Players to watch
4A
QB Michael Janis, Churchill
With Janis under center (27 total touchdowns and 2,294 all-purpose yards) the Bulldogs have a reason to believe.
QB Norman Douglas, Paint Branch
Douglass is a three-year starter under center and believes this is the Panthers’ breakthrough year.
RB Marquez Cooper, Quince Orchard
Cooper leads a forceful Cougars offense with 1,414 yards on the ground and 30 total touchdowns in limited play this season.
WR/DB Isaiah Hazel, Wise
Hazel, the receiver/defensive back committed to West Virginia University, is one of the best athletes in the state and can score on any given play.
WR Ethon Williams, Broadneck
Williams is committed to Boston College.
ILB Johnny Hodges, Quince Orchard
Hodges is the Cougars’ systematic and emotional leader on defense, a three-year starter eager to finally win it all.
DE Deandre Jules, Northwest
Jules is a 6-3, 250-pound defensive end committed to Pitt who wreaks havoc and will need to continue to wreak havoc for Northwest, which has fallen from a 4A favorite to 4A underdog.
S Terry Jones, Mervo
Jones is committed to Old Dominion.
3A
RB/LB Desmond Shell, Milford Mill
Shell is a fixture for the Millers on both sides of the ball, carrying the offensive load out of the backfield and stuffing lanes as a linebacker on defense.
WR/DB Joey Felton, Linganore
Felton, a Yale commit who very well could be the fastest player in Maryland, has the Lancers thinking states or bust once again.
OL Brian Hannibal, Blake
Hannibal is a Division I recruit up front for the Bengals, who will need every inch up against the Linganore defensive line.
OLB Kameron Blount, St. Charles
Blount is an inside linebacker committed to Maryland.
DB/RB Deonte Banks, Edgewood
Banks is one of Maryland’s top athletes and so happens to be committed to the University of Maryland.
2A
QB Collin Schlee, Oakdale
Schlee is the top-rated 2019 quarterback in the state and has the Bears in position for their first state title. In limited action, he has 25 total touchdowns and 1,595 all-purpose yards with a 147.7 passer rating.
QB Nate Kent, Liberty
Liberty is heavy underdogs against Oakdale in Round 1 but with Kent under center, the Lions have a shot.
RB/S T.D. Ayo-Durojaiye and the entire Damascus offensive line
Behind the sturdy Damascus offensive line, which consists of four-year varsity player Elijah Baisden, Ryan Linthicum (offer from Michigan), Adam Gleaton (6-2, 220), 5-star recruit Bryan Bresee and Trevor Reinhold, T.D. Ayo-Durojaiye has lived up to his name. In limited play, he has 894 total yards and 23 total touchdowns. He also has three interceptions as a safety.
RB Wande Owens, Glenelg
Owens is one of the state’s top running backs and will go down, statistically speaking, as the greatest ball-carrier in Howard County history. The Gladiators look to ride Owens to their first state title.
DE Bryan Bresee, Damascus
Bresee is the best 2020 player in the country and the kind of dude who will play on Sundays.
WDE Deshawn Holt, Westlake
Holt anchors the Westlake defensive line and is committed to Maryland.
ILB/FB Maurio Goings, Oakdale
Goings, known as “Juggernaut” by his teammates, is one of the hardest hitting backers in the state at 6-1, 225 pounds. He also plays a mean fullback in short yardage and goal-line situations.
