QO-Old Mill: Patch Previews 4A Title Game, Pt. II

Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part Q&A about the QO-Old Mill game. Part I was posted this morning on both North Potomac-Darnestown and Severn Patch.

North Potomac-Darnestown Patch contributor Matt Papuchis and Severn Patch editor Jonathan Moynihan have covered and Old Mill, respectively, throughout the season.

They continue to preview Friday night’s Maryland 4A Division state title game between the No. 2- and No. 3-ranked schools in the state, according to The Washington Post.

Patch: In a state title game, you're bound to see some potential collegiate scholarship players on each sideline. Who are the big time prospects to watch for each team?

Jonathan Moynihan: Rob Chesson is obviously the big one with attention from regional schools as well as west coast colleges. Terrance Brownlee and Rafael Kess are also guys to look out for with attention from schools like Virginia Tech, Bryant University, Towson and Rutgers. Plenty of other players, like Torrie Wagner, may head to Division I – Football Championship Subdivision schools or Division III programs.

Matt Papuchis: Marcus Newby is the guy to watch for QO. Only a junior, he is among the most talented players QO has ever produced. Virgina Tech offered him a scholarship last season. Defensive end Kieran Gregory, also a junior, is someone else to keep an eye on.

On the offensive side of the ball, tackle Brandon McDowell is a collegiate prospect. Some of the skill players to keep an eye on too, include receiver Matt Choi, Tyrell Williams, and of course Mark Green should be playing somewhere next season - likely the FCS level. 

Patch: The coaches – Chad McCormick, Old Mill; Dave Mencarini, Quince Orchard – are in fairly different situations. While McCormick has been a staff member at Old Mill for seven years, he is in his first as head coach. On the other hand, Mencarini is in 8th season as head coach for the Cougars. Each has won a state title with their current schools, but only Mencarini has as the man in charge. What does each of these coaches bring to the table. 

JM: McCormick came into the season as a player’s coach. His relationship with each player is unique and special and you can see that by how the boys play for him. In his first year as the man in charge, he’s defeated every opponent in his path swimmingly. His preparation is what makes him stand out and his Bill Belichick-like coolness helps keep the Patriots levelheaded even when things aren’t going their way.

MP: Dave Mencarini is the best coach in Montgomery County and he has been for some time. He runs an honest and disciplined program that values hard work and teamwork.  He truly has built a "program" at QO, not just a football team. This is something Mencarini has prided himself on. And of course, his numbers speak for themselves.  

He's 85-13 in eight seasons as head coach and has guided the Cougars to the playoffs in each of the eight seasons he has been the coach and in that time, he's produced six Washington Post all-met players and likely will add at least two more this season. QO had just one from 1990 to 2005 before Mencarini became coach.  

In 2007, the Cougars finished 14-0 and captured their second state title in school history. A win on Friday would put Mencarini in rare company as one of just a handful of coaches to win two Maryland 4A titles – a list that includes Al Thomas, Bob Milloy, John Harvill, Fred Shepherd, and Terry Changuris. 

Patch: Prediction time! Who do you have winning this game and why? Give us a final score and a player you think will have a big game. 

JM: It’s difficult to go against the team you’ve been following all season, especially with limited exposure to their opponent. For that reason, I have to go with what I know, and that’s Rob Chesson. I think it will be a close game, and Old Mill’s secondary may have to make some tackles against the potent run offense of QO, and I anticipate it being a close, high scoring game going into the 4^th quarter. I just think that Chesson’s 4.4 speed and explosive “now I’m here, now I’m not” moves will give the Patriots the edge with a big play when it matters most.

I don’t expect QO’s quarterback to do very much, but the run game could cause some problems. I wish I could give a score, but I just can’t without having watched QO. The Catonsville coach, last week, called Chesson the best running back he's seen in high school in a long, long time. 

MP: I like Quince Orchard in this one. They have a lot of great athletes, are well-coached, and to throw in a little poetry into the mix, Quince Orchard recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the school's first football state championship, when they won 34-13 over High Point in 1991. It's only fitting they are right back in the title game 20 seasons later. 

This one, though, will be a slugfest. I like QO winning, 27-21, and I think once again, Mark Green will be the hero for the Cougars with two touchdowns and more than 100 yards on the ground. 

Patch: Bonus – Is there an unsung player you think could make a difference?

JM: Deonte Shields could be a huge difference maker in this game. He never gets any love from the press because his primary job is play calling and handing the ball to Rob Chesson. However, there are a few deep ball plays in the Patriots offense, and QO will have to assume Chesson is getting the ball which could leave some receivers open downfield when running the play action. He has overthrown wide-open receivers before and if he doesn’t capitalize on those opportunities, it could cost Old Mill the game.

MP: I think a big wildcard will be the play of QO quarterback Billy Plante. Since coming back from injury on Oct. 21, he's had five passing touchdowns and over 700 yards through the air, including 191 last week against Flowers and 170 the week before against Churchill. Green has gotten a lot of the spotlight and deservedly so, but Plante has done an admirable job under center for the Cougars.

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No. 2 Quince Orchard will face No. 3 Old Mill on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens.