After eight wild weeks, the Maryland high school football playoff picture is starting to come into focus. Granted, it?s more of a hazy, trying-on-grandpa?s-thick-rimmed-glasses focus, but it?s a start.
One of the most intriguing playoff races features a tightly knit trio of teams from the Baltimore County 3A/4A Division. The fates of Towson (5-3) and Catonsville (5-3) of the Class 3A North Region are directly linked to that of Parkville (6-2), which is trying to earn a berth in the 4A North tournament.
Under the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association?s playoff points system, which awards teams various points for wins and also for the wins of defeated opponents, Towson has the best chance to secure a berth.
Currently sitting as the third seed in the 3A North, the Generals (6.25 playoff-point average) has the advantage over fourth-place Mervo (5.88) and Catonsville (5.63), which is currently on the outside looking in.
Mervo (5-3) plays in the Baltimore City Division I and does not play Towson or Catonsville. Earlier in the year, Towson beat Catonsville, 16-14, in the Generals? backyard.
With Mervo still having to face undefeated and No. 4 City (8-0), the Mustangs? playoff chances are on life support, considering their final game is against 1A Reginald Lewis (1-6). In all likelihood, the Comets and the Generals will battle it out for the last 3A North bid.
Looking ahead at each of the team?s remaining schedules, Parkville could hold the playoff key for Towson and Catonsville, which must both play the Knights in the next two weekends.
Currently sitting on the outside of the 4A North?s top four seeds, Parkville (7.50) is just a half-point behind the current No. 4 seed Kenwood (6-2). Unless teams in front of them lose, Parkville will need to beat Catonsville and Towson in order to qualify for the playoffs. That?s a tough, back-to-back stretch of must-wins for any team.
Meanwhile, Towson and Catonsville?s other remaining games comes against Dulaney and Woodlawn, respectively, two teams with a combined 4-12 record. For all these teams, the playoff picture will become much clearer after Parkville?s showdown at Catonsville this weekend.
