No. 4 Quince Orchard, No. 6 Sherwood Meet in Battle of Unbeatens

For the second week in a row, Quince Orchard will look to fend off a major challenger and MSP Top 10-ranked team. These are the last two undefeated teams in Montgomery County, and there is plenty more on the line Friday night. QO brings a 32-game winning streak into the matchup, while Sherwood has won 10 straight at home. In fact, the Cougars were the last team to defeat the Warriors in Ashton-Sandy Spring. Both defenses have been spectacular: Through five games, Sherwood has allowed just 19 points, while the Cougars have surrendered only six.

Sherwood starting quarterback Matt Larsen has earned 31 victories over 18 schools as a four-year starter, but a win over Quince Orchard has remained elusive. Even in defeat last year, the Warriors came to play, battling the Cougars in a 35-28 thriller. Down 21-0 late in the third quarter, Larsen stepped up and threw touchdown passes on three straight possessions to tie the game. Fellow seniors Frankie Saunders at running back and Caleb Hollowell at wide receiver will need to be big-time playmakers if the Warriors are going to pull off the upset.

The Cougars are on the prowl for a third straight state championship, and some of the numbers they’ve compiled are unbelievable. John Kelley’s team has scored 90 unanswered points, won 71 of its last 72 games and is winning by an average score of 38-1 this season. The bullseye has long been on the Cougars’ chests, and this year is no different. Kelley has laid out the challenge bluntly to his players: “Can you handle being hunted?”