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If Catoctin High didn't play a perfect first quarter of football against Baltimore County's Pikesville during Friday evening's Class 1A North Region final, the Cougars sure came close.

Adding a 99-yard drive to four forced turnovers, Catoctin piled up a four-touchdown lead during the first quarter en route to a 49-7 rout and second consecutive North championship.

"It's a dream come true," said Catoctin head coach Doug Williams.

Zach Krietz got Catoctin off on the right foot, recovering a Panthers' fumble on their own 12 during the opening kickoff. Austin Carter delivered a 2-yard touchdown approximately two minutes later, allotting the Cougars a 6-0 lead at 9:45 in the first.

"[Krietz's recovery] sent our momentum straight through the roof," said Catoctin senior quarterback–defensive back Dylan May. "I just told the offense 'it's time to punch it in.'"

Already behind, Pikesville took possession at its own 20. After a Panthers' delay of game penalty, Landon Routzahn returned an interception 34 yards to pay dirt. Paul Barbour added the two-point conversion for a 14-0 advantage with 8:43 remaining.

A May interception on the Panthers' ensuing drive let to a 1-yard Barbour score with 6:43 remaining. May's kick brought the score to 21-0.

Pikesville finally showed signs of life, driving to the Cougars' 31 thanks in large part to a 29-yard hookup from quarterback Jeremy Downing to Shawn Markow. Pikesville took a shot at the end zone and May came down with his second pick on the goal line.

Backed up on their own 1, Catoctin gave themselves some breathing room as Eric Barbour burst up the gut for 14 yards on the opening snap. Seven plays later May hit Nick Nowaczyk for a 24-yard touchdown with 2:24 remaining in the first quarter.

Catoctin reached the end zone on it's initial six possessions and activated a running clock to start the second half with an 18-yard May-Nowaczyk connection just before intermission for a 42-7 advantage. The Cougars didn't punt until the final minute of the third.

Senior running back Paul Barbour finished with 123 yards on eight carries. May was 6-of-9 passing for 70 yards. Sean Reaver recorded a sack and fumble recovery while Travis Bewley reeled off a 22-yard touchdown late in the fourth.

"It's the same thing every week," Williams said. "The offensive line opened up the holes once [our running backs] get into the third level, it's going to be tough to stop them."

Downing hit DeVohn Gilmore for an 11-yard touchdown early in the second quarter for Pikesville's lone score.