Kyle McFadden (@k_fadd) | Twitter
The latest Tweets from Kyle McFadden (@k_fadd). Freelancer covering college sports, preps & #nascar. ?: @WashPostHS @BaltSunSports @frednewspost. @FrederickCC student. 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. Views=mine. New Market, MD
COLLEGE PARK — DeMatha coach Elijah Brooks was trying to process the feat that seemed impossible not even an hour ago. Standing before a crammed locker room of astonished reporters and emotional football players, all Brooks could do was bury his face into his black DeMatha jacket and sob in disbelief.
He wasn’t alone. Coaches fought uncontrollable tears just to muster a few trembling words. The pure emotions of players were released after being bottled in the frenzied final moments of their 34-29 victory over St. John’s in Saturday’s Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship at the University of Maryland, a game that will be talked about for years to come.
Facing a 15-point deficit with 7:18 to go, and with the St. John’s student section engulfing the Stags sideline with “overrated” chants, all hope seemed lost for undefeated DeMatha (12-0). Cadets quarterback Kasim Hill, playing on his future turf, was picking apart the Stags defense in almost every way possible, passing for three touchdowns and nearly rushing for 100 yards.
But as Brooks would say, his DeMatha team “just kept swinging,” even if they whiffed.
“I love these boys,” Brooks said. “Period.”
After St. John’s botched a snap to plate prime field position for the Stags at the Cadets 36-yard line, quarterback Beau English knew it was time to deliver what DeMatha desperately needed. English soon scored on a 17-yard run to bring the game to 29-21 with 5:16 remaining. What came next caught everyone off-guard.
On the ensuing kickoff, and with St. John’s preparing for an onside kick, the ball rolled down to the 1-yard line, and DeMatha’s Nicholas Cross recovered. Two plays later, English connected with Anthony Toro in the back of the end zone. Though the two-point conversion attempt failed, the Stags brought it to 29-27.
A quick stop then gave DeMatha the ball back with 2:27 to go. For the entire game, English paced the sideline buzzing with optimism. Up until the final drive that would soon forge a lasting legacy, English remained in good spirits.
“I knew this was my last ride with my guys,” English said. “We just had to make it happen.”
English marched 57 yards, using his legs when the pocket collapsed and his arm when there was time. A diving 17-yard grab by sophomore running back Myles Miree gave DeMatha the lead for good with 1:05 left in regulation.
Kyle McFadden on Twitter
DEMATHA TAKES THE LEAD! BEAU ENGLISH 27 YARDS TO MILES MIREE! Stags erase a 15 pt 4Q deficit to lead 34-29 with 1:05 left #mdpreps #allmets https://t.co/uobuBYRVYG
Hill, the University of Maryland commit, led St. John’s out for one last series at midfield after a 15-yard penalty on the ensuing kickoff. Three plays later, DeMatha’s Myles Canton came up with the game-clinching interception that deflected right into his hands, spoiling Hill’s comeback hopes.
Kyle McFadden on Twitter
The emotions on the DeMatha sideline after the game-clinching INT by @M_Canton3 are priceless. What a game. What a scene. #allmets #mdpreps https://t.co/IFumDy8fni
After crusading one of the most triumphant rallies in Maryland high school football history, and the Stags’ fourth straight WCAC crown, English took off his shoulder pads, addressed reporters, and packed up his gear as if it was all meant to be in the first place.
Saturday night was a storybook ending to an illustrious career, but English wants to be remembered as something differently than the amount of rings compiled over the past four years.
“I just want to be remembered by my teammates as a great guy to play with,” English said. “That’s all I care about.”
On paper, the Cadets’ roster glamored with superiority. According to Yahoo Rivals, the St. John’s senior class had eight rated recruits. DeMatha had six, but two — Anthony McFarland and Marcus Minor — were sidelined due to injury. The only 4-star who started for the Stags was defensive end and Ohio State commit, Chase Young.
St. John’s started two 4-stars — Hill and lineman Calvin Ashley, an Auburn commit — and four 3-stars — Demani Hansford, Maryland commit Cam Spence, Kofi Wardlow and Texas A&M commit Tyree Johnson.
Running back Khory Spruill (43 yards on nine carries), Dellante Hellams (92 yards and one touchdown on two receptions) and the newest DeMatha legend, English, are all 2-stars and the only other rated seniors by Yahoo Rivals on DeMatha’s roster.
Brooks said he wants this group, the so-called “runts of DeMatha” four years ago, to be remembered as “ultimate winners.”
“They did everything they can to have a zero in that loss column,” Brooks said. “And to do that, that’s very difficult to do. They’re the ultimate champions.”
They’ll be talking about Saturday’s game for quite some time. In the end, DeMatha continued its dominance in the WCAC with the most unlikely group to fulfill the feat.
“The theme for this game coming in was never stop swinging,” English said. “And that’s what we did tonight and that’s what we’re going to do in life. We’re never going to quit.”
Kyle McFadden on Twitter
@DMCoachBrooks: “This was your greatest masterpiece.” https://t.co/IzEnuEfcAa
