Today
Severna Park (7-2) at No. 4 Annapolis (8-1)
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Outlook: A lot is at stake as the county's oldest football rivalry is renewed for the 44th time in 43 years. The Falcons are guaranteed a playoff spot out in the Class 3A East region with an upset but could back in with a loss unless a couple of unlikely upsets occur. The Panthers, who lead the series 21-19-3, including last year's 40-0 romp, can clinch top seed in 3A East and the state's final eight-team field with a victory. Annapolis is coming off a 20-14 overtime loss to Old Mill on Monday.
North County (0-9) at No. 5 Broadneck (8-1)
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Outlook: The host Bruins already have clinched their third straight Class 4A playoff berth. The Knights have only dubious distinctions left. North County is likely to become the county's 12th winless team since 1980 and the first since 0-9 Archbishop Spalding in 2000. The Knights, who have been outscored 395-36, also could break the county record for most points given up in a season - 408 by Northeast (0-10) in 1998 - and least points scored in a season by a public school team - 62 by the 1997 Northeast team (0-10).
Old Mill (7-2) at Glen Burnie (1-8)
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Outlook: With a win, the Patriots, who have not lost to the host Gophers since 1995, seal their fourth straight 4A East playoff berth.
Southern-AA (6-3) at South River (2-6)
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Outlook: The Bulldogs can top the Class 2A South region, thus taking one of the top four seeds and home-field advantage in the state playoffs, with a victory in Edgewater.
Severn (5-2) vs. St. Mary's (6-3)
Site: Anne Arundel CC
Time: 7 p.m.
Outlook: If the Saints can knock off the Admirals, they likely will be a tri-champion in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference Gold division with Severn and St. Paul's. St. Paul's is finished at 3-1 in league play while St. Mary's is 2-1 and Severn is 2-0. Severn has a makeup Thursday with 0-3 Gibbons.
Arundel (5-4) at Meade (3-6)
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Outlook: Quarterback Bobby Schram, who leads the county in passing with 989 yards and 12 touchdown passes and is 11th in the metro area, hopes to lead the Wildcats to their first winning season since 1996 (7-3).
Chesapeake (4-5) at Northeast (3-6)
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Outlook: What was a season of great expectations for the Cougars with running backs Nick Bowen (1,212 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Lenny Hall (994, 15) can end at .500 for the second time in three years and the fourth time since 1996.
Archbishop Spalding (3-7) at Pallotti (5-4)
Time: 7 p.m.
Outlook: The visiting Cavaliers are ready to put a lid on their fourth straight losing season. Spalding was 5-5 in 1998 under John Moscato, who led the Cavs to only their second winning season in school history in 1997 at 6-4.