Retooled 3A West Remains Competitive

The Maryland 3A West Region has proved to be as, if not more, competitive in football than anticipated when the schools were reclassified before this school year.

Along with Linganore (5-0), the region's undefeated teams are No. 7 Quince Orchard (5-0) and Clarksburg (5-0). In addition, Tuscarora is 4-1, which means that if the season ended now, Damascus (3-2) and Seneca Valley (3-2), which have been in the postseason 11 straight seasons, and 18 out of 19, respectively, would be out of the playoffs.

Clarksburg went undefeated the past two seasons, but critics said that, as a 2A school, the Coyotes weren't facing Montgomery County's elite. The Coyotes were reclassified as a 3A school this season and have demonstrated that they can hang with the big boys, defeating Seneca Valley in the opener and increasing their regular-season undefeated streak to 25 games. . .

In the 4A West, Churchill (5-0) has found its groove behind the tandem of running back Ryan Quinn and quarterback Alexander Cantor. Quinn has rushed for 642 yards in five games, and Cantor, from under center, has rushed for 385 (77 yards per game). Since going 10-2 in 2004, Churchill hasn't won more than six games in a season. At 5-0 for the first time since 1995, the Bulldogs are one away from that total at midseason. . . .

In the 2A West, Rockville is 5-0 at midseason, and the Rams' undefeated ways might not end so quickly. Their four remaining opponents -- Wheaton, Northern, Kennedy and Blake -- are a combined 6-14.

With the talented running-back tandem of juniors Crusoe Gongbay and Nate Nolasco, Rockville could go undefeated and make the playoffs for just the third time in school history.

The last three weeks of the season have some monster matchups. Seneca Valley, which has been rolling since losing its first two games, will visit Quince Orchard on Oct. 23. On the same night, Clarksburg will travel to Paint Branch.

The result of this week's QO-Clarksburg game will have a lot to say about the importance of that weekend's games.

The next week, Seneca returns home to face Whitman, which, aside from giving Quince Orchard its biggest scare of the season, losing 24-20, is perfect. Both teams' playoff hopes should be on the line with that one.

Meanwhile, Clarksburg has to bounce back from Paint Branch and go to Damascus. With a big chunk of the Clarksburg student population coming from the former Damascus boundary, that game would have high emotions, even if the postseason weren't up for grabs for both.

Volley for a Cause

The Paint Branch girls' volleyball program will host a "Dig Pink" match to raise funds for breast cancer research Wednesday against Blake. The junior varsity will play at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity at 6:30. Players will wear pink uniforms; coaches will be in pink; T-shirts will be sold at the game; and all fans are encouraged to wear pink.

"Two of my aunts passed away this year from breast cancer," said Panthers Coach Nicole Shields. "This event is for a good cause and will bring the team closer. We have set a goal of raising $1,000."

Baked goods, bracelets and other items will be on sale, with all proceeds benefiting the Dig Pink program. Dig Pink is a breast cancer awareness event run by the Side Out Foundation, a nonprofit group based in Annandale. Side Out has set a national goal of $700,000.

As of Tuesday, 725 high schools and colleges had committed to playing Dig Pink games throughout the country. Other local high schools hosting games include Annandale, Arundel, Briar Woods, Broadneck, Chesapeake, Churchill, Clarke County, Damascus, Fauquier, Herndon, Jefferson, Lake Braddock, Loudoun County, McLean, Meade, Mountain View, Oakton, Northeast, Riverbend, Severna Park, South River, and Wootton.