1:41
Free safety Titus Till talks about the upcoming state semi-final contest Friday night at Sherwood.
More VideosView All

By James A. McCray III
Prince George's County, Content Manager

4A state semi-final
Henry Wise (No. 4, 9-3) vs. Sherwood (No. 1, 12-0)
Friday 7 p.m. at Sherwood High School

Yes, the kids may be at the table, yes they may partake in all of the Thanksgiving family activities, but please forgive them if their minds are not fully there, but for a good reason.

Thursday may be Thanksgiving, but it also represents the last day before the 4A South regional champion Wise Pumas will travel to Montgomery County to take on Sherwood High School (4A West regional champion) in the 4A state semi-final.

Wise, one win removed from its first ever regional title and two wins removed from its first-ever play-off victory, will make its first ever visit to the state tournament.

"Right now I am just excited," Wise linebacker Lumbus Burrell said, "but we have to come back this week and practice hard ... and hopefully we can come out with a [win] Friday night."

"I am really excited about Friday night," Wise free safety Titus Till said. "We are real blessed to be in this position right now. I feel as though we have played hard all season and this is a good reward for us."

Burrell and Till are each members of a Wise defense that has played strong since holding Eleanor Roosevelt from scoring in the second overtime period two weeks ago. The defense continued its impressive play by shutting out C.H. Flowers in last week's 4A South title game.

"Our defense, we just fly around," Till said. "When we fly around during the game, it never stops. It keeps coming and keeps coming, like the Energizer Bunny, it never stops."

This week, Wise will face another undefeated opponent in the semi-final game -- Roosevelt was 10-0 entering the regional semifinals -- as Sherwood is 12-0 and coming into Friday's contest.
 
Sherwood also has high confidence after knocking off the 4A defending state champion Quince Orchard 31-10 last week.

On offense, Wise will be led by running back Anthony Wright -- 1,565 yards and 19 touchdowns through the regional championship -- and quarterback Deandre Smith. Smith has managed the offense well throughout the playoffs as a dual-threat player from under center.

Thanksgiving is important as it comes around every year. However, for the Pumas, this first trip to the state tournament is sure to have minds wandering at the dinner table.

tmccray@digitalsports.com