Panthers win, look for more

Essentially in playoff mode during the past four weeks, No. 5 Annapolis wasted no time showing it was ready for its first postseason trip in seven years.

Demond Brown scored on his first two touches, the Panthers defense recorded seven takeaways and host Annapolis defeated North County, 41-14.

The victory sends the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since a six-year run in the postseason ended in 2002. They won their last five games to secure a trip to Arundel Friday in a 4A East Region semifinal.

Annapolis' special teams set the tone, blocking a punt on the game's fourth play. Dalonte Brooks scored three plays later from two yards out to ignite a 21-point first quarter for the Panthers.

"We worked on that punt block because we definitely thought we could get on them early," Annapolis coach Brian Brown said. "I kept telling them and telling them that their destiny was in their own hands and to not lose that."

On the next play from scrimmage, Deronjae Wade picked off Knights quarterback Pat Downey (8-for-16, 167 yards, one touchdown). Tajuan Watson, who finished with an interception and two fumble recoveries, noted the team's aggressive stance defensively from the opening snap.

"We wanted to come out hard, play aggressive and set the tone from the beginning. It (the playoff berth) was just there - and we wanted it," Watson said.

Demond Brown, who sat out practice for most of the week because he was sick, had rushing touchdowns of 75 and 45 yards the first two times he touched the ball. North County staggered into the second quarter down three touchdowns.

"I was hungry. I had to sit out the first series because I was sick all week and I just wanted the football ... bad," Demond Brown said.

The Knights got on the board early in the second quarter when Michael Johnson (three catches for 82 yards) took a Downey pass in the flat, shook two tackles and scored from 42 yards out. North County had the chance to trim the margin to one touchdown twice in the second quarter, but could not convert third- and fourth-down opportunities.

Opportunistic Annapolis struck again in the third quarter when Tashawn Downs recovered a fumble on the second play from scrimmage. Lamont Smith took a hand-off 25 yards down the right sideline four plays later to put the Panthers up, 28-7. After a Damonta Jones interception moments later, Brooks scored from five yards out. Three plays after that, Watson picked off a pass and Brown scored from a yard out two plays later.

In all, Annapolis scored 34 points off the seven Knight turnovers.

"We get turnovers with this group. Some people underestimate how much team speed we have," Brian Brown said. "We get a bunch of people to the ball and some very athletic kids are out there who make plays. I am glad I am not playing against them."

For North County, Antoine Drummond finished with 107 yards on 24 carries, while Cordell Blair had 69 yards receiving on three catches.

As the game clock ran down, more and more smiles broke out on the Annapolis sideline, as the Panthers prepared for an 11th game for the first time in Brown's tenure as head coach.

Annapolis now must take on a top-ranked Arundel squad that dismantled the Panthers' defensive line and secondary in a 38-7 loss five weeks ago. Brian Brown, visibly excited when speaking to his squad immediately after the game, is eager to play them again.

"The last four years, we have always been playing well at the end of the season; we just have not had the chance to play in the playoffs," he said. "We laid an egg against them last time and just did not execute the way we can execute. Some people think I am crazy for wanting to play them, but you have to play them some time. Why not next week?"

North County (6-4) 0 7 0 7 - 14

Annapolis (8-2) 21 0 20 0 - 41

First Quarter

ANN - Brooks 2 run (Varn kick)

ANN - Brown 75 run (Varn kick)

ANN - Brown 45 run (Varn kick)

Second Quarter

NC - Johnson 40 pass from Downey (Johnson kick)

Third Quarter

ANN - Smith 25 run (Varn kick)

ANN - Brooks 5 run (Kick failed)

ANN - Brown 1 run (Varn kick)

Fourth Quarter

NC - Downey 1 run (Johnson kick)

PASSING: NC - Downey 8-16-1-3=167 yards; ANN - Johnson 1-2-0-0=35 yards; RECEIVING: NC - Johnson 3-82-1; Blair 3-69-0; ANN - Wright 1-35-0; RUSHING: NC - Drummond 24-107-0; ANN - Brown 14-167-3.