MDHigh.com - Week 11 Weekend Watch (Part I)

November 5, 2009

Dave Lomonico
MDHigh.com Publisher

Part I ? The final week of the regular season features an array of rivalry games, potential playoff matchups and several games with teams fighting for postseason spots. Check out all the week's best action inside.

Game of the Week

The MdHigh Game of the Week features No. 9 Fort Hill vs. Allegany. It will be played on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Greenway Avenue Stadium in Cumberland. Check the link below on Friday morning for a full-length preview of the game.

Fort Hill vs. Allegany

Gilman vs. McDonogh

It's hard to pick out a premier matchup in a week full of them, but it doesn't get much bigger than Gilman-McDonogh. Not only is this one of the oldest and most heated rivalries in the state, but this year it will determine the MIAA A-Conference championship. No. 15 McDonough is 9-0 and in position to win their first outright A-Conference title in school history (they shared the honor in 2006 and 2001).

But first they must beat Gilman, which, despite its 6-3 record, still has just one loss in the conference. If Gilman wins they will tie McDonogh for the title, which would be the school's sixth championship this decade.

Both these teams have outstanding quarterbacks, although Rudy Johnson and Darius Jennings are different types of players. Johnson, McDonogh's signal caller, is a pass-first gunslinger who can make throws all over the field. He has 17 touchdown passes this year, including a career-high four two weeks ago in a sensational performance against Loyola. Jennings, meanwhile, is a runner first and foremost. The Greyhounds' quarterback lines up in the shotgun and takes off in Gilman's version of the Wildcat. Jennings is first in Maryland with 1,766 rushing yards and third with 22 touchdowns.

But there's more to these teams than their star quarterbacks. Johnson leads an offense that is scoring 27 points per game, but running back Bryan Ellis is also a threat and so are receivers Justin Gross and Gabe Macis. Linemen E.J. Conway and Ross Farquharson dominate up front, giving Johnson plenty of time to throw. Defensively, Isaac Jorgensen anchors a unit that is giving up 12 points per game and is coming off a 7-0 shutout of Calvert Hall last week.

Other than Calvert Hall, no one has really been able to stymie Jennings and the Gilman offense. The Greyhounds are scoring 39 points per game thanks to Jennings, running back Cyrus Jones and one of the best offensive lines in the state.

Before the last two weeks, teams seemed to be able to move the ball against Gilman's defense. Not anymore. This team smacked Loyola around 56-7 and then followed up with a 42-0 drubbing of Mount St. Joseph. Jim Poggi (Iowa) anchors the defense in the middle and Anthony Ferguson (Iowa) is the leader on the line. But will Gilman's young secondary be able to contain Johnson and his receivers?

City vs. Poly @ M&T Bank Stadium

When City plays Poly, it isn't just a local rivalry that registers a few lines in the Baltimore Sun. This is a national phenomenon. These two teams have met for 121 consecutive years, making it the second longest public school rivalry in the country. This year's game will be played at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore and will have a major impact on the postseason. City (7-2) is currently fourth in the 2A North Region and needs a win to fend off Dundalk for the final spot. Poly (8-1) has their spot in the 3A North secured but is fighting with Franklin and Hereford for the No. 1 seed.

City suffered a major mid-season letdown with consecutive losses to Dunbar and Patterson. But since then they've rebounded with three straight victories, including a 26-6 win over Edmondson last week. One reason for their resurgence is quarterback Adrian Coxson's return from a shoulder injury. The Penn State commit is the driving force behind an offense that is averaging 34 points per game. But Coxson's backup and top running back Alfonzo Hawkins is no slouch.

City's defense is devastating. They are allowing less than nine points per game and have posted three shutouts on the season. Linemen Tre James and Cordell Johns and linebackers Eddie Scott, Phil Foster and Antony Murray lead a group that rushes the quarterback relentlessly.

City may have Coxson to lead their offense, but Poly can counter with Antoine Goodson, one of the most dynamic players in Baltimore. Goodson ranks fifth in the state with 1,307 rushing yards and is tied for 10th with 18 touchdowns. He teams with running back Gabriel Ali-El, an athletic, physical runner who can navigate between the tackles and hit home runs with his speed.

Defensively, Poly has been inconsistent. They have two shutouts this season, but teams have been able to move the ball against them. Last week they allowed 22 points in a 22-18 loss to Dunbar, the most they've given up since Week 1 against Largo.

Sherwood vs. Quince Orchard

Talk about a juggernaut grudge match. No. 14 Sherwood is 8-1 and in first place in the 4A West. No. 8 Quince Orchard is 9-0 and in first place in the 3A West. Sherwood has won the last two head-to-head meetings, including a 31-10 victory in the playoffs last year. Quince Orchard won both matchups in 2007, including a 35-13 victory in the playoffs. Sherwood claimed a 4A state title in 2008. Quince Orchard claimed a 4A state title in 2007. What more needs to be said?

Well, for one, these teams will not meet in the playoffs this year thanks to the Cougars moving down to the 3A division. But luckily they still get to take their licks in the regular season finale.

Sherwood bounced back from a stunning upset loss to Damascus two weeks ago to win two straight against Churchill and Springbrook. Running back Cyrus Britt, a threat to score every time he touches the ball, has almost 1,000 yards rushing on the season and 12 touchdowns. Quarterback A.J. Pigone, who is coming off his best game of the season (13 of 19 for 212 yards and three touchdowns), is completing over 50 percent of his passes and has thrown 11 touchdowns and just one interception. On top of that, Sherwood may have the best line in Montgomery County with Adam Berger, Grant McCarthy, Josh Hertz, Neil Kress and Oliver Pettenati.

But Sherwood's forte is defense. Led by Gregory Grant, the Warriors have recorded five shutouts and are giving up just six points per game.

Quince Orchard running back Ben Sasu, who has rushed for 1,108 yards and 20 touchdowns, may have a hard time navigating the Sherwood defense. But the Cougars aren't averaging 37 points per night with a one-trick attack. If Sasu can't get going, quarterback Drew Murphy can make plays with his arm. Last week he threw for 138 yards and three touchdowns; he has over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season. His top target is Pernell Brantley, a big-play wide receiver and kick returner who can score at will. Up front, tackle Matt Bracho and center Jon Levin lead a hulking, physical offensive line.

Defensively, end Tyler Magill and tackle John Stoesser anchor a group that constantly pressures the quarterback and controls the line of scrimmage. Overall, Quince Orchard's defense has gotten better as the season has worn on. In the last three weeks they've allowed a total of seven points.

Weekend Watch Part II
Weekend Watch Part III
Weekend Watch Part IV

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