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This touchdown pass from Connor Frazier to Kane Brenneman on 4th-and-19 hoisted Damascus into the 3A West playoffs, giving the Hornets a chance to defend their state title starting with Seneca Valley.
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Region Semifinals Preview

Who: No. 1 Sherwood vs. No. 4 Northwest
Why: 4A West semifinals
When: Friday, 7
Where: Sherwood
What (is going to happen): Sherwood enters as the undefeated top seed and Northwest is coming off a 6-4 regular season and a too-close-for-comfort 38-28 win over Walter Johnson that propelled the Jaguars into the postseason. But while on the surface this may seem like it could be an easy match for the Warriors, think again.
Northwest put a scare into the Warriors in their regular season matchup, which Sherwood won 21-14. But Northwest had a touchdown lead and the two teams were tied in the fourth quarter before Sherwood’s Zach Splain rushed for a game-winning score.
Sherwood has its way on the ground last game, piling up 279 yards rushing between Dominque Davis, Steven Gamble and Splain. Northwest linebacker David Katembwe has emerged as a run-stopping machine since then, however. Northest QB Jarrhett Butler threw the ball 20 times while Hassan Dixon ran for 69 yards on 21 carries. Look for the Jaguars to try to assert that running game more.


Who: No. 2 Quince Orchard vs. No. 3 Wootton
Why: 4A West semifinals
When: Friday, 7
Where: Quince Orchard
What: Expect fireworks out of this one.
    Mike Mooney and the Wootton offense is a thrill to watch and isn’t afraid to take chances while the Wootton defense is also capable of making the big play. It’s problem has been giving up the big play, and that’s exactly what Quince Orchard has under center – Mr. Big Play Travis Hawkins. Hawkins lit up the scoreboard in his first game back under center against Richard Montgomery.
    Wootton nearly pulled off a Week 1 upset over Quince Orchard this season but lost, 26-21. The Patriots had a lead late in the fourth quarter until Quince Orchard running back Dawuan Genies orchestrated a long drive in the final minutes that culminated in a game-winning quarterback sneak by Kevin Adams.
    Adams is gone for the season, meaning Hawkins or senior Cody Schecter will be under center. Schecter defeated Northwest but the Cougars will likely need to put up big points to overcome Wootton so expect a lot of Hawkins.


Who: No. 1 Seneca Valley vs. No. 4 Damascus
Why: 3A West semifinals
When: Friday, 7
Where: Seneca Valley
What: This is the premier 3A rivalry in Montgomery County and once again should be thrilling.
Undefeated Seneca Valley has been the 3A West favorite all season, but Damascus isn’t letting go of the state championship without a fight. Damascus nearly pulled off a home upset over the Eagles on Oct. 24 but lost, 13-7. The Hornets, however, played that game without quarterback Connor Frazier, who will be back for this playoff game.
Frazier, the younger brother of last year’s championship-winning quarterback Kyle Frazier, was superb in Damascus’ win over Paint Branch that launched the Hornets back into the postseason. He converted on three fourth-down passes including a fourth-and-19 for the game-winning touchdown.
    It will be interesting to see just how much Frazier’s presence will change what was a very close game last time around. Surely it gives Damascus a passing game that it lacked then (Brian Lucas was running the ball nearly ever play and Seneca Valley was shouting it out before the snap).
    Seneca Valley has to be motivated to knock off the defending champs, who beat the Eagles twice last year en route to the championship.


Who: No. 2 Clarksburg vs. No. 3 Middletown
Why: 2A West semifinals
When: Friday, 7
Where: Clarksburg
What: Clarksburg went undefeated during the regular season and still didn’t get a top seed. That honor went to Century.
So now the Coyotes get to face 7-3 Middletown of the Monocacy Valley-Piedmont Athletic League (MVAL), who has losses to Century, Linganore and Thomas Johnson.
Clarksburg has dominated its competition all year. The Coyotes haven’t surrendered more than 14 points in a game and have more than 30 points in seven games. Clarksburg beat its final three opponents 111-12.
Quarterback Cody Martin has emerged as one of the top threats in the county and the running game behind Mark Small and Avery Graham is the backbone of the team, which is overflowing with speed.
    But Clarksburg only faced one team that finished with a winning record all season. Granted that was Wootton and granted Clarksburg did beat the Patriots 49-7. But still, the Coyotes haven’t had a test in a while and haven’t played a close game since Week 1 when they beat Walter Johnson 12-7, so it’s hard to say what could happen if Middletown gave Clarksburg trouble. Then agan, the reason why Clarksburg hasn't played any close games is because the Coyotes might just be that good.