Oct. 6: Alijah Bah, Paint Branch

photo by kevin tong

It’s not a secret that Alijah Bah is a difference maker and that the Paint Branch Panthers want to get him the ball as often as possible. He has scored 58 touchdowns over the past 2 ½ seasons, the last of which lifted the Panthers to a thrilling victory.

With Paint Branch trailing for the first time after allowing a touchdown with 1 minute 15 seconds remaining, the Panthers advanced to midfield. Then quarterback xxxxx hit Bah in stride on a wheel route and he sprinted down the right sideline untouched, lifting Paint Branch to a 15-8 win over Bethesda-Chevy Chase this past Friday.

It was just one more big play on a night that was full of them for Bah. On offense, he rushed 21 times for 134 yards and the Panthers’ other touchdown. On defense, he made nine tackles, intercepted two passes (one in the end zone to thwart a drive) and then forced and recovered the game-clinching fumble. (His long punt return for a touchdown was nullified by a holding penalty away from the play.)

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

“It’s really awesome as a playcaller and exciting and lets you feel like you have a shot at all times,” Paint Branch Coach Mike Nesmith said. “Some of his scores over the last three years, we didn’t block anyone. He just broke this tackle, broke that tackle and outran everyone else. A lot of people underestimate his strength and power and think they’re just going to knock him down. I know I likely won’t have another player like him in my time, so I’m really enjoying it right now.”

Nesmith said that Bah’s strength and speed continue to make a difference and that the Panthers’ offseason program also made an impact against B-CC. He sensed that the players were calm as they pulled off the last-minute comeback.

“We run our real stuff during 7 on 7 – we’re not running touch football plays to win touch football games,” he said. “Normally he just runs a hitch when he goes out. But because the receiver on that side crossed underneath, the safety carried with him and that just left him open down the sideline.”

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Honor Roll:

ANNE ARUNDEL
Annapolis WR/CB Dwain Gray intercepted two passes, made two tackles, broke up two passes and caught a 55-yard touchdown pass as the Panthers beat Arundel, 29-7.

DC
Dunbar RB Darius Knight rushed 18 times for 205 yards and four touchdowns as the Crimson Tide beat Bell, 40-16.

FREDERICK

Walkersville RB Taylor Patten rushed 25 times for 294 yards and five touchdowns and caught one pass for 17 yards as the Lions beat Thomas Johnson, 58-19.

HOWARD
Guilford Park RB Tyler Lee rushed 11 times for 230 yards and four touchdowns and caught a 35-yard touchdown pass as the Panthers beat Atholton, 55-0.

LOUDOUN
Woodgrove QB Colton Dabkowski completed 15 of 18 passes for 222 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed twice for 64 yards as the Wolverines beat Park View, 55-0.

MONTGOMERY
Wheaton RB/LB Michael Tatso rushed 28 times for 205 yards and six touchdowns, had a sack and blocked a field goal attempt as the Knights beat Richard Montgomery, 49-20.

NORTHERN REGION
South County QB Dylan Miller completed 18 of 28 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns as the Stallions beat Fairfax, 33-7.

PRINCE GEORGE’S
Northwestern QB/DB Ronald Gill Jr. completed 7 of 11 passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns, rushed 19 times for 132 yards and the game-winning touchdown in overtime and on defense made seven tackles as the Wildcats beat Bladensburg, 22-20.

PRINCE WILLIAM
Osbourn RB Tyree Summers rushed 23 times for 240 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles lost to Independence, 30-23.

PRIVATE
St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes QB Anthony Youngblood completed 21 of 30 passes for 352 yards and four touchdowns as the Saints beat Bishop Ireton, 28-21.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND
St. Charles RB Christopher Quick, a Kent State recruit, rushed 15 times for 162 yards and one touchdown and caught five passes for 107 yards and another score as the undefeated Spartans beat Westlake, 28-14.

STAFFORD
Colonial Forge LB Darion Majeed made eight tackles, intercepted a pass and blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown as the Eagles beat previously undefeated Stafford, 45-7.

WCAC
St. John’s QB Nyeem Woods completed 11 of 14 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns and rushed seven times for 75 yards and two touchdowns as the Cadets beat Cornerstone Christian of San Antonio, 35-28.