Following a week of shocking developments in the Maryland high school football 4A playoffs, the quarterfinals have arrived, providing another battle between two Montgomery County foes. This time, a trip to the state semifinals is at stake.
Churchill (10-1) will host Bethesda-Chevy Chase (7-4) Friday, marking the second meeting for these two this fall.
Following the second round, the state re-seeded all eight remaining teams, naming Churchill the top seed, and Bethesda-Chevy Chase the eighth seed.
The Barons started the season 0-2, including a 28-7 loss to the Bulldogs. However, they picked up steam toward the postseason and dominated Paint Branch in the second round, 24-7.
Churchill has had its best season in many years. It was only four years ago that Churchill finished the 2019 season 1-8. Now, they’ve won 10 games and have a chance to reach the state semifinal. Considering that Quince Orchard was eliminated by Northwest, a team Churchill beat, the door is open for Churchill to go all the way.
Additionally, CH Flowers was disqualified from the playoffs due to the use of an ineligible player. With that, the two teams who played in last year’s state finals are both gone.
The winner between Churchill and Bethesda-Chevy Chase will play the winner between Northwest and Broadneck in the state semifinals.
Churchill is led by former Montgomery County High School Athlete of the Week David Avit, who averages a whopping 188 rushing yards per game and has scored 29 touchdowns.
Offensively, the Bulldogs are red-hot, putting up over 40 points in three of their last four games. The Bulldogs’ lone loss was a 35-0 shutout by Quince Orchard.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Churchill High School.
