Quince Orchard Back on Top: Cougars defeat Wise, 24-13, for 4A Crown
December 6, 2024
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — In a clash between the two 4A heavyweight powers in Maryland, Quince Orchard beat Wise, 24-13, to reclaim the state title on Friday night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
The Cougars found the end zone three times on the ground – once from quarterback Travon Jackson, and twice from running back Iverson Howard. On defense, Quince Orchard did what it needed to do, and held the high-powered Pumas in check.
After the first quarter of play, the game was scoreless. Early into the second half, however, the Cougars broke the tie with a 1-yard run from Howard. The extra point from Evan Church gave QO a 7-0 lead.
Play was unfortunately halted late in the second quarter, as Wise star running back DeCarlos Young was injured after a pass reception over the middle of the field. Young had to be helped off the field and would not return for the rest of the game. Wise was unable to successfully move the ball, and the Cougars took a 7-0 lead into halftime.
Quince Orchard received the ball right after halftime, and on its second play, Howard fumbled, and the Pumas pounced on it. But, Wise was only able to move the ball 3 yards before being turned over on downs by the stout QO defense. Midway through the quarter, Jackson scored his 1-yard touchdown to extend the Cougars lead to 14-0.
As play shifted to the fourth quarter, the Pumas finally managed to cross the end zone. Playing in place of the injured Young, running back Kameron Parker scored from 2 yards away, and the extra point was added by Edwin Fuentes to make the score 14-7.
The Cougars added another 1-yard TD run by Howard, to re-gain a two touchdown advantage, but Wise answered back quickly on a 37-yard scoring pass from quarterback Eric Wedge to receiver Elijah Pedro. However, there was a personal foul on Wise for excessive celebration, and extra point was pushed back 15 yards, and was ultimately no good to make the score 21-13.
After a drive that was highlighted by three 15-yard personal foul penalties on Wise, QO tacked on a late 25-yard field goal from Church to take a 24-13 lead, and would win by that same margin.
Howard finished with 25 carries, 73 yards and 2 touchdowns. In a game that was significantly slowed by penalties, the two teams combined for 25 penalties for 246 yards.
Quince Orchard claims its sixth state championship in school history, and its fourth since 2018.
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