Win or lose Saturday, Dundalk's 11th-ranked football team is headed for only its second-ever state playoff appearance.
The Owls (8-1), who last reached the postseason in 1990, are among 11 metro area teams that, no matter the outcomes of games Saturday, will play in this year's Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association playoffs that begin Nov. 15-16.
In Class 4A, fifth-ranked Broadneck (8-1) and 12th-ranked Woodlawn (7-2) are in. In addition to Dundalk, the Class 3A field will include No. 4 Annapolis (8-1) and No. 8 Wilde Lake (9-0).
In Class 2A, second-ranked Hereford, sixth-ranked Edmondson and seventh-ranked Glenelg - all 9-0 - and ninth-ranked City (8-1) are headed for the postseason. Class 1A contenders Oakland Mills and Dunbar - ranked 14th and 15th, respectively, with 7-2 records - also have clinched berths.
Four region winners and four at-large winners comprise each of the eight-team fields in the state's four classifications.
There are several area teams that are on the verge of qualifying, but require at least a victory to have a shot at getting in.
In Class 4A, unranked Old Mill (7-2) and 10th-ranked Patterson (7-2) occupy the seventh and 10th spots, respectively, in the overall ratings.
Old Mill is coming off last week's 20-14 overtime upset of Annapolis, but still needs to defeat Glen Burnie (1-8) and hope for the right combination of bonus points to obtain the program's fourth straight playoff berth.
Patterson must win at Baltimore City 4A league rival Lake Clifton (6-3) tomorrow and then get help from other teams to qualify. Otherwise, the Clippers will miss the postseason for only the third time in 10 seasons.
In Class 3A, Severna Park (7-2) is rated seventh, but the Falcons must defeat Annapolis - the No. 1 seed in 3A - to guarantee themselves a berth. The Falcons own a 12-6 victory over Old Mill - which has beaten Annapolis - so an upset isn't out of the question.
Class 2A teams Southern of Anne Arundel County and Francis Scott Key of Carroll County are fourth and ninth, respectively.
Southern (6-3) must defeat league rival South River tomorrow night to secure the South Region crown and a berth.
Francis Scott Key (7-2) must not only defeat winless Williamsport, but also hope for losses by Middletown, Fort Hill, Edgewood and Eastern Tech - teams that are presently eighth, 10th, 11th and 12th, respectively, in their classifications, but which can still earn enough points with victories to pass the Eagles.