South

South — Football standings (2026-W40)

Charles Herbert Flowers High School 27 - 8 Parkdale High School

Northwestern High School 0 - 46 Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Bladensburg High School 0 - 53 Parkdale High School

Eleanor Roosevelt High School 28 - 7 Parkdale High School

Parkdale High School 6 - 27 Potomac High School

DuVal High School 0 - 35 Oxon Hill High School

Laurel High School 6 - 53 Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School

Bladensburg High School 0 - 28 Bowie High School

Photo courtesy of Quince Orchard football Instagram. It was always going to be Quince Orchard. Winners of the previous 4A state title, and champions in 2021 and 2022 as well, a perennial powerhouse is an apt descriptor of the program. Friday night furthered that narrative, as the Cougars capped off an undefeated 14-0 season. Wise, who was 11-1 itself heading into the game, offered plenty of resistance — arguably the most Quince Orchard has faced all season long. But the Cougars found a way to pull it out at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, 26-21. The offenses were slow to start. Wise tried and failed on a fourth down conversion in shallow Cougars’ territory, but failed to convert. Shortly after, Quince Orchard was forced to punt from deep in its own half of the field. But it didn’t hurt them, as defensive line pressure and a hit on Wise quarterback Eric Wedge forced a popped-up ball that was intercepted. The first score didn’t come until just under four minutes left in the first quarter, when Quince Orchard quarterback Will Drakeford Jr. plunged his way into the end zone on a quarterback sneak. But when Wise needed a response, it instead gave the ball right back to the Cougars. Quince Orchard chewed off the rest of the time in the first quarter, methodically marching down the shortened field. On third-and-goal, Drakeford found Rafferty Bankert on a quick slant — his defender was rubbed off on the route concept, leaving him wide open. Suddenly, the Cougars were ahead 14-0. But the Pumas put together a solid response a few drives later, still in the second quarter. On third-and-12 from the 12-yard line, Wedge delivered a strike up the middle, leaving fourth-and-2 from the two. Wedge brilliantly converted — he was flushed out back from the pocket before finding Sergio Terrico in a tight window in the end zone. That score, making the game 14-7, held until halftime. The third quarter started with a bang. A false start on a third-and-goal opportunity from the 1-yard line didn’t deter Drakeford, who found defensive lineman Jaheim Bond in the end zone on the very next play. The response couldn’t have been more quick, as Zorian Gray-Vest returned the ball 85-yards on the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown — the score became 20-14. Another two touchdowns in relative succession came just minutes later. Another Wedge interception led to multiple Drakeford runs, the last of which a 4-yard rush into the end zone. But as it had responded rapidly on the previous Cougars’ score, it repeated that success — Kameron Parker scampered for a 65-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. It was truly the last few minutes of the game that served as the spectacle. After very little transpired for the first 10 minutes of the quarter, the Pumas had the opportunity to take a lead with two minutes left and receive the ball after a punt. It was either going to be a game-winning drive or a game-winning stop. The latter happened. Wise had to go 90 yards for the score, which was already difficult enough. But a Diego Rodriguez sack made things even more difficult. On fourth-and-16, Wedge’s pass was just short of the sticks, and the Cougars were ultimately able to kneel out the championship. Quince Orchard has lost just one game since 2021 — it’s going to take a special effort to dethrone the Cougars in 2026.

Photo courtesy of Quince Orchard football Instagram. Heading into the 4A state quarterfinal matchup in Maryland, one might perhaps be confused — both Quince Orchard and Charles Herbert Flowers were both not beaten heading into the game, yet the latter was the No. 8-seed, and the former the No. 1-seed. Make no mistake, Flowers presented an extremely tough matchup. Yet, it had to forfeit its eight wins in the regular season due to an eligibility violation. But with all that in the rearview mirror, Friday night presented a hotly contested game between two state title contenders. And it was the Cougars who ultimately prevailed, 21-10, as they continued the quest for their third 4A title in the past four years. It was Flowers that kicked off the scoring with a field goal, with the points being set up by a crucial strip sack. But Cougars’ quarterback Will Drakeford Jr. and company began to string together multiple plays of 10 yards or more on the following drive. Quince Orchard strung together outside runs with darts right over the middle of the field into the teeth of Flowers’ defense. It was the stellar rushing attack that ultimately set up Quince Orchard on the doorstep of the red zone. A 7-yard touchdown run with two-and-a-half minutes left in the opening quarter gave the Cougars a spark. Kacey Gilliam and Jaheim Bond, two of the Cougars’ most dominant defensive pieces, helped all night long to expedite Flowers’ possessions. On the ensuing Jaguars drive, a massive tackle for loss helped to give Quince Orchard the ball back. Drakeford’s biggest strength all night was far and away his rushing prowess — with five minutes left in the first half, he extended the Cougars' lead to 14-3 on a 24-yard rushing touchdown. The signal caller initially bounced outside on the run before churning in between a storm of Flowers defenders and charging into the end zone. But for as good as Drakeford’s running was, his passing left something to be desired. Cavare Durandisse, who had the strip sack earlier in the game, picked off Drakeford before the conclusion of the half and returned it for a score. Suddenly, heading into the second half, the 14-10 deficit Flowers found itself in didn’t seem so daunting. But that would be the last points it would score for the remainder of the match. Quince Orchard’s defense got involved quickly in the third quarter, nabbing an interception at the nine minute mark. And tackles for loss became a theme of the game for the Cougars, continuously finding new ways to slow down the Jaguars' rushing attack. And while the third quarter was scoreless between the two sides, the fourth quarter was not. Drakeford engineered his best series of the evening, taking 14 plays to span almost the entire length of the field, and soaking up minutes of clock in the process. After Drakeford’s second rushing touchdown of the game — a five-yard cut inside on a fake pitch — Flowers only had 1:43 to climb back from an 11-point deficit. But it was no match for the Cougars, who advanced to the state semifinal once more. Quince Orchard will match up with No. 5-seed Broadneck, with a chance to face the winner of No. 2-seed Churchill and No. 3-seed Wise in the state final.

On Friday, December 6th, the Cougars and Pumas traveled to Annapolis to battle for the 4a state title. Both teams had dominant run games, two touchdowns for the Cougars back and Maryland commit, Iverson Howard. On the other hand, Temple commit Decarlos Young had over 100 yards of his own. Neither team's passing game was on point in this game, with both quarterbacks missing over 5 open receivers. As the Cougars won with a final score of 24-13, they are back in familiar territory, winning their third title in the last four years.

twitter.com/cszscores/status/1865241584696021330

Bowie erased a 22-6 lead to storm back and win 36-22.

Excellent Play on both sides

Cameron Baker 45 yard receiving victory. Cameron Baker 67 yard punt return. Koran Chase 1 interception. Jahlyl Whitfield 1 forced fumble. countysports.zone/scores/view/uroMyyl2Zjzg9gfB1eUgr

I take my hat off to Parkdale for a good victory! They are a well coached team and were able to make more plays than HP on today and we’re able capitalize on our miscues where we just weren’t able to capitalize on theirs! Both teams had positives, negatives, and missed opportunities! countysports.zone/scores/view/eOGeqh6W-I2qUfQ01Wjwb