Gaithersburg finds itself in a must-win situation entering Friday night’s showdown with unbeaten Quince Orchard at the Cougar Dome.
While the Cougars have already clinched a playoff spot, the Trojans need to beat Quince Orchard in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.
“They aren’t indomitable,” said Gaithersburg head coach Kreg Kephart. “If we play good football we can beat anybody we play but we got to play good football.”
Find out what's happening in Gaithersburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Gaithersburg (4-4) has taken a nosedive since opening the season with four consecutive victories. The Trojans – who have lost their last four games by a combined 20 points – showed progress in last weekend’s 22-16 loss to Seneca Valley, a game in which the Trojans jumped out to an 8-0 lead before the Screaming Eagles scored 22 unanswered points en route to victory.
“Those guys are outstanding,” said Seneca Valley head coach Fred Kim. “They are a very well coached football team. They’ve got great football players, some of the best in the county if not the state. The wideouts are unbelievable.”
Find out what's happening in Gaithersburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Gaithersburg has been led this season by senior wide receiver-defensive end Billy Brown. The 6-foot-5 two-way standout has caught 28 passes for 675 yards and scored nine touchdowns this year.
Simba Gwashavanhu, a Delaware recruit, has recorded 28 receptions for 437 yards. He caught 11 passes for 114 yards against Seneca Valley.
Senior quarterback Lincon Reyes has emerged as one of the county’s top signal-callers this year. He’s passed for over 1,400 yards and eleven touchdowns through eight games.
Talented sophomore running back Solomon Vault leads the team in rushing with 723 yards on 129 carries this year.
Meanwhile, Quince Orchard (8-0) boasts one of the area’s leading rushers in senior Mark Green who has amassed over 1,100 yards and scored 14 touchdowns this season. The Cougars boast several talented players on defense, too, including lineman Darnell Leslie and linebacker Marcus Newby.
“They’re a good team,” said Brown, “but I think if we play the way that we know we can play it’s going to be a good game.”
