Mervo coach Patrick Nixon considers himself a historian. He’s aware of Howard’s recent success and that the Lions have won four straight 4A North regional titles. He also knows they have ended the Mustangs’ season twice over the span — in 2015 and 2016 — and that his team managed just six points combined in those defeats.

“I was very aware they’ve won four in a row, but I told our team, ‘why not us?’?” Nixon said Friday night. “In order to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, and we look at those guys and respect what they do as a program, and they’ve been the best and we want to be the king of the hill. It’s our time.”

No. 3 seed Mervo avenged those prior losses to No. 2 seed Howard in style on the road Friday night, as the Mustangs scored 28 points on just 20 plays in the first half and stunned the Lions, 48-21, in a 4A North regional semifinal.

Mervo will face No. 1 seed Paint Branch (11-0), on the road Nov. 16 or 17 for the regional championship.

Quarterback Kelin Kimborough went 8-for-13 passing for 235 yards and three touchdowns and an interception in his first playoff start and led an offense that capitalized on the big play time and time again. Corey Peterkin scored on Mervo’s first offensive play of the game and scored three times on just five touches, as he finished with three carries for 71 yards and scored on runs of 10 and 60 yards. He caught two passes for 44 yards, including a 43-yard score early in the second quarter.

Kennedy McKissic hauled in a 69-yard touchdown late in the first half to put the Mustangs (9-1) up 28-6, and Terry Jones, who had two interceptions on defense, caught a 57-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter that gave Mervo a 41-14 advantage.

Nashon Simmons led the team in carries with 16 for 69 yards and touchdown, and Tyree Williams added seven rushes for 61 yards and a 37-yard score.

“We played a really good game today,” Nixon said. “I asked our guys to believe in themselves and to dream big, and our dream is, why not us? I think we can go out and win a state championship.”

Senior running back Devin Dawkins led Howard (9-2) offensively and finished with 16 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown and two receptions for 46 yards and a score.

timschwartz@baltsun.com

twitter.com/TimSchwartz13