Washington County football Week 6: North Hagerstown's air attack sets state records
Week 6 is officially in the books. Here's how the action unfolded for Washington County teams:
Friday's Week 6 games
North Hagerstown 70, Williamsport 34
In a historic first half during homecoming at Callas Stadium, North senior Ryder Johnston had 12 receptions for 317 yards and six touchdowns as the Hubs (3-3) led the Wildcats (2-4) 57-28 at the break.
Johnston, who didn’t have a catch in the second half, set MPSSAA single-game state records for receiving yards and TD receptions.
The previous state record for receiving yards was 312, and the previous mark for TD catches was five.
Johnston broke both in only two quarters as Hubs senior quarterback Luke Kercheval also was on fire.
“Just momentum, man. I’m thankful for (Kercheval) and thankful for our O-line,” said Johnston, who had TD receptions of 68 and 28 yards in the first quarter and then scoring catches of 25, 28, 85 and 22 yards in the second quarter.
“I found space, and he just connected with me.”
Kercheval said: “It’s just all about the O-line, the five guys up front, and the chemistry between us two. We’ve been together for years, and it just works that way. I know where he’s going to be at, and he knows where I’m looking. It’s just how it is.”
Two minutes into the third quarter, Kercheval threw to Aiden Clark for a 3-yard score to set the Washington County single-game record for TD passes at seven, while upping North’s lead to 63-28 to start the running clock.
The record-breaking performances had been on the two Hubs’ to-do list.
“It’s been a goal of mine since high school,” Johnston said. “I’ve always wanted that, and I’m very proud of him because he’s wanted the county record for so long. Those are goals we made at the beginning of the season.”
“The best thing with those guys is that it’s not just their athleticism,” North coach Greg Stains said. “They’re both 4.0 students, Ryder’s like a 4.4. They’re smart, they’re good kids. You want them to be successful. It’s a thrill to coach kids like that. I know what they’re going to give me in the locker room with their leadership. I love those two guys.”
Kercheval — who completed 19 of 24 passes for 425 yards — also scored on a 1-yard run.
Luke Bragunier — who rushed for a game-high 102 yards on 26 carries — had a 1-yard TD run and a two-point-conversion run for the Hubs, who got their final TD on a 17-yard run by Javoun Frith early in the fourth quarter. North kicker Diego Gonzalez-Escamilla went 8-for-9 on extra-point kicks.
Williamsport’s Nolan Raley had four TD passes in the first half, with scoring strikes of 50 yards to Corry Nelson, 74 to Ceonta Wilmore, 62 to Masiah Martin and 48 to David Grayton, as the game was a shootout before the Hubs pulled away.
Raley also passed to Wilmore and Nelson for two-point conversions.
With a minute left in the game, the Wildcats’ Blake Delauter scored on a 4-yard run for the final points of the night.
Smithsburg 22, Clear Spring 0
Carter Nesbitt threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Chase Hill, Zachary von Garrel returned a fumble 45 yards for a score and the Leopards' defense bent but did not break in a shutout of the Blazers (2-4).
Smithsburg (3-3) also got a 3-yard score and conversion run from Ashton Redman. Nesbitt ran in another conversion.
Clear Spring moved the ball well through the air, including a trio of completions thrown by Hayden Hodge on fourth-and-long plays. But the Blazers couldn't finish drives, in part because Smithsburg intercepted four passes. Redman had two of the picks, and Ayden Weakfall and Alex Bachtell also grabbed an interception each.
Jefferson 35, South Hagerstown 15
The Cougars (4-2) outscored the Rebels (2-4) 21-6 in the fourth quarter to break open a tight contest.
Boonsboro 49, Poolesville 0
The Warriors (4-2) raced to a 42-0 halftime lead and shut out the Falcons (0-6) on the road.
Thursday
Northern Garrett 54, Hancock 0
The Panthers (0-5) were shut out by the Huskies (4-2) on the road.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Washington County football scores for Week 6
