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SSFS Quiz Bowl Team Advances to MABL Championship and It's Academic Semifinalist Round

Quiz Bowl - Its Academic Quarterfinals 2025
SSFS Quiz Bowl Team Advances to MABL Championship and It's Academic Semifinalist Round

After recently finishing the Montgomery Academic Beltway League (MABL)'s regular season in first place (!!) with an impressive 17-1-0 record, the SSFS Quiz Bowl team, coached by Upper School Global Languages Department Head Eduardo Polón, competed in the Semifinal Round on Feb. 6, 2025. Victories over Springbrook and Blair B ensured SSFS’ qualification for this season’s MABL Championship Round for the program’s twelfth time since 2013-2014. Two days later, the team advanced to the semifinals for the seventh time in 11 years on It’s Academic, “recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running quiz program in TV history.” The small but mighty Quiz Bowl team continues to distinguish itself, competing in championships against much larger public and private schools in the region. Read the play-by-play for each competition, below!

Post-Match Summary of MABL Playoffs Semifinal Round - Feb. 6, 2025

By Eduardo Polón, Quiz Bowl Coordinator

SSFS hit the road this afternoon for the Playoffs Semifinal Round of this season’s Montgomery Academic Beltway League (MABL) at Walter Johnson HS. Having earned its rightful place in this year's MABL Playoffs -- and for the twelfth straight year -- by finishing among the top 16 teams following six regular season rounds, SSFS, represented by Diego (Captain), Justin (Assistant Captain), Nate, Ian, and Steve, and supported by Benji, Catherine, and Henry, entered today’s MABL Semifinal Round as the #1 seed overall. 

Teams ranked 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 form Bracket 1, while those ranked 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 form Bracket 2:

  • BRACKET 1: SSFS, BCC A, Magruder, Whitman, Quince Orchard, Blair B, RM, and Springbrook
  • BRACKET 2: Blair A, Poolesville, Churchill, Wootton, Rockville A, Sherwood, WJ A, and Wheaton A  

Consequently, SSFS was drawn in its opening match against Springbrook. Who we would play in our second and third matches would be dependent on the results of our first and second matches:


Teams ranked 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 form Bracket 1, while those ranked 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 form Bracket 2:

  • BRACKET 1: SSFS, BCC A, Magruder, Whitman, Quince Orchard, Blair B, RM, and Springbrook
  • BRACKET 2: Blair A, Poolesville, Churchill, Wootton, Rockville A, Sherwood, WJ A, and Wheaton A  

Entering the round, we knew we would play three matches but only were aware of our first opponent, Springbrook. They qualified for the MABL Semifinal Round as the #15 seed (8-10-0), averaging 294/match. Whatever happened in Game 1 would determine the next steps.

Here’s where we stand within our bracket:

  • #1 SSFS [MABL Record: 17-1-0; avg. 578/match] 
  • #3 BCC A [MABL Record: 16-2-0; avg. 482/match]
  • #5 Magruder [MABL Record: 14-4-0; avg. 485/match]
  • #7 Whitman [MABL Record: 13-5-0; avg. 436/match]
  • #9 Quince Orchard [MABL Record: 11-7-0; avg. 396/match]
  • #11 Blair B [MABL Record: 10-8-0; avg. 327/match]
  • #13 RM [MABL Record: 8-10-0; avg. 407/match]
  • #15 Springbrook [MABL Record: 8-10-0; avg. 294/match]

Regardless, our objective was to finish among the top four in our 8-team bracket to advance to the Championship Round. Doing so would require SSFS to finish with a record of no less than 2-1-0.  We understood heading into today's MABL Semifinal Round that it would be a "mortal experience." In other words, unlike previous MABL Rounds, where whatever happened, we were ensured of another MABL Round, today would either end with us advancing to the MABL Championship Round or seeing our run in this season's MABL come to an abrupt end, especially for our amazing senior Captain Diego. This is how it went…

MABL SEMIFINAL ROUND (SSFS 2-1-0) and (1,365 PF – 1,055 PA):

  • vs. Springbrook:  W (415-265)
  • vs. Whitman: L (345-505)
  • vs. Blair B: W (605-285)
  • SSFS AVERAGE POINTS PER GAME: 455
  • SSFS POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 352

When the dust settled, SSFS finished the Semifinal Round doing what the mission called for -- earning two victories to ensure our advancement to the MABL Championship Round. A closer analysis reveals the roller coaster ride that culminated in today's achievement.

Our first match was against Springbrook, a team we had squared off against previously, in MABL Round 2, defeating them 620-125. For us, there is a David vs. Goliath pride we take in squaring off against schools whose populations dwarf ours. As the smallest school competing in the MABL -- and by quite a bit -- this is a reality we accept proudly and a chip we carry firmly on our shoulders each time we match up against a behemoth opponent. While we held Springbrook to 125 points earlier this season, we knew that they -- like us -- had improved over time and with practice, as reflected in their record and statistics. Taking most things for granted and resting on one's laurels are signs of hubris, an unwelcome quality we actively discuss in our attempts not to succumb to it. Going into any match, we must understand that we cannot afford to be careless or dismissive. Games are played to be won, but by design can be lost. In other words, you have to earn your victories one point at a time, in the heat of the proverbial battle. Through the first half, it was a tight affair, tied 160-140 after Round 2. At the end of Round 3, while SSFS had a small lead (235-215), it was anybody's game heading into the Bonus Round. Ultimately, SSFS took charge and the opening victory put us one win away, with two games remaining to be played, to earn our spot in the MABL Championship. What would be our reward?

The result of our first match -- a win over Springbrook -- earned us a showdown against the winner of Whitman vs. Quince Orchard in our second match. That ended up being Whitman. Not unlike our familiarity with our first opponent, we also had previous experience against Whitman this season, but in a different game format. We defeated Whitman on TV's It's Academic back in September, but MABL is a different "animal" and Whitman is always a formidable opponent. AFTER ROUND 1 we were tied 140-140. After Round 2, we had taken a small lead, 210-170. After Round 3, we led 285-260. However, MABL matches are won or lost in the Bonus Round, and Whitman stepped it up to claim the victory (505-345). It was a reality check. Having entered the match 1-0-0 and emerging from it 1-1-0, suddenly our previous optimism was put into question. Did we have what it would take to bounce back in the third and decisive match to earn our place in the MABL Championship Round?

We understood heading into today's MABL Semifinal Round that it would be a "mortal experience." In other words, unlike previous MABL Rounds, where whatever happened we were ensured of another MABL Round, today would either end with us advancing to the MABL Championship Round or seeing our run in this season's MABL come to an abrupt end, especially for our beloved senior Captain Diego.

As a result of losing our second match, we were drawn against Blair B in our third and final match of the MABL Semifinal Round. There was a lot at stake. It would take a redoubling of efforts, energy, and focus to clear our heads and give our best shot when it mattered most. Despite the loss in Game 2, we were technically where we needed to be: with a chance to earn our place in the MABL Championship Round. Recognizing that helped to put things in perspective. I was proud of the concentration and commitment from start to finish, extending our lead after each round. By the end of the match, the score was not only an honest reflection, but also a testament to our team's grit, grace, and gratitude: 605-345. 

I am very proud of how the team responded in the decisive Game 3. That was a lot of pressure to shoulder, on the heels of a harsh defeat; a real test of character. As a result, I believe we left the Round better than we arrived at it, having gone through the turmoil and faced our mortality, only to seize the moment. Some crumble under pressure while others learn that pressure is a privilege. I'd like to believe that this team is learning the latter. 

As Dylan Thomas wrote to his dying father, "Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light." As Angela Duckworth said, "Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare." Lesson learned: “The human capacity for burden is like bamboo- far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.” - Jodi Picoult, My Sister's Keeper.

With no rest for the weary, SSFS is also slated to return to the WETA Television Studios in Arlington, VA, this Saturday morning, February 8, to compete in a playoff match-up on It's Academic against BASIS Independent McClean and Robinson Secondary, followed 12 days afterward by the MABL Championship Round on Thursday, February 20.

Onward and upward, 'Beests!

 

Post-Match Summary of It's Academic Quarterfinal Playoff Round - Feb. 8, 2025

By Eduardo Polón, Quiz Bowl Coordinator

The SSFS Quiz Bowl Team, represented by Diego (Captain), Justin (Assistant Captain), and Nate, and supported by Ian and Steve in official alternate roles, competed at WETA Television Studios in Arlington, Virginia, in a quarterfinal playoff match at Interface Media Group (IMG) studios in Washington, DC, on Saturday, February 8 in Season 64 on It’s Academic, “recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running quiz program in TV history.” 

Having already advanced from among the 81 originating participant schools down to 27, SSFS faced off in this quarterfinal bout against BASIS Independent McClean and Robinson Secondary where they were tasked with answering academic-centered questions for points posed by award-winning radio and television reporter, Moderator Hillary Howard. BASIS Independent McLean is a private school located in McLean, VA. The student population of BASIS Independent McLean is 633, ages 2 through Grade 12. In their Opening Round match, BASIS Independent McLean defeated Whitman and Stone Bridge (580-450-330). Robinson Secondary School is a 6-year public high school in Fairfax, VA, with a nearly 4,000 Grades 7 through 12 student population. In their Opening Round match, Robinson defeated Osbourn Park and Meridian (530-425-410). This is how it went…                                                 

It's Academic provides teams with five rounds of gameplay (i.e., Opening Fast Start Round, Team Mix & Match Round, Perfect Perfect Round, Packet Round with Bonus, and Grab Bag Round). The game began with all three teams starting with 100 points. The theme binding all 10 questions in today's Opening Fast Start Round was "6-letter creatures: animals and birds," SSFS came out of the gate strong, securing the buzz on 5 of the first 10 questions, answering 5 of the 5 correctly, with BASIS McLean going 3 for 3 and Robinson going 1 for 2. At the end of the Opening Fast Start Round, the score was SSFS 150-BASIS McLean 130-Robinson 100. In the Team Mix & Match Round, BASIS McLean and SSFS got all 6 of our respective questions correct, while Robinson erred once: SSFS 270-BASIS McLean 250-Robinson 200. At the end of the Picture Perfect Round, SSFS and Robinson secured the buzz each on 2 of the 8 questions, while BASIS McLean grabbed 3, and one question went unanswered (i.e., Minute Waltz By Chopin): SSFS 310-BASIS McLean 310-Robinson 240. With BASIS McLean having climbed into a tie for the lead with us, and Robinson not too far behind us both, the Packet Team Round -- with the opportunity to secure a 25-point bonus -- would be critical. Robinson went first and 8 for 8, to earn an additional 25-point bonus. BASIS McLean followed and did the same thing, putting pressure on us to follow suit. We did, also going 8 for 8 and earning our 25-point bonus to make the score SSFS 495-BASIS McLean 495-Robinson 425. It would all come down to the Grab Bag Round. With two minutes on the clock, and the outcome far from concluded, BASIS McLean and Robinson put up valiant fights (going 3 for 5 and 4 for 5 respectively), but SSFS got into a state of flow (going 8 for 9) and ran away with it. In the end...

IT’S ACADEMIC PLAYOFF ROUND

vs. BASIS Independent McLean and Robinson Secondary HS W & W (635-515-485)

Reflecting on its achievements thus far, SSFS has emerged (yet again) among the Top 9 teams remaining from a starting pool of 81 participating schools. While our opponents are still to be determined, our semifinal match is scheduled to be taped in the studio on Saturday, April 5, 2025. 
 
MARK YOUR CALENDAR & SET YOUR DVR: Opportunities to see SSFS compete on television's It's Academic are scheduled to broadcast on WETA:

  • Quarterfinal Round: Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Episodes will also be available to stream on WETA's YouTube Channel.

In conclusion, this was quite a week, and a pair of tests, for our SSFS Quiz Bowl Varsity Team! With their academic competition season at stake, facing a pair of decisive competitions each defined by very mortal scenarios of "win-and-advance" or "lose-and-be-eliminated", on Thursday, February 6, SSFS advanced to the Championship Round of the MABL and only two days later, today (Saturday, February 8), SSFS advanced to the Semifinal Round of It's Academic.  Truly, this coach could not be more proud of this team and program, as it is a group that embodies Andrew Carnegie's definition of teamwork: "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." – Andrew Carnegie

Onward and upward, 'Beests!


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