Quince Orchard knocks off rival Northwest, 24-17, to remain undefeated
October 26, 2024
GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Two critical interceptions by senior defensive back Aydan West, including one that was returned for a touchdown, propelled the Quince Orchard Cougars (8-0) to a 24-17 victory over Montgomery County their rival Northwest Jaguars (6-2) on Friday evening.
Quince Orchard jumped out to an early, commanding lead. The Cougars took the opening kickoff down the field, and when it looked like the drive was about to stall, they converted a 4th down with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Travon Jackson to Diego Rodriguez. The extra point was added by Evan Church, and QO took a 7-0 lead. The Cougars moved the ball into the red zone on their next possession as well, but were backed up by a personal foul penalty and forced to punt.
On its third drive of the game, the QO offense once again moved into the red zone, and ultimately ended with a 24-yard chip shot field goal by Church which gave the Cougars a 10-0 lead. Quince Orchard would find the end zone again only 11 seconds later, as a Northwest pass was intercepted by West and returned 16 yards for a touchdown.
It appeared as though the Cougars were ready to pull away with a 17-0 lead, but the Jaguars were not going down without a fight. Northwest QB Jayden Vongprachanh-Nelson hit a 41-yard deep shot to receiver Rahmise Jones to get the Jags on the board.
After forcing a turnover on down, Northwest got the ball back with two minutes before halftime and a chance to flip the momentum in the game. Knowing they would get the ball to start the second half, any points at all would be beneficial for the Jaguars. Northwest was able to get the ball down inside the 5-yard line, and Sam McKinney connected on a short field goal to pull the Jaguars within a touchdown, trailing 17-10 at the break.
Northwest was unable to capitalize on receiving the second half kickoff, but neither was Quince Orchard. The third quarter featured lots of punts and penalties, with neither team able to get anything moving. Quince Orchard received another spark on defense from West, as an errant Vongprachanh-Nelson pass was picked off on an incredible one-handed leaping grab along the sideline.
The Cougars kept possession as play turned towards the fourth quarter, guarding a one-score lead. The lead was soon extended, as Jackson picked up a low snap the hit the ground, took off, ran to the right, and crossed the goal line for a 19-yard score. Church’s extra point gave QO a 24-10 lead with seven minutes to play.
But once again, Northwest was not done. Vongprachanh-Nelson connected on a deep ball down the middle for 67 yards Jones, who was dragged down inside the 5-yard line. A few plays later, running back Tank Rivers scored from 3 yards away, and the Jaguars pulled back within a touchdown at 24-17.
The Jaguars would get the ball back one more time with a chance to tie the game. After forcing a QO punt, Northwest had the ball near midfield with just under three minutes to play. The Jags moved up to the 15 yard line, but Vongprachanh-Nelson was sacked on 4th down, the the Cougars ran out the clock on a big rivalry win.
Quince Orchard looks to close out the regular season undefeated, but will face a tough road test at Sherwood (7-1) next weekend. Northwest finishes the regular season next weekend at Einstein (3-5).
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