Everyone's in the state playoff pool, but which county teams are wading into the deep end?
Halfway home. Halfway to a preseason objective.
Most every high school football team set going to the playoffs as a goal before the season.
Luckily, Washington County’s seven public-school teams play in Maryland, where every team that wears a uniform is automatically in the playoffs in one of six classifications.
Check that box off.
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Without going into the points, bonus points and mathematical process explaining it all, the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association — the state’s governing body — published the current standings after Week 4 action on Thursday.
It’s still early, but the positions start getting more noteworthy as schools will be passing the halfway point of the regular season this weekend. By the end of October, schools will know if they have been tricked or treated for their efforts.
The tournament went to six classifications last year, and the regular season went from 10 to nine weeks to accommodate an added week of playoffs.
Last year, Williamsport was the only county team to reach the state quarterfinals, competing in Class 2A-1A, one of the two new hybrid divisions, before losing to South Carroll.
Here’s a look what the playoffs would look like if they started this week. Remember, there will be changes in the next five weeks, but it’s interesting to watch the drama unfold.
Class 1A West
Week 4 seeding: 1. Fort Hill, 2. Mountain Ridge, 3. Northern Garrett, 4. Allegany, 5. Smithsburg, 6. Clear Spring, 7. Hancock, 8. Southern Garrett.
Current projected matchups
Upper Bracket
No. 8 Southern Garrett at No. 1 Fort Hill
No. 5 Smithsburg at No. 4 Allegany
Lower Bracket
No. 7 Hancock at No. 2 Mountain Ridge
No. 6 Clear Spring at No. 3 Northern Garrett
Notes: Brackets will shake up after this weekend. Allegany travels to Smithsburg and Southern Garrett comes to Hancock on Friday night. … Fort Hill will face two big tests in the next two weeks. The Sentinels play at Oakdale, No. 1 in 3A West, on Friday and at No. 2 Mountain Ridge on Oct. 7.
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Class 2A-1A West
Week 4 seeding: 1. South Carroll, 2. Liberty, 3. Williamsport, 4. Winters Mill, 5. Boonsboro, 6. Francis Scott Key, 7. Randallstown, 8. Western Tech.
Current projected matchups
Upper bracket
No. 8 Western Tech at No. 1 South Carroll
No. 5 Boonsboro at No. 4 Winters Mill
Lower Bracket
No. 7 Randallstown at No. 2 Liberty
No. 6 Francis Scott Key at No. 3 Williamsport
Notes: More shakeup: Boonsboro is at Williamsport on Friday, with the outcome likely to change some positioning. … South Carroll advanced to the state final (losing to Dunbar) and ousted both Boonsboro and Williamsport along the way. … Liberty travels to Winters Mill on Friday and will host South Carroll on Oct. 14. … Francis Scott Key hosts South Carroll on Oct. 28, the regular-season finale.
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Class 3A West
Week 4 seeding: 1. Oakdale, 2. Frederick, 3. Damascus, 4. Linganore, 5. Rockville, 6. North Hagerstown, 7. South Hagerstown.
Current projected matchups
Upper bracket
No. 1 Oakdale bye
No. 5 Rockville at No. 4 Linganore
Lower Bracket
No. 7. South Hagerstown at No. 2 Frederick
No. 6 North Hagerstown at No. 3 Damascus
Note: North and South will both face Boonsboro and Williamsport before playing in the city rivalry on Oct. 28.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Washington County football playoff positions after Week 4
