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WINS WORTH NOTING

Going over last week's results, there are a few wins I feel are worth taking note of early in the season.

Sherwood's 19-0 win over a talented Paint Branch team could signal that the Warriors are the favorite to win 4A West. Of course, there is a Churchill team that is vying for that title this season, too. Luckily, Sherwood and Churchill will meet on the field on Oct. 23.

Arundel may have done so with a Week 1 victory over Old Mill, but further signaled it is the team to beat in Anne Arundel County, and possibly in 4A, this season. The Wildcats defeated Broadneck 28-6. Arundel is expected to put up points, but holding Broadneck to six points and holding Severna Park to nine the week before speaks volumes about its defense. In the first three weeks of the season, Arundel has defeated three teams that either made the playoffs (Old Mill, Severna Park) or just missed (Broadneck lost the coin toss to Severna Park last season).

Other wins of note this week are Fort Hill defeating Mount St. Joseph 22-12 at home and North Point defeating McDonough 12-7.

IN TOWNE

Joppatowne has been one of the most consistently solid football programs this decade -- making the playoffs every year except 2000 and 2002.

Taking a look at some early-season results could bode well for a long postseason run for the Mariners.

In Week 1, Joppatowne defeated a Class 4A Perry Hall team that is expected to make the playoffs, 33-7. That Perry Hall team defeated Tuscarora this week, 14-9. Tuscarora is coming off a playoff berth and is expected to vie for a playoff spot in Class 3A West this season.

With a no-doubt win over a Class 4A program and some results comparable to other playoff contenders, it could signal to the usual contenders in 1A (Dunbar, Fort Hill and Allegany) that the 1A championship could be headed to Harford County this season.

3A WEST WATCH

Is the 3A West picture getting clearer or more muddled?

It is difficult to tell when the preseason favorite trails a team at halftime that has not made the playoffs since 2004 and another contender plays to a three-point win against a team that has not made the playoffs since 2003.

Linganore trailed Walkersville at halftime but went on to a resounding 43-21 victory, and Quince Orchard defeated a much-improved Walt Whitman team 24-20. But with some tough opponents left on the schedule, it could open the door for some other programs to step into the playoff race.

Clarksburg is off to a 3-0 start after defeating Class 4A Gaithersburg 27-6. Damascus is 2-1 after a 35-0 win over Blake. Northwood's and Einstein's playoff hopes took a step back with losses to Rockville and Seneca Valley, respectively.

As of Monday, Sept. 21, the four playoff spots would go to: Quince Orchard, Clarksburg, Linganore and Damascus.

ALL IS 'GOOD' IN BALTIMORE

It might have gone overlooked so far, but Poly's Antoine Goodson is turning in one stellar season so far.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback has accounted for 11 touchdowns and 889 yards this season.

The senior has eight rushing touchdowns and three more passing, is currently fifth* in Maryland with 512 yards rushing and has thrown for 377 yards.

Goodson and a stellar cast have helped lead Poly to a 3-0 start and the No. 1 seed in 4A North thus far.

RECORD SETTERS

While the focus of this segment has primarily been Arundel's Billy Cosh, who moved into fifth place on the career touchdowns list with 68, another athlete is taking the record book in his sights.

Linganore kicker Alex Eckard could be the best kicker in Maryland high school football history by the end of this season, statistically speaking.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior has 154 career extra points and 18 career field goals.

The most likely record to fall first is the extra point record. Eckard is only 10 behind former Damascus kicker Marc Magas, who set the record (164) last season. Eckard is currently second on the list.

Eckard's next field goal will place him in a tie with former Lancer Justin Brown for second all-time.

Eckard is currently in a four-way tie for third at 18 (Josh Brown, Urbana; Louie Forbrich, Seneca Valley; Trevor MacMeekin, Dulaney). The all-time record is 23 set by former Broadneck kicker Chris Desautels.

*Based on the submissions MDVarsity.com has received and its collection of Top Performances this season.

ESPNRise encourages comments from its users. Leave a comment below. Mike Loveday covers high school sports for ESPNRISE.com. Mike can be reached at Michael.Loveday@espn.com