North Point outlasts Mervo in overtime to win 4A/3A State Title
December 5, 2024
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — North Point‘s defense held strong at the goal line in overtime to deny a Mervo two-point conversion attempt, and the Eagles beat the Mustangs, 21-20 in overtime, to win the 4A/3A State Championship on Thursday night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
In a game that saw both defenses dominate for portions of each half, it was only fitting that a defensive stop was the deciding play. The Eagles, who have been known for their defense, relied on their defenders to pick up their second state tile in three years.
The game started as a bit of a defensive struggle, as neither team tallied a point in the first quarter. North Point was able to reach the scoreboard first just before halftime. The Eagles seemed to figure something out on the ground, and a long drive was capped by a 7-yard touchdown run by senior running back DJ Brown to take a 7-0 advantage into the locker room. Right after the score, Mervo’s special teams were caught off guard, as a North Point squib kick bounced off of a Mervo player and was recovered by the Eagles. But, North Point was unable to do anything with it, and the score stayed 7-0 at the break.
North Point was first on the board in the second half as well after a 3-yard rush by Brown. The Eagles led 14-0 with just under six minutes to play in the third quarter. But, things began to change for the Mustangs. Mervo started seeing success through their quarterback run game, and Davon Smith was able to get free and create plays with his legs.
The Mustangs got into the end zone for the first time with only 50 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. Smith found Tywan Baker for a 24-yard reception in the end zone. The two-point try was unsuccessful, however, so North Point would take a 14-6 lead into the final period of regulation.
Aaquor Moses from North Point came up with an interception and long return, but the drive only resulted in a field goal attempt, and the Eagles missed it wide left. Mervo took advantage of the miss and carried their momentum downfield for a game-tying touchdown late in the fourth. Smith completed a 19-yard pass to Marquise McDougal and the two-point try was successful. The game was tied at 14-14 with just under four minutes to play, and would head to regulation with that same score.
North Point had possession of the ball first in overtime, and scored a few plays in on a 6-yard rush by quarterback Kyler Ferriera. The extra point was good, and the Eagles took a 21-14 lead.
Mervo got the ball next, and after initially being backed up, Smith scrambled and ran 10 yards for the Mustangs touchdown. Just as they had all game, Mervo lined up to go for two, and Smith took the ball up the middle, but was stuffed by the Eagles defense. North Point made the stop and took home the title.
DJ Brown for North Point finished with 18 carries for 138 yards and 2 scores, and finishes the season with just over 1,000 rushing yards and 13 scores.
North Point picks up its second state championship in school history, with the other coming in 2022 with a win over Arundel.
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