Capital One Bank Washington, D.C. Coach of the Week: Dave Mencarini

The Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg, Md.) football team won the battle of unbeatens on Friday night with a surprising 41-6 rout of city rival Gaithersburg and appears to be a team on a mission after finishing second the past two years in the Class 4A state tournament.

For that effort, Dave Mencarini has been named the Capital One Bank Washington, D.C. Coach of the Week.

Mencarini told MaxPreps that the award "Is a great honor and credit to our kids and coaching staff."

He called the team's eighth straight win over its city rival, "A huge win for the team and program, because it solidifies our position for the playoffs. It was a total team victory. In my tenth year as coach, it was one of the most complete team victories. The kids played their hearts out."

Quarterback Mike Murtaugh (5-11, 175) completed seven of nine passes for 144 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Junior Kyle Green (5-9, 175) ran 17 times for 144 yards and one touchdown. The defense allowed just 149 yards and the offense never had to punt. Tackle Adam McLean paced the defense with two sacks and three other tackles for losses.



Mencarini has compiled an outstanding 105-16 record — including the Class 4A state title in 2007 — in his tenth year as head coach. The first assistant he hired was his father, Joe Mencarini, who coaches the secondary and has been in the business for 44 years.

There was never a doubt Dave Mencarini wanted to be a football coach.

"I grew up as the ballboy and waterboy," he said. "It was what I always wanted to do."

He was a standout wide receiver for Rockville (Md.) where he was a senior captain and still ranks No. 2 in career receptions. After graduating in 1992, he attended Millersville University in Lancaster, Pa., where he played wide receiver for two years. He graduated from College in 1996 and was an assistant coach at three schools before landing at Quince Orchard, now a school of 1700 students in grades 9-12, in 2002. Two years later he got the head job.

The Cougars have posted four shutouts this year and haven't given up more than seven points in a game.

"At this point of the year, the schedule we've played has prepared us for anything we'll see in the postseason," he said.



That postseason could bring another matchup with Gaithersburg. The battle-tested Cougars are ready, however. Five of them played on both runner-up teams.

"Those were heart-breaking defeats," Mencarini said with the pain still apparent in his voice.