Five Football Games to Watch: Week 4
Old Mill at Arundel
Old Mill travels to Arundel for a battle with one of its biggest county and 4A East region rivals. Both teams sit at 3-0, meaning the winner has a good chance of having home field advantage should the two teams meet again in the playoffs.
If recent history is any indication, the chance of a rematch between these two teams in the postseason is likely. The teams played each other in the playoffs in 2013 and 2014, splitting the meetings, before not meeting in 2015 due to Arundel barely missing qualifying for the postseason.
Arundel's 7-3 mark last year included a 29-13 loss to Old Mill. Old Mill meanwhile finished atop the 4A East regular season standings, but after an opening round win over Annapolis, the Patriots lost to Broadneck in the regional final.
So far this year both of these teams have been dominant. Arundel has outscored opponents 163-66, which included a 56-0 shutout over Chesapeake last week. Old Mill is outscoring opponents 120-21, and recorded shut outs against Glen Burnie and South River over the last two weeks.
Arundel is set to host Old Mill at 6:30 PM this Friday.
Tuscarora at Thomas Johnson
Tuscarora puts its unblemished mark on the line when it travels to Thomas Johnson, which has a 2-1 record, this weekend.
A key for Tuscarora has been its defense. The Titans have allowed just 26 points so far this season. The team also bested Linganore, a perennial 3A West playoff qualifier, in the opening week 18-7. Tuscarora has not lost a game since October 16, 2015, which has the team on a six game win streak at the moment.
Thomas Johnson is on a two game win streak. After falling to Walkersville in the opening week, the team reeled off wins over City College and Aberdeen to pull itself above .500. The Patriots are hoping to avenge a 38-12 loss they suffered against Tuscarora last season.
This game is set to kick off at 6:30 PM on Friday.
Oakland Mills at Long Reach
Long Reach looks to continue its turnaround season when it hosts Oakland Mills this weekend.
Long Reach managed just two wins in 2015, but the team has changed its fortunes this year by starting 3-0. After shutting out Mt. Hebron 33-0 in the opening weekend, the Lightning won a close contest with Atholton, 25-20. The team topped Marriotts Ridge 37-20 last week. Long Reach will be looking to avenge two straight shut out losses its suffered against Oakland Mills, losing 43-0 last year and 50-0 in 2014.
After losing its opening week contest against Glenelg, Oakland Mills has won consecutive games against Reservoir and Centennial to get its season back on track. That's come to be expected from Oakland Mills, who has been one of Howard County's top teams in recent years. The Scorpions finished last year 8-2 and atop of the MPSSAA 2A West region standings. Oakland Mills lost its first game of the postseason though to Walkersville, 26-14.
Long Reach hosts Oakland Mills at 7:00 PM this Friday.
Richard Montgomery at Wootton
Richard Montgomery puts its undefeated mark on the line when it travels to upstart Wootton this weekend.
The Rockets were the surprise team in Montgomery County in 2015, shocking many en route to a 9-1 record and playoff appearance. Richard Montgomery has continued to do well in 2016, starting 3-0, including a 28-20 victory over arch-rival Rockville last week. The team will not take Wootton lightly though, as Richard Montgomery barely won this contest last year, 21-20.
Wootton would love to emulate what Richard Montgomery did in 2015, and appearw to have a chance to do so this year. The Patriots began the season brightly, topping Kennedy and Sprinbrook, outscoring their opponents 86-16. Wootton was pegged back last week by Quince Orchard, leaving the team with a 2-1 mark heading into this weekend.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 7:00 PM this Friday.
Oxon Hill at Suitland
Suitland looks to be the first team to beat Oxon Hill in 2016 when it welcomes the Clippers for a match up of two tough Prince George's County teams this weekend.
After suffering an opening weekend loss to Gwynn Park, Sutiland has won close games against 4A South rivals Blandensburg and Bowie to become 2-1. Those results were crucial to the Rams' chances of making the playoffs after barely missing them last season. One team Suitland had success against last year was Oxon Hill, topping the Clippers 44-28.
Oxon Hill meanwhile, has had a dream start to its 2016 season. The Clippers are 3-0, and have already beaten two teams in Bowie and Potomac that qualified for the postseason last year. Oxon Hill's other victory was a 60-0 win against Crossland last weekend. It's a big change for Oxon Hill from last season, when the team lost its first two games and won just four games all season.
Suitland and Oxon Hill are scheduled to square off this Saturday 2:00 PM.
Old Mill travels to Arundel for a battle with one of its biggest county and 4A East region rivals. Both teams sit at 3-0, meaning the winner has a good chance of having home field advantage should the two teams meet again in the playoffs.
If recent history is any indication, the chance of a rematch between these two teams in the postseason is likely. The teams played each other in the playoffs in 2013 and 2014, splitting the meetings, before not meeting in 2015 due to Arundel barely missing qualifying for the postseason.
Arundel's 7-3 mark last year included a 29-13 loss to Old Mill. Old Mill meanwhile finished atop the 4A East regular season standings, but after an opening round win over Annapolis, the Patriots lost to Broadneck in the regional final.
So far this year both of these teams have been dominant. Arundel has outscored opponents 163-66, which included a 56-0 shutout over Chesapeake last week. Old Mill is outscoring opponents 120-21, and recorded shut outs against Glen Burnie and South River over the last two weeks.
Arundel is set to host Old Mill at 6:30 PM this Friday.
Tuscarora at Thomas Johnson
Tuscarora puts its unblemished mark on the line when it travels to Thomas Johnson, which has a 2-1 record, this weekend.
A key for Tuscarora has been its defense. The Titans have allowed just 26 points so far this season. The team also bested Linganore, a perennial 3A West playoff qualifier, in the opening week 18-7. Tuscarora has not lost a game since October 16, 2015, which has the team on a six game win streak at the moment.
Thomas Johnson is on a two game win streak. After falling to Walkersville in the opening week, the team reeled off wins over City College and Aberdeen to pull itself above .500. The Patriots are hoping to avenge a 38-12 loss they suffered against Tuscarora last season.
This game is set to kick off at 6:30 PM on Friday.
Oakland Mills at Long Reach
Long Reach looks to continue its turnaround season when it hosts Oakland Mills this weekend.
Long Reach managed just two wins in 2015, but the team has changed its fortunes this year by starting 3-0. After shutting out Mt. Hebron 33-0 in the opening weekend, the Lightning won a close contest with Atholton, 25-20. The team topped Marriotts Ridge 37-20 last week. Long Reach will be looking to avenge two straight shut out losses its suffered against Oakland Mills, losing 43-0 last year and 50-0 in 2014.
After losing its opening week contest against Glenelg, Oakland Mills has won consecutive games against Reservoir and Centennial to get its season back on track. That's come to be expected from Oakland Mills, who has been one of Howard County's top teams in recent years. The Scorpions finished last year 8-2 and atop of the MPSSAA 2A West region standings. Oakland Mills lost its first game of the postseason though to Walkersville, 26-14.
Long Reach hosts Oakland Mills at 7:00 PM this Friday.
Richard Montgomery at Wootton
Richard Montgomery puts its undefeated mark on the line when it travels to upstart Wootton this weekend.
The Rockets were the surprise team in Montgomery County in 2015, shocking many en route to a 9-1 record and playoff appearance. Richard Montgomery has continued to do well in 2016, starting 3-0, including a 28-20 victory over arch-rival Rockville last week. The team will not take Wootton lightly though, as Richard Montgomery barely won this contest last year, 21-20.
Wootton would love to emulate what Richard Montgomery did in 2015, and appearw to have a chance to do so this year. The Patriots began the season brightly, topping Kennedy and Sprinbrook, outscoring their opponents 86-16. Wootton was pegged back last week by Quince Orchard, leaving the team with a 2-1 mark heading into this weekend.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 7:00 PM this Friday.
Oxon Hill at Suitland
Suitland looks to be the first team to beat Oxon Hill in 2016 when it welcomes the Clippers for a match up of two tough Prince George's County teams this weekend.
After suffering an opening weekend loss to Gwynn Park, Sutiland has won close games against 4A South rivals Blandensburg and Bowie to become 2-1. Those results were crucial to the Rams' chances of making the playoffs after barely missing them last season. One team Suitland had success against last year was Oxon Hill, topping the Clippers 44-28.
Oxon Hill meanwhile, has had a dream start to its 2016 season. The Clippers are 3-0, and have already beaten two teams in Bowie and Potomac that qualified for the postseason last year. Oxon Hill's other victory was a 60-0 win against Crossland last weekend. It's a big change for Oxon Hill from last season, when the team lost its first two games and won just four games all season.
Suitland and Oxon Hill are scheduled to square off this Saturday 2:00 PM.
| September 23rd, 2016 | By: Wick Eisenberg |