A jubilant student from Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Upper Malboro Credit: David Kohn
A high school football game ripples with drama—from the tension of close games to the cheers, and tears, of parents. The energy only increases during playoff season.
From early November through the championships a month later, I attended a series of Maryland public school playoff games across the region photographing players, students, fans, parents, grandparents.
My goal wasn’t to capture the games themselves—this is often done quite well by other photographers. I wanted to focus on other aspects of what was happening: the stands, the sidelines, the sadness and joy of defeat and victory (the difference is sometimes not as clear as one might expect).
There is so much emotion surrounding these games, so much humanity. That is what I have tried to show. The people I met were unfailingly generous, allowing me to photograph them in ways they probably weren’t expecting.
What follows are some of those pictures.
Central vs. Sparrows Point, November 14, 2025. Jessica Stack, mother of a Sparrows Point player. Final score: Sparrows Point 34, Central 6. Credit: David KohnDunbar vs. Lackey, state championship, December 5, 2025. Dunbar band member. Final score: Dunbar 50, Lackey 26
Credit: David KohnMarriotts Ridge vs. Mervo, November 21, 2025. Tyrell Ford, Mervo. Final score: Mervo 52, Marriotts Ridge 0. Credit: David KohnRob Fricke, father of a Marriotts Ridge player. Credit: David KohnMarriotts Ridge players embrace after a game. Credit: David KohnQuince Orchard vs. Wise, state championship, December 5, 2025. Wise band member. Final score: Quince Orchard 26, Wise 21. Credit: David KohnSouth Carroll vs. Randallstown, November 7, 2025. South Carroll fan. Final score: South Carroll 3, Randallstown 0. Credit: David KohnQuince Orchard player Jordan Hicks Credit: David KohnA Dunbar High School fan Credit: David KohnOn the sidelines of a game played by Lackey High School, Indian Head. Credit: David KohnSparrows Point High School player Robbie Bandy Credit: David KohnA Marriotts Ridge HIgh School player Credit: David KohnA jubilant student from Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Upper Malboro Credit: David KohnJohn Ford, a fan of Mervo High School Credit: David KohnA student from Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Upper Malboro Credit: David KohnFans of Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg Credit: David KohnMervo High School player Kaden Foster heads toward the end zone. Credit: David KohnCharles Minis, a Mervo player Credit: David KohnA fan cheers on Wise High School players. Credit: David KohnMervo vs. Sherwood, MPSSAA 4A/3A state championship, December 4, 2025. Kaylen Roberts, Mervo student. Final score: Mervo 40, Sherwood 20. Credit: David KohnA Quince Orchard High School band member Credit: David KohnJennifer Dudley watches Wise High School play Credit: David KohnLeighton Curtis, left, and Kaden Foster, Mervo players, celebrate the school’s third championship in five years. Credit: David KohnDunbar player Kyree Anderson Credit: David KohnPlayers from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School embrace after a playoff game. Credit: David Kohn
