Five MPSSAA Football Games to Watch: Week 10
It's the final week of the MPSSAA football regular season! Here are five contests you'll want to check out.
Allegany (8-1) at Fort Hill (8-1)
One of the fiercest rivalries in Maryland takes place this week as Allegany and Fort Hill battle each other at their shared home field of Greenway Avenue Stadium.
Allegany enters the contest ahead of Fort Hill in the MPSSAA 1A West standings. The Campers are 8-1 and have won their past seven games since losing to Chestnut Ridge from Pennsylvania in Week 2. Karson Robinette has continued his amazing individual campaign with 1,576 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns, all without a fumble. Robinette has been joined in the team's rushing attack by Elisha Llewellyn, who has 796 yards and seven scores. Llewellyn has also been the team's top receiver with 287 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Cameron Bratton has played to a 101 QBR. Christian Welch has been the centerpiece of Allegany's defense with 56 tackles, while Robinette has 11 sacks.
Fort Hill also stands at 8-1, with the Sentinels loss happening two weeks ago against Friendship Collegiate Academy. For the Sentinels, who have won the past four MPSSAA 1A state titles, it was just their second loss since 2012. The team got back to winning ways by topping Mountain Ridge 49-3. Fort Hill's famed rushing attack was led by running back Tyreke Powell, who finished with the most yards on the ground and scored touchdowns on 54 and 43-yard runs. He was one of three Sentinels to eclipse 100 yards rushing. Troy Banks also eclipsed the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the second straight season, and quarterback Logan Johnson scored on a 61 yard run.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 12:30 PM this Saturday.
Bohemia Manor (5-4) at Perryville (6-3)
Playoff hopes hang in the balance when Perryville hosts Bohemia Manor to close out the season.
Bohemia Manor currently sits fifth in the MPSSAA 1A East standings, but should be able to qualify for the playoffs with a win this week. The Eagles will rely heavily on quarterback Johnny Knight to provide a spark on offense. Knight has been a dual threat this season, throwing for 819 yards and nine touchdowns, while also rushing for 356 yards and five scores. Cam Garcia and Jiaire Caldwell have been Knight's top targets, hauling in 430 and 382 yard respectively. Bobby McLennan has been the team's top rusher with 497 yards, while Devin Gatewood also has 329 yards on the ground. On defense, James Baglio leads the way with 60 solo tackles, though Knight is right behind him with 58.
Perryville holds the third playoff spot in the MPSSAA 1A East standings. Quarterback Dayvon Montz has played well this season, throwing for 1,009 yards and 11 touchdowns. His two main targets have been Timmy Clark and Caleb Robinson, who have 276 and 250 yards receiving respectively, as well as three touchdowns. Robinson, Perryville's lead running back, has rushed for 1,037 yards and 12 scores. Jarrett Hunter leads the defense with 49 tackles, while Liam Johnson has five sacks.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 7 PM this Friday.
Kent Island (7-2) at Queen Anne's (7-2)
This all Queen Anne's County tussle has massive playoff implications, as both teams are competing for the final spot in the MPSSAA 2A East region.
Kent Island currently sits in fifth, trailing fourth place Queen Anne's by a mere .45 points. The Bucs were unbeaten through Week 6, but have dropped two of their last three contests to Oakdale and North Caroline. Kent Island's passing attack has been excellent, which is spearheaded by quarterback Trent Jackson and his 1,577 yards through the air. He's thrown 14 touchdowns while playing to a 101.7 QBR. Sean Mooney has 575 yards receiving on 40 catches, while JC Getz has hauled in 17 passes for 305 yards. Dylan Finlay has 647 yards rushing, and 10 touchdowns.
Queen Anne's enters this contest on a five game win streak that has seen the Lions catapult up the 2A East standings after a 2-2 start to the season. A major factor in the team's improvement has been the progress of freshman quarterback Syrus McGowan. He played an excellent game last week against Parkside, rushing for two scores and finishing the night 6-for-8 on passing attempts for 66 yards. McGowan has also been able to rely on a strong running game that is done by committee. Last week, Ryan Mueller led the way with 99 yards on 11 carries. Hassan Biggus also had a strong effort for the Lions, finishing with 80 yards on 11 carries.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 7 PM on Friday.
Mervo (7-2) at Edmondson-Westside (7-2)
Mervo travels to Edmondson-Westside in need of a victory to qualify for the postseason.
Mervo enters this contest on a four game win streak, most recently topping Digital Harbor 35-6. The Mustangs sit just outside the 4A North playoff slots, but hold the same record as fourth place Perry Hall, which hosts Catonsville this week. Mervo has had as exciting a season as any in Maryland's- the group got to travel to Cincinnati to play a game against Taft. Despite losing to Taft 16-13, the trip was a success as the players got to tour the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That hasn't been the only connection Mervo has had with the NFL this year- Baltimore Ravens defensive back Anthony Levine Sr. has taken a special interest in the program, and has been offering advice to the players, which you can read about at PressBox.
Edmondson-Westside holds the third slot in the 2A North standings, and has already qualified for the postseason. Wide receiver Deshawn Ruffin has put together an excellent season with 889 yards and 11 touchdowns, all while dealing with being double-teamed most games. Running back Kevin Martin has led the Red Storm on the ground with 798 yards and seven touchdowns, while linebacker Lauron Taylor has been the standout on defense with 77 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Defensive back Adrian Lindsay and safety Malik Taylor both have four interceptions. It's been a quarterback by committee for the Red Storm this season, but Teon Gardner is expected to get the majority of the snaps this week.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 3 PM this Friday.
Chesapeake-AA (5-4) at Northeast-AA (4-5)
Northeast and Chesapeake finish up the regular season by participating in their famed rivalry match-up, dubbed the Dena Bowl.
Chesapeake is close to clinching a playoff spot in the 3A East region, and currently sit third behind Atholton and JM Bennett. Avenging last season's loss in the Dena Bowl would guarantee the Cougars of making the playoffs. Tony Watkins will be the key man for Chesapeake on offense, having rushed for 10 touchdowns and 680 yards this season. Colby McNulty has gained 380 yards and rushed for four scores, while quarterback Dylan Young has thrown for 1,027 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, Dante Thompson leads Chesapeake with 36.5 tackles, while Cody Carpenter has six sacks. Tyler Kirk has picked off three passes.
Northeast needs to beat Chesapeake to have a chance of qualifying for the postseason. The Eagles have gotten a sensational season from Demontay Snowden, who has rushed for 999 yards and 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Anthony Vallanoti has run for 235 yards, while Marcus Streeb has four rushing scores. The defense has been led by Jarren Terry, who has 53 individual tackles. Vallanoti has 28 solo tackles, while five different Eagles have recorded sacks.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 6:30 PM this Friday.
Allegany (8-1) at Fort Hill (8-1)
One of the fiercest rivalries in Maryland takes place this week as Allegany and Fort Hill battle each other at their shared home field of Greenway Avenue Stadium.
Allegany enters the contest ahead of Fort Hill in the MPSSAA 1A West standings. The Campers are 8-1 and have won their past seven games since losing to Chestnut Ridge from Pennsylvania in Week 2. Karson Robinette has continued his amazing individual campaign with 1,576 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns, all without a fumble. Robinette has been joined in the team's rushing attack by Elisha Llewellyn, who has 796 yards and seven scores. Llewellyn has also been the team's top receiver with 287 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Cameron Bratton has played to a 101 QBR. Christian Welch has been the centerpiece of Allegany's defense with 56 tackles, while Robinette has 11 sacks.
Fort Hill also stands at 8-1, with the Sentinels loss happening two weeks ago against Friendship Collegiate Academy. For the Sentinels, who have won the past four MPSSAA 1A state titles, it was just their second loss since 2012. The team got back to winning ways by topping Mountain Ridge 49-3. Fort Hill's famed rushing attack was led by running back Tyreke Powell, who finished with the most yards on the ground and scored touchdowns on 54 and 43-yard runs. He was one of three Sentinels to eclipse 100 yards rushing. Troy Banks also eclipsed the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the second straight season, and quarterback Logan Johnson scored on a 61 yard run.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 12:30 PM this Saturday.
Bohemia Manor (5-4) at Perryville (6-3)
Playoff hopes hang in the balance when Perryville hosts Bohemia Manor to close out the season.
Bohemia Manor currently sits fifth in the MPSSAA 1A East standings, but should be able to qualify for the playoffs with a win this week. The Eagles will rely heavily on quarterback Johnny Knight to provide a spark on offense. Knight has been a dual threat this season, throwing for 819 yards and nine touchdowns, while also rushing for 356 yards and five scores. Cam Garcia and Jiaire Caldwell have been Knight's top targets, hauling in 430 and 382 yard respectively. Bobby McLennan has been the team's top rusher with 497 yards, while Devin Gatewood also has 329 yards on the ground. On defense, James Baglio leads the way with 60 solo tackles, though Knight is right behind him with 58.
Perryville holds the third playoff spot in the MPSSAA 1A East standings. Quarterback Dayvon Montz has played well this season, throwing for 1,009 yards and 11 touchdowns. His two main targets have been Timmy Clark and Caleb Robinson, who have 276 and 250 yards receiving respectively, as well as three touchdowns. Robinson, Perryville's lead running back, has rushed for 1,037 yards and 12 scores. Jarrett Hunter leads the defense with 49 tackles, while Liam Johnson has five sacks.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 7 PM this Friday.
Kent Island (7-2) at Queen Anne's (7-2)
This all Queen Anne's County tussle has massive playoff implications, as both teams are competing for the final spot in the MPSSAA 2A East region.
Kent Island currently sits in fifth, trailing fourth place Queen Anne's by a mere .45 points. The Bucs were unbeaten through Week 6, but have dropped two of their last three contests to Oakdale and North Caroline. Kent Island's passing attack has been excellent, which is spearheaded by quarterback Trent Jackson and his 1,577 yards through the air. He's thrown 14 touchdowns while playing to a 101.7 QBR. Sean Mooney has 575 yards receiving on 40 catches, while JC Getz has hauled in 17 passes for 305 yards. Dylan Finlay has 647 yards rushing, and 10 touchdowns.
Queen Anne's enters this contest on a five game win streak that has seen the Lions catapult up the 2A East standings after a 2-2 start to the season. A major factor in the team's improvement has been the progress of freshman quarterback Syrus McGowan. He played an excellent game last week against Parkside, rushing for two scores and finishing the night 6-for-8 on passing attempts for 66 yards. McGowan has also been able to rely on a strong running game that is done by committee. Last week, Ryan Mueller led the way with 99 yards on 11 carries. Hassan Biggus also had a strong effort for the Lions, finishing with 80 yards on 11 carries.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 7 PM on Friday.
Mervo (7-2) at Edmondson-Westside (7-2)
Mervo travels to Edmondson-Westside in need of a victory to qualify for the postseason.
Mervo enters this contest on a four game win streak, most recently topping Digital Harbor 35-6. The Mustangs sit just outside the 4A North playoff slots, but hold the same record as fourth place Perry Hall, which hosts Catonsville this week. Mervo has had as exciting a season as any in Maryland's- the group got to travel to Cincinnati to play a game against Taft. Despite losing to Taft 16-13, the trip was a success as the players got to tour the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That hasn't been the only connection Mervo has had with the NFL this year- Baltimore Ravens defensive back Anthony Levine Sr. has taken a special interest in the program, and has been offering advice to the players, which you can read about at PressBox.
Edmondson-Westside holds the third slot in the 2A North standings, and has already qualified for the postseason. Wide receiver Deshawn Ruffin has put together an excellent season with 889 yards and 11 touchdowns, all while dealing with being double-teamed most games. Running back Kevin Martin has led the Red Storm on the ground with 798 yards and seven touchdowns, while linebacker Lauron Taylor has been the standout on defense with 77 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Defensive back Adrian Lindsay and safety Malik Taylor both have four interceptions. It's been a quarterback by committee for the Red Storm this season, but Teon Gardner is expected to get the majority of the snaps this week.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 3 PM this Friday.
Chesapeake-AA (5-4) at Northeast-AA (4-5)
Northeast and Chesapeake finish up the regular season by participating in their famed rivalry match-up, dubbed the Dena Bowl.
Chesapeake is close to clinching a playoff spot in the 3A East region, and currently sit third behind Atholton and JM Bennett. Avenging last season's loss in the Dena Bowl would guarantee the Cougars of making the playoffs. Tony Watkins will be the key man for Chesapeake on offense, having rushed for 10 touchdowns and 680 yards this season. Colby McNulty has gained 380 yards and rushed for four scores, while quarterback Dylan Young has thrown for 1,027 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, Dante Thompson leads Chesapeake with 36.5 tackles, while Cody Carpenter has six sacks. Tyler Kirk has picked off three passes.
Northeast needs to beat Chesapeake to have a chance of qualifying for the postseason. The Eagles have gotten a sensational season from Demontay Snowden, who has rushed for 999 yards and 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Anthony Vallanoti has run for 235 yards, while Marcus Streeb has four rushing scores. The defense has been led by Jarren Terry, who has 53 individual tackles. Vallanoti has 28 solo tackles, while five different Eagles have recorded sacks.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 6:30 PM this Friday.
| October 31st, 2017 | By: Wick Eisenberg |