MPSSAA Regional Playoff Preview

4A West

1 Quince Orchard (9-0) v 8 Gaithersburg (2-7)

4 Bethesda Chevy Chase (6-3) v 5 Walter Johnson (5-4)

2 Northwest (8-1) v 7 Clarksburg (3-6)

3 Churchill (7-2) v 6 Richard Montgomery

Regional outlook; Quince Orchard and Northwest should dominate in their first round games, just as they dispatched their respective opponents in the regular season. The Cougars dismantled the Trojans, 51-12, in week 7. The Trojans led 6-0, before the Cougars scored 31 unanswered second quarter points, and 14 unanswered points in the third quarter. Northwest blanked Clarksburg, 42-9, in week 2. In week 6, Walter Johnson edged Bethesda Chevy Chase, 24-21, at home, but now travel to see the Barons. BCC is 4-1 at home this season. Toss up goes to the home team. Churchill put away Richard Montgomery, 34-14, in week 8. Should either or both advance to the second round, neither Churchill nor Bethesda Chevy Chase have played any of MoCo’s ‘Big 3’ – Quince Orchard, Paint Branch, and Northwest, this season. They would be presented that opportunity should they win in the first round. Top 50 teams in the region; (3) – #1 Quince Orchard, #5 Northwest, #46 Churchill. Note; All three of the 4-6 seeds – BCC, WJ, and RM, could be considered among the top third (60/182) of all of the teams in the MPSSAA, while 7 seed Clarksburg should be considered among the top half (91/182).

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Quince Orchard and Northwest. 

4A North

1 Paint Branch (8-1) v Bye

4 Einstein (6-3) v 5 High Point (2-7) 

2 Blair (7-2) v 7 ^Bladensburg (0-9) FFT

3 Laurel (7-2) v 6 Wheaton (1-8)

Regional outlook; Chalk, you can write it in pen. Einstein won their first playoff game in their program’s history in the expanded 2019 post-season, and will win their second playoff game this weekend. Laurel, ranked #18 in the final regular season rankings, hasn’t won a playoff game since winning the 1987 Class A (now 3A) state championship – 34 years ago. The Spartans gained a post-season berth in the expanded 2019 brackets, their first post-season berth in 27 years. Blair and Laurel should be a decent second round matchup, with a 4A quarterfinal berth on the line. Top 50 teams in the region; (4) – #3 Paint Branch, #17 Blair, #18 Laurel, #43 Einstein.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Paint Branch and Laurel.

4A South 

1 Wise (8-0) v 8 Northwestern (1-8)

4 E Roosevelt (6-3) v 5 Suitland (5-4)

2 Flowers (8-1) v 7 Parkdale (2-7)

3 Bowie (7-2) v 6 DuVal (4-5)

Regional outlook; Chalk, again in pen. Wise demolished Northwestern, 62-0, in week 1, after taking a 46-0 halftime lead. Maryland commit Jayden Saurey hit on 6 of 7 throws for 155 yards and four scores, while the Pumas running game produced 301 yards and four scores on the ground, on just 12 carries. Similarly, Flowers thrashed Parkdale, 63-7, in week 7, and Bowie blasted DuVal, 51-9, in week 8. Last post-season (‘19), Bowie won their first playoff game since winning the state title in 2001. Eleanor Roosevelt topped Suitland, 20-6, in week 5, after trailing 6-0 at halftime, and after scoring 20 unanswered points after intermission. The Pumas have won their last 63 games versus Prince Georges County opponents. With a win, Wise Coach DaLawn Parrish can tie Maryland high school coaching legend Al Thomas for third on the MPSSAA’s all-time post-season victory list, with 32, trailing only Dunbar’s Lawrence Smith, who tops the list with 40, and former Fort Hill ‘General’, Todd Appel, who had 35 playoff wins with the Sentinels. Top 50 teams in the region; (4) – #2 Wise, #4 Flowers, #21 Bowie, #22 Eleanor Roosevelt.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Wise and Flowers.

4A East 

1 Broadneck (7-1) v Bye

4 Parkville (5-4) v 5 Glen Burnie (3-5)

2 Old Mill (6-2) v 7 Meade (2-7)

3 Annapolis (5-4) v 6 North County (1-6)

Regional outlook; You guessed it, chalk. Old Mill mashed Meade, 49-6, in week 6, and ‘Nap Town’ topped North County, 40-24, in week 8. Parkville won the first two playoff games in their program’s history in 2019, as the Knights advanced to the 4A quarterfinals. Broadneck, who didn’t play last week due to the storm, won’t play this week either, receiving a bye as the 1 seed in the seven team region. In turn, the Bruins quarterback Joshua Erlich’s meteoric rise on the top 10 passing lists has hit a space shield for the moment. Top 50 teams in the region; (2) – #8 Broadneck, #14 Old Mill.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Broadneck and Old Mill. 

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4/3A West

1 Seneca Valley (6-3) v 8 Watkins Mill (0-9)

4 Reservoir (3-5) v 5 Howard (3-6)

2 Mt Hebron (4-5) v 7 Thomas Johnson (1-8)

3 Urbana (3-6) v 6 Tuscarora (1-8)

Regional outlook; While the 3A West may be the deepest and most competitive of all of the 24 regions among the six classifications, the 4/3A West is arguably the lightest region of any of the 16 regions above the 2/1A classification. Overall, the eight teams in the 4/3A West region have combined for a 20-51 record this season. Things will only go up, as the region’s teams are assured to win 50% of the games this week. Seneca Valley, along with Damascus, will become the third and fourth teams in MPSSAA history to make 30 playoff appearances, joining Fort Hill and Cambridge – South Dorchester, who both will be making their 35th appearance, respectively. Top 50 teams in the region; (1) – #35 Seneca Valley.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Seneca Valley and Urbana.

4/3A North 

1 Dundalk (9-0) v Bye

4 Kenwood (5-4) v 5 Catonsville (4-4)

2 Mervo (7-1) v ^7 Dulaney (0-9) FFT

3 Perry Hall (5-4) v 6 Woodlawn (1-8)

Regional outlook; Dundalk, the region’s #1 seed, and 4/3A overall #1 seed, receives a first round bye, after completing their first undefeated regular season in their program’s history. Mervo and Perry Hall should move along easily, while Kenwood should be a marginal favorite over Catonsville. Mervo advanced to the state semifinals in both 2018 (4A) and 2019 (3A). Kenwood has never won a playoff game. The Blue Jays made their first post-season appearance in 2019. The Blue Jays and Comets did not play each other this season. Top 50 teams in the region; (2) – #6 Dundalk, #13 Mervo.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Dundalk and Mervo. 

4/3A South

1 Sherwood (7-2) v ^8 Whitman (0-9) FFT

4 Springbrook (3-6) v 5 Kennedy (3-6) FFT

2 Blake (4-5) v ^7 Northwood (0-9) FFT

3 Magruder (3-6) v 6 Wooton (2-7) 

Regional outlook; Like the 4/3A West, only one of the eight teams in the 4/3A South region has a winning record, and as a region, ranks just a half game ahead of their western counterparts in overall record, at 22-50. When your 3 seed has a 3-6 record, that’s not good. Literally. It’s not a good region. Springbrook, the 3 seed at 3-6, crushed 6 seed Kennedy, 41-14, in week 2. Springbrook hasn’t won a playoff game since 1994. Top 50 teams in the region; (1) – #15 Sherwood. Note; Blake could be considered among the top third (60-182) of all MPSSAA teams.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Sherwood and Blake. 

4/3A East

1 Severna Park (6-2) v Bye

4 North Point (5-3) v 5 Leonardtown (5-4)

2 Great Mills (6-3) v 7 South River (3-6*)

3 Arundel (5-3) v 6 Chopticon (2-6) 

Regional outlook; Only 1.5 games separate the 1 and 5 seeds in the 4/3A East, and considering South River had to forfeit three wins, as many as a half dozen teams have a shot of gaining the two berths in this region. Great Mills, making their first post-season appearance since 1989, hasn’t won a playoff game since 1981. The Hornets had entered the season with a 13-71 record since 2012. North Point has advanced to the quarterfinals in each of the last three post-seasons. Leonardtown, meanwhile, has never made a post-season appearance. The Raiders went 0-9 in 2019, 1-5 in the abbreviated ‘21 Spring season, 0-10 in ‘18, 1-9 in ‘17, and 2-8 in ‘15 and ‘16., for a 6-49 record over the last six-plus seasons. The Raiders edged North Point, 14-13, in week 2. Top 50 teams in the region; (2) – #39 Severna Park, #47 North Point. Great Mills was the ‘first one out’ in this week’s Top 50 rankings.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Severna Park and South River. * – South River forfeited three wins. The Seahawks could be considered among the top third (60/182) of all MPSSAA teams. 

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3A West

1 Linganore (9-0) v Bye

4 Rockville (6-3) v 5 Oakdale (6-3)

2 Frederick (7-2) v 7 N Hagerstown (2-7)

3 Damascus (6-3) v 6 S Hagerstown (5-4)

Regional outlook; Linganore, the 1 seed and receiving a first round bye, has advanced to the 3A state title game in each of the last three post-seasons. Frederick has just one playoff victory (‘04) in the last 33 years. Rockville won its first post-season game in the expanded 2019 post-season. Oakdale has advanced to the state quarterfinals (regional final) just twice, in 2016 (lost), and the Bears 2018 championship season. Damascus is 18-1 in the post-season since 2015. Top 50 teams in the region; (4) – #7 Linganore, #19 Frederick, #33 Oakdale, #36 Damascus. Rockville could be considered ‘top 50’, but this week comes in at #52.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Linganore and Frederick. 

3A North

1 Franklin (7-2) v 8 Towson (1-8)

4 Manchester Valley (6-3) v 5 Patapsco (5-3)

2 Edgewood (6-3) v 7 Aberdeen (3-5)

3 Westminster (6-3) v 6 Bel Air (4-4)

Regional outlook; Franklin spanked Towson, 55-0, last Friday. The Indians have advanced to the quarterfinal round / regional final round in 9 of the last 11 seasons. Indians coach Anthony Burgos is one of five active MPSSAA coaches to win at least 25 playoff games. Patapsco has never won a playoff game, and Manchester Valley has never advanced past the first round of the post-season. Top 50 teams in the region; (1) – #10 Franklin. Westminster could be considered among ‘the top 50’, but this week comes in at #54.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Franklin and Westminster. 

3A South

1 Atholton (8-1) v 8 Marriotts Ridge (0-8)

4 River Hill (5-4) v 5 Wilde Lake (4-5)

2 City College (6-3) v 7 Centennial (1-7)

3 Poly (6-3) v 6 Digital Harbor (2-6)

Regional outlook; Atholton dispatched Marriotts Ridge, 38-14, in week 7, while River Hill and Wilde Lake didn’t meet each other in the regular season. In 2019, Wilde Lake, then 3-6, upset 8-1 River Hill in the first round of the playoffs, 14-10. With a River Hill win, Hawks coach Brian Van Deusen would become the sixth coach in MPSSAA history to record 30 post-season wins. Both City and Poly should advance through the first round, and set up the 134th meeting between the two in the second round. Top 50 teams in the region; (3) – #26 Atholton, #45 City College, #50 Poly.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Atholton and Poly. Admittedly, I am just short of picking Wilde Lake or River Hill over Atholton, and City over Poly.

3A East

1 Northern – Calvert (8-1) v Bye

4 St Charles (5-4) v 5 Oxon Hill (3-6)

2 Long Reach (7-2) v 7 JM Bennett (0-9)

3 Chesapeake AA (7-2) v 6 Crofton (2-6)

Regional outlook; Northern is the overall 2 seed in 3A, and should the Patriots continue to win, will have home field advantage throughout, save for the neutral site title game. St Charles won their first post-season game in their program’s history in 2019, after the Spartans made their first playoff appearance the year before. Long Reach won their first two playoff games in their program’s history in 2017, advancing to the 3A state semifinals. Chesapeake AA did the same in 2018 – won their first two playoff games in its school history, and advanced to the 3A state semifinals. Top 50 teams in the region; (3) – #24 Northern, #37 Long Reach, #42 Chesapeake.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Northern and Chesapeake AA. 

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2A West

1 Oakland Mills (8-1) v Bye

4 Walkersville (6-3) v 5 Poolesville (5-4)

2 Glenelg (8-1) v 7 Century (1-7)

3 Middletown (7-2) v 6 Hammond (1-7)

Regional outlook; Chalk, though Poolesville may stick around with Middletown for awhile. The 2A West is just one of five (of 24) regions to have four teams ranked among the top 50 teams in the MPSSAA. Oakland Mills hasn’t won a playoff game since 2001. Middletown in the defending 2019 2A state champion. The Knights are making their 24th playoff appearance, and have won 37 post-season games, seventh most in MPSSAA history. Walkersville, a two-time state champion, is seeking their 20th playoff win in their program’s history. Top 50 teams in the region; (4) – #23 Glenelg, #24 Middletown, #27 Oakland Mills, #41 Walkersville.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Oakland Mills and Middletown. Reminder – I’m an Oakland Mills alum’. If I weren’t, I’d be tempted to take Walkersville. 

2A North

1 Milford Mill (8-1) v 8 Eastern Tech (0-9)

4 Hereford (6-3) v 5 Overlea (3-5)

2 Owings Mills (8-1) v 7 Landsdowne (3-6)

3 New Town (6-3) v 6 Patterson (3-5)

Regional outlook; First round chalk and second round chalk looks to be the deal here, though New Town would have playoff experience edge over Owings Mills if they were to meet in the second round. Owings Mills won their first playoff game in their program’s history in 2019. Hereford held off Overlea, 7-0, in week 5, while Owings Mills destroyed Landsdowne, 44-0, last weekend. Top 50 teams in the region; (3) – #9 Milford Mill, #34 Owings Mills, #48 New Town.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Milford Mill and Owings Mills. 

2A South

1 Huntingtown (8-1) v Bye

4 Northeast (4-5) v 5 LaPlata (4-5)

2 Douglass PG (8-1) v 7 Thomas Stone (0-9)

3 Potomac (6-2) v 6 Westlake (6-3)

Regional outlook; You can’t help but overlook round one here and see another Douglass – Potomac clash in round two. Seven of the last eight games between the two have been one possession games late in the fourth quarter. Huntingtown, now in 2A, had advanced to the 3A state semifinals in each of the last two seasons. Top 50 teams in the region; (3) – #16 Douglass, #20 Potomac, #25 Huntingtown. 

2A East

1 Kent Island (8-0) v 8 CM Wright (3-6)

4 North Caroline (5-4) v 5 North Harford (5-4)

2 Wicomico (8-1) v 7 Easton (3-5)

3 Decatur (6-3) v 6 Queen Anne’s (5-2)

Regional outlook; Wicomico’s last playoff victory was in 2011, while Decatur’s last playoff win was in 2005. Both should snap their respective winless streaks. North Harford is coming off of a 23-7 win over previously undefeated Fallston. Top 50 teams in the region; (2) – #29 Kent Island, #40 Wicomico. Decatur could be considered among the top third of the 182 MPSSAA teams.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Kent Island and Wicomico.

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2/1A West

1 South Carroll (8-0) v ^8 Randallstown (0-8) FFT

4 Boonsboro (5-4) v 5 Liberty (3-6)

2 Francis Scott Key (6-2) v 7 Winters Mill (1-8)

3 Williamsport (5-4) v 6 Western Tech (3-5)

Regional outlook; South Carroll is the overall 2 seed in 2/1A, following an 0-9 season in 2019. The Cavaliers did post a 4-1 mark in the Spring. Francis Scott Key hasn’t won a playoff game since 2004. Top 50 teams in the region; (1) – #30 South Carroll.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – South Carroll and Francis Scott Key. 

2/1A North

1 Dunbar (9-0) v Bye

4 Fairmont Heights (5-3) v 5 Chesapeake BC (3-5)

2 Sparrows Point (7-1) v 7 Central (0-7)

3 Largo (6-3) v 6 Carver (2-6)

Regional outlook; Chalk. Dunbar’s 62 post-season victories are a state best, despite  the Poets not joining the MPSSAA until 1993. Largo hasn’t won a playoff game since 1994. Top 50 teams in the region; (1) – #12 Dunbar.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Dunbar and Largo.

2/1A South

1 Lackey (7-2) v 8 Friendly (1-8)

4 Patuxent (3-6) v 5 Southern (2-7) 

2 Calvert (5-4) v 7 McDonough (1-7)

3 Gwynn Park (4-5) v 6 Crossland (2-7)

Regional outlook; With just two teams with a winning record, the region’s overall record is a dismal 25-46. Chalk for the top three seeds, who knows for the 4-5 game. When your 4 seed is 3-6, and your 5 seed is 2-7, you can rest assured that both coaches reminded both of their teams that everyone is 0-0 at this juncture. Top 50 teams in the region; (0). Lackey could be considered among ‘the top 50’, but this week comes in at #56.

2/1A East

1 Harford Tech (7-1) v Bye

4 Parkside (3-5) v 5 Cambridge South Dorchester (4-4)

2 Fallston (8-1) v  7 North East (1-8)

3 Elkton (5-3) v 6 Rising Sun (3-6)

Regional outlook; Harford Tech, the 1 seed in the region, made its first three playoff appearances in each of the last three post-seasons. Fallston, 8-0 before an upset loss to North Harford in the regular season finale, has never advanced to the state semifinal round. Top 50 teams in the region; (1) – #32 Harford Tech. Fallston broke into the Top 50 last week, but we’re bumped out quickly as their unbeaten record was shattered by North Harford. Still, the Cougars could be considered among the top third of all of the MPSSAA teams.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Harford Tech and Fallston. 

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1A West

1 Fort Hill (8-0) v 8 ^Clear Spring (1-8) FFT

4 Northern Garrett (4-5) v 5 Smithsburg (3-6)

2 Mountain Ridge (8-1) v 7 ^Hancock (1-7) FFT

3 Allegany (7-2) v 6 Southern Garrett (1-8)

Regional outlook; Chalk this one up, easy. Top 50 teams in the region; (2) – #10 Fort Hill, #31 Mountain Ridge.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Fort Hill and Mountain Ridge.

1A North

1 Edmondson (5-4) v 8 Ben Franklin (0-3)

4 New Era (5-0) v 5 Lake Clifton (1-7)

2 Forest Park (5-4) v 7 NAF (1-2)

3 Lewis (4-5) v 6 Douglass Baltimore (1-6)

Regional outlook; When your 5 seed is 1-7, yikes! But, I digress. Top 50 teams in the region; (0). Edmondson May be the only team in the region considered within in ‘the top 100’ among the 182 MPSSAA teams.

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Edmondson and Forest Park.

1A South

1 Havre de Grace (6-2) v 8 SEED (1-4)

4 Joppatowne (3-4) v 5 Patterson Mill (3-6)

2 Brunswick (5-4) v 7 Catoctin (1-6)

3 Pikesville (5-4) v 6 Loch Raven (2-7)

Regional outlook; Havre de Grace and Brunswick will win both of their games in the regional, and really, in this region, that’s all that matters. Top 50 teams in the region; (0).

Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Havre de Grace and Brunswick.

1A East

1 Perryville (5-4) v Bye

4 Bohemia Manor (4-5) v 5 Snow Hill (3-5)

2 Colonel Richardson (6-3) v 7 Washington (0-6)

3 Surrattsville (5-4) v 6 Kent County (2-7) 

Regional outlook; Chalk. Top 50 teams in the region; (0). Picks to earn state quarterfinal berths – Perryville and Surrattsville.