With a 27-13 win in Potomac on Friday night, Churchill earned a spot in the state semifinals for the first time since 1995. Avit extended a monstrous senior campaign with 199 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
“I got some good sleep last night and woke up knowing I had to put in work for my team today,” Avit said. “This whole team has been putting in the work. We deserve a night like this.”
The victory is the latest sign that the Bulldogs have re-emerged as a true contender in Montgomery County and beyond. Just four seasons ago, they finished 1-8. Now Churchill (11-1) will hold a coveted Thanksgiving practice to prepare for the final four.
“This team is playing with a different type of confidence right now, and I think it comes from knowing where this program was at,” said Coach Joe Rydzewski, who was hired in 2020. “These players know we can turn any game around because we’ve turned this whole thing around. They almost have an attitude of, ‘We’re not going back there.’ ”
Much of Churchill’s confidence can be traced back to its senior playmaker. Avit entered Friday’s quarterfinal with 2,068 rushing yards and 28 total touchdowns on the year. Against B-CC, the Bulldogs leaned on their bruising back in the first half, even giving the senior a direct snap anytime they needed a few critical yards. By halftime, Avit had three touchdowns and the home team led 20-0.
“I still think we’re one of the most doubted teams in the state,” Avit said. “A lot of people still don’t think we deserve to get to this point, but if you look at our schedule, we’ve beaten everyone we were supposed to beat.”
The Barons (7-5) got on the board late in the fourth quarter, then used an onside kick to score again. Churchill recovered the next onside attempt and knew just what to do with the ball. Avit ran for 46 yards on first down, putting the game away with style.
“First time since 1995 is wild,” Rydzewski said. “I went to a state championship as a player in 1995. I don’t know if this team truly understands what they’ve done. It’s hard to put into words.”