Maryland 3A football semifinals preview: Reservoir-Damascus, Potomac (Md.)-Dundalk

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/maryland-3a-football-semifinals-preview-reservoir-damascus-potomac-md-dundalk/2015/11/25/0dd4f9c2-9382-11e5-b5e4-279b4501e8a6_story.html

Version 0 of 1.

MARYLAND 3A STATE SEMIFINAL

Reservoir at No. 1 Damascus

Friday, 7 p.m.

At stake: A berth in the Maryland 3A state final Dec. 3 at M&T Bank Stadium.

Watch for: Reservoir running back Josh Young. The senior ran for a touchdown and kicked the game-winning 31-yard field goal in the Gators’ 10-7 win over Glenelg in the 3A East region final, and has helped anchor a defense allowing nine points per game. The Gators will have their hands full against Jake Funk and the No. 1 Swarmin’ Hornets, who are coming off a 45-3 win over No. 19 Seneca Valley. Funk has 2,281 rushing yards (11 yards per carry) and 45 total touchdowns — four away from the state’s all-time single season record — while helping lead Damascus’s lights-out defense. That two-way dominance has the Swarmin’ Hornets posting an average victory margin of 37.4 points.

Skinny: Damascus (12-0) is a win away from returning to M&T Bank Stadium after falling in last year’s state final and is the heavy favorite. Reservoir (9-3) is appearing in the semifinals for the first time in school history.

Potomac (Md.) at Dundalk

Friday, 7 p.m.

At stake: A berth in the Maryland 3A final Dec. 3 at M&T Bank Stadium

Watch for: The multi-faceted offense of Potomac, which came to life over the course of this fall, once tailbacks Calil Wilkins and Tayon Fleet-Davis became a potent backfield duo and senior Andre Hall emerged as one of the area’s leading receivers. The Wolverines also feature seniors Greg Ross, a North Carolina commit, and Tyler Tobias in the secondary on defense. How junior quarterback Javonte Howard handles this moment could be the determining factor when they make the trek to Baltimore County. After scoring at least 50 points in two-consecutive playoff blowouts at home to win the 3A South region title, Potomac will likely get a much stiffer test from Dundalk (11-1).

Skinny: Potomac is making its first state semifinals appearance since winning consecutive state championships in 2004 and 2005. This is the farthest Dundalk has ever advanced in the Maryland state playoffs.