Dec. 18: Dom Knicely, Madison

photo by jj flicks

In the biggest game of the year, Dom Knicely delivered once again for the Madison Warhawks.

The do-it-all senior, who will play at Coastal Carolina University next year, caught six passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 17 times for 89 yards and another score as Madison nearly completed its undefeated season, falling to Oscar Smith of Chesapeake, 21-20, as the Virginia 6A championship was decided on the game’s final play this past Saturday.

For his efforts, Knicely was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

“It was one of the most impressive performances we’ve had in a long time,” Madison Coach Justin Counts said. “He made plays when we needed it. And he played defense, which he hadn’t done all year.”

Knicely caught a 46-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and his seven-yard touchdown run put the Warhawks ahead 14-7 early in the fourth.

Oscar Smith scored two touchdowns in less than 1 ½ minutes, taking a 21-14 lead with 19 seconds left.

But after Knicely pulled in a 17-yard pass from quarterback Cael Yates, the two hooked up again for a dramatic 48-yard touchdown on the final play of regulation. With Madison’s kicker injured and after being penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct for excessive celebration, the Warhawks were unsuccessful on a potential game-winning two-point conversion.

“He’s been a great leader for us and showed our young guys,” Counts said. “Even though he is the most talented player, he’s one of the guys. Anytime we needed a play all year long, he and our quarterback Cael Yates stepped up. They have an ability to rise to the occasion. No moment was too big for them.”

Dec. 18: Dom Knicely, Madison

photo by jj flicks

In the biggest game of the year, Dom Knicely delivered once again for the Madison Warhawks.

The do-it-all senior, who will play at Coastal Carolina University next year, caught six passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 17 times for 89 yards and another score as Madison nearly completed its undefeated season, falling to Oscar Smith of Chesapeake, 21-20, as the Virginia 6A championship was decided on the game’s final play this past Saturday.

For his efforts, Knicely was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

“It was one of the most impressive performances we’ve had in a long time,” Madison Coach Justin Counts said. “He made plays when we needed it. And he played defense, which he hadn’t done all year.”

Knicely caught a 46-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and his seven-yard touchdown run put the Warhawks ahead 14-7 early in the fourth.

Oscar Smith scored two touchdowns in less than 1 ½ minutes, taking a 21-14 lead with 19 seconds left.

But after Knicely pulled in a 17-yard pass from quarterback Cael Yates, the two hooked up again for a dramatic 48-yard touchdown on the final play of regulation. With Madison’s kicker injured and after being penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct for excessive celebration, the Warhawks were unsuccessful on a potential game-winning two-point conversion.

“He’s been a great leader for us and showed our young guys,” Counts said. “Even though he is the most talented player, he’s one of the guys. Anytime we needed a play all year long, he and our quarterback Cael Yates stepped up. They have an ability to rise to the occasion. No moment was too big for them.”

Dec. 11: Dom Knicely, Madison

photo by jj flicks

One of the biggest challenges for the Madison High football coaching staff is devising new ways to get the ball in the hands of senior Dom Knicely. One of the Washington area’s most versatile offensive threats, the Warhawks are well aware that opposing defenses will key in on their star player. But that doesn’t mean he won’t still be getting the ball.

This past Saturday, Knicely rushed 24 times for 184 yards and four touchdowns and caught two passes for 53 yards, leading undefeated Madison to a 42-19 win over Lake Braddock in a Virginia 6-A semifinal game.

“We run him in all different kinds of motion to try to get some matchup opportunities for him,” Madison Coach Justin Counts said. “Everybody is paying attention to him. If we just line him up wide, a lot of times he gets double covered. So we run him on jet sweeps, up the middle, reverses, screen passes, swing passes or just line him up and tell him to go deep. He’s also our kick returner and punt returner.”

For his efforts, Knicely was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

No matter how much opponents have focused on Knicely, he continues to find success. For the season, he has rushed 191 times for 1,302 yards and 19 touchdowns, caught 40 passes for 879 yards and 13 touchdowns and averaged 37 yards per kickoff return and 18 yards per punt return, with three returns for touchdowns. Knicely has accepted a football scholarship to play for Coastal Carolina, where the coaches plan to use Knicely much the same way as he is used at Madison.

“Obviously he’s a super-talented kid, but he’s really emerged this year as a leader and has matured as being really serious about being a great football player,” Counts said. “He takes practice very seriously and he’s great for our young guys to be around and a guy we can point to for how to handle your business. He has really grown up in his time here.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Honor Roll:

ANNE ARUNDEL
Arundel DE Brandon Gorham returned an interception nine yards for a game-breaking touchdown, made six tackles with 3 ½ tackles for loss and 1 ½ sacks and forced a fumble as the Wildcats beat high-powered Linganore, 35-7, in the Maryland 3A championship game.

DC
Dunbar RB/DB Samar Robinson rushed for a 13-yard touchdown, returned a fumble 81 yards for the game-clinching score and made several big tackles on defense as the Crimson Tide beat Friendship Collegiate, 27-6, in the DCSAA Class AA championship game to win its first-ever state title.

LOUDOUN
Briar Woods QB Brady Carmical, a Navy recruit, rushed for two touchdowns and threw two touchdown passes as the Falcons beat L.C. Bird, 28-14, in a Virginia 5A semifinal.

MONTGOMERY
Quince Orchard RB Iverson Howard, a Maryland recruit, rushed 25 times for 73 yards and two touchdowns as the Cougars beat Wise, 24-13, in the Maryland 4A championship game.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND
North Point RB Damien Brown rushed 18 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles beat Mervo, 21-20, to win the Maryland 4A/3A championship for the second time in three years.

Dec. 4: Iverson Howard, Quince Orchard

photo by phil fabrizio

At the point of the season where many of his teammates and opponents are feeling the effects of nearly four months of rigorous physical activity, Quince Orchard High School senior running back Iverson Howard looks fresh. The undefeated Cougars have routed many of their opponents this season and tried their best to make sure their star player and Maryland recruit is ready when he is most needed.

Howard, who sat out the second half of most of those lopsided games earlier this season, rushed 20 times for 195 yards and three touchdowns as Quince Orchard beat Broadneck, 48-13, in a Maryland 4A semifinal this past Friday.

“We’ve tried to limit his carries,” Cougars Coach John Kelley said. “We don’t want him carrying the ball 20 to 25 times a game during the season. His stats would be astronomical if he was playing whole games. He knows his workload is going to increase in the playoffs.”

For his efforts, Howard was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

Howard has been a mainstay since he first set foot on Quince Orchard’s Darnestown campus. A rare four-year starter, Howard has been a part of only one loss during his high school career. He has rushed for 1,124 yards and 21 touchdowns this season, averaging just 11 carries per game, and rushed for 3,301 yards and 47 touchdowns during his high school career.

Most importantly, the Cougars are 45-1 during that time and seeking their third state title in four years when they play Wise in Friday night’s championship game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.

This season, Quince Orchard (12-0) has had a running clock because of the 35-point mercy rule in all but four of its games.

“His strength to power to speed ratio, it’s hard to combat that,” Kelley said. “And he’s a really good receiver out of the backfield. He’s got the ability to catch the ball in space and make people miss as well. And when he gets running downhill behind his shoulder pads, he’s running people over.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Honor Roll:

ANNE ARUNDEL
Arundel DB Kaleb Omotosho intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble as the Wildcats beat Sherwood, 24-8, in a Maryland 4A/3A semifinal.

DC
Dunbar QB Brosnan Dukes passed for 244 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 93 yards as the Crimson Ride beat Coolidge, 35-21, in the DCIAA Turkey Bowl.

FREDERICK
Linganore RB Bradley Matthews rushed 35 times for 222 yards and four touchdowns as the Lancers beat Oakland Mills, 35-21, in a Maryland 3A semifinal. Matthews has rushed for a single-season school record 2,460 yards and scored 36 touchdowns this season.

LOUDOUN
Tuscarora RB Zain Elian, a sophomore making his first career start, rushed 21 times for 209 yards and two touchdowns and caught a 20-yard pass that set up another score as the Huskies beat John Champe, 41-16, in the Virginia 4A Region C final.

NORTHERN REGION
Madison RB-DB Dominic Knicely rushed 12 times for 71 yards and one touchdown, caught two passes for 60 yards and one touchdown and returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown as the Warhawks beat Washington-Liberty, 48-21, in the Virginia 6A Region D final.

PRINCE GEORGE’S
Wise RB DeCarlos Young, a Temple recruit, rushed 13 times for 118 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 20 yards as the Pumas beat C.H. Flowers, 35-0, in a Maryland 4A semifinal.

PRIVATE
St. Albans WR-DB Lacy Rice caught nine passes for 193 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-tying and game-winning scores, and intercepted a pass on defense as the Bulldogs beat Bell, 40-34 in overtime, in the DCSAA Class A championship game.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Huntingtown RB/S Brody Whittington rushed 18 times for 253 yards and one touchdown and intercepted a pass and returned it 71 yards as the Hurricanes beat Milford Mill, 24-16, in a Maryland 2A semifinal.

Nov. 27: Antonio Washington, Bell

photo by juan bermudez

Antonio Washington first made his mark on the football field as a freshman. He began that season as Bell’s starting fullback before quickly moving to become the team’s tailback. Now in his third year as a starter, the mark Washington makes is equivalent to a big, fat Sharpie as Coach Daniel Tyson tries his best to have the ball in his star player’s hands every play.

This past Saturday, Washington delivered a performance for the ages. On offense, he rushed 31 times for a career-high 297 yards and four touchdowns and even threw a 36-yard touchdown pass. On defense, he made seven tackles, intercepted two passes and forced two fumbles, recovering one himself, as the Griffins beat Anacostia, 49-8, to win the DCIAA Gravy Bowl.

“He has always been dynamic,” Bell Coach Daniel Tyson said. “But what sets him apart is he started a really good offseason workout regimen this year and it took him to another level. In the past, I’d ask him if he wanted to come out for a play and he would take it. This year, he never wants to come out of the game.”

For his efforts, Washington was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

For the season, Washington has rushed for 1,886 yards and 21 touchdowns. In addition to lining up at running back, he occasionally plays quarterback and relies on his experience as a youth football player at that position. Of his 11 completions this season, seven have resulted in touchdowns.

“His ability to run or throw puts teams in difficult situations,” Tyson said. “On the field, there is a calmness about him. The game never gets too big for him, he’s even-keeled. And he is a very intelligent player – defensively he knows what gaps to fill, when to accelerate and how to read the quarterback’s eyes. He’s just a big-time player.”

The Griffins (10-2) play St. Albans on Saturday in the DCSAA Class A championship game.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Honor Roll:

ANNE ARUNDEL
Arundel RB T.J. Mordecai rushed 29 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns as the Wildcats beat Northern, 21-14, in a Maryland 4A/3A quarterfinal.

FREDERICK
Linganore QB Shawn Pelovitz threw two touchdown passes and rushed for two more scores as the Lancers beat Bel Air, 34-14, in a Maryland 3A quarterfinal.

HOWARD
Oakland Mills QB Isaac Ramsey, a Georgetown recruit, rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another as the Scorpions beat Atholton, 31-0, in a Maryland 3A quarterfinal.

LOUDOUN
Briar Woods QB-DB Brady Carmical, a Navy recruit, completed 11 of 19 passes for 286 yards and four touchdowns, rushed six times for 47 yards and another score and on defense made five tackles as the Falcons beat Massaponax, 39-27, in a Virginia 5A second-round game.

MONTGOMERY
Quince Orchard RB Iverson Howard rushed 13 times for 196 yards and four touchdowns as the Cougars beat Bethesda-Chevy Chase, 38-3, in a Maryland 4A quarterfinal.

NORTHERN REGION
West Springfield RB Mark-Anthony Whyte rushed 25 times for 245 yards and four touchdowns as the Spartans beat South County, 41-12, in a Virginia 6A first-round game.

PRINCE GEORGE’S
Douglass RB Glen Vinson III rushed 14 times for 127 yards and three touchdowns and on defense made 10 tackles as the Eagles beat Liberty, 36-13, in a Maryland 2A semifinal.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Patriot WR-FS Diasian Noakes caught 10 passes for 102 yards, rushed three times for 45 yards, intercepted a pass on defense and had a 66-yard punt to the 1-yard line as the Pioneers beat previously undefeated Battlefield, 10-7, in a Virginia 6A second-round game.

PRIVATE
St. Albans QB Brett Paukstis completed 27 of 37 passes for 313 yards and five touchdowns, including the game-tying score with 16 seconds left in regulation and another in overtime, as the Bulldogs beat Maret, 35-34, in a DCSAA Class AA semifinal.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Westlake RB Devin Cox rushed 10 times for 181 yards and three touchdowns in the first half as the Wolverines beat Damascus, 34-0, in a Maryland 3A quarterfinal.

WCAC
DeMatha K Alex Amaya made three field goals, including a 49-yarder, punted twice for a 40-yard average and put all five of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks as the Stags beat Good Counsel, 16-7, to win the WCAC championship.

Nov. 20: Malik Washington, Spalding

photo by jeff burke

In addition to a strong throwing arm, incredible athletic ability and the mental capacity to digest exactly what coaches are trying to accomplish, Archbishop Spalding High School quarterback Malik Washington also has a competitive fire that burns stronger than his peers.

But even then, Spalding Coach Kyle Schmitt said, Washington still understands the human element of the game and why, when asked when he threw a ball to a particular teammate during a practice of game, Washington might reply, “That guy just needed to get the ball.”

“He’s so self aware and connected to the team,” Schmitt said. “He’s not a robot. He’s pretty special.”

He’s also a winner. Washington completed an amazing three-year run this past Saturday, throwing two touchdown passes and running for another score as the Cavaliers beat McDonogh, 31-7, to win their third consecutive Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference title.

For his efforts, Washington was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

One of the top recruits in the class of 2025 in the National Capital Region, Washington has accepted a scholarship offer to play for the University of Maryland. He plans to enroll at College Park for the second semester in order to participate in spring practice.

Washington finished this season with 153 completions in 237 attempts for 2,095 yards and 24 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He also rushed for 330 yards and nine touchdowns and even caught a touchdown pass.

“He is obviously extremely talented and just has a competitive stamina that I think resonates throughout our football team,” Schmitt said. “He’s also a really grateful kid. He enjoys practice, enjoys situational football and really harnessed all of it. He was really responsible for so much of our offense.

“He’s the best [high school quarterback] I’ve seen, for sure. I’ve seen some pretty good ones too. His understanding of the game and what we’re trying to get done is pretty elite.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Honor Roll:

ANNE ARUNDEL
Broadneck DB Tyrin Chinn-Thompson returned two interceptions for touchdowns as the Bruins beat Glen Burnie, 54-28, in a Maryland 4A second-round game.

DC
Coolidge WR Nazir McKenzie caught five passes for 152 yards and one touchdown as the Colts beat Eastern, 14-7, in a DCIAA Stars Division semifinal.

FREDERICK
Linganore RB Bradley Matthews rushed 18 times for 210 yards and four touchdowns and caught a 62-yard touchdown pass as the Lancers beat Westminster, 49-14, in a Maryland 3A second-round game.

HOWARD
Atholton RB Lawson Mungo rushed 28 times for 127 yards and one touchdown as the Raiders beat Marriotts Ridge, 20-0, in a Maryland 3A second-round game.

LOUDOUN
Loudoun County RB Montez Dyson rushed 31 times for 243 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning score with one minute left, as the Captains beat Heritage, 31-27, in a Virginia 4A first-round game.

MONTGOMERY
Paint Branch RB Alijah Bah, returning after missing three games with an ankle injury, rushed 14 times for 173 yards and three touchdowns and caught three passes for 32 yards and one touchdown as the Panthers beat Walter Johnson, 56-21, in a Maryland 4A second-round game.

NORTHERN REGION
Madison RB Dominic Knicely rushed seven times for 97 yards and one touchdown and caught three passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns as the undefeated Warhawks beat Chantilly, 44-0, in a Virginia 6A first-round game.

PRINCE GEORGE’S
Wise RB DeCarlos Young, a Temple recruit, rushed 10 times for 157 yards and three touchdowns as the Pumas beat Bowie, 50-0, in a Maryland 4A second-round game.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Patriot WR Diasian Noakes caught six passes for 122 yards and one touchdown and returned a kickoff 78 yards for the winning score midway through the fourth quarter as the Pioneers beat Gainesville, 19-14, in a Virginia 6A first-round game.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Westlake RB Devin Cox rushed 18 times for 208 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 46 yards as the Wolverines beat Potomac (Md.), 28-0, in a Maryland

WCAC
Good Counsel QB Jackson Rice completed 20 of 24 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns as the Falcons beat Gonzaga, 26-14, in a WCAC semifinal.

Nov. 13: Ubie Zaid, Landon

photo by luke yang

As do-it-all junior Ubie Zaid thrived on the football field throughout the season, Landon’s coaching staff tried to devise as many ways as possible to get the ball to their standout wide receiver, free safety and kick returner. They even practiced having the front players on their kickoff return lateral the ball back to Zaid because opponents rarely kicked the ball deep.

Saturday, after rallying from a 22-point deficit to take the lead, then seeing St. Albans tie the game late in regulation, Landon Coach Paul Padalino was on the sideline thinking about how to move the ball down the field for a game-winning field goal attempt.

“Oh no,” Padalino thought to himself as he realized Zaid was going to get a chance to return the kickoff, even after he had a 60-yard kickoff return earlier in the game. “I was shocked they kicked it to him. Everyone knew not to kick it to him. … He just opened up, made a cut up inside, took it down their sideline and let it go and took off. He’s pretty special.”

It was yet one special play on a memorable after for Zaid. His 85-yard kickoff return – without an opponent even touching him -- with 52 seconds left, lifted Landon to a 36-29 win.

Zaid also threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Sean Murray on a trick play, caught six passes for 64 yards and on defense made seven tackles and intercepted a pass on the game’s final play.

For his efforts, Zaid was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

“He does it all for us,” Padalino said. “He started for us last year, had a great year. Starting point guard since freshman year on the basketball team. On Saturday he just willed us to a win. We’re down 22-0 and started to get some traction and he throws a touchdown to our quarterback to get it to 22-7. People try to take him away. Everyone knows he’s the guy for us. We keep trying to find ways to get him the ball.”

Sometimes Zaid would catch bubble screens, other times he was the pitch man on the option. He might go in motion and take the handoff for a jet sweep or be the recipient of a reverse.

“We put him all over the place,” Padalino said. “We fake punted eight times and four of them went to him for a first down.”

For the season, Zaid finished 4 of 4 passing for 140 yards and three touchdowns, rushed 22 times for 232 yards and caught 68 passes for 748 yards and six touchdowns. On defense, he made 48 tackles and intercepted four passes. He averaged 36 yards per kickoff return with three touchdowns.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Honor Roll:

ANNE ARUNDEL
Annapolis CB Dwain Gray made three tackles, broke up one pass and intercepted two other passes, returning one 85 yards for a touchdown as the Panthers beat North County, 48-6, in a Maryland 4A first-round game.

DC
Anacostia QB-DB Ri’chard Wheeler completed 11 of 15 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns, rushed nine times for 165 yards and one touchdown and on defense intercepted two passes, returning one 37 yards for a touchdown, as the Indians beat Phelps, 48-12.

FREDERICK
Walkersville RB Da’Marques Ross rushed 10 times for 152 yards and five first-half touchdowns as the Lions beat Centennial, 61-6, in a Maryland 2A first-round game.

HOWARD
Oakland Mills QB/DB Isaac Ramsey rushed for two touchdowns and on defense intercepted three passes, returning two for touchdowns, as the Scorpions beat Lansdowne, 49-6, in a Maryland 3A first-round game.

LOUDOUN
John Champe QB Brandon Pena completed 14 of 22 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another score as the Knights beat Freedom-South Riding, 44-7.

MONTGOMERY
Sherwood QB Matt Larsen completed 15 of 19 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns as the Warriors beat Manchester Valley, 49-7, in a Maryland 3A first-round game.

NORTHERN REGION
Lake Braddock TE Zach Hibner caught eight passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns as the Bruins beat Robinson, 35-28.

PRINCE GEORGE’S
Oxon Hill RB Cameron Azodeh rushed 20 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 62 yards as the Clippers beat Guilford Park, 35-6, in a Maryland 3A first-round game.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Woodbridge RB Marquece Sharps rushed 170 yards and two touchdowns as the Vikings beat Gar-Field, 22-7, for their sixth consecutive win and earned their first postseason appearance since 2017.

PRIVATE
Spalding QB Malik Washington completed 16 of 22 passes for 199 yards and four touchdowns and rushed eight times for 38 yards as the Cavaliers beat Mount St. Joseph, 38-0, in the semifinals of the MIAA A Conference playoffs.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Leonardtown RB/LB Zachary Meade rushed 20 times for 180 yards, caught an 18-yard touchdown pass and on defense forced a fumble and intercepted a pass as the Raiders beat Severna Park, 33-22, in a Maryland 4A/3A first-round game.

WCAC
Gonzaga DL Rex Stinchcomb, a Buffalo recruit, had four sacks as the Eagles took a shutout into the fourth quarter and beat St. John’s, 10-7.

Nov. 6: Jon Malatesta, Washington-Liberty

photo courtesy washington-liberty football

Washington-Liberty High senior Jon Malatesta has put together quite a highlight tape full of acrobatic catches this season. So with the Generals’ defensive lineup thinned by injuries this past week, the coaching staff turned to Malatesta to play cornerback.

It took a few series for Malatesta to begin figuring out how to play the position. Coach Josh Shapiro noticed Malatesta struggling with basic concepts and tried to give the three-sport standout some pointers, only to be met with a quizzical look.

“I don’t think he’s ever had an individual drill as a defensive back,” Shapiro said. “But we just said, ‘Lock this kid up.’ It took him a half to figure out the nuances of covering somebody. He just learned and adapted.”

Malatesta later nabbed his first career interception, to go along with a standout offensive performance of 10 catches for 138 yards and four touchdowns as undefeated Washington-Liberty beat Langley, 28-14, to clinch the Liberty Conference title.

For his efforts, Malatesta was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

It was just the latest strong outing by Malatesta, who has made a habit of this for his Arlington school. He also plays forward on the basketball team and attack on the lacrosse team, where last spring he was a second-team all-region selection.

Malatesta came out for the football team as a sophomore and played on the junior varsity, before starting at wide receiver last season as the Generals featured current Bucknell wide receiver Jackson Nowinski.

“He was an undercard last year [to Jackson] but I think Jon is just as good if not better,” Shapiro said. He’s a phenomenal athlete – great body control and terrific hand-eye coordination. He’s made some incredible catches this year.”

Malatesta told Shapiro that football is just a “side hustle” and that lacrosse is his focus. Shapiro has watched Malatesta shine on the lacrosse field, but he isn’t convinced that his player’s best sport isn’t football. In nine games this season, Malatesta has 54 catches for 699 yards and 16 touchdowns.

“He’s the whole package – smart, good size, long,” Shapiro said. “And you never hear a bad word from him. He’s quiet but funny with an adult sense of humor. I asked him when he was coming to pick up his equipment before the game how many he would get. He barely stopped and said, ‘Two and a pick, Coach.’ ”

That turned out to be close enough.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week honor roll:

ANNE ARUNDEL
Glen Burnie WR-DB Will Jacobs caught a touchdown pass, threw a 46-yard pass and on defense made seven tackles with one sack and returned two interceptions for touchdowns as the Gophers beat Severna Park, 42-17.

DC
Coolidge QB Aleem Moore completed 12 of 16 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns and rushed four times for 32 yards and one touchdown as the Colts beat Theodore Roosevelt, 28-21.

FREDERICK
Linganore RB Bradley Matthews rushed 26 times for 269 yards and five touchdowns as the Lancers beat rival Urbana, 49-14, to win the I-70 trophy.

HOWARD
Atholton RB Lawson Mungo rushed 16 times for 224 yards and four touchdowns as the Raiders beat Marriotts Ridge, 27-26.

LOUDOUN
Lightridge QB Brady White completed 12 of 22 passes for 353 yards and a school-record five touchdowns as the Bolts beat Riverside, 42-7.

MONTGOMERY
Paint Branch TE/DB Yvan Kemajou, a Penn State recruit, caught two passes including a 36-yard touchdown and on defense made seven tackles with one tackle for loss and forced a fumble that results in a safety as the Panthers beat Bethesda-Chevy Chase, 23-10.

PRINCE GEORGE’S
Wise RB DeCarlos Young, a Temple recruit, returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and scored two more touchdowns, as he passed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season, leading the Pumas to their eighth consecutive win, 62-0 over Northwestern.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Forest Park RB Landon Hunt rushed 27 times for 253 yards and six touchdowns as the Bruins beat Colgan, 43-28.

PRIVATE
St. John’s Catholic Prep QB Demarco Villadares completed 19 of 27 passes for 412 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for another score as the Vikings beat Annapolis Area Christian, 44-13.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND
North Point DB Seth Gathers intercepted two passes in the fourth quarter as North Point held off Westlake, 21-6.

WCAC
St. Mary’s Ryken RB Malachi Milburn rushed 24 times for 201 yards as the Knights beat Carroll, 51-12.

Oct. 30: Evan Blouir, Patuxent

photo by alex schlogel

It doesn’t matter if it is a simple drill out on practice field on Monday afternoon or Friday night under the lights with the game on the line. Nobody wants to win more than Patuxent High quarterback Evan Blouir.

“Whenever we are competing -- whether it is at practice, in a game or in the weight room – he has to be first,” Patuxent Coach Steve Crounse said. “He has no mercy with that stuff. Everything is a competition. Everything is lead by example. He’s annoying competitive.”

That competitive fire has continually led Blouir to the end zone and Patuxent to the win column, as it did again this past Friday. Blouir, who has committed to play college football at Navy, completed 10 of 17 passes for 118 yards and rushed 18 times for 218 yards and four touchdowns as the undefeated Panthers beat Leonardtown, 40-14, to clinch the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference title.

For his efforts, Blouir was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

“He’s got the intangibles, of course,” Crounse said. “He’s driven and passionate. And the tangibles too – he doesn’t miss a day in the weight room. He’s our strongest kid, including linemen, always watching film and really takes his craft seriously as far as learning the little fundamentals and mechanics of his position.

“This kid has really built himself physically into a dominant player. It’s really about the work ethic. A lot of kids we coach, you say, ‘If only this kid worked a little harder.’ But this kid does do that and that’s why the numbers are what they are.”

Those numbers are gaudy. It was Blouir’s fourth game this season rushing for at least 200 yards. For the season, he has completed 92 of 130 passes for 1,481 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed 122 times for 1,308 yards and 20 touchdowns, while also getting some spot duty on defense at safety, intercepting three passes. He is the first player in Maryland public school history to pass for more than 5,000 yards and rush for more than 3,000 yards. Blouir was recruited to play quarterback at Navy, but he could end up at wide receiver or defensive back.

“He went to a Friday night one-night camp last summer,” Crounse said. “They are recruiting him as a quarterback, but they also watched him do some routes at receiver and safety isn’t out of the question. Just his overall athleticism made him a no-brainer for that type of football and the academy.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Honor Roll:

ANNE ARUNDEL
Severna Park QB Vince Nguyen completed 17 of 27 passes for 363 yards and six touchdowns as the Falcons beat Crofton, 41-28.

DC
Digital Pioneers LB Nakaydon Green made 18 tackles as the Pythons beat Connexions Leadership, 28-6.

FREDERICK
Walkersville RB Da’Marques Ross rushed for 263 yards and four touchdowns as the Lions beat Catoctin, 42-7.

HOWARD
Howard RB/DB Darius Moore rushed 32 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a two-point conversion and on defense made 11 tackles, broke up two passes and returned an interception 55 yards as the Lions beat Atholton, 29-22.

LOUDOUN
Loudoun Valley LB Chase Loftis made 14 tackles with four tackles for loss and returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown as the Vikings beat Heritage, 40-6.

MONTGOMERY
Quince Orchard DB Aydan West, a Michigan State recruit, intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown as the undefeated Cougars beat Northwest, 24-17.

NORTHERN REGION
Jefferson QB/K Landen Matis completed 8 of 12 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns and made all five of his point-after kicks as the Colonials beat Manassas Park, 41-8.

PRINCE GEORGE’S
Eleanor Roosevelt RB-DB Cordell Young rushed nine times for 75 yards and two touchdowns and on defense made six tackles and returned an interception 70 yards as the Raiders beat Suitland, 29-13.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Battlefield WR Alexander Molina returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, rushed for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass as the Bobcats won their 41st consecutive regular season game, 69-0 over Osbourn Park.

PRIVATE
Potomac School WR/DB Akim Iscandari caught four passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns and intercepted a pass on defense as the Panthers beat St. James, 33-16.

WCAC
Carroll RB TK Davis rushed 17 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns as the Lions beat O’Connell, 34-17.

Oct. 23: Jaden McDuffie, South River

photo by angela tarjick

Locked in a high-scoring tied game late in regulation, South River High football coach Steve Erxleben felt pretty confident that his team could put together a game-winning drive. The Seahawks’ defense got a stop and the team had two timeouts remaining. Quarterback Finn Mulvihill was enjoying a spectacular night, passing for 420 yards and six touchdowns. Including four touchdown passes to standout junior Jaden McDuffie.

McDuffie, though, had something else in mind. He fielded a punt at his own 35-yard line and started to his left, before abruptly reversing field and eluding multiple defenders before breaking away for a game-winning, 65-yard touchdown as South River beat Crofton, 48-41.

“I was surprised they kicked it deep,” Erxleben said. “I thought they would kick it out of bounds. It wasn’t like we blocked it up that well. Just a heck of a return.”

For his efforts, McDuffie was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

McDuffie was named second-team All-Anne Arundel County as a defensive back last season, but this season he has made a bigger impact on offense. South River has transitioned into an offensive scheme that relies on throwing the ball. On Friday, McDuffie caught six passes for 205 yards.

“He may be the top receiver in Anne Arundel County right now,” Erxleben said. “He’s a huge playmaker for us. We’ve won five games, all in different ways, and it seems like every single situation he’s the one who makes the play.”

For the season, McDuffie has caught 44 passes for 709 yards and 11 touchdowns.

“Coming into the season, basketball was his first love but I think he’s finding out real quickly that he’s a recruitable kid in football,” Erxleben said. “We’re getting calls from a lot of different colleges wanting to see tape.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week honor roll:

DC
Digital Pioneers RB King Williams rushed 20 times for 312 yards and two touchdowns as the Pythons beat Jefferson, 46-0.

FREDERICK
Linganore QB Shawn Pelovitz completed 20 of 31 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for a touchdown as the Lancers beat Middletown, 40-34 in double overtime. 

HOWARD
Atholton WR Ja’Varr Stewart had a 38-yard touchdown run and returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown as the Raiders beat Mount Hebron, 31-3.

LOUDOUN
Independence RB-LB Jackson Thorne, a Richmond recruit, rushed four times for 122 yards and two touchdowns and on defense made 15 tackles with five tackles for loss and one sack as the Tigers beat Riverside, 39-10.

MONTGOMERY
Paint Branch RB Alijah Bah rushed 21 times for 106 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers beat Blake, 35-7.

NORTHERN REGION
Marshall RB-LB Ethan Lebkisher rushed 22 times for 211 yards and five touchdowns and on defense made 11 tackles as the Statesmen beat Wakefield, 40-14.

PRINCE GEORGE’S
Largo RB Tymond Foxx rushed 34 times for 238 yards and four touchdowns as the Lions beat Friendly, 30-26.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Patriot QB Tyler Knutson completed 17 of 21 passes for 242 yards and four touchdowns as the Pioneers beat Osbourn, 48-7. Knutson has thrown 21 touchdown passes without an interception this season.

PRIVATE
Georgetown Prep RB Japhya Rouson rushed for two touchdowns as the Little Hoyas rallied to beat St. Albans, 25-20. It was yet another big game for Rouson, a freshman, who was coming off a 258-yard performance in a win over Landon.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Patuxent QB-DB Evan Blouir, a Navy recruit, completed 18 of 20 passes for 323 yards and six touchdowns and rushed 20 times for 120 yards and one touchdown and on defense made two tackles and intercepted a pass as the Panthers beat Northern, 55-24.

WCAC
DeMatha QB Denzel Gardner, a Marshall recruit, completed 9 of 14 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns as the Stags beat Good Counsel, 35-7.

Oct. 16: Tymond Foxx, Largo

photo by kevonte howard

Tymond Foxx had plenty of success on the football field during his first two years at Largo High. As a sophomore last year, he rushed for more than 1,300 yards, scored 17 touchdowns and was voted by coaches as the Offensive MVP of the Prince George’s 2A/1A league.

However, Coach Derron Thomas said, there was another level for Foxx to reach.

“He’s kind of an old school, bruising, 1990s running back,” Thomas said. “He’s a bigger kid. He’s 5-foot-8, but his freshman and sophomore years he played at about 225 pounds. He worked really hard this offseason and ran track and focused on his weight and got down to 205 pounds. We’re still in that process of changing his body, but just dropping so much weight has helped his speed and skillset tremendously.”

Foxx started this season slower than he wanted, spraining an ankle during the preseason and missing the season opener. But he has been returning to form, showcasing his newfound speed while continuing to bowl over opponents. This past Friday, he rushed 30 times for a career-high 301 yards and three touchdowns as Largo beat Crossland, 27-24.

For his efforts, Foxx was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

“You can see the difference in his highlights,” Thomas said. “He started eating differently, cutting some of the carbs and sugars out of his diet, eating more protein, eating more fruits and vegetables. He also went out and got himself a personal trainer that helped him a lot. During the offseason, he often was doing two-a-days, working out with his trainer in the morning and then in the afternoons he worked out with his teammates. You can see the results.”

In five games this season, Foxx has rushed 99 times for 719 yards and 11 touchdowns and is attracting interest from college recruiters.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week honor roll:

ANNE ARUNDEL
Southern WB-DB Caleb Contee caught 11 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns and on defense made three tackles, intercepted a pass and broke up four other passes as the Bulldogs beat North East, 28-14.

DC
Ron Brown QB Davieon Browne completed 11 of 16 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for three touchdowns as the Monarchs beat Phelps, 46-8.

FREDERICK
Brunswick QB Ethan Houck, a Liberty recruit, completed 16 of 25 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two touchdowns, including the game-winning five-yard score with 36 seconds left as the Railroaders beat Walkersville for the first time in 14 years, 27-26.

HOWARD
Atholton RB Lawson Mungo rushed 17 times for 109 yards and one touchdown and caught a 19-yard touchdown pass as the Raiders beat previously undefeated Oakland Mills, 27-20.

LOUDOUN
John Champe WR Dawon Harvey Jr. caught seven passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns as the undefeated Knights beat Loudoun County, 28-21.

MONTGOMERY
Churchill QB Vasi Hallas completed 21 of 27 passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat Whitman, 37-0.

NORTHERN REGION
Annandale RB Carlos Alvarez rushed 14 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass as the Atoms picked up their first win of the season, 36-27 over Justice.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Patriot RB Jackson McCarter rushed 18 times for 202 yards and three touchdowns as the Pioneers beat previously undefeated Gainesville, 35-20.

PRIVATE
Maret RB-LB Dom Santoiemma rushed 16 times for 176 yards and one touchdown, caught five passes for 101 yards and one touchdown and on defense made 12 tackles, forced a fumble and returned an interception for a touchdown as the Frogs beat St. James, 58-42.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND
McDonough RB/LB Kosi Ukiwe rushed 11 times for 187 yards and four touchdowns and on defense made 16 tackles with two tackles for loss and one sack and forced a fumble as the Rams beat Thomas Stone, 42-21.

WCAC
Good Counsel QB Jackson Rice completed 9 of 16 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns as the Falcons beat St. John’s, 28-13.

Oct. 9: Dylan Duffy, Briar Woods

photo by jackson reid

With injuries ravaging the Briar Woods High School football team, Coach Mike Burnett turned to one of his most trustworthy players. Senior Dylan Duffy is in his second year starting at safety on defense for the Falcons but he also has proven adept at filling in wherever needed.

“I think he has played four or five different positions,” Burnett said. “Cornerback. Safety. Inside receiver. Outside receiver. Fullback. He even kicked when our kicker got hurt. He’s one of those kids.”

So when Briar Woods trekked to Cumberland this past Friday to take on one of Maryland’s traditional small school powers, Duffy was ready to answer the call. He finished with 11 tackles, made his first career interception, recovered a fumble, caught the first four passes of his career and scored his first career touchdown as Briar Woods beat Fort Hill, 28-7, ending the Sentinels’ five-year home winning streak.

For his efforts, Duffy was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

“He’s just a great kid who played the game of his life at the right time,” Burnett said. “You don’t get those stories all the time. It was truly incredible.”

Duffy’s interception late in the first half went for naught, but a few plays later he recovered a fumble that led to a Falcons touchdown. In the third quarter, as Briar Woods held a 14-7 lead, Burnett decided to leave the offense on the field for a fourth-and-19 play near midfield, trusting star quarterback Brady Carmical, a Navy recruit. Carmical found Duffy for a 24-yard catch, leading to a touchdown, and Duffy’s 14-yard touchdown catch later sealed the victory over the Maryland 1A three-time defending champions.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Player of the Week High School Football Player of the Week Honor Roll:

ANNE ARUNDEL
South River QB Finn Mulvihill completed 16 of 23 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns as the Seahawks beat Northeast, 35-15.

DC
KIPP Legacy LB Orlando Stanton-Carter made 12 tackles with 1 ½ sacks, forced a fumble and returned an interception for a touchdown as the Bulldogs beat Connexions Leadership Academy, 36-0.

FREDERICK
Linganore RB Bradley Matthews rushed 13 times for 107 yards and five first-half touchdowns as the Lancers beat Tuscarora, 42-6.

HOWARD
Wilde Lake CB Jaydin Gore made five tackles and intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, as the Wildecats beat Howard, 10-7 in overtime.

MONTGOMERY
Churchill K Cole Hessman made all three of his field goal attempts, including the game-winning, 20-yarder in overtime, as the Bulldogs beat Urbana, 23-20. Hessman also made both of his point-after kicks and averaged 46 yards on three punts.

NORTHERN REGION
Yorktown WR Finn Luca caught eight passes for 173 yards and one touchdown and rushed five times for 93 yards and another score as the Patriots beat Centreville, 34-7 for Coach Bruce Hanson’s 300th career victory.

PRINCE GEORGE’S
Largo LB Johnathan Irvin made nine tackles and recovered a fumble as the Lions beat Potomac (Md.), 28-22.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Battlefield WR-S Cole Woodson, a Pittsburgh recruit, caught a 50-yard touchdown pass, returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and recovered a fumble on defense as the Bobcats won their 39th consecutive regular season game, 56-7 over Unity Reed.

PRIVATE
Spalding QB Malik Washington, a Maryland recruit, completed 11 of 14 passes for 241 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first half, as the Cavaliers beat St. Mary’s-Annapolis, 54-0.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Patuxent QB Evan Blouir, a Navy recruit, completed 10 of 10 passes for 203 yards and five touchdowns and rushed two times for 24 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers beat Chopticon, 63-6.

WCAC
Gonzaga RB-DB Kainoa Winston, a Michigan recruit, rushed 13 times for 110 yards and one touchdown and on defense made eight tackles with one tackle for loss and intercepted a pass as the Eagles beat Benedictine, 23-16.

Oct. 2: DaMarion Fowlkes, Good Counsel

photo by maddie boddie

Good Counsel senior DaMarion Fowlkes returned Friday night’s opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. After the Falcons defense held strong, Fowlkes returned the ensuing punt 46 yards for another score. The University of Pittsburgh recruit later added an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown and caught three passes for 43 yards as Good Counsel beat Stone Bridge, 48-10.

For his efforts, Fowlkes was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

But while his big special teams made all the highlight reels, it was another play that the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Fowlkes made that lingered in the mind of Falcons Coach Andy Stefanelli.

“He had a fourth touchdown that was maybe his most amazing play but it got called back because of a holding penalty,” Stefanelli said. “He’s not a big kid, but he broke like five tackles and got in the end zone for what would have been a 12-yard touchdown run. The last five yards were really impressive – he wouldn’t go down and just carried guys into the end zone, which you don’t expect from a guy his size.”

Fowlkes, who also runs track at Good Counsel, usually relies on his electric speed to make plays. He also returned a punt for a touchdown in the season opener. Last week, he had 10 catches for 205 yards and one touchdown.

“He just has a knack for it and hits the hole so fast,” Stefanelli said. “He’s patient and sets guys up and then he hits the gap and he’s gone! He gets a seam and he’s out of the gate, you’re not going to catch him. Most pretty good punt returners get vertical quickly and that’s what he does.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Player of the Week High School Football Player of the Week Honor Roll:

ANNE ARUNDEL
Meade senior Kamryn Henry, a running back forced to play quarterback this week due to a teammate’s injury, rushed 26 times for 269 yards and two touchdowns as the Mustangs rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat Crofton, 35-34.

DC
KIPP Legacy RB-DB Isaiah Parker rushed for a 44-yard touchdown, caught a 47-yard touchdown pass and returned an interception 53 yards for a touchdown as the Bulldogs beat KIPP DC, 35-6.

FREDERICK
Linganore RB-DB Amir Short rushed for three touchdowns and intercepted two passes as the Lancers beat Oakdale, 28-12.

HOWARD
Atholton QB Tyler Bell completed 5 of 9 passes for 80 yards and rushed seven times for 119 yards and one touchdown as the Raiders beat Wilde Lake, 27-6.

LOUDOUN
John Champe WR Tyler Kann caught 8 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns as the Knights beat Heritage, 49-21.

MONTGOMERY
Sherwood WR-DB Khalil Wilson caught an 80-yard touchdown pass, rushed for a touchdown and on defense intercepted two passes as the Warriors beat Blake, 24-0.

NORTHERN REGION
Madison WR-RB Dominic Knicely caught five passes for 196 yards and four touchdowns and rushed six times for 48 yards as the Warhawks beat Chantilly, 43-13.

PRINCE GEORGE’S
Douglass RB-MLB Glen Vinson III rushed 12 times for 164 yards and three touchdowns and on defense made 10 solo tackles and broke up a pass as the Eagles beat McKinley, 52-6.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Patriot QB Tyler Knutson completed 11 of 17 passes for 198 yards and four touchdowns as the Pioneers beat Unity Reed, 56-7.

PRIVATE
Landon WR/FS Ubie Zaid caught six passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns, rushed four times for 44 yards and on defense returned an interception 50 yards, broke up another pass and made two tackles as the Bears beat O’Connell, 44-10.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Patuxent QB-DB Evan Blouir, a Navy recruit, rushed 28 times for 297 yards and three touchdowns and completed 9 of 20 passes for 133 yards and the game-winning 43-yard touchdown to Evan Jones as time expired, lifting the Panthers to a 26-20 win over Huntingtown. Blouir also intercepted a pass on defense.

Sept. 25: Tyler Womack, Annapolis

photo by DENNis maynard

There were a few moments when it wasn’t clear whether Annapolis High running back Tyler Womack would regain the form that seemed to have him on the path to success on the football field.

As a freshman, Womack had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during an early-season junior varsity game. He worked hard to recover and returned to the team the following year for limited action.

“He was cleared, but he didn’t have a lot of confidence because of the injury,” Annapolis Coach DeWayne Hunt said. “Like with a lot of leg injuries, he was not sure if he could cut as fast or if he could run as fast as he once could.”

While there may have been some self doubt, Womack was determined. He worked even harder throughout the offseason, getting stronger and faster. The results showed on the field in 2023, as Womack led Maryland in rushing yardage most of the season, stacking up one strong performance after another.

Now a senior, Womack has picked up right where last season ended. He has posted three consecutive 100-yard games, capped by this past Friday, when he rushed 28 times for 315 yards and two touchdowns, returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and scored three two-point conversions as the Panthers beat Severna Park, 49-33.

For his efforts, Womack was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

“Tyler has great vision and he understands where he wants to go,” Hunt said. “He has prepared his body really well too – to be a really good running back not just in high school, but I think he will be a good running back at the next level too.”

Womack, who holds a handful of scholarship offers, has rushed for 688 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in the season’s first three games. Opponents know Womack is getting the ball, but he’s still piling up the yardage and getting to the end zone.

“Absolutely they know, they’re stacking the box,” Hunt said, noting that Womack rushed for 345 yards last year against Severna Park. “There’s a lot of credit to the offensive line as well. The line has grown with him, those guys have been playing together for a while now and grinding. And Tyler is a special talent.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Player of the Week High School Football Player of the Week Honor Roll:

DC
Friendship Collegiate LB Maurice Calloway made nine tackles with four tackles for loss and four sacks as the Knights beat Dunbar, 20-14.

FREDERICK
Oakdale QB Alex Rodriguez completed 10 of 17 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 14 times for 103 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning six-yard score late in regulation as the Bears beat Frederick, 41-40.

HOWARD
Oakland Mills QB Isaac Ramsey rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another as the Scorpions beat Long Reach, 45-0.

LOUDOUN
Loudoun County RB Montez Dyson rushed eight times for 141 yards and three touchdowns, caught a 43-yard touchdown pass and returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown as the Captains beat Dominion, 58-20.

MONTGOMERY
Walter Johnson QB Jake Forburger completed 9 of 10 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns as the Wildcats beat Whitman, 41-0.

NORTHERN REGION
Lake Braddock QB Tyrone Jackson completed 15 of 20 passes for 441 yards and five touchdowns as the Bruins beat West Potomac, 49-28.

PRINCE GEORGE’S
Oxon Hill RB Cameron Azodeh rushed 24 times for 211 yards and three touchdowns and caught three passes for 36 yards as the Clippers beat Suitland, 36-28.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Gainesville QB Colton Kilmer completed 15 of 23 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns and rushed seven times for 54 yards as the Cardinals beat Robinson, 41-13.

PRIVATE
Spalding QB Malik Washington, a Maryland recruit, completed 10 of 19 passes for 259 yards and one touchdown, rushed six times for 30 yards and two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass as the Cavaliers beat Calvert Hall, 35-0.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Patuxent QB Evan Blouir, a Navy recruit, completed 8 of 15 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown, rushed 16 times for 268 yards and four touchdowns and was 4 of 4 on point-after kicks as the Panthers beat Lackey, 35-14.

WCAC
Good Counsel WR DaMarion Fowlkes, a Pittsburgh recruit, caught 10 passes for 205 yards and one touchdown as the Falcons lost to St. Joseph’s Prep, 21-19.

Sept. 18: Naamon Eller, Unity Reed

photo courtesy unity reed football

Naamon Eller makes sure to get in plenty of running during the week at Unity Reed High School football practice. The standout senior, who plays running back and linebacker, has no time to get tired on Friday nights.

In addition to shining on offense and defense, Eller also is the team’s long snapper on punts and placekicks and this past week, with the Lions’ starting kicker injured, he also kicked off. During a long night in which he starred on both sides of the ball, Eller showed he had plenty of endurance.

Eller rushed 29 times for 214 yards and two touchdowns and on defense made 13 tackles with one tackle for loss and one sack as Unity Reed earned its first win this season, 26-14 over Mount Vernon.

For his efforts, Eller was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

“He’s an all-purpose player all day long,” Lions Coach Carroll Walker said. “He can play anywhere. He’s just a great athlete.”

It was the third consecutive game in which Eller rushed for at least 100 yards. A tight end last season, Walker said that Eller has excelled at reading holes while running the ball. He also has blossomed into a team leader.

As for which side of the ball Eller fits best, Walker can’t say.

“He’s giving his best and producing on offense and defense,” Walker said. This week’s DC Touchdown Club Player of the Week High School Football Player of the Week Honor Roll:

ANNE ARUNDEL
South River WR-DB Jaden McDuffie caught 11 passes for 140 yards and three touchdowns and intercepted a pass on defense as the Seahawks beat Severna Park, 33-26. 

DC
Friendship Collegiate WR-DB Dameon Simms caught a touchdown pass, had 75 yards in punt returns and on defense made six tackles and intercepted two passes as the Knights beat Coolidge, 12-0. 

FREDERICK
Oakdale QB Alex Rodriguez completed 10 of 16 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another score as the Bears beat Allegany, 29-6. 

HOWARD
Wilde Lake WR-DB Jaydin Gore caught five passes for 117 yards and four touchdowns and on defense intercepted two passes as the Wildecats beat Centennial, 70-0. 

LOUDOUN
John Champe QB Dominic Plush completed 21 of 26 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns as the Knights beat Loudoun Valley, 28-14. 

MONTGOMERY
Bethesda-Chevy Chase RB-DB Gabe Eisler rushed 17 times for 127 yards and one touchdown and on defense made four tackles and broke up two passes as the Barons beat Churchill, 20-13. 

NORTHERN REGION
South County QB Tyler Orth completed 22 of 29 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown and rushed nine times for 68 yards and two touchdowns as the Stallions rallied to beat West Springfield, 43-25. 

PRINCE GEORGE’S
Largo RB Tymond Foxx rushed 21 times for 141 yards and three touchdowns as the Lions beat Central, 48-8. 

PRIVATE
St. Stephen’s/St.Agnes RB-DB Loui Goin rushed for a touchdown and on defense made 10 tackles and intercepted two passes, returning one 85 yards for a touchdown, as the Saints beat Bishop Ireton, 20-10 

SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Huntingtown RB-DB Gabriel Copeland rushed 14 times for 185 yards and two touchdowns and intercepted a pass on defense as the Hurricanes beat La Plata, 43-6.

WCAC
Gonzaga RB David Fred rushed 14 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles beat Loyola Blakefield, 41-7.

Sept. 11: Devin Cox, Westlake

chino walters, sight alignment media

Throughout the preseason and leading up to the season opener, there were more than a few occasions where Westlake High first-year football coach DaLawn Parrish was sure to chirp on the whistle as soon as running back Devin Cox burst through the line of scrimmage.

It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing that Cox wanted to run every play to its completion. But there were only 10 minutes in each practice period and the goal was to get in as many repetitions as possible, not watch Cox speed off into the distance then have to return to the backfield.

“He doesn’t do it maliciously, but he wants to finish every run,” said Parrish, who led Wise High to six Maryland 4A titles before moving to Westlake this past offseason. “My man will try to take it to the house every play. But let’s get back in the huddle and get another play in.”

There were no such concerns this past Friday. Cox rushed 29 times for 282 yards and four touchdowns and returned a kickoff 89 yards for another score as the Wolverines opened their season with a 48-33 victory over Northern. For his efforts, Cox was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

“He just turns into a different person on the field,” Parrish said. “It’s exciting talking about him. He’s an outstanding young man, a leader.”

Upon accepting the job at Westlake, Parrish said he began watching videos of the Wolverines’ games last season. The team went 6-6 and Cox would occasionally deliver standout plays.

“Every game, he would have a run that you were like, ‘Whoa!’ but you wondered why he did not get the ball 20 times. Why didn’t they feed him the ball?” Parrish said. “He wants to win. He texts and calls, always asking me my opinion of something. I want this team to be successful because of young men like him.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Player of the Week High School Football Player of the Week Honor Roll:

ANNE ARUNDEL
Annapolis RB Tyler Womack rushed for 217 yards and six touchdowns as the Panthers beat Old Mill for the first time in more than 20 years, 40-20.

DC
KIPP Legacy CB Berry Johnson intercepted three passes, returning one 52 yards for a touchdown, and broke up another pass as the Bulldogs beat Jefferson, 38-2.

FREDERICK
Brunswick QB Ethan Houck, a Liberty recruit, completed 12 of 18 passes for 180 yards and three touchdown and rushed 12 times for 165 yards and four touchdowns and a two-point conversion as the Railroaders beat Rock Ridge, 56-28.

HOWARD
Oakland Mills DL Ayo Adeniyi made six tackles with two sacks, forced two fumbles, blocked a punt and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown and returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown as the Scorpions beat Reservoir, 33-0.

LOUDOUN
Loudoun Valley QB-WR Mack Gaffney completed 9 of 12 passes for 159 yards, rushed 12 times for 117 yards and one touchdown and caught four passes for 90 yards and another score as the Vikings beat Musselman, 35-21.

MONTGOMERY
Damascus RB-LB Michael Cooley rushed 17 times for 175 yards and two touchdowns, including a 99-yarder on his first carry of the season, and on defense made nine tackles with one sack and one tackle for loss as the Hornets beat Einstein, 14-0.

NORTHERN REGION
Madison WR-RB Dominic Knicely rushed 15 times for 78 yards and one touchdown, caught five passes for 92 yards and another touchdown and had an 80-yard kickoff return as the Warhawks beat Lake Braddock, 36-15.

PRINCE GEORGE’S
Laurel QB Demerius Custis completed 16 of 26 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 10 times for 82 yards and three touchdowns as the Spartans beat Surrattsville, 46-28.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Colgan RB-LB LJ Richards rushed 21 times for 149 yards and one touchdown and on defense made nine tackles with three sacks, three tackles for loss and one forced fumble as the Sharks beat Osbourn, 24-7.

PRIVATE
St. Albans WR-S Zahir Cobb caught 10 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns and on defense made six tackles and recovered a fumble as the Bulldogs beat O’Connell, 44-34.

WCAC
Bishop Ireton LB Matthew Worth made 13 tackles with one sack and intercepted two passes as the Cardinals beat Mount Carmel, 27-23.

Sept. 4: Brosnan Dukes, Dunbar

photo by zeb brooks

Brosnan Dukes doesn’t say much. The senior quarterback, though, has come a long way from when he debuted on the Dunbar High varsity football team – when he was a 5-foot-9, maybe 135-pound sophomore.

As one of the Crimson Tide’s most dedicated players in the weight room, Dukes has earned the respect of his teammates. And while he usually lets his play do the talking, Coach Maurice Vaughn said there is no question that his teammates look up to Vaughn.

In the season opener this past weekend, Vaughn often could be found in the end zone. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 139 yards and four more scores, leading Dunbar to a 43-20 win over Carroll in a meeting of teams with DCSAA Class AA state championship ambitions. For his efforts, Dukes was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.

“Going into this year, we knew we needed him to lead more,” Vaughn said. “His first two years on the varsity, getting him to say anything was hard. He’s a kid who leads by example – one of our toughest kids and hardest workers. The kids rally around him.”

Dukes played on the junior varsity as a freshman and moved into a backup role on the varsity as a sophomore. A growth spurt prior to his junior year provided a few more inches and now the 6-foot, 193-pound senior is poised for a strong senior season.

“He throws the ball pretty well, but his best attribute is making the right decision in our offense,” Vaughn said, explaining that Dukes often has several options on each play. “When he’s making those right decisions, we’re a hard team to beat offensively.

“I’m one of those guys that I don’t get too high or too low with each game, but for us, a public school working to get the program back to the level that Coach [Craig] Jefferies had it back in the day, it’s a big win for us. Brosnan had an outstanding game – I need one of those from him every week for nine more weeks.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Player of the Week High School Football Player of the Week Honor Roll:

LOUDOUN
Lightridge QB Brady White completed 17 consecutive passes and finished 18 of 19 for 264 yards and three touchdowns in his first varsity start as the Lightning beat Freedom-South Riding, 39-0.

NORTHERN REGION
John Lewis WR-DB Joel Smith rushed five times for 69 yards and one touchdown, caught three passes for 68 yards and one touchdown and intercepted two passes, returning one 42 yards for a touchdown, as the Lancers beat Park View, 20-0.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Patriot RB Jackson McCarter, a Villanova recruit, rushed 21 times for 218 yards and five touchdowns as the Pioneers beat Westfield, 41-24.

PRIVATE
St. Albans QB Brett Paukstis completed 26 of 38 passes for 448 yards and four touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat St. Paul’s, 36-21.

WCAC
Gonzaga DE Tyson Harley made seven tackles with four tackles for loss and three sacks as the Eagles beat Springfield (Ohio), 14-6.