To quote football coach Jim Mora, “ …Playoffs? You kidding me, Playoffs?…”. That’s right, it’s playoff time for Maryland High School Football. Each week could be the end of your season. Every bounce, call and play could decide who plays next week, and whose season is over. In the local area, we have four teams that made the playoffs. In the 4A East, the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference (SMAC) Champion North Point Eagles are the second seed with a 10-0 record. The other three teams are in the same region, the 2A South. Stone captured the one seed with an 8-2 record. Patuxent is in the second seed with a similar 8-2 record, and Calvert comes in third after finishing the regular season with a 7-3 record.

Broadneck Bruins (8-2) at North Point Eagles (10-0)
North Point finished the regular season perfect with a 10-0 record. With that, they earned their first home playoff game in school history. Despite losing all-conference quarterback Brandon Battle to graduation after last season, North Point came out firing the ball with untested sophomore Jermichael Jones under center. Jones responded with leading his team to an unbeaten regular season, and going 89-160 for 1573 yards, and 13 scores. His leading receiver, Devonte Young, is a transfer from Gwynn Park, and committed to the University of Iowa. They lead the Eagles against Broadneck, whose 8-2 record got them the third seed. They lost to South River on opening day, and to Old Mill Oct. 23.
Game Time and Location: North Point High School, 2500 Davis Road, Waldorf,  Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. 

Gwynn Park Yellow Jackets (7-3) at Thomas Stone Cougars (8-2)
Stone is coming off of another stellar year under head coach Paul Friel. In his third season, Coach Friel has led Stone to the playoffs twice, and the state semifinals once. His offense is the option offense. This season, quarterback Jon Harris orchestrated the offense to near perfection. Stone’s leading rusher is senior Daniel Lewis, a transfer from Tarboro High School in North Carolina. Lewis rushed for 1198 yards on 173 carries, and 7 scores. Lewis’ previous school ran a similar offense to Stone’s, so it was a simple getting used to the lingo for Lewis. On the other side of the ball, linebacker Hopeton Mair will look to slow down Gwynn Park. Mair had 124 total tackles on the season. Gwynn Park comes into the game with a 7-3 record; only losing to Suitland in week 1, the Forestville Military Academy in week 3, and Douglass in week 4. They are riding a six game win streak, and will look to upset the number one team in the region.
Game Time and Location: Thomas Stone High School, 3785 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.

Calvert Cavaliers (7-3) at Patuxent Panthers (8-2)
  In this rematch from week 6, a game won by Calvert, both teams will be preparing for war. Patuxent will be looking to avenge their earlier defeat, while Calvert will be looking to cement their first playoff win in 13 years. Calvert is led into the game by juniors Jack Lanham, and Levi Brickner. Lanham is the Cavaliers quarterback, and excels in their power run scheme. His big 6’3″ body can take the hits. On the season, he called his own number 107 times, and ran for 600 yards. He scored 6 times. Behind him, Levi Brickner ran the ball 123 times for 817 yards, and 4 scores. In the teams’ first matchup, Patuxent was unable to get Calvert’s offense off the field. Patuxent will look to do that led by senior linebacker Mikey Donaldson. Donaldson had 90 tackles on the season, and is the signal caller for the senior-heavy Patuxent defense. On offense for Patuxent, Jaelen Gross will look to quarterback the Panthers to victory. In the first matchup, he started, but was benched in the third quarter. He will look to finish the game. On the season, he threw for 1,286 yards on 62 completions. He also threw for 11 scores. His leading rusher, Chris Long had 822 yards on 124 carries, and leading receiver, Jared Massengill had 38 catches for 652 yards with 2 scores. This rematch should live up to the hype, and be a packed house. So, come early, and prepare for a crowd.
Game Time, and Location: Patuxent High School, 12485 Southern Connector Boulevard, Lusby, Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.