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Maryland Regional Football Playoffs: Get to know the teams
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To paraphrase a favorite commercial of mine, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Well, perhaps that’s actually from a real song, but no matter. The point is that it’s football playoff time around the state, and it all starts this weekend with the first round of the Regionals. Montgomery County regional qualifiers include 4A West representatives Sherwood, Whitman, Paint Branch and Springbrook. In the 3A West, Quince Orchard and Damascus will represent the county, while Rockville is the sole 2A representative.
Before I provide my previews and predictions, here is a thumbnail sketch of each team (including their seeding) as they head into their games, all of which are on Friday, November 14 starting at 7:00 p.m.
4A West:
(#1) Sherwood:
2009 Record: 8-2 (5-0)
How they got here: Sherwood ran the table on their 4A competitors, losing only to 3A powerhouses Damascus and Quince Orchard.
What makes them go: Sherwood’s #1 ranked defense allowed only 80 points for the entire year.
Key Wins: After losing their first game of the season in week seven against Damascus, beating at-the-time undefeated Churchill in week eight was critical. They crushed the Bulldogs.
The Man: Cyrus Britt. As Britt goes, so does Sherwood, BUT don’t think they can’t win when Britt has an off day. A.J. Pignone proved that against Quince Orchard, despite their loss to the Cougars.
The Unsung Heroes: How about a big three of Greg Grant, Phil Durity, and Jamal Merritt on defense?
The Outlook: I see no reason why Sherwood and first-year coach Pat Cilento can’t get to the State Finals yet again.
(#2) Whitman:
2009 Record: 8-2 (6-0)
How they got here: Winners of six out of their last seven games, Whitman is playing with great confidence and gets a home game.
Key Wins: Week Nine against Seneca Valley and Ten against Churchill set the stage for the Vikings to leapfrog both Churchill and Paint Branch for the second seed.
The Man: Kevin Cecala has been clutch for Whitman all year long, and now that he is healthy again, will be the main man as they move through the playoffs.
The Unsung Heroes: Michael Flack and Larry Kline are the complements to Cecala. If quarterback Henry Kuhn can find these guys with some consistency the Vikings can go a long way.
The Outlook: Whitman has won every way you need: with enough offense to outscore people in shootouts, and with defense in tough struggles. But I’m not sure they have enough to get out of the region.
(#3) Paint Branch:
2009 Record: 8-2 (3-2)
How they got here: Paint Branch faded somewhat down the stretch, although they did beat Clarksburg late in the season.
Key Wins: Week Eight against Clarksburg was a critical win and highlighted them at their best.
The Man: Bene’t Willis is key for Paint Branch, particularly if their quarterback situation is unsettled.
The Unsung Heroes: It’s hard to suggest Ivan Tagoe and Tracy Martin are unsung given their importance to the team, but they will both need to be healthy and productive in the post season. A sleeper unsung is coach Mike Nesmith who will be coaching his first playoff game for Paint Branch.
The Outlook: They have some injury issues at quarterback and Tracy Martin’s effectiveness is critical to success. They may not make it out of the first round.
(#4) Springbrook:
2009 Record: 7-3 (4-1)
How they got there: The Blue Devils played one of the most demanding end-of-season schedules in the county and made the most of it, beating Whitman and Paint Branch in crucial 4A division play that got them into the playoffs.
The Man: Devon Pestano, with apologies to Eric Freniere and Mitchell Pollard. To have any chance to advance Springbrook must run the ball to control the clock.
The Unsung Heroes: Springbrook’s defense is stout, having given up only 125 points for the season.
The Outlook: Freniere’s status is uncertain after being carted off the field against Paint Branch. Even with him it will be difficult to advance past Sherwood this weekend.
3A West:
(#1) Quince Orchard:
2009 Record: 10-0 (7-0)
How they got here: By beating everybody in every way possible. QO is the very best team in the county.
The Man: How about Drew Murphy, who wasn’t even supposed to be the quarterback this year?
The Unsung Heroes: The defense comes to mind, as they’ve been every bit as effective as the offense against some of the very best the county has to offer.
The Outlook: There appears to be only one reason why they may not win the 3A State Title: Linganore, who looms very large in a regional final.
(#3) Damascus:
2009 Record: 8-2 (5-2)
How they got here: After a Week Four loss to Seneca Valley, Damascus won games against Springbrook, Sherwood, and Clarksburg over the remainder of the season to seize their seeding. Now that is how you finish the season.
The Man: It just has to be Brian Lucas, the do-everything running back and linebacker who seemingly willed the team to some of those big wins.
The Unsung Heroes: The Damascus defense was the second best in the county measured by points allowed (91). They stuff the middle and make the plays out on the edges, leaving little available to an offense.
The Outlook: In any other season and at any other time, they could easily be state title material. But they are stuck in a division that includes Quince Orchard and Linganore.
2A West:
(#1) Rockville:
2009 Record: 8-1 (2-0)
How they got here: Rockville ran roughshod over their division…
The Man:….on the feet of Crusoe Gongbay, who once again led the county in rushing.
The Unsung Heroes: Robbie Parker and Keith Gaye, who took over the team when Gongbay went down with an injury. Parker played four different positions in one game.
The Outlook: It’s all good so long as Gongbay can run.
Tomorrow: Game previews and predictions
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