Mervo vs. North Point; Live Score, Updates, Maryland Class 3A Football State Championship

In a rematch of the 2023 Class 4A/3A state final, North Point leads Mervo, 7-0, at halftime.

North Point is set to get another Maryland Class 3A state championship ring after defeating Mervo in the final. The Eagles avenged a loss to Mervo in last year's state final and captured their second crown in three years. / Derek Toney

ANNAPOLIS - On a frigid night at Navy-Marine Crops Memorial Stadium, North Point found redemption. The Eagles defeated Mervo, 21-20, in overtime to win the Maryland Class 4A/3A state championship.

North Point (12-2 overall) stopped Mervo quarterback Davon Smith’s two-point conversion attempt, giving the Southern Maryland squad its second title in three seasons. 

The Eagles lost to Mervo, 14-7, in last year’s 4A/3A state final at Navy Stadium. North Point led 7-0 entering the fourth quarter, but Mervo scored the final 14 points. 

The Eagles led 14-0 in the second half Thursday, courtesy of two touchdown runs by Damien Brown. But Mervo, seeking its third 4A/3A title in four seasons, got a pair of touchdown throws from Davon Smith to pull even with 3 minutes, 45 seconds left in regulation.

Kyler Ferriera opened the overtime period with a seven-yard touchdown run. Christian Solomon, whose missed field goal in the fourth quarter, opened the door for Mervo’s tying score, converted the extra point.

Smith brought Mervo (11-3) to within one with a 10-yard score. North Point was flagged for unsportsmanlike, giving the Mustangs a two-point conversion opportunity for inside the 2. 

Mervo turned to Smith, who accounted for all three touchdowns, but the Eagles’ collapsed the middle and denied him the goal line for the state title.

Final stats

First downs - North Point 17, Mervo 11

Rushing yards - North Point 237, Mervo 133

Passing yards - North Point 32, Mervo 69

Total yards - North Point 269, Mervo 202

Penalties - North Point 11-105; Mervo 7-56

Individual rushing: North Point - Damien Brown 18-142, Russell Jackson 10-44, Kyler Ferriera 16-51, Seth Gates 1-13; Mervo - Davon Smith 17-108, Kaden Foster 9-54, Ross 2-6

Individual passing: North Point - Ferriera 4-8-32; Mervo - Smith 4-11-69

Individual receiving: North Point - Russell Jackson 1-12, Aaquor Moses 1-8, Gathers 1-7, Nasir Eaton 1-5; Mervo - Marquis McDougal 2-22, Justin Devaughn 1-25, Tywan Baker 1-22

Individual tackles: North Point - Lawtrell Bowling 8 (sack), Gathers 6, Kyle Hart 3, Nathaniel Templeton 3; Mervo - 

Christian Baskerville 11, Jahzier Lassiter 9, Baker 5, Darryl McCray 5

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In a rematch of the 2023 Class 4A/3A state final, North Point leads Mervo, 7-0, at halftime.

Here's some key takeaways from the first half of action.

First Quarter 

Nearly a year after playing in a fog, both teams are battling frigid temperatures and wind at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Mervo had four penalties inside the first 14 plays from scrimmage including a 12-man on the field penalty that negated a partial blocked punt by the Mustangs.

North Point had 5-0 first down advantage in the first quarter.

The teams combined for 70 yards in the first quarter with only two passes attempted.

Mervo's Jahzier Lassister had four tackles in the first quarter.

Second Quarter

Mervo gets its first down courtesy of a pass interference on North Point on 3rd-and-12 from Mervo's 7 with 9:32 left in the quarter.

Mervo reaches North Point's 30, courtesy of 36 yards from Kaden Foster, but turns the ball over on downs.

North Point responds with a 11-play, 70-yard drive, capped by Damien Brown's 7-yard run with 1:14 left before halftime. Brown's 13-yard run on 3rd-and-5 keyed the drive.

North Point gets the ball back after the ensuing kick hit off a Mervo player and Brandon Morales recovers. The Eagles get to Mervo's 32-yard but three straight negative plays (holding, ineligible man downfield and quarterback sack pushes North Point back to its 46.

Halftime Stats

First downs - North Point 11, Mervo 3

Rushing yards - North Point 122, Mervo 70

Passing yards - North Point 17, Mervo 0

Total yards - North Point 139, Mervo 70

Penalties - North Point 5-45, Mervo 5-41

Time of possession: North Point 13:27, Mervo 10:33

Individual - North Point - Damien Brown 7 carries for 64 yards; Kyle Ferriera 2-of-4 passing for 17 yards; Mervo - Kaden Foster 6 carries for 47 yards; Davon Smith 0-of-3 passing

Third quarter

Brown hits 100-yard mark with 19-yard run

North Point takes opening drive of second half 90 yards in 15 plays with Brown scoring from 3 yards.

North Point leads 14-0 with 5:35 left in third.

Mervo responds with its first points as Davon Smith throws a 22-yard touchdown pass to Tywan Baker with 50 seconds left.  North Point leads 14-6.

Touchdown pass was Mervo's first completion of game. 

Drive went 8 plays, 66 yards. North Point had two penalties - holding and personal foul - in drive.

Brown has 15 carries for 130 yards after three quarters

North Point is out-gaining Mervo, 239-109 through three quarters.

Fourth quarter

Aaquor Moses with 39 yard interception return for North Point 

Eagles drive to Mervo's 11 but Solomon Christian misses 29-yard field goal with 8:16 left. 

Brown tosses a TD pass to Marquise McDougal and then runs for the two-point conversion. The game is tied 14-14 with 3:50 left.