By Jason Makstein Week 2 is in the books and our model has every score in the county. Here's where all 25 MCPS programs stand, how far each one moved off last week's board, and what next week looks like. Movement throughout is measured against last week's board. A team can win and still slide if the wins around it were louder. The Top 10 Photo: @moderatelymoco Full Movement Chart: All 25 Teams Photo: @moderatelymoco Why Damascus Fell With a 42-7 Win Damascus won by 35 and dropped three spots. That looks broken until you read the schedule.

Quince Orchard overpowered Walter Johnson 68-0 on Sept. 10, 2026. Quarterback Carter Daily was in command, rarely pressured and placing the ball cleanly as Quince Orchard surged to a 61-0 lead by halftime. Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Parts of this article may have been written using AI. Contact us with any issues or corrections.

Rockville High School overpowered Northwood High School 8-0 in Rockville on Sept. 14, 2026, ending the match early under the mercy rule. Early Goals Build Lead Rockville struck first with 31:57 left in the first half, when No. 11 finished a setup from No. 8. No. 18 doubled the lead with a long-range strike from outside the box with 11:15 remaining in the half, and No. 23 converted a penalty to the left side with four minutes to go before halftime. Photo: Matias / @visual.matz Second-Half Surge Seals Mercy Rule…

Rockville Varsity Field Hockey moves to 2-0 Rockville opened the varsity field hockey season with a 2-0 win over Poolesville on Sept. 9, 2026. JV falls 0-1 to Poolesville In JV action, Rockville dropped its home game after a defensive slip-up leading to a 0-1 lose over Poolesville. Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ Parts of this article may have been written using AI. Contact us with any issues or corrections.

Rockville rallied from an early deficit to defeat Wheaton 30-6 in flag football on Sept. 11, 2026. After falling behind 6-0 in the first quarter, Rockville's defense tightened and did not allow another score. Molly, Oliva, Caya score On offense, Molly delivered a series of key plays and scored a touchdown, with Oliva and Caya adding touchdowns of their own. Naz repeatedly made defenders miss in the open field as Rockville pulled away. Naz's open-field elusiveness Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ …

Rockville hosted Damascus on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in its home openers and came away with wins in both the varsity and JV matches. Varsity Press Pays Off In the varsity match, Rockville pressed throughout. The Damascus goalkeeper turned away several early chances, but Rockville eventually found the net multiple times to take control. JV Late Surge Secures Win The JV squad overcame a wild turn of events, strung together clean passes in the later minutes, and broke down the Damascus defense to secure the victory. Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ …

By Fernando Velez Quince Orchard routed Walter Johnson 68-0 in football on Sept. 10, 2026. Quince Orchard’s defense kept Walter Johnson in the backfield throughout, and the offense, led by the quarterback, Junior Carter Daily, repeatedly found receivers wide open while building a 40-plus point lead before halftime. Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ …

By Jason Makstein Week 2 of the 2026 MCPS high school football season featured decisive results across Montgomery County. Five MCPS teams recorded shutout victories, while Quince Orchard, Paint Branch, Wheaton and Bethesda-Chevy Chase each scored at least 50 points. Every game was decided by 12 points or more. Here is how every team finished in Week 2. Sherwood 21, Seneca Valley 6 Sherwood held Seneca Valley to six points in a 15-point victory. Photo: Kim D. Media Quince Orchard 68, Walter Johnson 0 Quince Orchard scored 68 points and kept Walter Johnson off the scoreboard.

By Fernando Velez Quince Orchard routed Walter Johnson 68-0 in football on Sept. 10, 2026. Quince Orchard’s defense kept Walter Johnson in the backfield throughout, and the offense, led by the quarterback, Junior Carter Daily, repeatedly found receivers wide open while building a 40-plus point lead before halftime. Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ Photo: Fernando Velez / @Shotbynando_ …

By Jason Makstein Opening night is in the books. Thirteen games, six shutouts, three decided by a single score. That's enough for our model to start separating the county. Here's where all 25 MCPS programs stand after Week 1, how far each one moved off our preseason board, and what Thursday night looks like. Movement throughout is measured against that preseason board. A team can win and still slide if the wins around it were louder. Where the County Stands Photo: @moderatelymoco Everybody in the top eight is 1-0.

Sherwood beats Magruder in the first game of the season for these two varsity football teams in MCPS. Picture gallery. The game took place on September 4, 2026 Photo: Kim D. Media Photo: Kim D. Media Photo: Kim D. Media Photo: Kim D. Media Photo: Kim D. Media Photo: Kim D. Media Photo: Kim D. Media Photo: Kim D. Media Photo: Kim D. Media Photo: Kim D. Media Photo: Kim D. Media Photo: Kim D. Media Photo: Kim D. Media

Quince Orchard opened the season with a 28-0 win over Paint Branch on Sept. 4, extending its winning streak to 28 games. Quarterback Carter Dailey, in his regular-season starting debut, connected with wideout Rafferty Bankert for two touchdowns. Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Indiana commit Rico Jackson anchored the secondary for a defense that delivered the Week 1 shutout. Up front, Pitt commit Jaheim Bond controlled the line of scrimmage, and Jamie White Jr. added steady work in the defensive backfield. Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Parts of this article may have been written using AI. Contact us with any issues or corrections.

By Noah Ploff We are just weeks away from the start of the NHL season, and the Washington Capitals have been making headlines all offseason to get ready. Several trades have occurred, new coaches have been hired, and maybe most notably, the Washington captain, and all-time goals leader Alex Ovechkin has decided to stay with the team for another season. Ovechkin had yet another 30 plus goal season, despite slowing down and his age. He also remains as physical as ever, totaling 134 hits last season. This proves that he still has what it takes to be a premier force in the league.

Montgomery Blair beat Wheaton 39-21 on September 4 in a football matchup that was tight through the first half before Blair seized control. Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron The visitors found a rhythm on the ground behind several long runs from No. 9 Lucas Copeland, and quarterback Malachi Rice connected on deep completions that flipped the field and the score. Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron K. Harris scored two touchdowns. Wheaton’s defensive backs were active and around the ball, but Blair’s vertical passing and late surge proved decisive. Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Photo: Aaron Tessera / @mp4ron Parts of this article may have been written using AI. Contact us with any issues or corrections.

Featured photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv Richard Montgomery hosted Damascus in a football game on Sept. 4, 2026. Final score: 55-18 Damascus Photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv Photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv Photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv Photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv Photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv Photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv Photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv Photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv Photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv Photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv Photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv Photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv Photo: William Douville / @picsbydouv

Featured photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Our Lady of Good Counsel edged Bergen Catholic 41-39 at home Friday night, sealed by a fourth-and-goal stop at the 1-yard line in the final minute. Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Good Counsel struck first on a Corey Smith Jr. touchdown and the game stayed tight from there. Backup quarterback Luca Cogliandolo threw four touchdown passes with no interceptions. Smith finished with 131 yards on five receptions and three scores. Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Parts of this article may have been written using AI. Contact us with any issues or corrections.

Featured photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ Thomas S. Wootton routed Rockville 47-0 in football on Sept. 4. Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ Wootton's defense kept Rockville out of the end zone and forced turnovers, stalling drives before they could get going. Wootton turned the extra possessions into points and pulled away for a one-sided win. Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__ Photo: Steven Del Cid Ramos / @stefickys__

By Adrian Hagvall · Featured photo: Adrian Hagvall Walter Johnson edged Gaithersburg 20-19 on Sept. 4, 2026, opening its first season under head coach Jacquis McCray with a late comeback. Photo: Adrian Hagvall Quarterback Luke Maynard broke free on a scramble late in the fourth quarter, setting up a go-ahead touchdown by Adonai Getnet that put Walter Johnson in front for good. A Gaithersburg player celebrates to the WJ sideline as his teammate scores a touchdown. — Photo: Adrian Hagvall Walter Johnson struck first before Gaithersburg rallied to a 13-12 halftime lead and held it until the closing minutes.

By Jason Makstein · Featured photo: @moderatelymoco Week 1 of the 2026 MCPS high school football season is complete, with all 25 Montgomery County public school teams in action. The opening week included a surprising five shutout wins by MCPS teams and three close games decided by two points or fewer. Churchill and Walter Johnson each won by a single point, while Springbrook held off Einstein by two. Poolesville was the only MCPS team to face an opponent from outside the school system. Here is how every team finished in Week 1.

By Jason Admin · Featured photo: Jason @moderatelymoco The MCPS high school football season begins tonight, and Paint Branch faces about as difficult an opening test as possible. The Panthers open on the road against Quince Orchard, the expected top team in Montgomery County and the two-time defending state champions. That makes this a good time to revisit a conversation we recorded last month with longtime Paint Branch head football coach Michael Nesmith for Episode 10 of Moderately Mic’d. Nesmith, widely known as “Coach Ne,” has led the Paint Branch program since 2007.

Washington finalized its initial 53-man roster and navigated several injury decisions ahead of Week 1. The club also announced a stadium-focused partnership and voiced confidence in its offensive line while holding a top-10 waiver spot that could shape last-minute additions. 1. Commanders Announce Initial 53-Man Roster After Final Cuts The Commanders announced their initial 53-man roster after final cuts, according to Washington Commanders.

By Jacob Halpern · Featured photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots At Blue Mash Golf Club on Aug. 31, Bethesda-Chevy Chase dropped its 2026 season opener to Walter Johnson. The Barons came up short against the Wildcats and will try to regroup for their next match. Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots Photo: Jacob Halpern / @halpernshoots

Featured photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Dunbar beat Quince Orchard 14-10 on Aug. 29, 2026, in a tight football scrimmage. The visitors edged out the hosts in a low-scoring game that stayed close throughout. Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Photo: Milan Yu / @caught_by_milan Parts of this article may have been written using AI. Contact us with any issues or corrections.

By Mason Holstein · Featured photo: Mason Holstein / @shotby.holstein Back to Back Champs Quince Orchard capped off their season last year with a 26-21 win over Flowers High School in the 4A state championship. This win gave QO their second consecutive state championship, and they have been putting the pieces together for another run. Photo: Mason Holstein / @shotby.holstein Replacing Will Drakeford The main question heading into this offseason was at the quarterback position. Senior Will Drakeford led the team last year with nearly 2,000 passing yards, 700 rushing yards, and 37 total touchdowns.

The Washington Commanders announced their initial 53-man roster for the 2026 season, naming Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota and Athan Kaliakmanis at quarterback, with receivers Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs and tight end Chig Okonkwo among those on the list. The team’s full breakdown, which also includes running backs Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White and Kaytron Allen, is available on the team website. Read the full story at Commanders.com. Parts of this article may have been written using AI. Contact us with any issues or corrections.