Today Randallstown (8-2) at Seneca Valley (10-0) Time: 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: Randallstown has improved on last year's 6-4 season under first-year coach Jack Bush, having lost only to No. 2 Dunbar, 20-0, after a scoreless first half, and to No. 9 C. Milton Wright, 15-14. But it goes against Seneca Valley's Screaming Eagles, who have won 11 Montgomery County, nine regional and a state-record seven state titles. A veteran of 12 state playoff appearances since 1976, Seneca Valley is 19-4 in the playoffs and 7-0 in state title games, including last year's come-from-behind 15-12 victory over Poly. Seneca Valley, ranked No. 2 by The Washington Post behind Annandale (Va.), is regarded by many as the state's best team. Randallstown is led by RB Angelo Todd (1,036 yards, eight TDs) and QB T.J. Williamson (687 rushing yards, 11 TDs,), who is a threat to run or pass. It's a severe test for the Rams' line, led by L Terran Crawford (6-6, 290). Seneca's wing-T has outscored opponents, 372-27, and has a 15-game winning streak behind RB-LB Kinte Sipes (2,004 yards, 23 TDs in two seasons), QB Ryan Miyamoto (2,083 passing yards, 34 TDs, two seasons) and RB Devin Nesmith (776 yards, nine TDs this year).
No. 9 C. M. Wright (9-1) vs. No. 15 Franklin (10-0) Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Catonsville CC
Outlook: Franklin earned respect in Baltimore County with a victory against Overlea in its final regular-season game. It now faces its toughest test of the year, C. Milton Wright's Mustangs, whose only loss came by, 22-21, to No. 12 Aberdeen, and who are making their seventh straight playoff appearance. Among Wright coach Steve Harward's concerns is that his players could be looking past Franklin toward a rematch of last year's 26-14 semifinal loss to Poly -- a game that was tied at 7 in the first period. "My job is to convince my players that Franklin is for real," said Harward. "To go 10-0 you have to be good." Depth could be a key as Franklin has 21 players -- only five who weigh more than 200 pounds -- compared to the Mustangs, whose 43-man roster boasts linemen such as Wilson Hanks (6-3, 235), Zeke Johnson (6-0, 275), James Greene (6-4, 305) and Todd Strasavich (6-4, 315). The Indians, whose biggest player is L Marc Sommerville (6-2, 245) are led by 5-9, 215-pound RB Kenny Vialva (848 yards, 11 TDs) and QB Chris Demetrakis (793 passing yards, 14 TDs) and WR Curtis Williams (244 yards, four TDs), who will face Wright's LB Corey Robinson (99 tackles) and LB Ted May (97). C. Milton Wright, which shared the Harford County crown with Aberdeen, is led by QB Duane Fisher (460 rushing yards, four TDs, 434 passing, four TDs), RB Todd Behler (846 rushing yards, 10 TDs) and 200-pound RB Rich Juergenson (921 yards, nine TDs). Fisher leads Harford County with nine interceptions. on defense.
Smithsburg (8-2) at Joppatowne (7-3) Time: 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: These are two veteran Class 1A playoff teams, as Washington County's Smithsburg is in for the eighth straight year (16 times in 21 years) and Joppatowne, for the sixth. Smithsburg features a running attack built around senior tailback Bill Reuter (232 carries, 1,436 yards, 15 TDs). QB Eric Meredith is 36-for-80 passing for 633 yards and nine TDs, with four interceptions. Eric Sewell is his top receiver (22 for more than 500 yards). Overall, the team has outscored its opponents, 243-87. A key factor in Joppatowne's preparation is it needs to win tonight to get a possible second shot at top-seeded Beall (10-0). The Mariners were embarrassed last year in the rain, 40-6, and the veterans want to make a better showing. Joppatowne, a winner in four of its last five games, overall outscored its foes an average of 23-11. There is excellent team speed and a defense anchored by its three linebackers, including Avion Epps (128 tackles), and DB Stephan Jones (four interceptions). The offensive leaders include QB Matt Berger (923 passing yards, nine TDs, five interceptions) and four speedsters -- RBs Lamar Williams (526 yards, 60 points);
Andre Turner (eight TDs in six games), Lewis McKisset and WR Alonzo McDowell (20 catches, 491 yards, five TDs).
Tomorrow Wheaton (9-1) at No. 3 Poly (9-1) Time: 1 p.m.
Outlook: Wheaton's Knights, ranked No. 14 by The Washington Post, "have very good size, are well disciplined and run a very simplified offense," said Poly coach Augie Waibel, whose career record is 242-52-3 in 32 seasons. "They don't do a lot, but what they do, they do very well." To counter Poly RB Randall Beaman (1,210 yards, 16 TDs), Wheaton has RB Kevin Johnson (1,070 yards, 13 TDs). The Knights counter the Engineers' 6-4, 165-pound WR Martin Prosper (31 receptions, 660 yards, 12 TDs) with 6-1, 180-pound WR Byron Moody (35, 487, four TDs). Moody, a transfer from Crenshaw High in Los Angeles who is being recruited by Notre Dame, led Montgomery County in receiving last year with 40 receptions for 706 yards. Poly QB Jackie Wise (916 passing yards, 13 TDs) is matched by Wheaton's QB Danny Ray (over 600 passing yards). The Knights, using the wing-T offense, have won nine straight since a season-opening 44-7 loss to Seneca Valley, which edged Poly, 15-12, for last year's 3A title. Coached by Lee Brantover, Wheaton boasts two-way linemen Matt Roarke (6-1, 235) and Kenny Reed (6-3, 240) as well as FB-LB Steven Ray (6-1, 190). Poly's defense has allowed six points per game with five shutouts led by tackles Sebastian Smothers (nine sacks) and Darnell Dezurn (seven sacks).
High Point (7-2) at No. 1 Patterson (10-0) Time: 1 p.m.
Outlook: Patterson's 21st-year coach Roger Wrenn (135-75-2) goes against his alma mater, an Eagles' squad with an offensive line averaging 267 pounds, a defensive line averaging 254, linebackers averaging 222, and an offensive backfield averaging 198. Patterson's two-way linemen -- Tyrone Bailey, George Hill, Terry Otto and Patrick Stafford -- average 254 pounds and block for RB Ryan Lewis (1,538 yards rushing, 21 receptions, 194 yards receiving), who leads area scorers with 30 TDs. Option-QB Willie McGirt has rushed for 10 TDs on 803 yards and passed for 11 on 872 yards. McGirt has capable receivers in Lewis, WR Tim Horky (17 receptions, 390 yards, 4 TDs) and WR Carnest Peele (15, 328, 5). High Point is making its third playoff appearance in coach Dale Castro's five seasons. Using a multiple-offense, and often the power-I, the Eagles can be brutal with RB Danny Lewis (981 rushing yards, five TDs) running behind FB Marvin McLean (6-1, 225) and Brian Wallace (6-2, 235). L Desmond Thomas (6-4, 305) is a Division I prospect whose agility belies his size. High Point may have the advantage in a close game, having won five outings on field goals by Lewis.
No. 12 Aberdeen (9-1) at No. 2 Dunbar (9-0)
Time: 1 p.m.
Outlook: Dunbar's Poets were state semifinalists last year and will try to improve on that effort, beginning with Harford County's co-champion Aberdeen Eagles. The Poets have outscored their opponents, 316-12, with seven shutouts, including a 26-6 victory over No. 3 Poly. Its defense has 35 interceptions, led by DB Lance Askins (eight), LB-TE Tommy Polley (five) and DB Bruce Pendles (five). Two-way linemen Shamai Butler (6-0, 217) and Carl Carter (6-4, 245) are quick and powerful blockers for RB Reggie Boyce (1,309 rushing yards, 20 TDs), RB Ali Culpepper (879, five) and QB Anthony Wiggins (1,203 passing yards, eight TDs). Wiggins targets Polley (34 receptions, 587 yards, five TDs) and WR Gary Smith (25 receptions, 459 yards). Since winning their last four games of last season to go 6-4, the Eagles have steadily improved under second-year coach Kevin Reilly. RB Dondre Gilliam (1,028 yards, 15 TDs) leads county scorers and is complemented by QB Terrance Washington (577 passing yards, nine TDs) and WR Mark Stevens (10 receptions, 221 yards, three TDs). DB Doug Gordon (65 tackles, four interceptions) and LB Gene Norton (90 tackles, two fumble recoveries) anchor Aberdeen's defense.