After a busy weekend in semi-final action, the match-ups for high school title games in Washington, D.C. and Prince Georges’ County were set Nov. 10 for the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA), the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) and the Maryland 4A South Region.
As has been the case for much of the last decade, the Good Counsel Falcons and DeMatha Stags will square off in the WCAC title game on Nov. 17 at Navy- Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md.
Good Counsel overcame divisional rival St. Johns 21-7 at home on Nov. 9. DeMatha avenged a late October loss to Gonzaga by defeating them 40-27 on Nov. 10.
“I thought we played well defensively,” DeMatha defensive line coach Steve Mims said afterwards. “In the first half they took advantage of some situations but in the second half we took care of business.”
Both the Stags and Falcons have been the class of the WCAC lately, dominating the conference and trading titles. DeMatha beat Good Counsel in the championship game consecutive seasons from 2004 to 2008 before the Falcons turned the tide by winning three straight conference titles, two of which came against the Stags.
“Going on the last 10 years, both programs have been playing and competing fiercely. We usually play each other twice in a year, once in the regular season which is close, and once in a championship. We usually get a good game there,” DeMatha head coach Elijah Brooks told popular high school sports website maxpreps.com in early October.
Good Counsel is led by running back Dorian O’Daniel, who has rushed for 1,100 yards on the season and just finished thrashing St. Johns for 141 yards and two touchdowns. DeMatha has leaned on blossoming sophomore star running back Taiwan Deal and his 924 rushing yards and league-high 21 touchdowns.
The 6-foot-2-inch, 226-pound Deal has been powerful and impressive in his sophomore campaign, blasting Dunbar for 163 yards and four touchdowns before stomping McNamara with 113 yards and three touchdowns. His latest game was a thing of beauty as he steamed through Gonzaga for 192 yards and five scores.
With the stars in place and the records impressive, DeMatha (9-2) and Good Counsel (10-1) are set to do battle once again. “The kids are looking forward to it just like they looked forward to Gonzaga,” Mims added.
Elsewhere in the region, the Woodrow Wilson Tigers (8-3) defeated Anacostia 40-20 while the Dunbar Crimson Tide (8-2) took care of H.D. Woodson 28-14. Both games were played at Cardozo High School on Nov. 10.
Wilson and Dunbar will meet Thanksgiving Day for the 43rd annual Turkey Bowl, which decides the DCIAA champion. Dunbar will be aiming for its 11th title. The Tide will look to avenge a 20-13 late October loss to the Tigers in a game that saw kick returner Travon Parker dash 80 yards following a Dunbar touchdown to decide the game. The game will be played at Eastern High School.
In Prince George’s County, the Wise Pumas (11-0) defeated Eleanor Roosevelt 28-7 to remain unbeaten while the Suitland Rams (10-1) took down DuVal 21-14. The Pumas and Rams will meet next weekend to decide the winner of the Maryland 4A South region.
