For the first time in a month, an area team isn’t atop the statewide media poll.

After Calvert Hall College’s surge to the top lasted just a week, thanks to a 21-14 loss at Georgetown Prep last Friday, Montgomery County’s Damascus became the new No. 1 Tuesday afternoon. It’s the first time this season a public school has the top spot.

Arundel, which slid up to No. 2 in the latest VSN metro Top 20, holds the No. 2 spot in the state poll for the second straight week with four first-place votes. Gilman School moved up a spot to No. 3, while Calvert Hall fell to sixth.

Broadneck and Old Mill each jumped two spots to Nos. 12 and 16, respectively. North Harford (21st) and River Hill (22nd) switched positions in the poll while McDonogh School held at No. 25.

South Carroll, Hereford and Hammond were recognized in the others receiving votes category.

Maryland High School Football Media State Poll

FREDERICK — The Maryland High School Football State Poll, in its 21st year,
is based on a statewide voting by sports reporters. Schools are ranked by
points received. The number in parenthesis reflects first-place votes. LW is
last week¹s ranking. The rankings are compiled by Sheldon Shealer.

Rank, School, Record, Points, LW

1. Damascus (8), 7-0, 296, 3
2. Arundel (4), 7-0, 292, 2
3. Gilman School, 5-2, 271, 4
4. Linganore, 6-0, 257, 5
5. Suitland, 7-0, 248, 7
6. Calvert Hall College, 7-1, 233, 1
7. DeMatha Catholic, 5-2, 228, 8
8. Good Counsel, 5-2, 214, 9
9. Sherwood, 6-1, 208, 6
10. Quince Orchard, 6-1, 202, 10
11. Wise, 6-1, 183, 12
12. Broadneck, 6-1, 158, 14
13. Seneca Valley, 6-1, 152, 15
14. Urbana, 6-0, 138, 17
15. Eleanor Roosevelt, 6-1, 129, 16
16. Old Mill, 6-1, 113, 18
17. Georgetown Prep, 5-2, 104, NR
18. Gaithersburg, 6-1, 93, 20
19. Westlake, 6-1, 66, NR
20. North Point, 6-1, 61, 11
21. North Harford, 7-0, 54, 22
22. River Hill, 6-1, 49, 21
23. Queen Anne¹s, 7-0, 44, 23
24. Flowers, 6-1, 31, 24
25. McDonogh School, 6-1, 22, 25

Others Receiving Votes: McDonough (6-1, 21), Catoctin (4-3*, 18), South Carroll (7-0, 8), Hereford (6-1, 2), Kent Island (7-0, 2), Springbrook (6-1, 2), Hammond (6-1, 1).

*-Catoctin is 7-0 on the field, but forfeited three games.