Blair High School

JSpiegelman

149d ago

In 2025, Montgomery County sent six teams into the state tournament, including Damascus in the 2A, Sherwood in the 3A, while Northwest, Blair, Churchill, and Richard Montgomery advanced in the highest class. Of these teams, both Sherwood and Churchill advanced to the championship game, with neither bringing home the title. With last spring marking the first time since 2021 no MCPS team won a state softball title, the question is, will any hoist the big trophy in 2026? Here are the ten teams from MCPS most likely to win the big game: 1. Damascus The Hornets’ 2025 season started very mercurially. Their 4-2 record to start the season included scoring double-digit runs in each of the wins, highlighted by a 19-0 opening day rout against Seneca Valley on opening day, but the squad gave up double-digit runs in each of the losses. After the rocky start, Damascus finished their season on an 8-1 run, including six additional double-digit offensive performances. The Hornets outscored Southern, Centennial, and Hereford 39-5 from the regional semifinals to the state quarterfinals, before a one run loss in the semifinals against Stephen Decatur. Damascus looks so good this coming spring because, after only losing senior Josie Hoffacker, they will return first-team all-MCPS nominee Brook Sell, Marymount University commit Kailyn Sheahin plus all-Met honorable mention Ana DiGiandomenico. This spring looks very bright in Damascus. 2. Churchill The Bulldogs opened their last campaign with a 3-3 record, including scoring 19 runs in a road game against Watkins Mill and a home game against Whitman, while also surrendering 20 on the road against Walter Johnson. From there, Churchill turned up their play, working towards a 10-7 regular season record. The team was one of the only of any sport in the state to play six playoff games, requiring a regional quarterfinal match all the way to the state championship. Churchill outscored opponents 41-5 in the first five playoff games, before an unfortunate end in the 4A championship, falling to Leonardtown 5-0. The loss of Villanova softball commit Maggie King will hurt this year’s squad, along with four other seniors, but they are set to be led by first-team all-division nominee Kai-En Hsu and honorable mention Jacqueline Le. 3. Walter Johnson The Wildcats opened their season dropping their first game, but they quickly turned it around with a seven game win streak. This impressive stretch started with a 26-0 blowout on the road against Gaithersburg, followed by a 20-3 win over Churchill and a 20-4 win at Whitman. However, the stretch quickly switched course, with Walter Johnson going on to lose four of their next five. After outsourcing Einstein and Springbrook 29-0 in their final two regular season games, WJ would fail to make it past the regional semifinals, as Churchill got their revenge in a 7-0 loss. Despite the unfortunate end to their season, the WIldcats look to be in prime position going into this season. After losing four seniors, they will return Ella Reynolds, the all-division player of the year and Emory University commit, along with two seniors and three sophomores who all made the division’s first team. 4. Northwest The Jaguars opened their season on a fourteen game win streak that included a 19-2 road win against Magruder, a 19-4 road win against Gaithersburg, and a 20-run shutout victory over Blake, also on the road. After this, Northwest dropped their final two games of the season, losing to Damascus and Churchill. After eliminating Frederick, Urbana, and Richard Montgomery from the playoffs, the Jaguars fell in their state semifinal game against Leonardtown, the future 4A state champions. While this year’s team will be without six members of last year’s state semifinalist team, head coach Mike Horton will look to bring his team back to the state bracket in the coming months. 5. Wootton The Patriots’ last season kicked off with a strong win over Einstein before the team dropped three of their next four. Following the slide, Wootton won five of their next six, including a 20-4 victory against Watkins Mill on the road, a 14-11 fight against Paint Branch, and a 17-0 home blowout over Northwood. The team went on to finish with an 8-7 regular season record, before beating Kennedy and Rockville in the regional bracket to win the region title. In the state quarterfinals, the Patriots had a tough seed, and were forced to face Sherwood, where they fell 15-0. The good news is that, after losing just three seniors, Wootton will return Bryn Priolo and Emily Liu, who were selected as first-team and honorable mentions to the all-division team, respectively. 6. Sherwood Last year’s 3A runner ups were the lone undefeated team from Montgomery County, finishing with 15 wins. In those 15, the Warriors plated at least 10 runs in 12 games, and at least 15 in seven. From the regional semifinals to the state quarterfinals, Ashley Barber-Strunk’s team outscored Atholton, Reservoir, and Wootton 35-0, before taking down the Dulaney Lions 2-0, punching their ticket to the big game. However, with the season on the line, Sherwood could not come through, falling 5-3 against the Chopticon Braves, ending their season. This year’s squad will be without several key members, including first-team all-met selection Keira Schlutz and first-team all MCPS nominee Avery Anderson, but all-division honorable mention Gabby Anderson will be returning as the team looks to make it back to the top of the state for the second time in three years 7. Quince Orchard The Cougars had a 4-3 start to their most recent campaign, including a 20-3 road win against Blake on opening day, plus a 13-4 road win over Seneca Valley and a 21-run shutout against Gaithersburg at home. After this start, Quince Orchard played six of their last seven games on the road, en route to a solid 10-5 regular season record. Despite this, QO would fall to the 9-9 Bethesda-Chevy Chase Barons, who were coming off a 27-23 first round win over Whitman. Despite the untimely ending to their 2025 year, the Cougars will enter this season without just two members of last year’s campaign, as they look to win their first playoff game since 2024, or potentially, their first state semifinals since 1993. 8. Clarksburg The Coyotes had an impressive regular season campaign, scoring double-digit runs in ten games while surpassing the 20 run mark in three, in a season where the team finished 13-2. Despite such strong play before the playoffs, Clarksburg dropped their first game of postseason play in a 4-3 loss to the Urbana Hawks from Frederick County. After having success in the regular season, the team will lose Sommer Witz to Shepherd University and Gabby Encinas to Frostburg State. The remaining athletes will have a couple of big holes to fill before kicking off their season at home against Churchill. 9. Richard Montgomery To kick off last season, the Rockets opened with a 5-0 record that included four straight wins with over 16 runs scored. After the incredible start to their season, Richard Montgomery went on a 1-6 run that saw a 19-18 home loss against the Blair Blazers, a 23-0 win over Springbrook, which was immediately followed by a 17-run shutout loss to Clarksburg. Despite the rough patch, RM went on a four-game win streak to end their season 10-6. RM took down Einstein and Wheaton in the regional bracket, securing them the championship, before the Rockets fell to Northwest 15-3 in the state quarterfinals. 10. Blair Last Spring, the Blazers opened with a 9-6 home loss to the Churchill Bulldogs before going on a six game win streak, including a 15-0 win over Northwood and an incredible 19-18 victory on the road against Richard Montgomery. Blair slowed down a bit, finishing the regular season 11-5, but in their regional playoff games against Northwood and Laurel, the Blazers outscored the two 32-3 on the way to a regional championship. In the state bracket, their run was cut short in a 5-0 loss against Churchill, the second of the season. Additionally, this year’s team will be without an incredible nine athletes from last year’s squad, which could pose challenges for head coach Louis Hoelman, as the team looks to get back to the state semifinals for the first time in a decade.

game is 6:00 at Blair

The Blair (Silver Spring, MD) varsity baseball team has a home non-conference game vs. Springdale (PA) on Saturday, March 27 @ 5:30pm.

JSpiegelman

184d ago

Heading into the final month of the regular season, Montgomery County has five schools that have reached double-digit win titans, while Whitman remains undefeated at 11-0. Fresh off a week off from last week’s snowstorm, high-stakes games are starting as early as today. Beyond top-tier games, multiple teams are vying for the county’s top spot. Here are the most important storylines that are emerging from Montgomery County Girls Varsity Basketball: 1. The county’s top tier teams are playing other top tier teams. On Monday, the first day back, 9-5 Walter Johnson will travel to face 11-1 Churchill, while 9-3 Wootton will host the Whitman Vikings, looking to give the team their first loss. Also this week, Magruder will travel to Sherwood, Clarksburg will face Poolesville, Walter Johnson will go to Quince Orchard, and Wootton will face Churchill. With that said, the undisputable game of the month will happen this Wednesday, as the county’s top teams, the 11-1 Bulldogs will face off against the 11-0 Vikings. The winner is set to take the MoCo lead. 2. While the top teams will play the top teams, programs on the other end of the standings will also face off against each other. The 1-10-1 Wheaton Knights will face off against a 1-11 Northwood squad on Monday evening. Northwood will then travel to take on the 3-9 Blair Blazers while Seneca Valley faces Watkins Mill. These are just a few of the games that the bottom county teams are set to face, all of which will happen in the first week back. 3. The Einstein Titans have been killing their divisional opponents. Throughout the season, five of eight of their wins came against in-region rivals. Out of their final eight games, six will be against their regional opponents, with the other two coming against Watkins Mill and Wootton in two of the final three weeks of the season. Despite dropping three of their last five, the Titans have a great opportunity to rise up the county standings. 4. Wootton’s final eight opponents looks to cause several problems. Each of their next four games will come against teams with winning records, including 11-0 Whitman, 7-6 Bethesda-Chevy Chase, 11-1 Churchill, and 7-4 Quince Orchard. Then, after games against Northwest and Blake, the Patriots will finish their season on the road against 9-5 Walter Johnson and at home against 8-4 Einstein. As the team looks to get to double-digit wins, these final eight games may keep them from getting beyond eleven, but taking two to three of the six should be considered a win for Wootton.

Blair is now 3 wins and 1 loss for the season so far

Final score is Kennedy won only 2 games and Blair won only won only 1 game which make Kennedy the winner

Blair is now 4 = 0

That's how we roll!!

In this rivalry matchup, the Einstein boys basketball team loses to Blair, 43-66, falling down to 1-6 on the season.

The JV Boys Einstein Basketball team loses to Blair 39-77, falling to 1-6 on the season. Photos by @png.joff on Instagram

Tough loss for the Blazers against a strong Urbana squad. The score was 0-0 after one quarter and 2-0 at the half which included a successful penalty stroke by Urbana. Blair held the Hawks scoreless again in the 3rd quarter. In the 4th quarter, Urbana hit their stride and netted four additional goals even as the Blair defense fought off several at the goal line. Senior goalie Noa Heirtzler had 15 saves and junior Pernille Holton had three defensive saves. We’re proud of the class and spirit exhibited by this amazing group of young women.

Severn Run advances on PKs 5-4

Way to go, Blazers!

Final score for Blair vs Wheaton Blair 4 and Wheaton 3

Northwood 3 and blair 4

Photo courtesy of Tino Pham. Blair boys’ soccer has only played in one match so far this season that was decided by more than one goal — its 5-2 loss to Blake on Sept. 10. The rest have been one-goal games, and the rest have also been Blazer wins. This trend continued Saturday, as Blair eked out a 3-2 win over Einstein, a team that earned just its second loss of the season. Blair’s Myko Idiokitas controlled the Blazers’ back line, assuming duties on both free kicks and corner kicks, while also providing a stifling, containing presence in the center of the defense. The Titans had ample opportunities on free kicks in Blair territory, but the Blazers swiftly dealt them away, either with its goalkeeper stepping up to corral the kick, or via some solid blocks. After no scoring in the opening half of play, Blair opened the scoring 13 minutes into the second frame. An errant Titans pass that was attempted to be swung to the centerback was intercepted by Blair’s No. 11. Streaking down the sideline with a defender approaching, the Blazers had a 3-on-2 advantage deep in Einstein’s half of the field. No. 11 crossed the ball into the box on the ground, and Blair’s No. 9 did well to let the ball pass him, making the Titans’ defenders freeze for half a beat. The ball continued on the the center of the field, where Oscar Pinto Acosta got his boot on the ball, burying it in the bottom-right corner to give Blair the early 1-0 lead. But then it was the Titans that bounced back with a fury. Just three minutes after the Blazers’ score, Einstein found itself with a penalty kick opportunity and buried it right down the center of the net. With this newfound momentum and energy, it retook possession right after the ensuing kickoff. Working down the right sideline, a Titan winger made a quick turn in the corner before lofting a ball into the box. The ball bounced off the top of a Blair defender before careening to the back post. From there, a Titan striker was all alone to control the ball and drive it into the back of the net, giving Einstein a 2-1 lead with 28 minutes left. But the action wasn’t done just yet. Blair returned the favor 20 minutes later, with just under nine minutes left in the match. After already having had a penalty kick saved in the interim, Josue Reyes Rubio didn’t make another mistake. Instead, 15 yards out from the goal, he pinged a missile into the top-right corner of the goal under heavy pressure. The goalkeeper didn’t even have time to react. Then the dagger came in the 10-minute overtime period. A strike 12 yards out from the goal that snuck into the top-left corner of the goal sealed the deal halfway through the extra frame.

Blair improves to 6-0 in a Friday Night Lights Match vs Undefeated Richard Montgomery!

On September 16, Albert Einstein field hockey team faced their DCC rivals, the Blair Blazers, in a rainy 1-0 victory. The game started with weather conditions riding a wave of changes, showing no signs of rain until it started pouring onto the field. Rain covered the entire field, showing harder playing conditions for all the players. Despite the harder playing conditions, Blair showing stronger resilience, taking 4 powerful longshots onto Einstein but were all deflected by #12 Lena Fleschner. No goals were scored this quarter, ending the 1st 0-0. Rain went from pouring to drizzling when the 2nd quarter started. A close call almost led to Blair’s first points, as an Einstein player collided with goalkeeper Fleschner while she was trying to save the shot, but Fleschner got an inch of her foot in and kicked the ball out of bounds. Fleschner carried the name of “brickwall Fleschner” from last year's lacrosse season, recording 7 saves alone in the first half. Both Blair and Einstein exchanged lethal counter attacks, the two of them taking shots that were hit off of the post. Time drained out for the first half of the game, with the score remaining 0-0. Defensive strategies were on full display from both teams as the 3rd quarter started. Blair would continue to remain in Einstein's half, but couldn’t find a breakthrough when Fleschener was at goalkeeper. Numbers were finally added to the scoreboard, with Einstein getting its first goal of the game from #15 Madeline Howard, taking a powerful long shot from a corner pass, making the score 1-0. Blair has looked like the better team all night, but Einstein Defense continued to stay strong. The 3rd quarter ended 1-0, with Einstein inching towards victory. The 4th and final quarter started with high competitiveness knowing the game was a 1 goal difference. Blair continued to control most of the quarter in Einstein’s side of the field. Many people within Blair were questioning whether the Blazers would receive a break through and get that ball through the net. A similar corner situation jumped into the scene for the Titans. Using the same strategy of taking long shots upon corners, two close shots were saved by Blairs goalkeeper Noa Heirtzler. 2 minutes remained as Einstein was slowly closing in on its victory, draining as much time as they could to now allow Blair one more chance. A final corner was called for Blair, being its last chance of tying the game. Blair’s shot went wide, ending the game with a major 1-0 Titan win over DCC rivals Blairs. The Titans move up to 4-1 and will face Rockville at home. Blair takes the defeat and moves down to 2-1 and will face John F Kennedy at home.

Wheaton Knights scored first Muhammad Omer scored 2 first half goals and Liam D’agnillo scored one in the second half.

Photo courtesy of Blair Athletics. Blair girls’ soccer is off to a dominant start — and still undefeated. In fact, it’s the only team in Montgomery County to have won four games so far this season. Yet for all its regular-season success in recent years, Blair has fallen just short of state title glory. That’s the hurdle head coach Robert Gibb still wants his program to clear. Blair is chasing its fourth straight regional championship, but this season’s roster looks very different. The team graduated 17 seniors last year, leaving just two behind — including captain Meron Koro, who is committed to Towson. Even so, Gibb remains optimistic. “I always expect greatness from my teams, and they always rise to the occasion,” Gibb said. This year, Blair’s road to state-level success could be a bit smoother. For the past two seasons, the Blazers played in what Gibb called the “Division of Death,” stacked with the county’s toughest opponents. But a reconfiguration of divisions has created a new opportunity: not only to improve on last year’s 1-3 division record, but potentially to run the table. Despite its heavy losses to graduation, Blair has carried over its winning formula. The attack remains potent, led by Koro, juniors Mady Martins and Elena Kleiner and sophomore Rayna Bernstein. That group has powered the Blazers to a staggering 19 goals in their first four games. Defense, however, has been equally as dominant. Blair has allowed just one goal, thanks to junior captain Camy Klinger and sophomore Tanamar Zahar anchoring a rebuilt back line. It marks the fourth straight year the program has successfully retooled its defense. The youth movement has been central to Blair’s depth. Freshman striker Rowyn Harvey has already caught Gibb’s eye with her speed and scoring instinct, while midfielder Skylar Songer brings pace and energy on the flanks. “We have a winning tradition and a confidence that we will always improve as the season progresses and will be ready to take on the best in the state when the time comes,” Gibb said. “We have great leadership from those who were on the team from previous seasons and former JV players who are ready to step up!” Blair’s versatility is part of what makes it dangerous. The Blazers can control possession, counterattack quickly and defend aggressively through pressing and trapping. But for Gibb, it all begins with defense — and so far, that defense has been flawless. The challenge will be maintaining that standard against a tough schedule. Blair’s showdown with Richard Montgomery could decide the division title. The Blazers have edged the Rockets 1-0 in each of the past two years. Battles with rivals B-CC and Churchill will also provide stern tests, particularly on senior night against Churchill. But the biggest hurdle is clear: Whitman. The Vikings have ended Blair’s state tournament run three years in a row — in the semifinals, finals and quarterfinals. Each meeting has been closer than the last, but Blair still hasn’t broken through. Still, Gibb wouldn’t trade his team for anyone else. “Don't take us lightly!” he said.