Week 7: Blake Horvath, Navy

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photo courtesy navy athletics

Navy quarterback Blake Horvath has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week after the latest performance in his incredible career helped the visiting Midshipmen rally for a 32-31 win at Temple this past Saturday.

Horvath, who was the Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Player of the Year last season, struggled a little in the passing game, completing just 6 of 16 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown. But the senior, in his second full season as a starter, took care of business on the ground, rushing 19 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns.

The undefeated Midshipmen (6-0) trailed 31-24 in the final minute and were down to perhaps to final play, facing fourth and 1 from their own 49 yard line. Horvath took the snap, fakes a handoff and kept the ball himself, sprinting up the middle untouched for a 51-yard touchdown with 39 seconds left, pulling Navy within 31-30.

Instead of going the safe route and kicking an extra point to force overtime, Navy went for a two-point conversion and the win. Horvath rolled to his right, held the ball until the last possible moment and, just before being tackled, passed to running back Alex Tecza in the right side of the end zone for the game-winning points.

“I felt like we needed to go for the win right there, didn’t really want to go to overtime,” Navy Coach Brian Newberry said. “We knew they were going to call a timeout, most likely, because the formation was a little wacky and they had one to burn. So we had two plays ready to go.

“And having [Horvath] at quarterback, with the ball in his hands and the game’s on the line, he’s a special player. I wouldn’t trade him for anybody in the country. He made it happen. Big time play and big time finish.

“He’d be the first one to tell you he didn’t play perfect tonight. We missed some throws and some opportunities. But when the game is on the line, you want the ball in his hands. He never presses. He never flinches. His composure is outstanding.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week honor roll:

  • Shippensburg RB Ethan Arneson (Linganore) rushed 23 times for a career-high 121 yards and one touchdown as the Raiders beat Millersville, 41-28.

  • Catholic LB Evan Chromy made a career-high 13 tackles with 1 ½ tackles for loss and forced a fumble as the Cardinals beat Juniata, 20-17.

  • Susquehanna QB Josh Ehrlich (Broadneck) completed 25 of 32 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed 10 times for 53 yards and one touchdown as the River Hawks beat Lycoming, 69-7.

  • USC S Bishop Fitzgerald (Gar-Field) made five tackles with one sack and intercepted two passes as the Trojans beat No. 15 Michigan, 31-13.

  • Thiel QB Keller Herzberger (Chesapeake), a freshman making his first collegiate start, completed 31 of 52 passes for a school-record 447 yards and five touchdowns and also rushed for a score as the Tomcats lost to Geneva, 51-38.

  • Fairmont State QB Nino Marzullo (Quince Orchard) completed 14 of 19 passes for 329 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for a touchdown as the Falcons beat West Virginia Wesleyan, 45-10.

  • Glenville State S Sean Scott (Unity Reed) made 12 tackles and broke up two passes as the Pioneers beat Frostburg State, 19-13 in double overtime.

  • James Madison S Jacob Thomas (Stone Bridge) made five tackles, intercepted a pass and broke up a pass as the Dukes beat Louisiana, 24-14.