Week 13: MoCo Playoff Predictions
Tonight Sherwood faces a stiff challenge from Anne Arundel County's own Old Mill Patriots.
Photo By: Etienne Forbes / GamedayMD.com
If Sherwood can get positive yards with Cyrus Britt carrying the rock and AJ Pignone hitting the open receivers the Warriors should get a return trip to Baltimore.
Photo By: Etienne Forbes / GamedayMD.com
Written by: Johnny the Greek
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD- And then there was one! Quince Orchard went down to Linganore and Good Counsel finally beat archrival DeMatha in the WCAC Championship, so MOCO has one team left.
The Sherwood Stormin' Warriors! After a gut check last minute victory against Paint Branch last week 11-7 the young Sherwood team is maturing before our eyes.
Sherwood faces a stiff challenge from Anne Arundel County's own Old Mill Patriots. The Patriots are led by Josh Furman RB/DB (#3) who exploded for 414 yards and 6 touchdowns in last week's regional final against previously unbeaten Arundel in a 58-55 barnburner.
Old Mill has had a tough road in the playoffs having beat a previously unbeaten Arundel last week and a previously unbeaten team in North Point the week prior.
Led by Furman who has run for 2,071 yards and 29 touchdowns in 11 games the Patriots like to run and run often. In addition to Furman the Patriots also have Jason Clements (#10), with 1,100 yards and 16 scores in the backfield.
Old Mill likes to run but they can also throw the ball with a big-armed quarterback in Joe Thorton (#7) who can also run when called upon. Old Mill's defense has surrendered 243 points this season which is 154 more that Sherwood's 89 points allowed.
The Stormin' Warriors have been led by their stingy defense all season long. Sherwood's two defeats this season have come when the have allowed more than 20 points. Expect to see Greg Grant dominate the line of scrimmage and not allow the Old Mill backfield to find any cutback lanes.
The Stormin' Warriors will also need strong performances by linebackers Joey Carswell and Phillip Durity to ensure they keep the Patriots running game in check. Expect to see Jamal Merritt and Alex Cole in run support from their secondary positions as well.
On the offensive side of the ball the Stromin' Warriors need finish drives in the red zone. Last week they turned the ball over twice inside the 20-yard line and where forced to kick a field goal.
If Sherwood can get positive yards with Cyrus Britt carrying the rock and AJ Pignone hitting the open receivers the Warriors should get a return trip to Baltimore.
Expect a big crowd in Sandy Spring and also expect to see many of the 27 graduated seniors from last years state championship team to be in attendance due to the Holiday weekend.
Old Mill (10-2) @ Sherwood (10-2)
Friday 7:00 pm
Sherwood 24-13
