their 24th state semifinal, and 19th in 20 post-seasons. The Poets allowed their opponent to just six points or less for the eighth time in nine official games this season. The Poets are in pursuit of what would be their MPSSAA-best 13th state title, should they win their next two games. That won’t be easy, as they travel to Lusby to face 11-1 Patuxent, in a rematch of the 2022 2/1A title game, won by the Poets, 22-13.  

Last year’s game was a classic, and appeared to be coming down to the last play, late in the fourth quarter. With just more than three minutes to play, down by a point, the Panthers looked poised to take the lead, at the doorstep of the ‘red zone’. But, on a second-and-five at the Poets 21 yard line, Anthony Campbell turned the game on its head with an 87 yard ‘pick 6’ with 3:11 remaining. The two-point conversion pushed the margin to two possessions, and ultimately pushed the Poets to their first back-to-back undefeated seasons in their storied program’s history.  

Campbell is back for the Poets, and Evan Blouir is back for the Panthers. Blouir, the Panthers talented junior, led the Panthers to a 13-0 lead, before the Poets scored 22 unanswered points. Blouir rushed for 116 yards on 23 carries, which featured a 44 yard scoring run, and threw for a score, but threw four interceptions.  

This season, the junior has been outstanding, passing for 2,528 yards and 25 touchdowns against just four interceptions, while rushing for 911 yards and 11 touchdowns in eleven games. Senior running back Daiquan Buck has rushed for 985 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Panthers. Sophomore Evan Jones has been Blouir’s top target, producing 48 receptions for 1,095 yards and 11 touchdowns.  

Campbell is leading the Poets in tackles for a second consecutive season, totaling 76 in nine games this season. Junior defensive end Brian Collins ranks second in tackles, with 74, including 30 tackles for loss, and 23 sacks, adding two three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.  

On offense, the Poets ground game is led by junior Cole Floyd and senior Deshawn Parks, who have combined for 18 touchdowns on only 116 carries, averaging more than 14 yards per carry between them. Junior Savion Witherspoon has completed 62% of his passes, and thrown for more than 1,600 yards in nine games, with 16 touchdowns and just one interception.  

In a matchup between two programs seeing their best seasons in their respective programs histories, Forest Park pushed to 11-1 by pulling out a 12-9 victory over Winters Mill, advancing to their first state semifinal in their program’s histories. The Foresters Tijuan Reed scored the eventual game-winner with 10:46 to play, and the defensive unit held off a Falcons late rally in their ‘red zone’, stopping the visitors on downs.  

Reed scored both touchdowns for the Foresters, and finished with 144 rushing yards, to go with three tackles on defense. Senior Brandon Fauntleroy produced 14 tackles for the Foresters, including four for loss. The Foresters now go on the road to face top seed Calvert, who boasts an 11-1 record, and is coming off of a 36-0 shutout of Fallston (7-5).  

Coach Sean Markley’s Foresters gained a ‘Final Four’ berth for the first time, after getting turned back in the quarterfinal round in each of their last six trips. While Winters Mill came so close, coach Matt Miller’s Falcons can stand proud, after finishing 9-2, and setting program single-season records in both wins and win percentage.  

2/1A Semifinals 

4 Forest Park (11-1) @ 1 Calvert (11-1) 

3 Dunbar (9-0) @ 2 Patuxent (11-1) 

1A 

Perryville (9-2) advanced to their fourth state semifinal, and second in three-post seasons, with the Panthers 38-0 shutout win over Lake Clifton (7-5). In 2021, the Panthers traveled to Mountain Ridge in their first semifinal appearance in nine years, before suffering a 63-14 loss to the Miners.  

Now, the Panthers head back to Frostburg to face the 10-1 Miners, who are seeking their third straight state championship appearance and first state title. Havre de Grace’s (5-7) season came to an end on Friday, after taking a 57-6 loss from undefeated Fort Hill. SEED (5-5) too saw elimination, suffering a 46-8 loss to Cambridge South Dorchester.  

1A Semifinals 

4 Cambridge SD (10-2) @ 1 Fort Hill (11-0) 

3 Perryville (9-2) @ 2 Mountain Ridge (10-1) 

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