Football: Looking Ahead at Week 10

SMAC Football Preview — Week 10

Game of the Week
McDonough (5-4, 5-2) at North Point (9-1, 7-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.

This game isn’t about playoff berths. North Point is already safely in the 2A South field, while McDonough will not make it this year. But with a win, North Point will complete a perfect SMAC campaign and win the SMAC championship outright in its second year — first with a senior class — competing on the varsity level. The Eagles could also earn the No. 1 seed in the 2A South and thus ensure home-field advantage throughout the regional playoffs.

While North Point has not lost since its 18-13 setback to 2007 SMAC champ Patuxent in the season’s opening week, McDonough heads to Waldorf with a little momentum, itself. The Rams, after a 1-4 first half, have won four straight and figure to make the Eagles earn the conference championship.

Other games to watch
La Plata (3-6, 2-5) at Lackey (6-3, 5-2), Friday at 7 p.m.
This game has as much on the line as any, as Lackey needs to win to reach the 3A South playoffs. Hanging on the brink of elimination, the Chargers saved their season with a 23-7 win at Westlake last week and now face a win-to-get-in scenario this week. If nothing else, one can be sure La Plata will make that task as difficult as possible for the Chargers.

Chopticon (6-3, 4-3) at Northern (3-6, 1-6), Friday at 7 p.m.
Chopticon needs to win to have a chance at earning its second consecutive 3A South berth, but will be left on the outside if Lackey defeats La Plata. Playing at Northern will not make the Braves’ task any easier, as the Patriots are primed and ready to play the spoiler role. Northern nearly derailed Huntingtown’s bid for the 3A South’s top seed last week in a 14-13 loss.

Westlake (7-2, 5-2) at Thomas Stone (1-8, 0-7), Friday at 7 p.m.
The Wolverines will look to get back on track after last week’s setback to Lackey. A win in this rivalry game will secure Westlake’s customary position in the 3A South playoff field, and likely would mean a first-round trip to Huntingtown.

Great Mills (0-9, 0-7) at Patuxent (7-2, 6-1), Friday at 7 p.m.
Patuxent stands as the clear favorite in this one, but will not be assured of its playoff fate until Saturday afternoon. The Panthers need Gwynn Park to beat Douglass if they are to make a third straight 2A South appearance.

Huntingtown (8-1, 6-1) at Leonardtown (2-7, 2-5), Friday at 7 p.m.
After a scare against Northern last week, the Hurricanes need to navigate through the final week at Leonardtown unscathed. While Huntingtown’s second consecutive playoff appearance is safe, a win would translate into the 3A South’s top seed and home-field advantage through the region.

Other game
Mountain Ridge (7-2) at Calvert (2-7), Friday at 7 p.m.