Owings Mills could have advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 1997 with a victory over New Town Saturday, but the Titans spoiled the Eagles' party plans.
Darrell Wyche and Gary Clark each rushed for two touchdowns, and the Eagles were held to two first downs and 15 yards of offense, as host New Town (9-1) rolled to a 36-6 victory on homecoming day.
It just wasn't Owings Mills' day. The team could have backed into the playoffs if Kenwood had beaten Towson or Loch Raven topped Dulaney, but neither happened.
Now, the Titans can focus on the playoffs.
New Town will be making its fourth straight appearance, but this postseason will be different since the program will host a game.
The Titans are eager for a playoff victory after three straight early exits. New Town lost to Brunswick, 52-0, last year, Catoctin, 50-0, in 2009 and Pikesville, 26-22, in 2008.
"The last few years we kind of went into the back door of the playoffs," said New Town coach Joe Holland, who expects to play Northwestern of Baltimore City, Friday night at Woodlawn High. "We wanted to go in the front door and we want stay a while. We got kicked out the last three years in the first round."
New Town has chosen to play the game at Woodlawn since the team prefers playing on turf.
The Titans head into the playoffs with a lot momentum. They've won eight straight games.
Wyche (9 carries, 92 yards), Clark (10, 47) and senior quarterback Shawheem Dowdy (9, 48) led a New Town rushing attack against Owings Mills (5-5) that piled up 250 yards.
The Titans scored on its opening drive, moving 62 yards in eight plays. Gary Clark capped the series with a 1-yard run.
Owings Mills came right back, scoring on De'Ante Keene's 97-yard kickoff return.
On the third play of the second quarter, Wyche went up the middle for a 1-yard score. Derrick Simmons ran in the 2-point conversion to give his team a 14-6 lead.
New Town's defense, led by linebacker Vincent Minor and end Kevyn Carr, forced Owings Mills to go three-and-out on its first possession of the second half.
Keith Selby had to punt from his own 4 and the Titans needed just five plays to find the end zone after they took over at Owings Mills' 38. Dowdy (8-for-12, 97 yards) hit Michael Bein as he split two defenders in the end zone to increase New Town's lead to 20-6.
It was Dowdy's ninth touchdown pass of the season running the spread offense. He's also rushed for 10 scores.
"He definitely has come into his own as a senior," Holland said of the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Dowdy. "Our guys have a lot of confidence in him to make plays when we need them."
Wyche rushed for a score late in the third quarter and Clark added a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown to finish the scoring.
Meanwhile, Owings Mills only past midfield once.
"Offensively, we just didn't bring anything," Eagles' coach Steve Lurz said. "We are just not physical up front. Any time (quarterback) Shane (Gaines) dropped back, there was little or no time to throw the ball."