Maryland high school football notebook (10/4/2023)
In its 20-year varsity history, Winters Mill High football has won no more than six games in a season. The Carroll County school appears headed to breaking that barrier.
The Falcons are 5-0 for the first time after defeating Liberty last weekend, for their first victory over their league rival since 2013.
“That was a big win for us,” Winters Mill coach Matt Miller said to the Carroll County Times. “That’s a program that for the last couple years has really had our number. Tonight we beat a good team and that’s what good teams do.”
Under longtime coach Matt Miller (front holding up finger), Winters Mill is enjoying its best start at 5-0 this season. The Falcons won four games combined the previous two seasons. (Photo - Winters Mill Athletics)
Liberty had dominated the Falcons since 2014, scoring 48 points or more six times, including a 49-7 romp last year. Winters Mill finally flipped the script as it rushed for more than 200 yards in the 21-7 decision led by senior quarterback Caleb Crouch’s 104 yards and three touchdowns.
Winters Mill won four games between 2021 and 2022.
Now, the Falcons are a legitimate contender for the Carroll County Athletic League championship.
“A win like this, against a program like Liberty, really validates where we are at this point in time,” Miller said. “We really wanted this one.
Winters Mill has perennial Carroll contenders South Carroll and Westminster the next two weeks.
Maryland's top high school football games to watch
Good Counsel (6-0) at St. John’s (3-2): The undefeated Falcons have been just outside the SBLive Sports Power 25 all season, but all bets are off when they square off with league rival St. John's, which also battled tested against a national schedule look in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference opener for both teams in nation’s capital.
Broadneck (4-1) at Old Mill (4-1): The top spot in Anne Arundel County will be at stake when the Bruins invade Millersville to battle the Patriots.
Mervo (5-0) at Forest Park (5-0): Forest Park, the top team in Baltimore City’s Division II the last couple of seasons, tests its mettle against the Division I stalwart Mustangs, who won the 2021 Class 4A/3A state crown.
Mountain Ridge (5-0) at Fort Hill (5-0): The definitive rivalry game in Western Maryland after back-to-back meetings in the Class 1A state championship match (both won by Fort Hill).
Stephen Decatur (5-0) at Kent Island (5-0): The Buccaneers look to continue their mastery over Decatur (last loss in 2008) in battle of Bayside Conference unbeatens.
Mountain Ridge reaches Maryland High School Football Media Top 25 poll
With a showdown with Fort Hill on tap, Mountain Ridge debuted in the latest Maryland High School Football Media Top 25 poll.
The undefeated Miners (5-0) are No. 23. Friday evening, Mountain Ridge plays at Fort Hill (5-0; ranked 19th) in a rematch of last December’s Class 1A state championship game. Linganore (4-1; No. 25) also entered the poll.
Good Counsel maintained its spot at No. 1, followed by DeMatha, Archbishop Spalding, Quince Orchard and St. Frances. Flowers, Oakdale, Wise, Concordia Prep and Georgetown Prep round out the Top 10.
Loyola Blakefield had the biggest fall this week, moving from 13th to No. 18.
Here is this week's complete Maryland High School Football Media State Poll:
Rank, School, Record, Points, Last week’s rank
1. Good Counsel (8 first place votes), 4-1, 248, 1
2. DeMatha (2), 5-0, 242, 2
3. Archbishop Spalding, 5-1, 228, 3
4. Quince Orchard, 5-0, 218, 4
5. St. Frances Academy, 1-5, 209, 3
6. Flowers, 5-0, 201, 6
7. Oakdale, 5-0, 186, 7
8. Wise, 4-1, 185, 8
9. Concordia Prep, 4-1, 160, 10
10. Georgetown Prep, 4-0, 157, 11
11. Rock Creek Christian, 2-4, 143, 9
12. Milford Mill Academy, 4-1, 136, 12
13. Bishop McNamara, 6-0, 128, 16
14. North Point, 5-0, 120, 14
15. Northwest, 5-0, 112, 15
16. McDonogh, 3-1, 109, 17
17. Broadneck, 4-1, 93, 18
18. Loyola Blakefield, 2-2, 83, 13
19. Fort Hill, 5-0, 71, 21
20. Dunbar, 3-0, 66, 20
21. Mount St. Joseph, 2-3, 38, 22
22. Damascus, 4-1, 36, 23
23. Mountain Ridge, 5-0, 25, NR
24. Riverdale Baptist, 2-3, 16, 24
25. Linganore, 4-1, 12, NR
