A new day is dawning.
The football season opens for Washington County and Maryland’s public schools Friday, Sept. 5, highlighting clean slates and new circumstances for everyone involved.
Each team has something new – asset or obstacle – to contend with.
Six of the county’s eight schools will start new quarterbacks.
Three schools have new head coaches.
One school – South Hagerstown – is playing in a new, bigger classification.
But all eight are trying to find the formula needed to post a winning season.
It all starts now.
The following is a capsule look of Washington County’s teams:
North Hagerstown Hubs
Coach: Nathan Butts, second year
Last season: 4-6, lost to Oakdale in the 3A West first round.
Top returners: Garett Forrest, Sr., TE/P/DL; Ben Distefano, Sr., RB/DL; Blake Custer, Sr., TE/LB; Damean Thomas, Sr., RB/LB; James Jackson, Sr., RB/LB; Bryant Noubissie, Sr., WR/LB; Ty Fauntleroy, Sr., RB/LB; Gary Fisher, Sr., OL/DL; Michael Stewart, Jr., RB/DB; Tai Gilliam, Sr., WR/DB.
Key losses: Khalil Peggues, WR/DB; Xavier Ferguson, OL/DL; Joseph Holt, OL/DL; Amauri Murray, WR/CB.
Notes: There is an air of optimism at North because a large number experienced senior players returning after a year of playing under Butts. … After starting out 0-4 in Butts’ first season, the Hubs won four of their last five regular-season games before losing to Oakdale in the playoffs. … North enjoyed some strong seasons in the early 2000s, but since 2006, the Hubs are 28-74. Their last winning season was 2013 (6-4) … Two of North’s six losses were by one point and two others were seven points or less … North needs to replace quarterback Logan Hoffman, who graduated. Hoffman was fifth in the county in passing yards, fourth in touchdowns and completions and ranked third in completion percentage. Junior Colt Butts is scheduled to take the job. Butts is the coach’s son … Jackson was fifth-leading scorer in the county and was one of three backs who led the Hubs with 300-plus yards rushing. He was third in the county, averaging 784.3 rushing yards per game … The Hubs look to replace Peggues, who graduated after ranking second with 35 receptions and third in receiving yards in the county. The next highest was Ty Fauntleroy, with eight catches … North’s defense will be anchored by Thomas, who was Washington County’s co-defensive player of the year. He ranked fourth in the county with 105 tackles, an average of 11.7 per game. … Distefano and Custer are also returning all-county first team defensive players along with Forrest on special teams.
North Hagerstown football schedule
- Sept. 5 at Tuscarora, 6:30 p.m.
- Sept. 12 vs. Manchester Valley, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 19 at Thomas Johnson, 6:30 p.m.
- Sept. 26 vs. Central Woodstock, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 3 at Century, 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 10 vs. Williamsport, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 17 at Fort Hill, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 24 at Boonsboro, 7 p.m.
- Nov. 1 vs. South Hagerstown, 1 p.m.
Smithsburg Leopards
Coach: David Lawrence, first year
Last season: 1-8, elected not to participate in playoffs.
Top returners: Hunter Drill, Sr., TE/DL; Anthony Villalobos, Sr., OL/DL; Gabe Stevens, Sr., OL/DL.
Key losses: Zac Smith, WR/DB; Ayden Weakfall, WR/LB; Tyler Ward, FB/LB; Chase Hill, WR/LB.
Notes: Lawrence returns to the sidelines after coaching at South Hagerstown from 2018-23, where he had a 26-21 record. … Lawrence replaces David Miller, who stepped down after three seasons. … Goal is to rebuild the once-prominent program, which won five of the county’s seven from 1976-94. The Leopards have had just six winning seasons since 1994. The last season the Leopards topped .500 was 2015 (6-4) … Smithburg was 1-9 last year with its only win came by forfeit. The Leopards were outscored 313-40 last season … Smithsburg lost all of its top statistical leaders to graduation. It included RB Vinny Roncone (4.6 yards rushing per carry – 22nd in county), Weakfall (19 receptions – seventh; 332 receiving yards – seventh; 47.4 receiving yards per game – fifth), Hill (2 TD receptions – tied eighth) QB Carter Nesbitt (3 TD passes – seventh; 31 completions – seventh), Ward (77 tackles – seventh; 8.6 tackles per game – eighth), Smith (71 tackles 71 -10th; 3 interceptions – tied third) … Smith was the only Leopard to the All-County football team, chosen by coaches.
Schedule
- Sept. 5 vs. Francis Scott Key, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 12 at Williamsport, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 19 vs. Berkeley Springs, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 26 at Brunswick, 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 3 at Poolesville, 6:45 p.m.
- Oct. 10 vs. Clear Spring, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 17 vs. Catoctin, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 24 at Fort Hill, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 31 at Boonsboro 7 p.m.
South Hagerstown Rebels
Coach: Juwuane Sandridge, third year
Last season: 1-9, lost to Linganore in the 3A West first round.
Top returners: JoJo Davis, Sr., RB/DB; Logan Hammond, Sr., OL/DL; Jameir Simms, Sr., WR/DB; John Dahler, Jr., RB/LB.
Key losses: R.J. Franklin, OL/DL; Brayden Sisk, P/LB; Michael Owens Jr., QB; Cahauri Alford, WR; Gideon Notarianni Stephens, DB.
Notes: The Rebels face a new landscape this season as South has been elevated status after the state’s reclassification process. South is now among the largest schools in the state, playing among a new group of playoff competitors. … South enters the season on a nine-game losing streak. Its only victory came against Century in the 2024 season opener. … South was outscored 325-84 last season. The Rebels lost two one-score games and were shutout three times. … The Rebels haven’t enjoyed a winning record since going 9-2 in 2019. They are 15-28 since then, but have had two 5-5 seasons. … Davis ranked fourth on Washington County’s rushing list with 623 yards and led South with six rushing touchdowns. … Dahler is South’s top returnee on defense. He ranked fifth in the county with 80 tackles (8.9 per game), including five for losses. He lost his support, though, as Sisk and Notarianni Stephens were also among the county’s top 10 tacklers.
South Hagerstown football schedule
- Sept. 5 vs. Century, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 12 at Francis Scott Key, 6:30 p.m.
- Sept. 19 vs. Frederick, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 26 at Thomas Johnson, 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 3 at Catoctin, 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 10 vs. TBD
- Oct. 17 at Williamsport, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 24 vs. Liberty, 6 p.m.
- Nov. 1 at North Hagerstown, 1 p.m.
Other Washington County teams
Boonsboro Warriors
Coach: Mark Wadel, fourth year
Last season: 10-2, defeated Catoctin 42-14 in 1A North first round, beat Brunswick 34-22 in second round, lost to Northern Garrett 49-0 in state quarterfinals.
Top returners: Parker DeBaugh, Sr., RB/DB; Austin Dinsmore, Sr., OL/DL; Logan Atkinson, Sr., QB/RB/LB; Jayden Paugh, Jr., RB/DB; Blake Main, Jr., QB/DB; Jadon King, Sr., RB/LB; JT Griffith, Jr., OL/LB; Steve Lapole, Sr., OL/DL.
Key losses: Russell Colliere, RB/LB; Graham McLean, OL/DL; Trevor Sowers, TE/LB; Colin Telemeco, QB; Keith Snoots, OL/DL; Owen Hardy, K; Hayden Ritchie, RB/LB; Matt McAfee, WR/DB.
Notes: The Warriors were the class of Washington County with the best record by 2 ½ games … They made the counties deepest run in the state playoffs since Williamsport reached the Class 2A state quarterfinals in 2022. South was the last team to reach the state semifinals in 2002, but Boonsboro reached that level in 2001. … Despite a sizeable departure of last year’s senior class, the cupboard isn’t bare for the Warriors. Boonsboro has DeBaugh returning, who was the county’s co-offensive player of the year. DeBaugh led the county in points scored (114), touchdowns (19), rushing touchdowns (16) and was second to departed teammate Colliere in rushing yards per game (79). He was third in rushing yards (711). … Blake returns as Boonsboro’s top receiver after ranking sixth in catches (21) and seventh in yardage (311) … Boonsboro will look to replace Telemeco at quarterback, who was in the top five in six passing categories. Atkinson and Main are top candidates for the job… On defense, linebacker Atkinson and defensive back Paugh were named to All-County first team. Offensive lineman Dinsmore earned all-county first team and Class 1A all-state honors. … Boonsboro’s schedule is an interesting, more difficult mix. One change, though, is a swap of opening and fourth games of the season. Catoctin had been almost a traditional opener for the Warriors while Middletown has been slotted as the fourth game. This year, the Knights host Boonsboro in Week 1, while the Cougars slide in as the last game in September.
Boonsboro football schedule
- Sept. 5 at Middletown, 6:30 p.m.
- Sept. 12 vs. Mountain Ridge, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 19 vs. Brunswick, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 26 at Catoctin, 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 3 vs. Williamsport, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 10 at Musselman, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 17 at SEED, 4:30 p.m.
- Oct. 24 vs. North Hagerstown, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 31 vs. Smithsburg, 7 p.m.
Clear Spring Blazers
Coach: Curtis Keller, third year
Last season: 6-4, lost to Fort Hill in the 1A West second round after a first-round bye.
Top returners: Kayden Selby, Sr., TE/LB; Alex Matthews, Sr., RB/DB; Will Bennett, Sr., WR/DB; Brooks Myers, Sr., OL/DL; Camden Whittington, Sr., RB/LB; Izaiah Evans, Sr., WR/DB; Scott Craig, Sr., OL/DL.
Key losses: Hayden Hodge, QB/K/P; Javin Grimes, RB/DL; Nick Cullember, OL/DL; Sam Shank, OL/DL; Seth Possinger, TE/LB; Logan Fair, RB/LB; Joseph Torres, WR/DB; Mason Brezler, TE/LB.
Notes: The Blazers, who started playing football in 2004, tied their all-time best record of 6-4 last season. The only other time Clear Spring reached that mark was 2010, although it has been 5-5 on four other occasions. It started with a 3-0 record last season. … The Blazers also made their third-ever playoff appearance in the last six seasons. … Matthews returns as Clear Spring’s top offensive threat after finishing sixth in the county rushing standings (533 yards), adding nine TDs and 54 points. He is also a defensive back and the team’s top returning tackler. … Selby is the top returning linebacker after collecting 44 tackles last season … Matthews and Selby were both selected to the Coaches All-County First Team on defense.
Clear Spring football schedule
- Sept. 5 vs. Green Street Academy, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 12 at Berkeley Springs, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 19 at Everett, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 26 at Mountain Ridge, 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 3 vs. Albert Gallatin, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 10 at Smithsburg, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 17 vs. Tussey Mountain, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 24 vs. Southern Huntingdon, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 31 at Hancock, 7 p.m.
Hancock Panthers
Coach: Greg Cartrette, first year
Last season: 3-6, opted out of the 1A West playoffs.
Top returners: Jayten McCarty, Jr., RB/LB; Tyler Clingerman, Sr., RB/LB; Nick McCusker, Jr., OL/DL; Ethan Hill, Sr., TE/LB; Landyn Clark, Sr., WR/DB; Logan Hendershot, Jr., QB/LB.
Key losses: Aiden McCarty, QB/RB/LB; Brody Stratton, OL/DL; Shawn Thomas, WR/DB; Jacob Anderson, RB/DB; Caden Miller, WR/DB.
Notes: Cartrette takes over of the program at the smallest public high school in Maryland. He replaced Ron Hare. … Limited roster numbers make success tough on the Panthers. Hancock hasn’t won more than three games since 2015, when it went 6-4. That was the end of a three-year run when the Panthers were a combined 21-10. … Since 2015, Hancock is 11-57. … Hancock has only 16 players on the roster this season … Jayten McCarty becomes one of Hancock’s focal points. The junior is the top returning rusher after amassing 305 yards last season. Tyler Clingerman added 227 yards as both were among Washington County’s top 25 backs. … McCarty is also Hancock’s top returning tackler with 52 hits last season. Hendershot, a returning linebacker, was second with 46 stops.
Hancock football schedule
- Sept. 5 at Berkeley Springs, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 12 vs. Southern Garrett, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 19 at Northern Garrett, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 26 at Bath County, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 3 at North Star, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 10 vs. Stonewall Jackson, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 16 vs. Madonna, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 24 vs. Expression Prep, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 31 vs. Clear Spring, 7 p.m.
Saint James Saints
Coach: Colin Ponder, first year
Last season: 6-4
Top returners: Jayden Yates, Sr., QB/DB; Liam Hall, Sr., RB/LB; Xavier Colbert, Sr., TE/DB; Max Vivier, Sr., OL/DL; Will Taffe, Jr., WR/DB; Calvin Moss, Jr., WR/DB; Aiden Carter, Jr., OL/DL; Josh Davies, Jr., RB/LB; Khari Yates, So., WR/LB; Keenen Braylock, Jr., WR/DB; Marcello Anderson, Jr., WR/DB.
Key losses: Sam Stonebraker, RB/LB; Alex Fletcher, OL/DL; Jorge Diaz Nicolas, K.
Notes: Ponder spent eight seasons as the Saints defensive coordinator before taking the reins from former coach John Root. Root guided the Saints to a 61-45 record on teams that included wide receiver John Metchee, who now plays for the Houston Texans. … The Saints have posted winning records in eight of the last nine seasons, including five in a row … The Saints must fill holes caused by the graduation of leading rusher Stonebraker and kicker Diaz Nicolas. Stonebraker was the county’s second-leading rusher with 724 yards and scored a second-best 12 touchdowns. Diaz Nicolas was the county’s fourth-leading scorer with 67 points … Yates returns for his fourth season with the Saints. He rushed for 581 yards and passed for 1,206 (second best in the county) last season and had a hand in 18 TDs … Hall returns for Saint James’ defense after posting a county-best 123 tackles last season. It included 12 tackles for losses. … Meanwhile, Vivier, who committed to UConn, collected 41 tackles as a sophomore and was selected to the coaches All-County first team.
Saint James football schedule (0-1)
- Aug. 30 – lost to Archbishop Curley, 30-28
- Sept. 5 at Paul VI, 7 p.m.
- Sept. 13 at Kiski, 1 p.m.
- Sept. 19 at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, 7:30 p.m.
- Sep. 27 vs. Wyoming Seminary, 2 p.m.
- Oct. 2 vs. Brunswick, 4 p.m.
- Oct. 11 vs. Maret, 1 p.m.
- Oct. 25 vs. Potomac School, 1 p.m.
- Nov. 1 at Flint Hill, 1 p.m.
Williamsport Wildcats
Coach: Tim Small, 11th year
Last season: 7-4, lost to Liberty 36-28 in second round.
Top returners: Gabe Parker, Sr., QB; David Grayton, Sr., WR/DB; Xavier Bowie, Jr., OL/DL; Tyson Cleary, Jr., OL/LB; Jordan Wigfall, Sr., WR/DB; Parker Abbott, Sr., OL/DL; Taemyji Boyce-Brown, Jr., RB/DB; Logan Burcker, Sr., RB/LB; Landen McAllister, Jr., RB/LB.
Key losses: Ceonta Wilmore, WR/LB/P; Aidan McAllister, WR/LB; Masiah Martin, WR/DB.
Notes: After four years, the Ceonta Wilmore era is over at Williamsport, but the Wildcats have a tandem of returnees who could fill that hole. Williamsport has Parker back at quarterback and Bowie playing both sides of the ball after earning co-Defensive Player of the Year honors, as selected by Washington County’s coaches. … Parker topped county quarterbacks and set school records in passing yards (2,431), TD passes (23) and completions (152). … Bowie was dominant on defense, racking up 80 tackles, with 27 going for losses and seven QB sacks. … Small is tops Williamsport’s list for coaching wins (51) and is ranked 12 all-time in Washington County. … Besides Parker and Bowie, Grayton, Cleary and Wigfall were selected to the Coaches’ All-County first team.
Williamsport football schedule
- Sept. 5 at Brunswick, 6:30 p.m.
- Sept. 12 vs. Smithsburg, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 19 vs. Catoctin, 6 p.m.
- Sept. 26 vs. Northeast (Anne Arundel), 6 p.m.
- Oct. 3 at Boonsboro, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 10 at North Hagerstown, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 17 vs. South Hagerstown, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 24 at Mountain Ridge, 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 31 vs. Watkins Mill, 6 p.m.
