The 2017 DC Touchdown Club presented by Capital Bank N.A. High School Player of the Week powered by Under Armour is announced each Wednesday, and featured throughout the week.
Week 11
JUSTIN ALLEN, TUSCARORA
The shoes to fill are sizable at Tuscarora High in Leesburg. The football team’s recent stars include the DC Touchdown Club’s 2015 Virginia High School Player of the Year (running back Noah Reimers, now a backup at Harvard) and the 2016 Virginia High School Player of the Year (Daniel Smith, starring at Campbell University and recently named to the Walter Payton Award watch list as one of the best offensive players in the Football Championship Subdivision.
While the bar at Tuscarora is set high, Justin Allen is measuring up very well so far. A junior quarterback, Allen has guided the Huskies back to the playoffs. This past Friday, he rushed seven times for 129 yards and completed 6 of 11 passes for 162 yards as the Huskies beat Potomac Falls, 28-7, in a Virginia 5A Region C quarterfinal.
“He’s a super competitive player – a dual threat, he can run and he can throw it,” Tuscarora Coach Mike Burnett said. “He wanted to stay back and throw it earlier in the year, but I think in high school football now, you need to have a dual-threat quarterback. He’s done a great job.”
Tuscarora (9-2) advanced to this Friday’s regional semifinal against Broad Run, which handed the Huskies a 28-12 loss on Sept. 1. Allen has continued to mature and grow as a player since then. Burnett is pleased with his development and knows there is room to continue improving. Allen has a high skill-level; this past winter, he played for the U.S. under-16 national team and earned MVP honors in an International Bowl over Japan.
“He’s just a junior so we’re hoping that next year he continues to mature,” Burnett said. “He’s grown a lot this year. We’re hoping he’s going to be a big impact player.”
Others considered for this week’s award were:
ANNE ARUNDEL
Broadneck QB Shane Davis threw two touchdown passes as the Bruins beat Meade, 35-6, in a Maryland 4A East Region semifinal.
DC
Ballou QB Terronta Buchanan completed 12 of 14 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for a touchdown as the Knights beat Wilson, 35-29, in a DCIAA Stars Division semifinal.
FREDERICK
Walkersville RB Jacob Wetzel returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, rushed 16 times for 217 yards and a touchdown and caught a nine-yard touchdown pass as the Lions won their 25th consecutive game, 31-16, over Oakdale in a Maryland 2A West Region semifinal.
HOWARD
Howard RB Devin Dawkins rushed 24 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns and returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown as the Lions beat Sherwood, 20-18, in a Maryland 4A North Region semifinal.
Atholton RB Melvin Brown rushed 23 times for 215 yards and two touchdowns as the Raiders beat J.M. Bennett, 43-7, in a Maryland 3A East Region semifinal.
MONTGOMERY
Paint Branch RB Justin Page rushed 18 times for 185 yards and four touchdowns as the Panthers beat Perry Hall, 44-21, in a Maryland 4A North Region semifinal.
NORTHERN REGION
South Lakes RB Albert Mensah rushed 17 times for 113 yards and three touchdowns as the Seahawks beat Yorktown, 49-14, in a Virginia 6A North Region quarterfinal.
PRINCE GEORGE’S
Eleanor Roosevelt RB Elisha McDonald rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns as the Raiders avenged a regular season loss by beating C.H. Flowers, 34-7, in a Maryland 4A South Region semifinal.
PRINCE WILLIAM
Hylton RB Ricky Slade rushed 19 times for 123 yards and five touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat Hayfield, 47-13, in a Virginia 6A Region C quarterfinal.
PRIVATE
St. John’s QB Kevin Doyle completed 9 of 23 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown as the Cadets beat DeMatha, 17-14, in a WCAC semifinal.
Georgetown Prep RB Jalen Hampton rushed 19 times for 129 yards and four touchdowns as the Little Hoyas beat Bullis, 35-12, to capture a share of the IAC title.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Lackey RB Robert Middletown rushed for three touchdowns and caught three touchdown passes – all in the first half – as the Chargers beat Surrattsville, 57-6, in a Maryland 1A South Region semifinal.
Week 10
BRIAN COBBS, HAYFIELD
It was a move made out of necessity. Feeling that his team was struggling offensively, Hayfield Coach Eric Henderson turned to Brian Cobbs, moving his three-year starter at wide receiver to quarterback.
“He was our backup, we just felt like having the ball in his hands made us more dangerous,” Henderson said.
While Cobbs was a talented wide receiver – having accepted a scholarship to play for the University of Maryland – in just three weeks he has shown the ability to take over games at quarterback. The latest example came this past Friday, when Cobbs completed 14 of 27 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 23 times for 245 yards and three more touchdowns, leading Hayfield to a 42-31 win over Oakton.
For his efforts, Cobbs was named the DC Touchdown Club presented by Capital Bank High School Football Player of the Week, powered by Under Armour.
“I thought he would do well with the scheme, I’ve seen him run with the ball in his hands and he’s pretty dynamic,” Henderson said. “But I was pleasantly surprised with the throwing. He’s got a whip. He can hit almost all parts of the field. He’s very impressive.”
Cobbs had 39 catches for 507 yards and nine touchdowns in the season’s first seven games, also getting a bit of time under center as the Hawks’ backup quarterback. He had played quarterback on the freshman team, but moved to wide receiver upon joining the varsity as a sophomore.
“Which I thought was more of his natural position.” Henderson said. “Shows what I know. With an offseason, he probably would be devastating.”
In three games at quarterback, Cobbs has passed for 913 yards and 11 touchdowns, while rushing for 484 yards and seven touchdowns. Hayfield has scored at least 40 points in each of those games, winning them all. The Hawks (8-2) host Hylton on Friday in a Virginia Division 6 Region C quarterfinal playoff game.
Others considered for Player of the Week honors included:
ANNE ARUNDEL
Arundel QB Ryan Sedgwick completed 20 of 31 passes for 271 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 59 yards as the Wildcats beat Severna Park, 41-20.
DC
H.D. Woodson QB Kahlil Wright completed 10 of 16 passes for 190 yards and one touchdown as the Warriors won their sixth consecutive game, 41-13.
FREDERICK
Linganore RB Davon Butler rushed 16 times for 156 yards and four touchdowns as the Lancers routed Urbana, 62-10, to secure the second seed in the Maryland 3A West Region playoffs.
HOWARD
Long Reach RB KaDarrian Booker rushed 33 times for 120 yards and one touchdown as the Lightning beat Atholton, 14-13, to earn a Maryland 3A South Region playoff berth.
LOUDOUN
Stone Bridge RB Nick Mell rushed 31 times for 182 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs completed an undefeated regular season with a 21-13 win over previously unbeaten Broad Run.
MONTGOMERY
Quince Orchard QB Doc Bonner completed 12 of 16 passes for 292 yards and five touchdowns as the Cougars secured the top seed in the Maryland 4A West Region playoffs with a 60-21 win over Gaithersburg.
PRINCE GEORGE’S
Oxon Hill QB DaJuan Rollins threw four touchdown passes as the Clippers beat Bowie, 48-12, to earn the third seed in the Maryland 3A South Region playoffs.
PRINCE WILLIAM
Freedom-Woodbridge QB A.J. Felton completed 15 of 21 passes for 296 yards and four touchdowns and rushed four times for 104 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles beat Colgan, 64-36.
PRIVATE
St. John’s DE Tre’Mon Morris-Brash had 4 ½ sacks as the Cadets wrapped up the top seed in the WCAC playoffs with a 32-14 win over Gonzaga.
Week 9
JEMICHAEL JONES, NORTH POINT
It took a little while for Jemichael Jones to get things going this past Friday in a meeting of unbeaten teams – and their star quarterbacks – in the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference.
But once Jones got on track, he and the North Point Eagles were on their way to victory. Jones rushed for 205 yards and one touchdown and completed 16 of 28 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns as North Point pulled away for a 45-21 victory over Northern.
For his efforts, Jones was named the DC Touchdown Club presented by Capital Bank High School Football Player of the Week, powered by Under Armour.
“Friday night he took the game over,” North Point Coach Tom Petre said.
Jones, who has committed to play for Howard University, said it was probably the best game he has played. Since throwing four touchdown passes in the season opener, he had only thrown three other touchdown passes, though that was partly a result of several lopsided wins in which the Eagles didn’t pass much and played their backups because of the score. Friday, though, was different, as North Point found itself in a 21-21 tie at halftime as Northern quarterback Reese Crounse had a big first half.
“It was going to be an intense game,” Jones said. “Everybody knew it. We kind of started off slow. But [at halftime] we came back and talked with the coaches. Then things started going, we moved the ball up and down the field and had our momentum.”
Other players considered for the Player of the Week award were:
ANNE ARUNDEL
Arundel RB Darius Hunter rushed for a pair of touchdowns in a 12-7 win over Old Mill.
FREDERICK
Maryland School for the Deaf RB-LB John Werner Jr. rushed 11 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns and returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown as the Orioles beat Capital Christian, 44-8.
Linganore TE-LB Joe Kolick caught a touchdown pass, returned an interception for a touchdown and returned a fumble for a touchdown as the Lancers beat Tuscarora, 34-7.
HOWARD
River Hill DB Beau Brade intercepted two passes to lead a strong defensive effort as the Hawks beat Glenelg, 20-0.
LOUDOUN
Loudoun County QB Nick Barts completed 15 of 26 passes for 290 yards and six touchdowns as the Raiders beat Woodgrove, 42-33.
MONTGOMERY
Sherwood QB Michael Mbony rushed 17 times for 101 yards and three touchdowns and completed 13 of 20 passes for 167 yards and one touchdown as the Warriors beat Springbrook, 33-3.
NORTHERN REGION
Hayfield QB Brian Cobbs rushed 17 times for 151 yards and two touchdowns and completed 21 of 27 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns as the Hawks beat Annandale, 50-43, to claim the Gunston District title.
PRINCE GEORGE’S
Wise RB John Oliver rushed for 170 yards and three touchdowns as the Pumas remained undefeated with a 47-10 win over Potomac (Md.).
PRINCE WILLIAM
Woodbridge QB Antevious Jackson completed 15 of 20 passes for 154 yards and rushed for a touchdown as the Vikings rallied late to stun Hylton, 23-20.
PRIVATE
Good Counsel WR-DB Cam Hart had three catches for 116 yards, including an 82-yard touchdown, and made three tackles on defense as the Falcons beat Gonzaga, 27-7.
Landon RB Jelani Machen rushed nine times for 184 yards and three touchdowns as the Bears beat St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes, 42-13.
Spalding QB Jayden Umbarger passed for 213 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 189 yards and three touchdowns as the Cavaliers beat Gilman, 76-58.
Week 8
JOSIAH CRUTE, FRIENDSHIP COLLEGIATE
The key to success for Josiah Crute on the football field could be found on last spring. Crute, a senior running back for Friendship Collegiate, is known for having a strong work ethic, but it was his decision to run outdoor track for the Knights that has led to Crute becoming a faster player.
“That helped with his overall speed,” Friendship Collegiate Coach Mike Hunter said. “He’s always been a hard worker in the weight room, but I think the track took him to another level. We talked about how it would make him a better player and make him more attractive to colleges.”
Crute finished second in the 100-meter dash in the DC State Athletic Association championships and he’s continued to fly past opponents this fall. This past Saturday, Crute rushed 16 times for 204 yards, including a 98-yard touchdown, as the Knights scored a resounding 24-7 victory over visiting Fort Hill of Cumberland, the Maryland 1A four-time defending champion that had entered with a 32-game winning streak.
For his efforts, Crute was named the DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week, powered by Under Armour.
“He’s always been a heck of a player,” Hunter said. “Now it’s finally starting to show on film and on the field. He’s a quality young man.”
Crute, who is 5 feet 10 and 185 pounds, is receiving interest from Football Bowl Subdivision teams. He holds scholarship offers from Norfolk State and Seton Hill.
“He’s become a complete back,” Hunter said. “Not only running the ball but also pass protection and catching the ball out of the backfield.”
Other players considered for Player of the Week honors were:
ANNE ARUNDEL
Broadneck RB Tyrice Watson rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns and made a key tackle on special teams as the Bruins improved to 8-0 by rallying to defeat Meade, 28-21.
FREDERICK
Linganore TE/LB Joe Kolick caught six passes for 145 yards and made five tackles and forced a fumble on defense as the Lancers defeated Middletown, 29-26.
Tuscacora QB Christian Edwards completed 21 of 29 passes for 344 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for two more scores as the Titans beat Urbana, 71-38.
HOWARD
All-County kicker Troy Hettinger connected on field goals of 28, 37 and 39 yards as Marriotts Ridge beat Wilde Lake, 16-3.
LOUDOUN
Loudoun Valley QB Derek Goings completed 22 of 37 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns as the Vikings beat Riverside, 16-14.
MONTGOMERY
Paint Branch QB Norman Douglas Jr. completed 11 of 20 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown and rushed for two more scores as the Panthers beat Sherwood, 22-20.
Blake RB Carleton Thomas rushed 13 times for 170 yards and four touchdowns as the Bengals beat Rockville, 42-22, to improve to 7-1 and continue the best start in school history.
NORTHERN REGION
Westfield QB Noah Kim completed 14 of 20 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs remained unbeaten with a 27-11 win over Centreville, ending the Wildcats’ six-game winning streak.
Falls Church RB Dakwandre Marshall rushed 25 times for 305 yards and four touchdowns as the Jaguars improved to 6-3 by beating Wakefield, 42-14.
Marshall QB Andrew Margiotta rushed 18 times for 261 yards and six touchdowns as the Statesmen improved to 7-1 by beating Lee, 59-35.
PRINCE GEORGE’S
Oxon Hill WR Daniel George, a Penn State recruit, rushed 10 times for 121 yards, including a 99-yard touchdown run, and caught four passes for 33 yards and another score as the Clippers beat DuVal, 28-14.
Week 7
QUINTON WILLIAMS, WISE
The Wise Pumas have a new starting quarterback this season, but moving on from one of the best players in school history has not been a problem for the Maryland 4A three-time defending champions. Junior Quinton Williams, a 6-foot-4, strong-armed passer, has kept Wise on course for another state championship run.
Williams completed 12 of 18 passes for 189 yards and four touchdowns this past weekend, leaving Wise to its 36th consecutive victory, 58-14 over Oxon Hill.
For his efforts, Williams was named the DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week, powered by Under Armour.
“I’ve never had a 6-4 quarterback, I’m like a kid in a candy store,” Wise Coach DaLawn Parrish said. “You never thought you would hear me say, ‘Throw it.’ But he can throw the ball all over the field. We don’t have any handicaps.”
Williams played on the junior varsity and made a few appearances on the varsity at Good Counsel last season before transferring to Wise. So far this season, he has passed for nearly 1,000 yards with 19 touchdowns for the 7-0 Pumas.
“He can make all the throws,” Parrish said. “He’s been a great addition to the team and done everything we’ve asked.”
Other players receiving Player of the Week consideration were:
ANNE ARUNDEL
Broadneck QB Shane Davis completed 19 of 24 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns as the Bruins beat South River, 42-7.
Old Mill RB Ryheam Tull rushed 21 times for 325 yards and four touchdowns as the Patriots beat Chesapeake, 34-14.
DC
H.D. Woodson RB Mychale Salahuddin rushed 10 times for 155 yards and one touchdowns as the Warriors beat Eastern, 32-0.
FREDERICK
Tuscarora QB Christian Edwards completed 29 of 41 passes for 231 yards and one touchdowns as the Titans played Walkersville tough in a 27-20 loss.
HOWARD
Howard RB Devin Dawkins rushed 12 times for 130 yards and three touchdowns – all in the first half – as the Lions remained undefeated with a 41-0 win over Caravel Academy.
LOUDOUN
Heritage QB Brett Johnson completed 10 of 20 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns and rushed nine times for 144 yards and two touchdowns as the Pride beat Riverside, 28-7.
Loudoun County QB Nick Barts completed 9 of 15 passes for 176 yards and seven touchdowns as the Raiders beat Park View, 63-12.
MONTGOMERY
Wootton QB Grant Saylor completed 22 of 29 passes for 368 yards and five touchdowns as the Patriots beat Bethesda-Chevy Chase, 44-0.
NORTHERN REGION
Falls Church RB Dakwandre Marshall rushed 23 times for 207 yards and four touchdowns as the Jaguars beat Edison, 49-19.
Westfield QB Noah Kim completed 11 of 17 passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat Oakton, 34-14.
PRINCE GEORGE’S
Suitland RB Antwan Squire rushed 22 times for 268 yards and three touchdowns as the Rams beat Largo, 55-7.
PRINCE WILLIAM
Freedom-Woodbridge QB A.J. Felton passed for 135 yards and one touchdown and rushed 10 times for 191 yards and four touchdowns as the Eagles remained unbeaten with a 41-14 win over Woodbridge.
PRIVATE
Backup QB Henry Rentz threw two touchdown passes, rushed for two touchdowns and intercepted a pass on defense as Severn remained unbeaten with a 27-21 win over Boys Latin.
Episcopal RB Perris Jones rushed 13 times for 240 yards and four touchdowns as the Maroon beat St. Albans, 51-13.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Northern RB Xavier Harris rushed 23 times for 135 yards and three touchdowns as the Patriots beat Leonardtown, 42-6.
Week 6
RICKY SLADE, HYLTON
Ricky Slade’s ability to run the football is well known. Each week, Hylton Coach Tony Lilly said, opponents stack the box and focus their sights on stopping – or at least slowing down – the Penn State running back recruit.
Slade, though, continues to put up big numbers and the Bulldogs’ high-powered offense keeps chugging along. This past Friday, though, Slade put together one of the biggest nights ever by a Washington-area football player. He rushed 13 times for 343 yards and five touchdowns, caught four passes for 51 yards and one touchdown and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns as Hylton beat Colgan, 64-35. For his efforts, Slade was named the DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week powered by Under Armour.
“Everybody is always trying to take him out,” Lilly said. “That’s why when he touches the ball there are at least seven guys running to him every play. To see him create things on his own, he does things every Friday night that wow me.”
Slade runs a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, but it is his rapid acceleration that Lilly notices, the quick burst difficult for opposing defenders to match.
Through six games, Slade has rushed for more than 1,300 yards, helping Hylton average nearly 50 points per game. After the season, he has accepted an invitation to play in the Under Armour All-America Game on Jan. 4 in Orlando.
Others receiving Player of the Week consideration were:
ANNE ARUNDEL
Broadneck QB Shane Davis passed for 277 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for three touchdowns as the Bruins beat Old Mill, 55-28.
DC
Friendship Collegiate QB Dyson Smith completed 23 of 41 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-20 loss to Spalding.
FREDERICK
Frederick RB Deondre Boyce rushed for 170 yards and three touchdowns as the Cadets broke a 12-game losing streak by beating James Buchanan, 42-27.
HOWARD
Howard RB Devin Dawkins rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown as the undefeated Lions beat Long Reach, 20-6.
LOUDOUN
Woodgrove RB Josh Johnson rushed 15 times for 194 yards and three touchdowns in a 50-20 win over Riverside.
MONTGOMERY
Quince Orchard QB Doc Bonner, who committed to Dartmouth last week, rushed for 75 yards and one touchdown and completed 5 of 7 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns as the Cougars beat previously undefeated Paint Branch, 45-8.
NORTHERN REGION
Westfield WR-DB Taylor Morin caught the go-ahead 25-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter and then intercepted a pass in his own end zone in the final minute as the Bulldogs edged Madison, 10-6.
Hayfield QB Monty Byers completed 18 of 33 passes for 378 yards and seven touchdowns as the Hawks beat Mount Vernon, 63-41.
PRINCE GEORGE’S
Suitland RB Antwan Squire rushed 37 times for 258 yards and two touchdowns as the undefeated Rams beat Douglass, 21-8.
PRIVATE
Gonzaga freshman QB Caleb Williams completed 14 of 20 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles knocked off WCAC four-time defending champion DeMatha, 20-14.
St. John’s QB Kevin Doyle completed 10 of 15 passes for 233 yards and three long touchdowns as the Cadets beat Good Counsel, 31-9.
Georgetown Prep RB Jalen Hampton rushed 30 times for 239 yards and three touchdowns as the Little Hoyas beat Benedictine, 28-9.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Northern QB Reese Crounse passed for 267 yards and four touchdowns as the Patriots remained unbeaten with a 33-6 win over St. Charles.
Week 5
JACOB WETZEL, WALKERSVILLE
Jacob Wetzel finds himself all over the field for the Walkersville Lions. He plays running back on offense and safety on defense. He also returns kickoffs and punts.
But Walkersville’s scouting report for its Frederick County heavyweight matchup against Linganore this past weekend indicated that the Lancers liked to go with a high, short kickoff. So the Lions coaches moved Wetzel into a receiving farther up the field. The opening kickoff didn’t go to Wetzel, but it didn’t matter – he knew from that play that he was into the game.
“I got pumped up because I trucked a guy and that got me going,” Wetzel said.
Indeed, Wetzel capped the opening drive with the first of his four touchdown runs. He finished with 197 yards on 20 carries and led Walkersville to a 40-10 victory, extending its winning streak to 19 games. For his efforts, Wetzel was named the DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week powered by Under Armour.
“He’s just a really great player on offense, defense and special teams,” Walkersville Coach Joe Polce said, noting that Wetzel also had six tackles on defense.
While Wetzel enjoys playing football, he plans to play baseball in college. He has accepted a scholarship offer to play for Old Dominion University.
“Nothing else is like football, the atmosphere is crazy,” Wetzel said. “But I love baseball too and I know I’ll be more successful in baseball.”
Other players considered for the Week 5 Player of the Week were:
ANNE ARUNDEL
Broadneck QB Shane Davis completed 23 of 37 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns as the Bruins beat Northeast, 42-21.
DC
H.D. Woodson RB Mychale Salahuddin rushed 19 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns as the Warriors beat Ballou, 27-13.
HOWARD
Howard RB Devin Dawkins rushed for two touchdowns in the first half as the Lions built a big lead and beat Wilde Lake, 34-13.
LOUDOUN
Dominion QB Thomas Jarman completed 15 of 20 passes for 330 yards and six touchdowns as the Titans beat Riverside, 56-7.
MONTGOMERY
Wootton QB Grant Saylor completed 15 of 28 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 87 yards and two touchdown as the Patriots beat Whitman, 42-21.
NORTHERN REGION
Yorktown RB Tanner Wall threw a 38-yard touchdown pass, returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown and returned an interception 36 yards for another score as the Patriots beat Chantilly, 42-21.
PRINCE GEORGE’S
Oxon Hill WR Daniel George returned a kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown and returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown as the Clippers beat Fairmont Heights, 47-0.
PRINCE WILLIAM
Freedom-Woodbridge QB A.J. Felton rushed 20 times for 152 yards and three touchdowns and completed 19 of 26 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns as the Eagles improved to 5-0 by beating Hylton, 48-42.
PRIVATE
St. Mary’s Ryken QB Kristian Marks threw four touchdown passes in the second half as the Knights rallied from a 24-point halftime deficit to beat St. Mary’s-Annapolis, 27-24.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Westlake QB Jalon Spencer passed for two touchdowns and rushed for a third in the second half as the Wolverines rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit to beat Thomas Stone, 19-15, to win the 301 Classic trophy.
Week 4
IKE ONWUKA, PATRIOT
On the football field and on the basketball court, Ike Onwuka can sense when opponents size him up. They see Onwuka – all 5 feet 8 and 160 pounds of him – and think they have found an easy mark.
“They underestimate me,” said Onwuka, a senior who starts at running back for Patriot High’s football team and has started the past two seasons at point guard for the Prince William County school’s basketball team. “That makes me want to make a statement even more.”
Onwuka made his biggest statement yet this past Friday. Starting when he touched the ball for the first time and returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown, it felt like was going to be a special night. Onwuka also rushed 21 times for 201 yards and two touchdowns, returned a kickoff 89 yards for another score and caught two passes for 57 yards as Pioneers beat T.C. Williams, 42-26.
For his efforts, Onwuka was named the DC Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week, powered by Under Armour.
“He’s not very big, but he’s cat-quick and a very dynamic player,” Patriot Coach Brud Bicknell said. “We thought he had the potential to have a dynamic year and we changed things around to get him more touches.”
Onwuka had scored seven touchdowns in the season’s first three games, but that was nothing compared to this past Friday’s explosion.
Other players considered for Week 4 Player of the Week honors were:
ANNE ARUNDEL
South River WR Ryan Proctor caught eight passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns (44, 60, 81) as the Seahawks beat Annapolis, 46-42.
DC
H.D. Woodson RB Mychale Salahuddin rushed 10 times for 204 yards and four touchdowns as the Warriors beat Theodore Roosevelt, 30-6.
FREDERICK
Oakdale QB Cory Schlee, who missed the season’s first two games while battling mononucleosis, completed 10 of 17 passes for 219 yards and four touchdowns as the Bears beat Urbana, 56-17.
HOWARD
Oakland Mills QB Shallon Robinson completed 7 of 9 passes for 91 yards and one touchdown and rushed seven times for 101 yards and two touchdowns as the Scorpions beat Mount Hebron, 52-15.
LOUDOUN
Dominion RB Alex Wertz rushed 16 times for 289 yards and three touchdowns as the Titans beat Heritage, 38-0.
MONTGOMERY
Walter Johnson WR Aziz Diomande caught eight passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns as the Wildcats beat Kennedy, 20-0.
NORTHERN REGION
Fairfax QB Trevor Marchiando rushed 16 times for 86 yards and two touchdowns and completed 24 of 32 passes for 242 yards and another score as the Rebels beat Annandale, 21-20.
Marshall QB Andrew Margiotta rushed 15 times for 229 yards and four touchdowns in the second half (13, 30, 54, 69) as the Statesmen rallied to beat Falls Church, 43-24.
PRIVATE
Flint Hill RB Jordan Houston rushed 23 times for 281 yards and three touchdowns (45, 70, 80) and caught a 95-yard touchdown pass as the Huskies beat Collegiate, 41-27.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Patuxent QB Reese Crounse rushed for one touchdown and passed for 265 yards and two more scores, including the game-winning nine-yard pass to Xavier Harris for his third touchdown of the game as the Northern rallied to beat Chopticon, 36-33, to remain undefeated.
Week 3
JAKE PERETTI, ATHOLTON
After electing not to play football as a high school junior in 2016 so that he could focus on schoolwork and improving as a lacrosse player, Jake Peretti faced a difficult decision this past offseason. Would he go back to the game he had played every fall since age 7?
“I still loved football and supported the team, but I decided to take a year off,” Peretti said, adding that he thought it would have been hard to compete for playing time as a junior. “After the season was over, I was just thinking about how I missed it. I had to decide If I wanted to play. But it was my senior year and I didn’t want to miss my last opportunity to play.”
Three games into the season, Peretti – and his Atholton coaches and teammates – sure are glad that he opted to play one final football season.
This past Friday, Peretti set a Maryland state high school record as he intercepted five passes – playing free safety, he also made 16 tackles – as the Raiders beat Oakland Mills, 17-14.
“We knew that they were a throwing team and they like to throw it deep,” said Peretti, who had one interception in the season’s first two games. “So I was sitting back and waiting for their quarterback to throw the deep ball. And we knew he liked to target No. 8, so I was keying him. I guess it worked out.”
Atholton Coach Justin Carey said that two of the interceptions came on overthrown balls that Peretti was in position to snag. The other three, however, Peretti went up and got the ball at its highest point, before the intended receivers could make a play. Peretti had a sixth interception negated by a penalty.
Other players considered for the Week 3 Player of the Week Award were:
ANNE ARUNDEL
Broadneck QB Shane Davis completed 18 of 22 passes for 275 yards and four touchdowns in the first half as the Bruins beat Severna Park, 49-7.
DC
Friendship Collegiate RB Josiah Crute rushed 23 times for 174 yards and three touchdowns, including the decisive 11-yard run in the fourth quarter as the Knights beat H.D. Woodson, 25-19.
FREDERICK
Linganore QB Ryan Leyh completed 13 of 22 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns as the Lancers beat Westminster, 50-28.
HOWARD
Long Reach RB KaDarrian Booker rushed 25 times for 203 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-0 win over Wilde Lake.
LOUDOUN
Stone Bridge TE Daniel Thompson had nine catches for 237 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat previously undefeated Madison, 35-10.
Tuscarora RB Leron West rushed 13 times for 280 yards and five touchdowns and caught two passes for 108 yards and a sixth score as the Huskies beat Woodgrove, 62-40.
MONTGOMERY
Paint Branch QB Norman Douglas Jr. completed 13 of 19 passes for 235 yards and four touchdowns in a 47-6 win over Whitman.
NORTHERN REGION
South Lakes RB Spencer Alston rushed eight times for 297 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-10 win over Dominion.
West Potomac RB Daiimon Cleveland rushed 18 times for 259 yards and three touchdowns as the Wolverines beat Chantilly, 35-24.
PRINCE GEORGE’S
DuVal RB David Dupree rushed 32 times for 236 yards and three touchdowns and caught an 11-yard touchdown pass as the Tigers beat Urbana, 26-6.
PRINCE WILLIAM
Osbourn QB Chance Hollingsworth rushed 15 times for 123 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 62 yards and another score in a 28-18 win over Gar-Field.
PRIVATE
Flint Hill RB Jordan Houston rushed eight times for 211 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-20 win over Blue Ridge.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Northern QB Reese Crounse passed for three touchdowns and rushed for a fourth score in a 31-22 win over La Plata.
WCAC
Good Counsel WR Cam Hart had four catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns and intercepted a pass on defense as the Falcons rallied to beat Spalding, 37-21.
Week 2
DARRIEN NEWTON, MOUNT VERNON
Darrien Newton was enjoying a breakout junior season in 2016 when, in the season’s eighth game, he made a cut and felt pain in his left knee. An MRI revealed torn meniscus. Not only did the speedy wide receiver miss the rest of the football season, he was unable to suit up for the Mount Vernon basketball team, where he played point guard and shooting guard.
The road to recovery was long. It took more than half a year for the knee to fully heal. Even then, when Newton put on his pads for the beginning of practice last month, he had some mental hurdles to overcome.
“Initially my knee felt very strong but I didn’t have confidence in making hard cuts,” Newton said. “So I was going easy at the beginning.”
But with each passing week, Newton said, his confidence has grown. And now there is little question that he is back atop the perch as one of the Washington area’s biggest offensive threats. Newton caught 10 passes for a school-record 257 yards and three touchdowns – all at least 60 yards – as the Majors beat Falls Church, 34-16, this past Friday to improve to 3-0.
Newton, who hopes to attend Army West Point – his father, Daryl, retired after 22 years as an army medic and his older brother, Daryl Jr., was recently commissioned -- has been a big reason for Mount Vernon’s success. For his efforts, Newton was named the Military Bowl Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week, powered by Under Armour.
“He had 1,800 yards of total offense last year,” Majors Coach Monty Fritts said. “His goal this year is 2,500 yards. I think he is going to do it. He’s obviously doing well when he has 257 yards receiving in one game.”
Other players considered for the Week 2 Player of the Week were:
ANNE ARUNDEL
Meade’s Odion Okojie intercepted a pass and recovered two fumbles, returning one 50 yards for a touchdown, to lead a defensive effort that forced seven turnovers in a 47-26 win over Arundel, the Mustangs’ first win in the battle for the Mears Cup victory in 15 years.
DC
Ballou QB Terronta Buchanan completed 4 of 7 passes for 107 yards and three touchdowns and rushed four times for 83 yards and another score in a 41-6 win over Cardozo.
FREDERICK
Oakdale LB Maurio Goings had two sacks, an interception and two more tackles for loss in a 53-6 win over Bladensburg.
MONTGOMERY
Wootton QB Grant Saylor completed 24 of 34 passes for 408 yards and four touchdowns as the Patriots beat Churchill, 39-32. Elijah Trent had 10 catches for 182 yards and three touchdowns.
NORTHERN REGION
Madison RB Casey Koshuta rushed 37 times for 176 yards and two touchdowns and threw a 16-yard touchdown pass on a trick play in a 38-16 win over West Potomac.
PRINCE GEORGE’S
Eleanor Roosevelt QB Jaden Faulkner rushed 23 times for 203 yards and three touchdowns, including scoring runs of 45 and 49 yards in the fourth quarter as the Raiders beat Pallotti, 30-15.
PRINCE WILLIAM
Freedom-Woodbridge RB A.J. Felton rushed for four touchdowns and returned a kickoff 85 yards for another score in a 58-7 win over Lake Taylor.
PRIVATE
Bullis WR-DB Bryson Shaw caught an 80-yard touchdown pass, returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown and rushed five times for 32 yards in a 33-9 win over Fork Union.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Northern QB Reese Crounse passed for 335 yards and two touchdowns in a 36-7 win over his former school, Patuxent.
Week 1
ARIS HILLIARD, TUSCARORA
As Tuscarora took the field for its season opener this past Saturday, Aris Hilliard was admittedly nervous. A 5-foot-8, 165-pound junior, he was being given tremendous responsibility for a player who had never suited up for a varsity game.
In recent years, the Titans had leaned heavily on all-purpose offensive standout Rodney Dorset. But with Dorsey now a freshman in the mix at Towson University, Tuscarora Coach Vince Ahearn was looking for Hilliard – whom he jokingly refers to as “Rodney 2.0” because of his on-field ability and the way he comports himself off the field – to take a leading role.
Still, as Tuscarora trotted out to return the opening kickoff, Hilliard had butterflies.
“I should have run under the ball, but I was kind of hoping it wasn’t going to get kicked to me,” Hilliard said.
As the ball bounced near the 20-yard line and scooted past Hilliard, it seemed like everything was happening in slow motion.
How could this happen on his first play on the varsity?
But by the time Hilliard retreated to pick up the ball and started up the field, his outlook had changed.
“I was glad I had the opportunity,” Hilliard said. “It was a wide-open hole.”
Hilliard did not stop until he reached the end zone. Now in his comfort zone, Hilliard went on to enjoy a sensational debut. In addition to his 95-yard kickoff return, he rushed 24 times for 301 yards and three touchdowns, leading Tuscarora to a 38-14 victory at Milford Mill. It was a big victory for the Titans, as Milford Mill has made the playoffs in four of the past five seasons. For his efforts, Hilliard was named the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club presented by Capital Bank High School Football Player of the Week, powered by Under Armour.
“You don’t know necessarily what to expect, you don’t even know your team this early,” Ahearn said. “But yes, we were expecting him to do well this year. He’s got great grades, too. He’s the whole package.”
While Dorsey earned Frederick News-Post Offensive Player of the Year honors last season, Hilliard is doing his best to make sure Tuscarora’s offense keeps operating at a high level. He usually lines up at running back and also works some as a slot receiver, though the inclement weather dictated that the Titans kept the ball on the ground Saturday. Hilliard, who was one of the fastest players at the University of Maryland’s football camp this past summer, did most of the damage.
“I did not expect to get a kickoff return touchdown, I did not expect to get four touchdowns,” Hilliard said, noting that he had played plenty of cornerback on defense and was not featured in the team’s preseason scrimmages. “I didn’t know what to expect from my first varsity game. It came out of nowhere.”
Other players considered for the Week 1 Player of the Week were:
ANNE ARUNDEL
Severna Park WR Josh Coffman caught four passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead 91-yard score with two minutes left, and returned a punt 45 yards for another score in a 49-48 win over North County.
DC
National Collegiate QB Eugene Dunmore completed 11 of 14 passes for 220 yards and seven touchdowns in a 50-0 win over Phelps.
HOWARD
Howard LB Ryan Kearney led a strong defensive effort as the Lions limited 2,000-yard rusher Wande Owens to 39 yards on 17 carries in a 34-0 win over Glenelg.
LOUDOUN COUNTY
Woodgrove RB Josh Johnson rushed 26 times for 256 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-14 win over Massaponax.
MONTGOMERY
Northwest RB Junior Farri returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, rushed 15 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns, caught a 10-yard touchdown pass, intercepted a pass on defense and kicked extra points in a 53-36 win over Wootton.
NORTHERN REGION
Wakefield RB Rodney Lee rushed 22 times for 193 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-27 win over Washington-Lee.
PRINCE GEORGE’S
Gwynn Park WR-DB Terrell Lindsey scored on an eight-yard run and returned an interception 30 yards for another touchdown in a 24-12 win over Potomac (Md.).
PRINCE WILLIAM
Battlefield QB Trevor Walker threw two touchdown passes, rushed seven times for 117 yards and two touchdowns and returned a kickoff 85 yards for another score in a 55-19 win over Colgan.
PRIVATE
Georgetown Prep RB Jalen Hampton rushed 14 times for 210 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-7 win over O’Connell.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND
Northern QB Reese Crounse completed all 13 of his passes for 317 yards and five touchdowns, including four to Xavier Harris, in a 49-7 win over Calvert.
COACHES COMMITTEE
Each week, members of the Coaches Committee submit a nominee from their regions for the DC Touchdown Club High School Player of the Week. The Executive Committee considers nominations and announces the weekly winner each Wednesday. Players of the Week earn strong consideration for High School Player of the Year awards, which are highlighted at the Club's annual Awards Dinner in late winter/early spring.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Elijah Brooks, DeMatha: WCAC/Independents
Mike Neubeiser, Northwest: Montgomery
Rick Conner, Linganore: Frederick
Steve Crounse, Patuxent: Southern Maryland
Tom Green, Eleanor Roosevelt: Prince George's
Mark Martin, Wilson: Washington, DC
Chris Haddock, Centreville: Fairfax
Dan Paro, Georgetown Prep: IAC
Tony Lilly, Hylton: Prince William
Mike Skinner, Woodgrove: Loudoun
Justin Carey, Hammond: Howard
