Football: The Week Ahead

SMAC Football Preview — Week 8

Game of the Week
Westlake (6-1, 4-1) at Chopticon (5-2, 3-2)
Friday, 7 p.m.

It’s no secret that Devon Smith is one of the most explosive players around. Smith accounted for over 300 yards and scored five touchdowns in Westlake’s 49-14 win over La Plata last week, and has scored a conference-high 16 touchdowns this season. This week, the Wolverines travel to Chopticon, where the Braves will try to slow Smith and Westlake’s potent offense in a battle with 3A South significance.

Chopticon’s four-game winning streak was snapped last week by Patuxent. The Braves currently sit in the No. 4 spot in the 3A South race — the final spot to earn a berth in the playoffs. A win over Westlake would go a long way towards clinching a second consecutive berth for the Braves. Leo Kyte, the SMAC’s leading passer, will look to test Westlake’s secondary as Chopticon looks to topple its second Charles County-power in three weeks.

At 6-1, Westlake currently sits in the region’s third slot, and could climb into the race for the top seed by winning out the last three games. But before they can get three, the Wolverines need to win one, and a win over Chopticon would put the team in a secure spot in terms of clinching a postseason berth.

Other games to watch
Huntingtown (6-1, 4-1) at La Plata (3-4, 2-3), Friday at 7 p.m.
A year ago Huntingtown was cruising towards the first playoff berth in program history when its Week 8 clash with La Plata rolled around. La Plata took a wild decision, though Huntingtown bounced back and still made its first postseason appearance. This year, the Hurricanes will look to avenge last year’s loss and continue on towards a second straight 3A South berth. If Huntingtown wins out, it stands a good chance to earn home-field throughout its regional life by virtue of a No. 1 seed.

Northern (3-4, 1-4) at McDonough (3-4, 3-2), Friday at 7 p.m.
The winner of this game gets back to .500 for the first time since Week 2. Northern is coming off its second shutout of the season, a 35-0 win over Patapsco last week. McDonough is riding its first win streak of the season, with back-to-back wins over Great Mills and Thomas Stone.

Other games
Calvert (1-6, 1-5) at Great Mills (0-7, 0-5), Friday at 7 p.m.
Leonardtown (2-5, 2-3) at Lackey (4-3, 3-2), Friday at 7 p.m.
Thomas Stone (1-6, 0-5) at Patuxent (5-2, 4-1), Friday at 7 p.m.
Rockville (4-3) at North Point (6-1, 6-0), Friday at 7 p.m.