Solomon’s Six Total Touchdowns Give Mervo 4A/3A Crown
December 4, 2025
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Quarterback Jaylin Solomon tallied six total touchdowns, including four rushing and two through the air, and the Mervo Mustangs (12-1) defeated the Sherwood Warriors (11-2), 40-20, in the MPSSAA Class 4A/3A State Championship Game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Thursday night.
Solomon tallied 138 yards on the ground on 17 carries, and also passed for another 194 yards on 16 completions and was truly the star of the Mustangs offense on the biggest stage.
The Mustangs dominated the first half, and withstood a second half rally from the Warriors, to capture their third title in school history, all of which have come since 2021. Mervo also avenged an overtime loss in the 4A/3A title game last season and bounced back to reclaim the top spot in the state.
Mervo found the end zone first in the first quarter, after both teams had slow starts offensively. Jaylin Solomon connected with Dennis Perry for a 25-yard passing touchdown, and Lamont Smith added the two-point conversion to give the Mustangs an 8-0 lead, which they would take into the second quarter.
The Mustangs were effective early on at moving the ball just enough to keep their drives going. This not only was able to keep the ball moving, but it also kept Sherwood off the field. Facing a 4th and Goal, Solomon scrambled and scored from 4 yards away midway through the second quarter. The two-point attempt was failed, giving the Mustangs a 14-0 lead. Solomon would connect with Tywon Baker on a 15-yard TD pass, and Cleveland DeShields added the two-pointer to give Mervo a 22-0 lead, which it would take into halftime.
Sherwood tried to start the second half and gain some immediate momentum by attempting an onside kick, but the Mustangs were wise to it and jumped on the loose ball. A few players later, the Warriors defense forced a fumble and looked to capitalize on the turnover, but the very next play, quarterback Matthew Larsen’s deep pass was intercepted by Mervo’s Tyrell Ford, and the Mustangs grabbed momentum right back.
Midway through the third quarter, Solomon scored again from 4-yards away to give Mervo a 28-0 lead following a failed two-point conversion.
Immediately after allowing Mervo to score and go up by four touchdowns, the Warriors put together their best drive of the night. Finally driving deep into Mustangs territory, the Warriors scored on a 19-yard pass from Larsen to Tommy Hanrahan. Trying to make up the deficit more efficiently, Sherwood went for two and was unsuccessful. Mervo held a 28-6 lead heading into the final quarter, but the Warriors were setup with great field position after Solomon’s pass was intercepted by Jayden Sellman and returned 75 yards inside the Mustangs 10-yard line.
On their first play of the fourth quarter, Sherwood found the end zone again on a 10-yard pass from Larsen to Jefferson Serkfem to cut even further into the Mustangs lead. The score was 28-12 after an unsuccessful two-point try.
The next drive, Sherwood’s defense forced another Mervo fumble, and would quickly turn it into points as Frankie Saunders scored from 2 yards away and added the two-point conversion to draw the score back to one possession at 28-20.
But, the Warriors would get no closer than that, as the Mustangs took back command on offense and would score two more times in the final seven minutes of play, rushing touchdowns of 32 yards and 14 yards by Solomon, to take a 40-20 lead.
The Mervo defense was strong all night despite the fourth quarter rally, as the Mustangs held Sherwood to only 93 total rushing yards, and forced three Warriors turnovers.
Aside from Solomon, Kaden Foster also had a big night on the ground for Mervo, tallying 116 yards on just 13 carries.
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