Five MPSSAA Football Games to Watch: Week 6
The second half of the MPSSAA football regular season gets underway this Friday. Here's five games you'll want to keep an eye on!
Paint Branch (5-0) at Quince Orchard (4-1)
This Montgomery County tilt features two teams that sit atop different MPSSAA 4A regional standings.
Paint Branch has managed to beat Blair and Springbrook the past two weeks by a combined nine points to remain unbeaten. The Panthers have gotten good performances from junior quarterback Norman Douglas Jr., who is averaging 137.4 yards per game. He's thrown 12 touchdowns to just one interception. The team's top wide receiver has been Max Davis, who has three touchdowns and 224 yards receiving. Ali Sheriff and Dhedhus Anumgba have also been key to the passing game, and hauled in two touchdowns each. Sam Doku has 343 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Justin Hockaday has three touchdowns and 330 yards on the ground.
Quince Orchard's lone defeat came against Bullis in overtime in Week 4. The Cougars got back to winning ways last week by shutting out Kennedy, 53-0. Quarterback Doc Bonner, who recently committed to play at Dartmouth, has been sensational for the Cougars, passing for 826 yards and seven touchdowns to just one interception. He also has 278 rushing yards and scored eight times. Brendan McGonagle has been Bonner's top target, hauling in five scores and 307 yards. On the ground, Marquez Cooper has gone for 247 yards and four touchdowns.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 6:30 PM this Friday.
Havre de Grace (5-0) at Elkton (5-0)
This UCBAC match-up features two undefeated state finalists from 2016.
Havre de Grace is coming off two convincing wins against Aberdeen and Bel Air, which has helped the Warriors create some distance between themselves and the rest of the pack in the 1A East region. The Warriors have already beaten the second place team in their region, Perryville, 52-6. Running back Jasai Stansbury has been in excellent form, while quarterback Alex Gresock has also done a good job in his first year starting. Center Jared Graybeal has anchored a very good offensive line for three years, which has continued this season, while wide receiver and 2016 All-County selection Jordan Day has been superb.
Elkton eked out a 21-20 victory against Edgewood in Week 5 to remain perfect on the season. In that game, quarterback Ray Johnson threw the game winning touchdown with 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter. It was a big moment for a quarterback that has played well this season- Johnson has passed for 452 yards, rushed for 336 yards, and been involved in 13 touchdowns. Running back Ray Estep has been sensational as well, scoring eight touchdowns and picking up 582 rushing yards. On defense, a pair of linebackers has led Elkton- Tashawn Watters has 77 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, while Mike Matthews has hauled in an interception and executed 44 tackles, including three sacks.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 7 PM this Friday.
Broadneck (5-0) at Old Mill (4-1)
Two teams that have played each other multiple times over the last two years square off in this Anne Arundel County tussle.
Broadneck is the lone unbeaten team in Anne Arundel County, and the Bruins have not been seriously tested yet. Quarterback Shane Davis has tossed 1,202 yards this season, as well as 12 touchdowns to just four interceptions. He has an impressive quarterback rating of 170.8 for the season, and has also rushed for three scores. Ethon Williams has averaged 112 yards receiving per game, and has found the endzone nine times, while Tyler Vermillion has 312 yards receiving total and two touchdowns. Jason Carcamo has led the Bruins rushing attack with six touchdowns and 552 yards. Defensively, the Bruins have fourced 14 turnovers, with Keonte Coates hauling in three interceptions. Brent Floyd has an impressive two touchdowns on fumble recoveries.
Old Mill started its year by losing a one-sided affair with North Point, but has won its last four games to jump right back into the thick of the 4A East race. Running back Isaiah Batts has played a big role in the Patriots strong play. Batts has rushed for more than 100 yards and scored at least one touchdown in every game since Week 1. Against North County, Batts ran for 234 yards and four touchdowns. He had another four touchdown performance against Annapolis. Quarterback Markus Thompson has also played at a high level. Defensively, Old Mill is coming off a performance against North County that saw Cameron White, Myles Demby and Dontae Simpson all record interceptions.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 6:30 PM this Friday.
Chesapeake-AA (4-1) at South River (3-2)
This is another all Anne Arundel County contest that should provide plenty of entertainment.
Chesapeake-AA has bounced back nicely from losing its opener to Towson by reeling off four straight double digit wins. The Cougars are entering this game after their most complete game of the season, which was a 41-0 win over Lansdowne. The team's defense hasn't allowed more than 14 points in a game since its opener, forcing eight turnovers in the process. Against South River, the unit will hope for another monstrous effort from Cody Carpenter, who recorded four sacks and forced a fumble against Lansdowne. On offense, a heavy dose of running back Tony Watkins has been key. Watkins has rushed for 372 yards and seven touchdowns. Complimenting Watkins in the backfield has been Colby McNulty, who has 235 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Dylan Young has 483 yards passing, four passing touchdowns and a rushing score.
South River has played some close contests in recent weeks. The Seahawks lost to Arundel 27-26 in Week 3, before beating Annapolis 46-42 the following week. Last week, South River beat Severna Park on a late touchdown to win 28-21. Quarterback Caleb Edney has played at a high level, throwing 12 touchdowns and 932 yards. Ryan Proctor has been Edney's main target, hauling in 22 catches, 566 yards and six touchdowns. Running back Joe Foy has also gotten the ball a lot, rushing for 715 yards and six touchdowns on 127 carries. On defense, Marq Harris and Nate Carbaugh both have 24 tackles to lead the team. Frankie Cole and Sean Leonard each have two interceptions.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 6:30 PM on Friday.
Chesapeake-BC (4-1) at Towson (4-1)
Two Baltimore County squads off to great starts rounds out our games to watch this week.
A win this week against Towson would give Chesapeake as many victories this season as it recorded in 2016. The Bayhawks opened by getting shutout against Kenwood but have won four straight since. Chesapeake has been getting the job done on defense lately. The Bayhawks have allowed just 14 points over the past three games, which includes a shutout of Owings Mills in Week 4.
Towson has gotten off to a fast start under first year head coach Ryan Pittillo. Nayshin Simmons has played a big role in that, rushing for 814 yards and 10 touchdowns on 123 carries. Simmons has also been a leader on defense, registering 30 tackles, three sacks and an interception. Alex Simet has joined Simmons in leading the defense- he has the most tackles for the Generals at 51, and also leads the team in sacks with 3.5. On offense, Rodger Holcombe III has run for 396 yards and five touchdowns, while also catching a score.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 1 PM this Saturday.
Paint Branch (5-0) at Quince Orchard (4-1)
This Montgomery County tilt features two teams that sit atop different MPSSAA 4A regional standings.
Paint Branch has managed to beat Blair and Springbrook the past two weeks by a combined nine points to remain unbeaten. The Panthers have gotten good performances from junior quarterback Norman Douglas Jr., who is averaging 137.4 yards per game. He's thrown 12 touchdowns to just one interception. The team's top wide receiver has been Max Davis, who has three touchdowns and 224 yards receiving. Ali Sheriff and Dhedhus Anumgba have also been key to the passing game, and hauled in two touchdowns each. Sam Doku has 343 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Justin Hockaday has three touchdowns and 330 yards on the ground.
Quince Orchard's lone defeat came against Bullis in overtime in Week 4. The Cougars got back to winning ways last week by shutting out Kennedy, 53-0. Quarterback Doc Bonner, who recently committed to play at Dartmouth, has been sensational for the Cougars, passing for 826 yards and seven touchdowns to just one interception. He also has 278 rushing yards and scored eight times. Brendan McGonagle has been Bonner's top target, hauling in five scores and 307 yards. On the ground, Marquez Cooper has gone for 247 yards and four touchdowns.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 6:30 PM this Friday.
Havre de Grace (5-0) at Elkton (5-0)
This UCBAC match-up features two undefeated state finalists from 2016.
Havre de Grace is coming off two convincing wins against Aberdeen and Bel Air, which has helped the Warriors create some distance between themselves and the rest of the pack in the 1A East region. The Warriors have already beaten the second place team in their region, Perryville, 52-6. Running back Jasai Stansbury has been in excellent form, while quarterback Alex Gresock has also done a good job in his first year starting. Center Jared Graybeal has anchored a very good offensive line for three years, which has continued this season, while wide receiver and 2016 All-County selection Jordan Day has been superb.
Elkton eked out a 21-20 victory against Edgewood in Week 5 to remain perfect on the season. In that game, quarterback Ray Johnson threw the game winning touchdown with 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter. It was a big moment for a quarterback that has played well this season- Johnson has passed for 452 yards, rushed for 336 yards, and been involved in 13 touchdowns. Running back Ray Estep has been sensational as well, scoring eight touchdowns and picking up 582 rushing yards. On defense, a pair of linebackers has led Elkton- Tashawn Watters has 77 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, while Mike Matthews has hauled in an interception and executed 44 tackles, including three sacks.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 7 PM this Friday.
Broadneck (5-0) at Old Mill (4-1)
Two teams that have played each other multiple times over the last two years square off in this Anne Arundel County tussle.
Broadneck is the lone unbeaten team in Anne Arundel County, and the Bruins have not been seriously tested yet. Quarterback Shane Davis has tossed 1,202 yards this season, as well as 12 touchdowns to just four interceptions. He has an impressive quarterback rating of 170.8 for the season, and has also rushed for three scores. Ethon Williams has averaged 112 yards receiving per game, and has found the endzone nine times, while Tyler Vermillion has 312 yards receiving total and two touchdowns. Jason Carcamo has led the Bruins rushing attack with six touchdowns and 552 yards. Defensively, the Bruins have fourced 14 turnovers, with Keonte Coates hauling in three interceptions. Brent Floyd has an impressive two touchdowns on fumble recoveries.
Old Mill started its year by losing a one-sided affair with North Point, but has won its last four games to jump right back into the thick of the 4A East race. Running back Isaiah Batts has played a big role in the Patriots strong play. Batts has rushed for more than 100 yards and scored at least one touchdown in every game since Week 1. Against North County, Batts ran for 234 yards and four touchdowns. He had another four touchdown performance against Annapolis. Quarterback Markus Thompson has also played at a high level. Defensively, Old Mill is coming off a performance against North County that saw Cameron White, Myles Demby and Dontae Simpson all record interceptions.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 6:30 PM this Friday.
Chesapeake-AA (4-1) at South River (3-2)
This is another all Anne Arundel County contest that should provide plenty of entertainment.
Chesapeake-AA has bounced back nicely from losing its opener to Towson by reeling off four straight double digit wins. The Cougars are entering this game after their most complete game of the season, which was a 41-0 win over Lansdowne. The team's defense hasn't allowed more than 14 points in a game since its opener, forcing eight turnovers in the process. Against South River, the unit will hope for another monstrous effort from Cody Carpenter, who recorded four sacks and forced a fumble against Lansdowne. On offense, a heavy dose of running back Tony Watkins has been key. Watkins has rushed for 372 yards and seven touchdowns. Complimenting Watkins in the backfield has been Colby McNulty, who has 235 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Dylan Young has 483 yards passing, four passing touchdowns and a rushing score.
South River has played some close contests in recent weeks. The Seahawks lost to Arundel 27-26 in Week 3, before beating Annapolis 46-42 the following week. Last week, South River beat Severna Park on a late touchdown to win 28-21. Quarterback Caleb Edney has played at a high level, throwing 12 touchdowns and 932 yards. Ryan Proctor has been Edney's main target, hauling in 22 catches, 566 yards and six touchdowns. Running back Joe Foy has also gotten the ball a lot, rushing for 715 yards and six touchdowns on 127 carries. On defense, Marq Harris and Nate Carbaugh both have 24 tackles to lead the team. Frankie Cole and Sean Leonard each have two interceptions.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 6:30 PM on Friday.
Chesapeake-BC (4-1) at Towson (4-1)
Two Baltimore County squads off to great starts rounds out our games to watch this week.
A win this week against Towson would give Chesapeake as many victories this season as it recorded in 2016. The Bayhawks opened by getting shutout against Kenwood but have won four straight since. Chesapeake has been getting the job done on defense lately. The Bayhawks have allowed just 14 points over the past three games, which includes a shutout of Owings Mills in Week 4.
Towson has gotten off to a fast start under first year head coach Ryan Pittillo. Nayshin Simmons has played a big role in that, rushing for 814 yards and 10 touchdowns on 123 carries. Simmons has also been a leader on defense, registering 30 tackles, three sacks and an interception. Alex Simet has joined Simmons in leading the defense- he has the most tackles for the Generals at 51, and also leads the team in sacks with 3.5. On offense, Rodger Holcombe III has run for 396 yards and five touchdowns, while also catching a score.
Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 1 PM this Saturday.
| October 3rd, 2017 | By: Wick Eisenberg |