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Quince Orchard doesn’t lose video games fairly often. <\/span>That’s not hyperbole, it’s math. Within the final 20 years, the Cougars have solely misplaced 26 occasions. Simply 12 of these got here within the common season. John Kelley, getting into his twelfth 12 months on the helm, has 11 profession losses. Eleven. And since elevating his first state title trophy in 2018, he’s solely misplaced twice, whereas stringing collectively one spotless common season after one other.
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For many packages, chasing perfection is the dream. For Quince Orchard, perfection is the expectation. To beat them, you want greater than expertise. You want timing, preparation, and possibly even just a little destiny\u2013 an ideal storm. This system most frequently knocking on that door has been Paint Department.
The Panthers are amongst Montgomery County’s most constant high packages, however they’ve by no means cracked the QO code. Their closest brush got here in 2021, when Octavian Smith Jr. had the Cougars on the ropes. Down seven late, the Panthers drove contained in the 5. Yet one more push and the county hierarchy may need flipped the other way up. As a substitute, QO made a goal-line stand that echoed throughout the area, PB’s golden probability slipping away. The very subsequent 12 months, QO, older, sharper, deeper, rolled them within the rematch.
However right here we’re once more. Paint Department brings again a loaded core. Quince Orchard, in the meantime, is breaking in new playmakers everywhere in the subject. May 2025 be the 12 months the Panthers lastly strike?
Nobody questions QO’s protection. That aspect of the ball is affected by established names and future Saturday gamers. JMU commit Kacey Gilliam<\/strong> is the anchor up entrance. Jaheim Bond<\/strong> seems to be like the following nice Cougar disruptor, already holding a Toledo supply. The secondary has swagger with Rico Jackson, <\/strong>six Division I presents in hand, and the versatile Jaiden Hebron<\/strong>, who could also be their greatest chess piece. The priority is depth. The Cougars should exchange their total senior linebacker trio and a pair of all-county corners, together with Michigan State commit Aydan West<\/strong>. There are gaps, and Paint Department has the velocity to check them.
The larger storyline, although, is the offense. For the primary time in years, it’s a real reset. Gone are the family names\u2013 Iverson Howard<\/strong>, Mason Mizzer<\/strong>, and almost each productive ability starter from final fall. In steps Will Drakeford<\/strong>, a switch QB from Westlake. Drakeford has the body, mobility, and arm to suit QO’s system, however this might be trial by fireplace beneath the Cougar Dome lights. The backfield battle continues to be sorting itself out, with Good Counsel switch RJ Royster<\/strong> holding the within monitor however sophomore Jeremiah Williams<\/strong> lurking. Tight finish Diego Rodriguez<\/strong> is the lone confirmed returning weapon, and he’ll doubtless be the security valve for a gaggle of untested receivers.
The excellent news? QO’s line must be seasoned and bodily, with veterans Tristan Cabugwas<\/strong>, Nick Yale<\/strong>, and Rowan Myers<\/strong> paving the way in which. If the younger ability guys can simply maintain serve, that’s often sufficient for the Cougars to do harm.
If there’s a star with the juice to interrupt this sport open, it’s Alijah Bah<\/strong>. The junior RB is the true deal\u2014imaginative and prescient, endurance, and burst rolled into one. He can rating inside, bounce to the sting, or line up broad and torch defenses on swing routes. He’s the form of again who can take over a season.
And Bah isn’t alone. Senior QB Vincent Do<\/strong> returns with 4 of his high 5 targets, together with Michael Boateng<\/strong>, Joshua Biando<\/strong>, and Chandler Slade<\/strong>. The passing sport wasn’t all the time sharp final 12 months\u2014Do struggled with downfield accuracy\u2013 however with that continuity, the Panthers must be higher positioned to punish defenses that stack the field in opposition to Bah.
Defensively, PB has to switch Penn State freshman Yvan Kemajou<\/strong>, the havoc machine who made offenses depressing in 2024. However OLB Kaden Chapman, <\/strong>final 12 months’s sort out chief, is again, together with DE\/TE Daron Agbelese<\/strong>. The secondary, led by Boateng and Biando, has expertise, and new switch Phoenix Boots <\/strong>might add stability at linebacker.
The underside line: PB returns confirmed manufacturing on each side, led by a again who may very well be the county’s most harmful participant.
On paper, it’s the oldest story in soccer: expertise vs. pedigree. Paint Department has continuity, a famous person again, and a senior quarterback. Quince Orchard has query marks all over the place on offense\u2013 but in addition among the finest teaching staffs in Maryland and a protection designed to suffocate.
For PB, the bottom line is stability. Bah will get his yards, however until Do can hit throws when QO sells out to cease the run, the Panthers will stall. For QO, the take a look at is whether or not Drakeford and a inexperienced offense can keep away from errors in opposition to a disciplined, aggressive protection.
It appears like a crossroads sport. Both Paint Department lastly catches QO in transition, or the Cougars show, as soon as once more, that transition is a fantasy in Gaithersburg.
This sport has all of the elements for the upset recipe. Paint Department is seasoned, explosive, and motivated. Quince Orchard is younger, unproven, and weak\u2013 at the least on paper. However historical past is heavy. Teaching, depth, and tradition matter greater than rosters in September. And Quince Orchard not often misses. Prediction: Paint Department 20, Quince Orchard 14.<\/span><\/em><\/strong>
Prediction for all week 1 video games may be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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