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Each week, The Gazette Sports' staff of five writers picks winners for every Montgomery County high school football game.
Week One proved one of two things: Either we have no idea what we're talking about, or the 2009 season is going to be hard to predict.
As our cumulative 49-26 record (terrible for us) indicates, there were some upsets on Friday, and a slew of teams that proved us wrong.
Each of us called Seneca Valley to beat Clarksburg, but the Coyotes came from behind for the 15-8 victory, capped by defensive back Andrew Veith's game-winning, 50-yard interception return for a touchdown.
We unanimously picked Gaithersburg over a Churchill team we figured was depleted, but veteran running back Ryan Quinn (190 yards, two touchdowns) led the Bulldogs to a 17-7 upset.
We all thought Northwest's returning talent would handle Whitman, but the Vikings scored the first 29 points of the game en route to one of their biggest wins in years.
Suffice it to say, we are not clairvoyants. But we do know what to look forward to in the second batch of games.
No. 3 Quince Orchard at No. 2 Damascus
The Gazette's top two public schools square off in a game that already has playoff implications in a crowded Class 3A West Region. Both won handily last week, and the Swarmin' Hornets did it without running back/linebacker Brian Lucas, who should make his season debut on Friday.
On the other side, the Cougars' defense showed off in a shutout of Kennedy last week, but won't have the big names on offense like their counterparts. Nevertheless, led by senior running back Ben Sasu (three touchdowns), Quince Orchard has the tools to be a legitimate state title contender.
Whoever wins this one has an early inside track at the 3A Division title.
No. 10 Springbrook at Northwest
Another game we feel has postseason consequences this early.
What impressed about the Blue Devils in their rout of Blake last week was not the margin of victory, but rather the balance with which they did it. Senior Mitchell Pollard is one of the area's top receivers, and the defense (four interceptions, four sacks against the Bengals) is rock-solid as always. But Springbrook also features explosive running backs Devon Pestano and Marquise Anderson, a missing element last year.
On the other side, we're not sure whether the Jaguars deserve a mulligan for their loss at Whitman. They have the talent to win this, with stud halfback Hassan Dixon (149 total yards) leading the way.
No. 8 Clarksburg at Northwood
The three-year starter Veith is now at quarterback rather than his familiar wideout spot, but he has weapons in multi-talented two-way athletes Ace Clark and Sam Collins. The Coyotes may be even more stout on defense, as their four turnovers forced against the Screaming Eagles suggest.
Meanwhile, the Gladiators feature one of the most explosive offenses around. They moved the ball at will at Watkins Mill, with heralded senior quarterback Jimmy Hessler (22 of 35, 342 yards) lighting up the skies and halfback Ang Gadji (122 yards) appearing a capable complement.
Einstein at Kennedy
It gets a little easier for the Cavaliers, and likely a lot less tiring for the Titans. The latter pulled off a marathon, 32-26 victory over Richard Montgomery in four overtimes, thanks to the same rushing attack they featured a year ago. Gone is All-Gazette first-teamer Malcolm Crockett to Friendship Collegiate (D.C.). Sophomore Keith Gaye proved just as capable, rushing for 177 yards and three touchdowns.
It is difficult to extract much from its loss to Quince Orchard, but Kennedy does have quarterback Bisi Ezekoye, a difference-maker whose talent rivals anyone in the county.
This will be the VOLi Sports Montgomery County High School Game of the Week. The broadcast will be shown in its entirety Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m on MCPS Channel 33 (Comcast) or 35 (Verizon), as well as times to be determined on Verizon Fios One.
Gazette reporters will cover and send real-time Twitter updates from the following football games this weekend:
Clarksburg at Northwood
*Einstein at Kennedy
Gaithersburg at Wootton
Magruder at Blair
Poolesville at Rockville
Quince Orchard at Damascus
Springbrook at Northwest
Watkins Mill at Blake
Follow along at twitter.com/Mont_Sports.
* VOLi Game of the Week