By Stephen D. Riley
AFRO Contributing Writer
DeMatha star tailback Marcus Coker rushed for 213 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries to help the Stags beat the Falcons, 24-21. (AFRO Photo/Khalid-Naji-Allah)
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(October 14, 2009) - Big lights, big plays and a big crowd—all the necessary ingredients for a big game between Maryland’s top two high school football teams were present when the No. 1 DeMatha Stags faced off against the Good Counsel Falcons.
Their much anticipated Oct. 9 contest not only lived up to the hype but surpassed it. And a huge crowd saw DeMatha mount a fourth quarter comeback to defend their No. 1 ranking with a 24-21 win at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, Md. With a 25-30 minute wait just to get into the game, the stands were packed with alumni, students and regular football lovers looking for a great game. But, three quarters in, it appeared the large crowd wouldn't get what they came for.
Good Counsel opened up a 21-3 lead going into the fourth quarter, utilizing a bruising run game and big-play passing game. Good Counsel’s early domination was reminiscent of the two teams’ regular season game from last year, when Good Counsel jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter and won 42-21, handing DeMatha their worst loss since 1980.
Facing another possible blowout, DeMatha star running back Marcus Coker made sure history wouldn't repeat itself. A good punt return set the Stags up inside Falcon territory at the end of the third quarter, and Coker found the end zone on a 17-yard run to open the fourth. A Falcons fumble on a botched handoff gave DeMatha the ball back at midfield and Coker capitalized with a 37-yard touchdown run to pull DeMatha within 21-17.
The quick scores rattled the Falcons, but with six minutes to go, Good Counsel used a four-minute drive to march to the DeMatha 15-yard line and put them in position to ice the game. That’s when the Stags got their biggest stop of the season.
On fourth and inches, Good Counsel decided to go for the first down rather than attempt a field goal that could have possibly put them up by seven points. The Falcons lined up in their short-yardage package but were stuffed short of the first, lighting up the DeMatha sideline and setting the stage for a fantastic finish.
On the ensuing possession and facing third down with little time left on the clock, Coker took his final handoff of the game and raced 64 yards down the field, the DeMatha faithful roaring as their star tail back jogged untouched into the end zone.
Coker said he and his teammates never stopped believing that a comeback was possible. “We’re still in this game,” Coker said of the team’s mood entering the fourth. “Just stay composed and we can come back from anything.”
Coming off an emotional victory can often lead to letdown in a team’s next game but Coker, who finished with 25 carries for 213 yards and three touchdowns, knows what the Stags must do to defend their top ranking.
“Everyday we got to work as hard as possible, we got to get better.” Coker said. “This game was too close for comfort so we got to get better this week and work harder.”
DeMatha (6-0) will now prepare for a matchup against St. Johns High School on Oct. 17, while Good Counsel (5-1) will take on Paul VI on Oct. 16.