The familiar chill of late fall is in the air again, and with it is the conclusion of another hard-fought Montgomery County football season. Let’s take a look at some of the standout teams from this fall in Montgomery County, as of week eight.
- Quince Orchard Cougars (Record: 8-0) (#1 in Montgomery County 4A West Football Standings)
Some might say that their undefeated record does not show the extent of Quince Orchard’s success thus far. Through eight games, Quince Orchard has allowed a mere 19 points, holding their opponents score-less in five games. Their “worst” showing on defense was in their tilt against Richard Montgomery, conceding just seven points.They look to defend their 4A state championship from a year ago. Quince Orchard will be the number one seed in the 4A region tournament. Their most likely opponent in the first round of the playoffs will be Walt Whitman High School (0-8).
- Walter Johnson Wildcats (Record: 6-2) (#2 in Montgomery County 4A West Standings)
Prior to their loss to Seneca Valley, the Wildcats were on a four-game win streak, beating Northwest and Richard Montgomery along the way (two teams that they had lost to a year ago). The Wildcats close out their regular season with a home game against Wootton, and then move on to the playoffs, where they advanced to the second round in 2021 before falling to Quince Orchard. Similar to Churchill, Walter Johnson will either be second or third seed in the 4A West region. They will face either the sixth or seventh seed in the first round of the playoffs. This will be determined by their week nine game vs. Wootton High School.
- Winston Churchill Bulldogs (Record: 6-2) (#3 in Montgomery County 4A West Standings)
After a 41-0 loss to Blake High School in their second game, the Bulldogs have won their past six games, holding their opponents score-less in three of them. On October 14, they beat the previously undefeated Poolesville Falcons with a score of 19-0. In 2021, Churchill advanced to the second round of the 4-A State Tournament before losing to Northwest High School 41-6. Churchill will finish the regular season as either the second or third seed in the 4A-West Region, and will begin playoffs facing a sixth or seventh seed.
- Montgomery Blair Blazers (Record: 7-1) (#1 in Class 4A North Standings)
The Blazers bounced back from their lone loss to Sherwood with a commanding 33 point win vs. Wheaton. Prior to their week seven loss to Sherwood, Blair had been undefeated, averaging just above 35 points per game over that six-game stretch. The Blazers advanced to the State Quarterfinals in 2021, but lost to the Wise Pumas. Blair has locked in the first seed of the 4A North region, heading into the playoffs.
- Seneca Valley Screamin’ Eagles (Record: 6-2) (#2 in Class 4A-3A West Football Standings)
Coming off of a 41-20 win over Walter Johnson, the Seneca Valley football team improves their record to a strong 7-2. A deep state run for Seneca Valley would be another step in the right direction for a program that has had lots of positive momentum in the years following their 2-8 campaign in 2018.The Eagles made it to the state quarterfinals in 2021, ending their season with a 21-29 loss to the Arundel Wildcats.
- Damascus Hornets (Record: 7-1) (#2 in Class 3A West Standings)
Perennial powerhouse Damascus trails only undefeated Frederick High School in 3A West, the Hornets’ only loss coming against the Quince Orchard juggernaut. After their loss to Quince Orchard, the Hornets have been buzzing, winning four consecutive games and doing so with an average point differential of 46. In 2021, Damascus advanced to the second round of the 3A state tournament, but fell to the Frederick Cadets, with a score of 43-12. The Hornets face Seneca Valley in week nine, with playoff implications on the line.
- Poolesville Falcons (Record: 7-1) (#1 in Class 2A West Standings)
Poolesville has emerged as a contender for the 2A Title seemingly out of nowhere, starting the year 7-1. That is enough to comfortably place them at the top of 2A West, 2 games clear of Douglass-PG. It remains to be seen if the Falcons will be able to hold up during the playoffs against top teams, as Poolesville’s wins have not always come easy. Three of their wins have been by one or less possession, including two overtime wins. Still, Poolesville’s rise deserves praise, coming out of several .500 seasons in a row to now being a considerable threat to take the crown in the 2A division.
The playoffs are coming. While some spots could shake out very differently within the coming days, one thing is for certain: MCPS will be well represented in this year’s playoffs. At any size school, from the mega-schools of Quince Orchard to the small magnet program Poolesville, the county has produced some of the best teams in the state, and could very well make a lot of noise across this year’s playoffs.
Written by Ben Kim of Walter Johnson High School and Alex Sheesley of Magruder High School
Photo courtesy of Sanir Byanjankar