Cougars Speed to Victory

As Quince Orchard sped around, in between and past Damascus to an impressive 35-3 home victory last night, the Cougars sure looked like a faster team than they were last season when they rolled to 14 straight victories and the Maryland 4A title.

The person who could offer perhaps the most informed opinion stood on the opposing sideline.

"They're just as fast," said Damascus Coach Eric Wallich, the Cougars' offensive coordinator last year. "They've got too much. They're also very big. They're also well coached. They're the whole gamut."

After sluggish performances in its first two games, No. 1 Quince Orchard (3-0) showed why it is a legitimate threat to become the first repeat 4A champion in a decade by overwhelming the defending 3A champion. In fairness, Damascus (2-1) does not have the talent or experience it had last season, but the Swarmin' Hornets maintain as sharp a pedigree as any program in the state, having reached the postseason 10 straight years.

Quince Orchard's deep backfield had a chance to show its legs in the open field thanks to a terrific performance by the Cougars' offensive line, which sprung the backs for 263 rushing yards.

"The first couple of weeks, we haven't been able to get out in the open field," Quince Orchard Coach Dave Mencarini said. "But, hey, give us a crease and we've got a chance to pop one."

After spotting Damascus a 3-0 lead, but making a nice stand to hold the Swarmin' Hornets to a field goal, Quince Orchard drove right back behind three great runs by senior Dawuan Genies. Then, on second and nine from the 15, quarterback Kevin Adams swung a lateral to the right sideline to senior Travis Hawkins, who sprinted down the sideline untouched as the Cougars took a 7-3 lead.

With less than four minutes to go in the first half, on third and 10 at midfield, Adams backpedaled about 10 yards on a blitz and, with two Hornets in his face, flipped the ball over their heads to Hawkins in the middle of the field, who cut to his left and was in the end zone seconds later.

It wasn't all Hawkins. Genies ran for 147 yards on 15 carries, five of which went for at least 10 yards, including a 39-yard run two minutes into the third quarter to make it 21-3. There also was junior Ben Sasu, who added 52 yards. All three share one unmistakable trait.

"Explosiveness," Hawkins said. "Once we get past the linebackers, there aren't too many DB's that can catch us."

No. 1 Quince Orchard 35, Damascus 3 Speed on Defense, Too: Quince Orchard senior defensive end Jason Ankrah had two first-half sacks and was difficult for Damascus to contain. Can't Let That Go: Each of Damascus's four first-half possessions took the Swarmin' Hornets inside the Quince Orchard 25, yet they came away with only three points. "You're not going to beat that team when you don't capitalize on your opportunities," Wallich said.