No. 17 Wildcats gain redemption for last year's playoff loss to the Patriots and earn a date with Sherwood in Md. 3A semifinals next week.

Friday's Maryland Class 3A state quarterfinal between No. 17 Arundel and Northern in Gambrills appeared to have all the makings of a shootout. A matchup of two of the most potent offenses in the area, with the Wildcats averaging more than 50 points coming in and the Patriots putting up nearly 40, gave ample reason to expect fireworks with a trip to the state semifinals at stake.

What ensued on a blustery evening in Anne Arundel County obliterated those expectations. Arundel muscled past Northern, 21-14, using two rushing touchdowns from running back TJ Mordecai to help stave off a late Patriots comeback. In a game packed with miscues and goal-line stands, the Wildcats proved they could handle the pressure after a relatively tension-free regular season.

"It was a good, ugly win, at times it got a little closer than I'd like," Wildcats Coach Jack Walsh said, glancing up at the scoreboard from the field after the game. "We also warned them that those days of the 70-0 blowouts are gone."

With the win, the Wildcats (10-1) earned another state semifinal appearance and avenged a 42-21 loss to the Patriots (7-5) in the second round of the playoffs a year ago. Walsh's team will take on red-hot Sherwood at home next week after the Warriors dispatched Franklin, 31-7, in Olney.

"This one means a lot, especially since they beat us last year," Mordecai said. "Getting to tell my former players that we got one back [on them], it means a lot."

Mordecai helped Arundel find its offensive rhythm early. The Wildcats drove down the field on their first possession, using several long runs from their speedy running back before he found the end zone from one yard out to cap off a lengthy drive.

"He's a silent assassin," Walsh said of Mordecai. "He's not a vocal kid, he doesn't hoot and holler like a lot of my other guys do... he just shows up, shuts up and works."

Following Mordecai's touchdown, the defenses took over. Northern forced Arundel into errors and punts. Northern's standout wide receiver Miles Halbert flashed, leaping over two defenders to pull in a long completion late in the first half, but was stopped at the pylon on fourth and goal seconds later, leaving the Wildcats up 7-0 at halftime.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Mordecai scored from two yards out on the opening possession of the second half, and quarterback Ahmir Lowery muscled his way in on a quarterback keeper to further pad the Wildcats' advantage. Halbert helped bring Patriots back late in the fourth quarter by hauling in the final touchdown catch of an impressive high school career, but the Wildcats ran out the clock on the ensuing drive to seal the win.

"In the playoffs, it just matters that we win," Mordecai said. "It doesn't matter if we win by a point or by 60."