No Time To Celebrate

By Sheldon Shealer

It just doesn't seem to get any easier for Damascus.

The celebration of the team's first victory over Seneca Valley in 25 years was cut short in order to prepare for then undefeated Paint Branch. Then, after a wild 34-second span in the second quarter vaulted Damascus to a 21-16 win, the Hornets had to start preparing for Sherwood.

Excluding playoffs, this marks the first time that a school has played teams in three consecutive weeks that spent time in the state Top 10 in that season. Of course, by the time Seneca Valley came into Damascus, the Screaming Eagles were out of the Top 20. However, Seneca Valley started the year at No. 5 and reached No. 4. Sherwood got as high as No. 6, and Paint Branch was No. 7 until losing last week.

Damascus is guaranteed no worse than an 8-2 record, and 10-0 or 9-1 is very realistic. The Hornets have won 47 games over the past five seasons, a total topped only by Damascus, Hereford and Seneca Valley.

If Damascus goes 10-0 or 9-1, Class 3A teams better beware. The Hornets are 16-4 in playoff games following 9-1 or 10-0 seasons, and all four losses were to the eventual state champion.

TOP PERFORMANCES

Perhaps one of the most amazing one-quarter performances ever was turned in by Chopticon's Brandon Young last week. Young picked off three passes in the second quarter and returned all three for touchdowns in the Braves' 38-23 victory over Great Mills. Young, according to the Washington Post, had returns of 80, 50 and 47 yards for scores.

Another top performance from the D.C. area was Parkdale's Rob Savoy, who completed 11 of 17 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Parkdale remained undefeated with a 36-0 win over Laurel.

Alan Carr, Lake Clifton, Running Back. Rushed for 203 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries as Lake Clifton mauled Dunbar, 52-6.

IN CASE YOU WHERE WONDERING

Mike Pfisterer of North County is on the verge of history this week. The North County senior quarterback is within 200 yards of breaking the state's all-time passing record, held by Mount St. Joseph's Lucas Phillips (1993-1996). Phillips had 6,286 career yards. Pfisterer is currently at 6,095 yards. North County faces Annapolis this week.

STREAK BUSTERS

The following winning or losing streaks ended last week:

Calvert, which did not make the playoffs last year, had a 10-game win streak snapped in a loss to Patuxent.

AROUND THE STATE (Week 8 Notes)

Francis Scott Key snuck into the state Top 20 for the first time in school history. In fact, Carroll County schools have combined to spend only four weeks in the state poll over the 11-year history of the rankings. The Eagles, two wins away from a perfect season, are ranked No. 20 this week. ... Queen Anne's had the inside track on the 2A East region title. Now, it might be lucky to get into the playoffs. Queen Anne's was upset by Stephen Decatur last week, allowing Decatur to take hold of the Bayside 2A League race. More importantly, it cost Queen Anne's its East region lead, which now goes to Joppatowne. ... It has been confirmed by state chairman Jon Cox that the MPSSAA is looking into a possible forfeit situation involving Hickey. If that occurs, it all but seals a playoff spot for Forest Park, which is currently 4-4. ... Catoctin surprised Walkersville, 28-14, last week, marking the first time since 1983 the Cougars have defeated Walkersville and Middletown in the same season. That 1983 Catoctin team went undefeated and holds the distinction of being the last 10-0 public school team that failed to make the state playoffs. ... Magruder was forced to forfeit its Sept. 15th 24-0 victory over Bethesda-Chevy Chase this week. Magruder used an ineligible player for five weeks, according to the Washington Post. Magruder lost four of the five games anyway, only having to give back one win. ... Seneca Valley is out of the playoff running for the first time since the 1980s, and it appears Suitland is done as well. ... Gilman School is playing State College (Pa.) this Friday. State College just lost to a Fox Fab 50 national Top 5 team -- Erie Cathedral Prep, 61-28. ... Dominique Foxworth was a one-man wrecking crew in Western Tech's 27-19 victory over Poolesville. He had over 200 yards rushing, 77 passing and came up big on defense. ... Curley slowed Gibbons' Hassan Muhammad last week and won the MIAA B Conference showdown, 38-24. ... Chopticon has won seven straight games and is now leading the playoff race. ... Elkton rolled past North East-Cecil, 40-13, to secure the Cecil County League title and a spot in the Class 1A playoffs. ... Middletown has won five games in a row, and two more victories this year would extend the schools streak of 7-3 or better records to 24 years.

LOOKING AHEAD

Damascus at Sherwood, Friday, 6:30 p.m. For the third straight week, Damascus tops the list in state showdowns. Damascus leads the 3A West region. Sherwood is second in 4A West. Both teams are ranked in the state Top 10.

Randallstown at Woodlawn, Saturday. Randallstown is 8-0 and Woodlawn has won six straight since back-to-back, season-opening losses.