High school football games to watch: Week 1

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Finally, the nine and a half month wait is over. Summer passing leagues and offseason workouts have subsided, and live high school football with ramifications is upon us.

Last week, 12 private school games took place that included McDonogh topping Gonzaga (D.C.), 32-29, and routs by DeMatha and St. John’s (D.C.). Every other school in the state of Maryland and D.C. area will launch their 2016 campaigns this weekend, with a clean slate — an opportunity to write their way into the history books and make another push towards a championship.

Right out of the gates, many pivotal matchups are on the docket.

Follow us on Twitter, @MDSportsAccess, to keep up with high school football across the state and for live game updates of the marquee matchups on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

 

GAME OF THE WEEK

Kyle McFadden on Twitter

@MDSportsAccess GOTW features a #mocofb rivalry between reigning 3A state champ Damascus & 4A power Quince Orchard.

No. 7 Damascus (0-0) at No. 8 Quince Orchard (0-0), Friday at 6:30 pm (game story, game stats, gallery, highlight video, and live coverage will be provided)

MSA GOTW complete game preview.

Maryland Sports Access on Twitter

Who ya got winning the MSA Game of Week between the Damascus Swarmin’ Hornets & Quince Orchard Cougars? ? #DAMvsQO

 

MSA FEATURED GAMES

No. 3 Good Counsel (0-0) at No. 14 Mount St. Joseph (0-0), Saturday at 1:00 pm (game story, game stats, gallery, highlight video, and live coverage will be provided)

Preview: Two of the top private schools in the state go head-to-head as the Falcons from Olney travel to Baltimore and take on the MIAA stalwart Gaels. After a down 7-5 season and runner-up finish in the WCAC, Good Counsel has visions to reach championship form in 2016. But before that is remotely probable, the Falcons need to avenge a possible upset on Saturday afternoon.

 

NOTABLE GAMES

No. 2 McDonogh (1-0) at No. 22 Franklin (0-0) (game stats and box score will be provided)

Preview: Coming off what head coach Dom Domico described as the “best win in program history” last weekend against Gonzaga, McDonogh will look to keep the fire churning when they take on Franklin tomorrow night. The Indians, however, eye for a jubilant upset against the No. 2 ranked Eagles.

No. 4 Wise (0-0) at Douglass-PG (0-0, MSA bubble team)

No. 5 Gonzaga (0-1) at Riviera Prep (Fl., N/A record)

No. 6 St. John’s (D.C., 1-0) vs. American Heritage (Fl., 1-0, ranked 23rd in the nation by MaxPreps)

Preview: After a statement 35-14 win against Central Catholic (Pa.) last weekend, St. John’s will look to build on the first week win as they host nationally ranked American Heritage from Florida on Friday night.

No. 11 Bullis (0-0) vs. Pallotti (0-0, MSA bubble team) (game stats and box score will be provided)

No. 12 Bishop McNamara (1-0) vs. Woodberry Forest (Va., 0-0)

No. 13 Eleanor Roosevelt (0-0) vs. No. 15 Riverdale Baptist (0-1)

Preview: Entering the season as the state’s No. 5 ranked team in the preseason media poll, Eleanor Roosevelt will look to back up why they belong there as they face a stiff test on Friday night. Riverdale Baptist, meanwhile, aims to regroup after the 40-27 loss to Bishop McNamara last week.

No. 16 St. Frances Academy (1-0) vs. Paramus Catholic (N.J.) *Televised on ESPNU

No. 19 Fort Hill (0-0) vs. Brunswick (0-0) (game states and box score will be provided)

No. 25 Walkersville (0-0) vs. Gov. Thomas Johnson (0-0) (game stats and box score will be provided)

Preview: The fourth quarter for Walkersville in the 2015 Class 2A state title game was along the lines of a nightmare. With 12 minutes to go, the Lions staked a two-score lead, only to fall short of what would have been their first football state championship in nearly 30 years. On Friday night, the Lions will attempt to sequel last year’s Class 2A runner-up finish. They’ll need to get through the revitalized Thomas Johnson Patriots, a game Walkersville only won by six points a year ago, if the Lions want to start on the right foot.

Tuscarora (0-0, MSA bubble team) vs. Linganore (0-0, MSA bubble team) (game stats, box score, and gallery will be provided)

Preview: Linganore held off Tuscarora in 2015, 22-13, and staved off what seemed, at the time, a major upset. On Friday night, the Titans will enter this contest as the favorite to end their 0-13 record against the Lancers. Behind Towson commit Rodney Dorsey, the Titans have formulated a unit good enough to compete for the Class 3A state championship. Linganore, meanwhile, has lost 17 of their 22 starters and are led by sophomore quarterback Ryan Leyh and sophomore running back Davon Butler in 2016. Before the Titans are dubbed title contenders, they’ll need to get their first win against Linganore. As for Linganore, the youth will be tested to see if they have another playoff run in them in 2016.

 

*Rankings reflect the MSA power rankings released every Sunday