WCAC Standings; In-Game Coverage

For the fourth time in nine years, DeMatha's varsity football team lost to Gilman. The Stags (1-1) defeated the Greyhounds (2-0) by a combined scored of 66-6 the past two years, but the Gilman running game proved to be too much for DeMatha Friday night. The Greyhounds ammassed over 300 yards on the ground, including 208 by quarterback Davey Emala. The senior quarterback also threw for one touchdown as Gilman defeated DeMatha 21-14 at Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex in Landover.

"That Emala was better than our 11 and my hat is off to him," DeMatha coach Bill McGregor said. ""He had an outstanding game, is a tough kid and wanted it more than we did.''

Gilman was able to get on the scoreboard first when Emala completed one of his three passes on the night, which was an 8-yard pass to Bryan Willis on the first play of the second quarter. Junior Mimmo Cricchio knocked down his first of three extra points to cap off an 11-play, 66-yard drive by the Greyhounds, but the Stags would respond.

Marcus Coker, who rushed the ball for 180 yards last week in a 37-0 thrashing of Delaware's Middletown High School, had touchdown runs of 28 and 34 yards Friday as he totaled 148 yards on the ground on just 18 carries. His second touchdown tied the game at 14 in the fourth quarter, but the Gilman running game proved to be the difference.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Darius Jennings scored on a 68-yard run that would prove to be the game-winning touchdown. Jennings was lined up behind center because Gilman uses a two-quarterback system, and he dashed down the DeMatha sideline and scored the Greyhounds third touchdown of the game.

"Our main back Woody Williams is hurt right now and didn't play tonight,'' said Jennings. "The line is always great and it was a sweep and our running back Malik Compton made a great play [block]. It was an excellent call. Once I make open field, hardly anybody can ever catch me.''

DeMatha had one last chance to score, but a Gilman sack coupled with two incomplete passes ended any possible threat by the Stags.

"We didn't come to play, physically or emotional," McGregor said. "You can't play a strong Gilman team like that."

DeMatha will have a chance to rebound against Friendship Edison next weekend before opening up conference play at home against Carroll.

DCSportsFan will hold the Second Annual All-DCSportsFan.com Football Celebration Dinner on January 25th at George Mason University. Sixty-two players will be selected from the WCAC, DCIAA, IAC and MAC to represent their schools. Last year's banquet featured University of Virginia Head Coach Al Groh and former Washington Redskins General Manager Charlie Casserly. To find out more information about the banquet, e-mail Patsy Mangas pmangas@dcsportsfan.com.