Unbeaten Sherwood football faces toughest test yet in No. 13 Northwest
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Version 0 of 1. Last week, Sherwood went up against then-undefeated Springbrook and did to the Blue Devils what it did to its other three opponents this season. The Warriors put up 43 points by halftime and cruised to victory. But like the previous wins, the celebration didn’t last long. By 8 a.m. Saturday, the Warriors were back at the Sandy Spring school, watching film and getting ready for their toughest challenge yet against No. 13 Northwest (3-1). The Warriors (4-0) may be going through the same practice routines and film sessions as they prepare for a potentially rainy home game that has been moved to Saturday night. But there’s more on the line in this game, and the players are treating it that way. “From a mental standpoint it’s different preparation when you’re going up against a two-time champion,” senior quarterback Shawn Bliss said. It’s not just a chance to show that they’re the class of Montgomery County and Maryland football, but also an opportunity to get one step closer to securing a playoff spot in the competitive 4A North region, which left the Warriors on the outside looking in after a 7-3 campaign in 2014. “We’d like to put ourselves on the map out there and beat a good team, and show people what we’ve been working on all offseason,” Bliss said. Bliss has thrived in his first season as varsity starter, throwing 12 touchdowns and completing 74 percent of his passes. Playing behind a big offensive line — anchored by 6-3, 290-pound senior Charlie Siarkas — he’s teamed up with Travis Levy and senior receiver Marcus Simms to put up 44 points per game. Levy, a junior, has 602 rushing yards on 64 attempts, while Simms has seven touchdown receptions. “We’re going to go out there and play football and keep doing what we’ve been doing and hopefully that gets us the win,” Bliss said. Bliss and the Warriors won’t have it easy against a Jaguars team that’s exploded for 100 points since its Week 2 loss to No. 11 Seneca Valley. Senior quarterback Mark Pierce has grown more comfortable with the new personnel, while Khalil Owens and Juwon Farri give Northwest a one-two punch in the backfield, combining for 769 rushing yards. The Jaguars have three state championships since the Germantown school opened in 1998, but they’ve never beaten Sherwood. “They’re a good humble team. They know what they’re doing,” Farri said. “I hope to see the best of out of them, and I hope to see the best out of us.” |