Quince Orchard

CHESTERTOWN - Getting scored on in the first six minutes of yesterday's state Class 3A field hockey championship game might not have been a bad thing for No. 2 Fallston. The Cougars responded to the early deficit with three straight goals and went on to a 4-3 victory over Atholton at Washington College for their second straight title and their 11th overall. The seven goals were the most in a Maryland field hockey state title game. Atholton came in as the underdog, but the Raiders weren't intimidated as Kim Markovitz fed Alexandra Durso for the opening goal.

For the Perry Hall Gators, last night was all too painfully familiar to last season. This time might be even more heartbreaking. Dominating the Class 4A girls soccer championship game at rain-soaked UMBC Stadium most of the way against seemingly overmatched Quince Orchard, the No. 2 Gators couldn't find the necessary goal for 80 minutes of regulation and the first 12 minutes of extra time. In the 93rd minute, the Cougars from Montgomery County did. Senior Brooke Manger put away a bouncing ball in front, sent in by Brittany Dorsey from the right side and passed along by Samerria Crowder, giving the Cougars a 1-0 victory and their first state title.

Old Mill's Rob Chesson didn't score a touchdown for the first time all season in the state Class 4A championship game Friday night, but the senior running back scored the only two points that mattered in the end. His two-point conversion run in overtime finished off a stunning recovery from 21 points down to give the No. 3 Patriots a 36-35 victory over Quince Orchard that polished off a 14-0 season at M&T Bank Stadium and gave them their second title...

The only season that counted last night for Severna Park's second-ranked field hockey team was the postseason. Forget about the regular season. It wasn't as successful as it usually is for the Falcons, but the second season sure was. Severna Park claimed its 17th state title with a 2-0 victory over defending champion Quince Orchard in the Class 4A final at South River. Hayley Rausch scored the game-winner just after halftime, and Casey Pohlmeyer sealed the win in the waning minutes, giving the Falcons their fourth state championship in five years.

Matches do not come much closer than yesterday's between Quince Orchard-Broadneck in a Class 3A-4A dual-meet state semifinal at South Carroll.Despite an early 22-point deficit, No. 4 Broadneck rallied to win six of 3A-4A the final eight bouts and pull into a 28-28 tie.But the overall victory went to Quince Orchard by the first tiebreaker criterion, as the Cougars won more bouts (7-6).Quince Orchard (13-4) then lost to Northern of Calvert, 46-21, in the state title match last night. Northern (16-2)

COLLEGE PARK -- Oxon Hill of Prince George's County ended two years of championship game frustrations, defeating Montgomery County's Quince Orchard, 60-42, to win the state Class 4A title at Cole Field House last night. Michael Sweetney led Oxon Hill (24-3) with a game-high 23 points and 12 rebounds. Phil Goss contributed 18. Javon Saulter led Quince Orchard (24-3), ranked No. 5 in the Washington area, with 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds. It's the first state championship for Oxon Hill, ranked No. 3 in the Washington area.

For Westminster's boys cross country team, it's unfortunate it was lumped in the same region as Montgomery County powerhouse Quince Orchard this season.Westminster placed second to Quince Orchard yesterday in the Class 4A, Region I championship. The Carroll County squad still qualified for the state championships Nov. 14 at Western Maryland College, where the Owls will try to defend their state title.In 1991, Quince Orchard finished second to Westminster at states.With a third-place finish, Westminster's girls also are headed to states.

What -- Class 4A state final Matchup -- No. 4 Arundel (13-0) vs. Quince Orchard (13-0) Site -- M&T Bank Stadium Time -- 7 TV -- CN8 How they got here -- Arundel: def. North County, 34-29; def. Broadneck, 49-20; def. Suitland, 14-13. Quince Orchard: def. Walt Whitman, 42-6; def. Sherwood, 25-13; def. Thomas Johnson, 24-7. State titles -- Arundel 1 (1975), Quince Orchard 1 (1991). Arundel offense vs. Quince Orchard defense -- The Cougars from Montgomery County and their 4-4 defense will be going against the no-huddle spread for the first time as nearly all teams do when they face the Wildcats.

Baltimore area teams showed little movement in this week's Maryland High School Football Media State Poll as last week's No. 16 Seneca Valley produced the only big change with its upset of then-No. 3 Quince Orchard. Gilman remained at No. 2, while Calvert Hall moved up to No. 4 from No. 5 and River Hill rose from No. 8 to No. 7 when Quince Orchard dropped to No. 11. Seneca Valley's rise to No. 10 cost No. 12 Arundel, No. 15 Westminster and No. 16 Old Mill one spot each. No. 19 Dunbar rose one spot while No. 20 Franklin made the biggest leap of any local team, up from No. 23. Mount Hebron, Hereford and Edmondson all received votes but were just out of the Top 25. Good Counsel remains No. 1. To see the full poll, click here .