Quince Orchard fullback Tyrell Williams steps out of a tackle en route to scoring a touchdown in a 23-12 state semifinal win over C.H. Flowers. (Toni L. Sandys/WASHINGTON POST)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
Tickets: $8
History: This is Quince Orchard’s third title-game appearance, having won titles in 1991 and 2007. The Cougars (13-0) trailed Arundel by 16 points in the third quarter before rallying to win, 36-30, and complete an undefeated season. Old Mill (13-0) is trying to win its second state title in three years, having beaten Wise, 17-16, in 2009 in its only previous championship game.
Watch for: Each team’s ability to impose its running game and catch the other team by surprise with key passes. Quince Orchard is led by running back Mark Green, the Washington area’s fifth-leading rusher with 1,841 yards and 25 touchdowns. He seems to be able to make big plays when most needed. Fullback Tyrell Williams also has emerged as an offensive threat, both running and catching the ball. Defensively, the Cougars feature a talented group of linebackers in Marcus Newby, Carlo St. Regis and Marty Heyn.
Old Mill linebacker Rafeal Kess sacks the Arundel quarterback during the first half of a 47-10 win on Oct. 6. (Jonathan Newton/WASHINGTON POST) Old Mill running back Rob Chesson leads the region in rushing, with 2,549 yards and a state single-season record 49 total touchdowns. He has eight 200-yard games this season, including a career-high 312 yards last week and excels when he can get to the edge. Focus too much on stopping the run, though, and quarterback Deonte Shields can find wide receiver Torie Wagner, who has 29 catches for 609 yards and nine touchdowns.
Skinny: Old Mill has only been challenged a few times this season, but the Patriots responded quickly on each occasion and have won every game by at least 10 points. It remains to be seen how they react if the game is close down the stretch.