Coker, Stags, Stun Falcons with Late Game Rally
While DeMatha ended up with the win, Good Counsel gave them serious competition and probably a good scare.
Photo By: Tony Ventouris / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Marcus Coker put up an astounding 21 unanswered points for the Stags in the 4th quarter.
Photo By: Tony Ventouris / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Stephen Snyder, Michael Madaras and Thomas Kokolas for Good Counsel will be looking to even the score when the two rivals meet again.
Photo By: Tony Ventouris / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Written by: Cecilia Ferrara
LANDOVER, MD - The anticipation and excitement surrounding Friday night's game was inevitable. DeMatha and Good Counsel were both unbeaten this season, boasting 5-0 records going into this game. DeMatha is currently ranked #1 amongst area high school teams this year, with Good Counsel at the #2 spot.
While both teams are strong and having fantastic seasons, DeMatha seemed the early favorite to win. It is not hard to know why upon examining DeMatha's football program - they won the 2008 WCAC Championship last year and coach Bill McGregor, in his 28th season as DeMatha's football coach, has had 7 of his previous players in the NFL (DeMatha ranks #1 in players in the NFL of any high school program).
Marcus Coker, #34, DeMatha's star and senior running back, was the player to watch going into this game. His numbers are impressive: 14 touchdowns so far this season and 1,000 rushing yards in just five games.
With all the hype surrounding DeMatha it was surprising to find at the end of the first quarter DeMatha was behind, 7-3, scoring only a field goal.
The Stags didn't have much opportunity to catch up in the first half as the Falcons retained possession during most of the 2nd quarter. With 4:40 left in the first half, the Falcons got a 1st and goal just inside the 5yd line. #24, Brown, was the leader for DeMatha, carrying the ball for most of their drives throughout the game.
Their end of quarter drive resulted in a touchdown from EJ Scott, which pushed the Falcons ahead, 13-3. Nick Gorman kicked for the extra point which was good, bumping it up to 14-3.
The Stags regained possession of the ball with four minutes left in the half, but didn't have the opportunity to score again before the clock ran out.
As both teams ran off the field for half time, a fan who was there just to watch "a good football game" said "DeMatha's never been down 14-3; this is the first time they're actually facing adversity, and we'll see how they respond." While DeMatha seemed discouraged they were nothing if not dedicated to winning. DeMatha punters stayed on the field to practice their kicks during the half, including #18 and #91.
The third quarter began with #8 kicking off for the Stags, with Blake Countess and Stefon Diggs from Good Counsel receiving. The punt, as nearly all of his punts did during the game, fell into the end zone for a touchback and giving the Falcons a 1st & 10 at the 20 yard line.
Marcus Coker was surprisingly quiet during the first three quarters, with zero touchdown passes or carries. While he did rush for a few yards here and there, his carries usually resulted in 4th downs for The Stags, and the DeMatha fans seemed stunned as the Falcons scored again in the 3rd, leaving them 21-3 going into the 4th.
However, Coker must thrive under pressure because he put up an astounding 21 unanswered points for the Stags in the 4th quarter. All three touchdowns were on carries by Coker and the extra points were from kicks by #8.
One touchdown came from a Falcon's fumble which landed the Stags great field position, the two other were on 3rd and 4th downs where Coker ran the ball into the end zone.
The best (and winning) play of the game was arguably when DeMatha had a 1st down at their own 29 yard line. A good play intended for #1 was broken up by Louis Young on the other side; giving the Stags a 2nd down with 1:25 left in the 3rd. DeMatha's #32 ran out of bounds at the 37 yard line, giving them 3rd down and 2.
With 1:18 left to the play in the game, the Good Counsel fans, whom earlier thought it was a complete blowout, were chanting "DEFENSE, DEFENSE!" However, Coker once again delivered, running almost the entire field for a touchdown and putting the Stags up 23-21. #8's extra point was good, putting them ahead 24-21 and leaving 1:07 on the clock for the Falcons to retaliate.
The return punt resulted in another touchback, and the Falcons started with a 1st and 10 from the 20 yard line. DeMatha's fans were going wild, whooping and high fiving each other; pretty sure they had already won.
It was suspenseful down to the last few seconds. The Falcons completed a few passes which stopped the clock. Right before the Falcons were about to go for 3rd down, the Stags called for a timeout with 53 seconds left in the game.
The timeout must have pumped up DeMatha's defense because they came back and sacked the Falcon's quarterback, causing them to lose 4 yards and force a 4th down. To add insult to injury, the Falcons got a flag, illegal procedure, called on their play which left them at 4th and 19 with 28 seconds to go.
While The Falcons quarterback gave a last ditch effort and threw deep, his pass was incomplete and DeMatha regained the ball at their 23 yard line.
With only a few seconds to go, the Stags ran out the clock, their fans going crazy and breathing sighs of relief. While leaving, one DeMatha student said "It was the best game I've ever been to! It was even better than the championship last year because that was a blowout. This was close 'til the end."
While DeMatha ended up with the win, Good Counsel gave them serious competition and probably a good scare. Whether or not this was a precursor to the WCAC championship game has yet to be determined, but each team proved tonight why they were number one and number two, respectively.
The two rivals will meet again for the last game of their regular season, November 22nd. If it is anything like Friday's game, it will be a nail biter to the end.
