Game MPSSAA Class 4A Football States of round Round 3

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.