Class 3A state semifinals
No. 11 Wilde Lake (9-3) vs. Damascus (12-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Wilde Lake
Passing: Joe Kelly, Sr., 30-for-70, 529 yards, 9 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Khalil Viera, Sr., 132 carries, 982 yards, 8 TD; EJ Gilman, Jr., 91, 593, 7; AJ Harris, Sr., 76, 476, 5
Receiving: E’ron Pruitt, Sr., 8 receptions, 187 yards, 4 TD; Jordan Mynatt, Jr., 11, 135, 1; Viera, 6, 133, 3
Damascus
Passing: Connor Frazier, Sr., 141-for-204, 1,977 yards, 21 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Mark O’Hara, Sr., 145 carries, 809 yards, 13 TD
Receiving: Joel Ross, Sr., 25 receptions, 431 yards, 3 TD
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Wilde Lake
Tackles: Devin McCoy, Sr., 91 tackles; Gilman 85; Antoine Barnes, Jr., 76
Quarterback sacks: Erik Smith, Sr., 6; Harris 5
Interceptions: Mynatt 4; Barnes 3
Damascus
Tackles: Ben Smith, Sr., 70 tackles
Quarterback sacks: Nick Pugh, Sr., 8
Interceptions: Ross 3
OUTLOOK:
Wilde Lake will travel to Damascus (Montgomery County) and square off with one of the top-ranked teams in the Washington D.C. Metro Area. The Hornets have won seven state titles in the program’s history, while the Wildecats have won five.
These two teams faced each other in the playoffs during the 2007 campaign. Damascus pounced on Wilde Lake early in the 3A state semifinals game and won 35-6.
Last week, the Wildecats beat River Hill, 13-7, dethroning the Hawks as 3A East Regional champion. Senior running back Khalil Viera carried the ball 18 times for 103 yards to lead Wilde Lake. After Riving Hill went ahead 7-0 early, senior A.J. Harris responded with a 23-yard scamper to tie the game.
In overtime, quarterback Joe Kelly threw a five-yard, game-winning touchdown pass to receiver E’Ron Pruitt, avenging an earlier loss to the Hawks in the regular season.
Damascus eliminated Quince Orchard, 33-14, last Friday to win its region. Quarterback Conner Frazier went 11-of-18 passing for 216 yards and two touchdowns to highly touted receiver Brandon Phelps. Mark O’Hara had three scores on the ground for the Hornets.
Wilde Lake head coach Mike Harrison said he expects his team to play Friday night’s game in front of more than 3,000 fans. The Wildecats must not let the atmosphere affect their play early in the game.
