Football regional playoffs capsules for Carroll County teams

The football playoffs begin Friday, so let's see where Carroll's teams will be in action as the first round of the postseason kicks off.

Winters Mill is the only county team with a bye in the first round. The Falcons are in Class 2A/1A West.

CENTURY (1-8) AT LIBERTY (4-5)

When: Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m.

What: 2A/1A West first round

Players To Watch: Century-JT Ferguson, FB/LB; Trey Helmick, RB/LB; Ethan Long, WR. Liberty-Chase Miller, QB; Kevin Poole, RB/DB; Tristan West, WR/DE.

Notes: The Lions lead the all-time series 12-10, and they've have won 7 straight against the Knights. Liberty beat Century 35-0 in Week 9 (Oct. 27) behind 3 touchdown runs from Kevin Poole. Seth Jacobs, who has dealt with injuries all year, had a touchdown run and a touchdown pass for Liberty. These rivals played each other in back-to-back weeks in 2008, and Century won both games amid a run to the state semifinals.

MAN VALLEY (5-4) AT WESTMINSTER (8-1)

When: Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

What: 3A West first round

Players To Watch: Man Valley-Isaiah Ferebee, RB; James Herndon, WR/DB; Gene Magin, QB. Westminster-Casey Heisig, FB/LB; Kyrece Walker, QB; Raquan Warfield, RB.

Notes: The Carroll County champion Owls lead the all-time series 10-2, have won 7 straight games against the Mavericks. One of the Mavs' two wins over Westminster was a forfeit victory from the 2011 season. Their win on the field came in 2014. Westminster beat Man Valley 19-7 in Week 5, but the Mavs held the Owls to their lowest points total of the season so far.

WILLIAMSPORT (2-7) AT SOUTH CARROLL (3-6)

When: Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

What: 2A/1A West first round

Players To Watch: Williamsport-Corry Nelson Jr, RB; Noah Raley, QB; Ceonta Wilmore, WR. South Carroll-Caleb Evans, QB; Anthony Rodrigues, RB; Jackson Shekore, TE/LB.

Notes: The Cavaliers lead the all-time series 3-0, and they beat the Wildcats 27-7 in 2021 regional playoffs en route to the 2A/1A state championship game. South Carroll also defeated Williamsport in 2006 and 2007. The Wildcats took down Liberty last season in the second round of the regional playoffs, 45-43. But this year's squad enters the playoffs on a 5-game losing streak, while SC has won 3 in a row after starting the season 0-6.

FRANCIS SCOTT KEY (1-8) AT MIDDLETOWN (4-5)

When: Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m.

What: 2A/1A West first round

Players To Watch: Middletown-Alex Hoy, DL; Chase Main, WR; Griffin Sheridan, RB. FSK-Jermaine Dawson, WR/LB; Keyondre Groomes, RB; Ben Stevens, QB/LB.

Notes: Middletown leads the all-time series 25-7, but the Knights and Eagles haven’t played each other since 2006. They met every year from 1975-2006 as part of the old Monocacy Valley Athletic League. Jermaine Dawson played quarterback last week in Key's game against South Carroll, a 24-16 loss, and threw a touchdown pass.