MPSSAA Baltimore Metro Report – State Semifinals

4A 

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)