Wise on top once more; Pumas beat Broadneck, 21-0, for state title
December 1, 2023
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A powerful rushing attack and suffocating defense were all that Wise (12-1) needed to rely on en route to a 21-0 shutout win over Broadneck (11-3) in the MPSSAA 4A State Championship game on Friday night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Led on the ground by running back DeCarlos Young’s two touchdowns, the Pumas made a statement early on defense. After both teams exchanged punts, a big punt by Wise pinned Broadneck all the back at its own one. Several plays later, Bruins QB CJ Watkins was sacked in the end zone for a Pumas safety, and a 2-0 lead.
The Wise offense seemed a bit off balance early, as the Pumas initially struggled to get anything going, and found themselves committing multiple crucial penalties. But just a few minutes into the second quarter, Young found the end zone for the first time on a 15-yard run. The extra point gave the Pumas a 9-0 lead.
Only a few minutes later, following an interception, Young once again crossed the goal line, this time from 5 yards away, and increased the Pumas lead to 15-0. The Wise defense would hold once more and hold Broadneck in check in the first half.
The second half saw some momentum starting to build for the Bruins. Tyler Hicks blocked a Wise punt, which set Broadneck up in great field position at the Pumas’ 21-yard line. But after the Wise defense stiffened, Bruins kicker Chris Coleman missed a field goal, and ended a promising drive.
Later in the third quarter, DeCarlos Young temporarily exited the game with an injury, but the Pumas didn’t miss a beat on offense. Running back Peyton Nelson added a third rushing touchdown on the night for Wise, and bumped their lead out even further to 21-0, following a missed extra point.
As play entered the fourth quarter, another hopeful Broadneck drive was short-circuited as Watkins’ pass was intercepted inside the 10-yard line by Tyvon Calloway-Toles and the Pumas could start to sense victory.
More penalties marred any hope of a comeback for the Bruins who, late in the game, found themselves backed up in a 4th and 40 situation. Wise ended that drive with a sack as well, and the Pumas ran out the clock on another state title.
It was heartbreak for Broadneck, who was in the state championship game for only the second time in school history, and first time since a 2003 loss to Damascus.
For Wise, they claim their first state title since 2019, after losing in the title game in 2021, and also pick up their sixth overall championship trophy.
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