More News

Westlake High School running back Antwoine Reese rushed for three touchdowns and 116 yards as the Wolverines defeated Potomac, 30-12, Friday night in a 3A South Region semifinal.

But Friday's result will not necessarily determine who gets to play in the 3A South Region title game next week. Instead that will be decided by the Charles County Public Schools and the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association.

Charles County Public Schools will hold a hearing on Monday to determine if Westlake used an ineligible player this season. If Westlake is found guilty of any violations, it would be forced to forfeit games, which would send Potomac into the region championship against the winner of Saturday's Huntingtown-Lackey contest.

Ned Sparks, executive director of the MPSSAA, said if Westlake is found guilty it would have the option for a hearing before the MPSSAA's Appeals Committee. Any appeal will be heard within 24 hours of Monday's hearing. That means Potomac may have to wait until Tuesday to find out if it gets to play again next week.

Potomac coach Chris Davidson said he kept the news away from his players as they prepared for Westlake, but he said he planned to tell them immediately after the game.

"It was my job to insulate them from this," he said. "They aren't going to be happy about this and the prospect of moving on under these conditions. Whether it happens or not is out of our control."

Davidson said his players will get together on Monday to work out and await the outcome of the Westlake eligibility hearing.

Westlake coach Dom Zaccarelli said he plans to get ready for the winner of the Huntingtown-Lackey game. He said his players weren't distracted by what was going on off the field.

"These guys rise to the occasion because they have been through a lot the past year," he said. "I told them that none of that other stuff concerns them. The only thing you can control are your actions on the field. I told these guys to play hard and we would handle everything else.

"It won't be an issue going forward because I have a job to do and prepare this team. I know what we do here at Westlake High School and everything will come out the way it's supposed to come out."

The players listened to Zaccarelli and took care of business on the field.

Westlake rushed for 270 yards and had 13 first downs, while holding Potomac to 5 rushing yards and three first downs. Westlake took an early 10-0 lead in the second quarter, but Potomac's offense took to the air to get back in the game.

Potomac quarterback Devonta Tabannah connected with running back Ronald Darby on a bubble screen that Darby turned into a 90-yard touchdown reception. Westlake added another Reese touchdown to push its lead to 17-6 at the half.

Potomac struck quickly to start the third quarter. Tabannah connected with Dave Brockenberry for a 54-yard reception that got the ball to the Westlake 2-yard line. Darby scored on a 1-yard run two plays later to cut the lead to 17-12. But that was as close as Potomac could get as turnovers doomed the Wolverines in the fourth quarter.

"We came out flat, obviously, but we came back and showed a lot of heart," Davidson said. "Our kids did a great job and they did everything we asked them to do."

Tabannah completed 2 of 10 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. Darby added 49 yards rushing and 90 yards receiving with two touchdowns.