North Point Eagles Claim Maryland Class 4A/3A Championship in Overtime Thriller
ANAPOLIS – In a dramatic and cold encounter at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the North Point Eagles secured their second Maryland Class 4A/3A state championship by overcoming Mervo, 21-20, in overtime. The game was a rematch of last season’s final, where North Point fell short against Mervo with a score of 14-7.
The Eagles, boasting a 12-2 record overall, took a 7-0 lead into the fourth quarter. With less than four minutes remaining in regulation, Mervo managed to rally with two touchdown passes from their quarterback Davon Smith, who has now participated in three state finals with Mervo, and tied the game at 14-14 after being down 14-0 at one point.
Damien Brown was the standout for the Eagles, scoring two touchdowns and rushing for a total of 142 yards on 18 carries. His performance set the tone early, as North Point dominated the ground game with a total of 237 rushing yards. The Eagles maintained a significant advantage, gaining 269 total yards compared to Mervo’s 202.
As the game moved into overtime, Kyler Ferriera kicked off the extra period by scoring a seven-yard touchdown run for North Point. The subsequent extra point converted by Christian Solomon gave the Eagles a 21-14 lead. However, Mervo responded quickly with a touchdown of their own as Smith rushed for ten yards. The Mustangs’ failed two-point conversion attempt, thwarted by the Eagles’ defensive stand, sealed the game in North Point’s favor.
Throughout the game, penalties played a notable role. North Point had 11 penalties totaling 105 yards, while Mervo had 7 penalties for 56 yards. Despite these setbacks, the Eagles showcased their resilience, particularly in high-pressure moments.
The defensive efforts were impressive as well, with North Point’s Lawtrell Bowling leading the charge with eight tackles, including a sack. Mervo’s Christian Baskerville made 11 tackles, showing the intensity and physicality that characterized the match.
To summarize, key stats from the game include:
- First Downs: North Point 17, Mervo 11
- Rushing Yards: North Point 237, Mervo 133
- Passing Yards: North Point 32, Mervo 69
- Penalties: North Point 11-105, Mervo 7-56
The Eagles’ victory not only solidified their status as champions but also avenged last year’s defeat in a thrilling way. As North Point celebrates this achievement, they continue to shine as a formidable team in Maryland high school football.
