Safety Brendan Heyer running in a touchdown in a dominant 41-7 win against a now 5-3 Damascus.

by Reid Duvall ‘27

Varsity football is off to its best start since the 2017-2018 season with seven wins and just one loss, punctuated with a 47-19 road win against WJ. The team took a week 2 loss to Paint Branch personally, and has been unstoppable since. In the six-game win streak, the Warriors have outscored opponents by 190 points. They have held other teams to just 45 points, the same amount they gave up in the first two games against Rockville and Paint Branch. “We continue to work on the fundamentals that allow us to play fast and physical,” said Coach Pat Cilento.

The improvements from last year’s younger team can be seen in how Sherwood dominated Blake and Gaithersburg who they lost to last season. They also added blowout wins against Poolesville and at home against Damascus.

Against Walter Johnson, Sherwood established their momentum early as they got out to a 20-6 lead at the half. On the opening play of the 2nd half, sophomore quarterback Matt Larsen threw a screen pass to senior, Jaden Nix, who took it 65 yards to the endzone to give the Warriors a 27-6 lead. Later on in the game, a pick-six by senior safety, Brendan Heyer gave the team a 34-6 lead. After 13 more points in the 4th quarter, the Warriors blew the game open for the 47-19 win. “We moved the ball well and we got to their quarterback early,” said Quarterback Matt Larsen.

The conclusion of the season is against an 8-0 Quince Orchard team that is possibly the best in the state and just added a win over Northwest, another top team in the county. The Quince Orchard program has been a powerhouse in the state of Maryland, while producing a selection of big-time collegiate talent. Before their playoff loss to Northwest last season, Quince Orchard had a 39-game winning streak including 4A state championships in the 2021-2022 season and the 2022-2023 season. This year’s team is no slouch, only allowing 20 points all season, and is the top-ranked public school in Maryland. Sherwood currently stands ranked 2nd among 3A high school football teams in Maryland.

“Each week we have an opportunity to showcase our talents,” said Cilento. “We don’t focus that much on our opponents but rather on what we can improve on to become better. Our last two opponents present some challenges, but we will be prepared for both of them.”

The team seems unfazed by challenging programs, like 5-3 Damascus and the 6-2 Blake Bengels, dominating these teams with scores of 41-7 and 24-0 respectively.

The Warriors went on a 4-0 win streak that carried through weeks four through seven, with their defense holding all four teams to a combined seven points.

“Everyone is contributing, from the scout team guys in practice that give us a great look to the guys that are on the field on Friday nights. Each week it is a new person that stands out. The team continues to perfect their craft so they can excel.” said Cilento.

Sherwood’s playoff success has been limited in recent years. They have made the state quarterfinals twice and the state semifinal once since 2010, and last won the state championship in 2008. It has been a staggering 16 years since Sherwood football has claimed a championship, and 14 years since the last state semifinal appearance. This year may be different. The Warriors are looking to prove themselves in the playoffs. Sherwood has a shot at breaking through in the playoffs, and a strong performance against QO will be a signal.