2018 Elite Six Rankings, Preseason

2018 MOCOFB ELITE-SIX - PRESEASON

1

DAMASCUS (16 1st place votes)

0-0. LY: #1

Damon: The Hornets are the 3x defending state champs, tied for the 2nd longest active winning streak in the nation at 42, have the MoCo preseason #1 player in the county (who also happens to be #1 recruit in the COUNTRY for the class of 2020), DE Bryan Bresee and the MoCo preseason #1 RB TD Ayo-Durajaiye. What more needs to be said?
Key Games: Week 1 vs Blake, Week 9 vs Seneca Valley

JHB: This Team has been undefeated since Week 1 of the 2015 season and were were still undefeated in 2014's regular season. I'm not a betting man, but if I was, I wouldn't be putting is on that change week 1 vs. Blake.

M. Cohen: The Swarmin' Hornets have the nation’s best junior in Bryan Bresee, he's an unstoppable force. Damascus loses a lot, but have the talent to reload, and continue its impressive 42 game winning streak.

2

QUINCE ORCHARD (1 1st place vote)

0-0. LY: #2

Damon: The Cougars are coming of of back to back 4A State Final appearances. The Doc Bonner era has ended. But if history tells us anything, QO doesn't rebuild they reload. QO returns Delawarecommit DB Aaron Green on defense. MoCo top returning rusher, Marquez Cooper, and MoCo top returning receiver, Brendan McGonagle, on offense. 
Key Games: Week 4 vs Bullis, Week 9 vs Northwest

JHB: First time in 3 years Doc Bonner won't be under center for the Cougars. However, if there's a team that always finds a way to reload for at least the regular season, it's QO. Week 1 shouldn't be too difficult for Marquez Cooper and crew to steamroll over.

M. Cohen: Losing Doc Bonner is a huge blow, but no matter who is playing quarterback, they have great weapons in Brendan McGonagle and Marquez Cooper. The defense returns seemingly everyone, headlined by Johnny Hodges, Aaron Green and Seckret Murphy.

3

NORTHWEST

0-0. LY: #3

Damon: After winning back to back state titles in 2013 & 2014 the Jaguars have failed to reach the semifinals for the last 3 years. That may very well change this year. NW returns 3 of the top skill players in the state in MoCo preseason #1 LB Isaiah Bishop and Pitt commits DE DeAndre Jules and 4.41 burner AJ Woods.
Key Games: Week 5 vs Good Counsel, Week 9 vs Quince Orchard

JHB: The Jaguars return some studs this year on defense and have even brought some talent in, but the question is going to be the offense. Will Jack Anders be able to lead this team back to championship promise? Week 1 will be a good opportunity to getting things going in the right direction vs. Wootton.

M. Cohen: In AJ Woods, DeAndre Jules and Isaiah Bishop, the Jaguars have a trio of Division I caliber players (Woods and Jules are both committed to Pitt). The Jaguars will also lose its quarterback, Chris Craddock. Depth for the Jaguars will be a question.

4

PAINT BRANCH

0-0. LY: #4

Damon: The Panthers are looking to build on a successful 2017 campaign where they made it to the 4A North regional finals. This year they return with MoCo preseason #1 QB, Norman Douglas Jrand a stout offensive line anchored by OL Jean Germain.
Key Games: Week 4 vs Blair, Week 6 vs Quince Orchard

JHB: Paint Branch has a great opportunity this year to really takeover the 4A North of MoCo. They have a favorable schedule and with Sherwood in a rebuilding phase with coaching changes, there's most likely no better time then now. They open up at Northwood.

M. Cohen: Norman Douglas is back at quarterback for the Panthers. His list of college offers, only two Division III schools, doesn't reflect what he brings to the team's offense. Douglas' dual threat ability alone could carry the Panthers.

5

JAMES H. BLAKE

0-0. LY: NR

Damon: After a 1st round exit to eventual 3A champs, Linganore, the Bengals are not only trying to cement their status as one of the Elite teams in MoCo, but 3A statewide. Blake returns All-MoCo mainstay DE Max Tempchin along with, class of 2020 top recruit, OL Brian Hannibal. 
Key Games: Week 1 vs Damascus, Week 10 vs Watkins Mill

M. Cohen: The Bengals are coming off a strong 2017 season, and have a ton of starters coming back this year, including quarterback Terrill Simms Jr. and defensive end Max Tempchin. Blake isn't a tradition power, but they could turn some heads this year.

6

RICHARD MONTGOMERY

0-0. LY: #6

JHB: The Rockets have been a formidable force in MoCo in recent years and I don't see why this year will be any different. They've definitely got some real challenges coming up this season starting week 2, so certainly they can't afford to lose the opener against Churchill.

• RV: Blair (0-0, 13 pts, 7 votes), Sherwood (0-0, 7 pts, 5 votes), Seneca Valley (0-0, 2 pts, 2 votes), Wootton (0-0, 1 pt, 1 vote).
• Week 1 picks
• Preseason Moco Football Top 50
• New playoff teams in 2018
• Preseason All-State
• Class of 2019 College Offers
• Has Damascus surpassed Seneca Valley as the best of all time?

Damon Anderson on Blair: The Blazers fell just short of making the playoffs in 2017. Boasting a strong defense led by Kent State commit DT Oly Okombi and MoCo preseason top 5 RB Christopher Watkins. Look for Blair to take another step forward this season. Key Games: Week 2 vs Quince Orchard, Week 4 vs Paint Branch

Jason Hamilton-Brown on Sherwood: This year is going to be an interesting one for the Warriors. They have a new head coach, but Olney has a pretty good talent pool over there. Will they be able to return to being a state power? Only time will tell, but they better not overlook the rivalry vs. Magruder in Week 1.

Matt Cohen on Wootton: Noelly Miller at quarterback for the Patriots is a position worth keeping a keen eye on. Miller is the county's best wide receiver, but he'll be replacing Grant Saylor at quarterback. Offensive coordinator Chris Papadopoulos has been a passing guru, running potent Wootton offensive units. Miller played QB on JV, and should find success this year.

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