Schools

Friday Football Roundup: Regional Finals

Quince Orchard hosts Churchill as Montgomery 4A's top two seeds square off for a berth in the state semifinals.

While top-ranked Seneca Valley was eliminated from the 3A state playoffs in its first game, there would be no upsets in Montgomery 4A's regional semifinals.

No. 1 Quince Orchard rolled over Bethesda-Chevy Chase, 52-7, and No. 2 Churchill handled Gaithersburg, 24-6, to set up a showdown between the 4A West division's best teams with a berth in the state semifinals on the line.

The two schools will meet at 7 p.m. at QO's Cougar Dome in their first postseason meeting since QO head coach Dave Mencarini's first season in 2004. That year, the Bulldogs eliminated the Cougars in the first round.

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It is the last time Mencarini's team has fallen short of the regional final, having advanced past the first round for seven straight years. Even so, the Cougars only regional final victory came during its 2007 state championship season.

"Even though the kids in our program right now...weren’t there six, seven years ago, they know the history of [our] program," Mencarini said. "It’s a group that takes a lot of pride in wanting to be great."

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If the Cougars are to advance, they'll need to find a way to shut down Churchill's prolific offense. Led by quarterback Lansana Keita, the Bulldogs triple option attack has caused fits for opponents throughout the season.

Keita has amassed nearly 1,800 total yards under center and scored 20 touchdowns, including all three in last week's win over Gaithersburg.

"Fortunately we played a team last week [BCC] that ran a triple option, but they were under center more," Mencarini said.

Churchill runs its triple option from the shotgun.

"It's going to be a really good challenge for our defense," Mencarini said. "That being said, I think our defense has been outstanding. We let up the least amount of points in Montgomery County, including private schools, and I think our guys are excited about the challenge that’s ahead tomorrow night."

Led by running back Mark Green's 21 touchdowns and nearly 1,800 rushing yards, QO will again look to its running game to set the tone Friday.

However, Mencarini credits quarterback Billy Plante for easing the pressure on Green with his strong play since returning from injury.

The deciding factor, the QO coach said, will likely be whoever wins the turnover battle.

"I don’t want to sound like a cliché coach, but it really comes down to not turning the ball over, not committing stupid mistakes, and penalties," he said. "The team that does that, it usually puts themselves at a deficit, so obviously we don’t want to be that team."

If they are, Mencarini said, expect Churchill to upset to top-seeded Cougars.


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