SMAC Football Preview — Week 7
Games of the Week
Lackey (4-2, 3-1) at North Point (5-1, 5-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
A week ago, it appeared this game could be the determining factor in the race for the SMAC championship. But after getting knocked off by Chopticon a week ago, it’s must-win for Lackey in more ways than just the conference race. Lackey’s star-laden defense will be matched up against a Ja’Ron Neal-led North Point offense that scored 48 points a week ago, and put up 24 on Westlake in Week 5. North Point’s defense has been formidable in its own right, holding high-powered Huntingtown and Westlake to 14 and 13, respectively, before pitching a shutout against Leonardtown last week.
An Eagles win would clearly put the second-year varsity program in the driver’s seat in conference and would also bolster the team’s potential playoff seeding in the 2A South. A loss for Lackey would not only most likely knock it out of the SMAC race, but could possibly serve to knock the Chargers, the defending 3A South champs, out of the playoff race, as well.
Patuxent (4-2, 3-1) at Chopticon (5-1, 3-1)
Thursday, 7 p.m.
Chopticon only bolstered its position in conference and in the 3A South with its 20-19 upset at Lackey last week. A year ago, the Braves entered their Week 6 stretch with a loss against Lackey, followed by losses to Patuxent and Westlake. With one of those losses already reversed this year, Chopticon could solidify its standing in the region with a win at home against Patuxent.
The defending SMAC-champion Panthers, after dealing with a slew of injuries to start the season, also need the win to remain in contention for a playoff spot in the ultra-tight 2A South race. A week ago, seniors Justin Ford and Marcus Bullock led the Panthers to a 28-point second-half outburst in a 49-21 win over La Plata.
Other game to watch
La Plata (3-3, 2-2) at Westlake (5-1, 3-1), Friday at 7 p.m.
La Plata played Westlake as tough as anyone through the season’s first eight weeks a year ago. This year, Westlake enters the matchup already with a loss, and needs to hold serve to maintain position in the 3A South’s top four with tough games at Chopticon and against Lackey looming in the following two weeks.
Other games
Leonardtown (1-5, 0-4) at Calvert (1-5, 1-3), Thursday at 7 p.m.
Great Mills (0-6, 0-4) at Huntingtown (5-1, 3-1), Thursday at 7 p.m.
Thomas Stone (1-5, 0-4) at McDonough (2-4, 2-2), Friday at 7 p.m.
Patapsco (3-3) at Northern (2-4), Friday at 7 p.m.
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