Howard braces for big-play WR Marcus Simms and Sherwood

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/howard-braces-for-big-play-wr-marcus-simms-and-sherwood/2015/11/19/bd2615f0-8ed7-11e5-baf4-bdf37355da0c_story.html

Version 0 of 1.

Sherwood senior Marcus Simms is one explosive domino.

In conversations leading up to a Maryland 4A North region final Friday at Howard, both Warriors Coach Chris Grier and Lions senior running back Malik Anderson were quick to bring up how fast Simms can cover 40 yards. Grier was adamant Simms is the best player in the state. Anderson had to pause when he considered Howard shutting down the receiver clocked at 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Before Simms leaves the line of scrimmage in Ellicott City, he’ll already divide the focus of the defense away from Sherwood’s other skill players. With 809 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns, Simms poses a strategical challenge on top of the obvious physical one.

“We have to stop – we have to slow him down,” Anderson said. “We have to slow him down, because Marcus, he runs like a 4.3.”

Sherwood (10-1) had to forfeit a season-opening win against Bethesda-Chevy Chase for carrying an ineligible player, but the Warriors are undefeated on the field. Grier said the threat of Simms’s speed has opened up the box for senior Travis Levy, who has rushed for 1,327 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Depending on how much personnel Howard (11-0) devotes to Simms, the Warriors can lean on Levy or ask senior quarterback Shawn Bliss to spread the ball around. Bliss has passed for 1,805 yards and 26 touchdowns with just three interceptions.

“It really comes down to how they’re going to handle [Simms]. If they think they can cover him one-on-one, that’s going to obviously impact all that we do offensively,” Grier said. If Simms is double and triple covered, Grier said the Warriors will have to find creative ways to get him the ball.

While Simms, a West Virginia commit, will be the prospect with the highest profile on the field, Howard enters the game with all the makings of a favorite. The Lions are defending region champions and just completed their second straight undefeated regular season.

Anderson has taken over the backfield after earning an all-county nod in the slot last season. He’s compiled more than 1,700 yards from scrimmage and scored 22 touchdowns as a senior. Grier said sound tackling and swarming to the ball have been keys for Sherwood in preparation for Anderson.

“He’s shifty. He runs hard. . . . He doesn’t stop his feet. He’s probably the best back we’ll see all year,” Grier said. “He’s a heck of a player. He’s going to have a few plays go in his favor, and we’re going to have to keep at it.”

Strong-armed senior Casey Crawford, who will play college baseball at Bridgewater, has given Howard a deep threat to balance the offense with 1,756 yards passing, 20 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Last Friday in a 20-0 win over Mergenthaler Vocational-Tech, the Lions defense notched its first shutout in six weeks, but Anderson was held to a season-low 53 yards rushing. After falling to Old Mill in the state semifinals last year, Anderson said the Lions are more motivated than ever to chase a state title.

“We can’t sleep on them. We can’t do like we did against Mervo,” Anderson said. “Last year we had hard workers. This team, I think we want it more. . . . Everybody’s all in.”