Great American Rivalry Series: Bowie vs Elanor Roosevelt

This nail biting rivalry was spotlighted by the Marines Great American Rivalry Series. "The Great American Rivalry Series® shines the spotlight on top high school football rivalries across the nation, where long-standing traditions are valued, expectations are sky high, and followers are passionate and loyal. Each year, select schools across the country are invited to participate in the Series – schools that have always had the BIG game, a traditional rivalry going back many years in which thousands of players, coaches and fans have participated. It is the game the entire community embraces, looks forward to and talks about all year long – the game where memories are made and then relived at high school reunions across America for years to come." -<a href="https://greatamericanrivalry.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GreatAmericanRivalry.com</a> This shootout between Bowie and Roosevelt lived up to the hype. With big plays and turnovers the momentum in this game shifted continuously. In the end Bowie’s defense held off the raiders in dramatic fashion, and claimed the win in this PG County match up. Here we will spotlight the top performers from both teams who kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. <img class="size-medium wp-image-215245 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/Elijah-W-rotated-crop-400x263-1633968213-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /><a style="font-size: 1rem;" href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/Elijah-W-rotated-crop-400x263-1633968213.jpg"> </a><a style="background-color: #edeef0; font-size: 1rem;" href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/Elijah-W-rotated-crop-400x263-1633968213.jpg">[player_tooltip player_id="187616" first="Elijah" last="Williams"] ,6’0 172lbs, WR, 2022</a> Williams is the Bulldogs between the hashes receiving weapon. He is fearless across the middle, it helps that he is aware of when to settle in the holes in the defense in order to make plays. After the catch he always gets vertical to march his offense down the field, not very flashy but picks up important yards. Williams is one of the players that hit the scene hard over the summer. After transferring from Virginia private school Bishop Ireton where he was a key part of their offense he burst onto the 7on7 and camp circuit. In his first tournament he helped his team win the Championship at Pylon(NJ), where he snagged a circus touchdown catch in a triple OT win. I also had a chance to evaluate Williams at FBU Baltimore camp where he earned an invite to FBU Top Gun in Naples, FL. Williams is a very consistent route runner, he gets open on majority of his routes. His footwork and hands combo is the reason why he’s so deadly between the hashes for the Bulldogs. [embed]https://twitter.com/elijahwill04/status/1414294270534692869?s=20[/embed] [embed]https://twitter.com/elijahwill04/status/1444404065929252866?s=20[/embed]   <img class="size-medium wp-image-215248 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/Ry-Manning-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Ryan Manning, 6’0 175lbs, WR, 2023 Manning is the electrifying speedster for the Bulldogs. His playmaking ability gave Bowie the spark they needed on offense to stay in the game. On one of his big plays during the game he took the top off the defense as he showed his impressive stop and start ability, along with good acceleration on a stop and go route for a touchdown. His feet are his lethal weapon, violent and fast in and out of his breaks with the straight line speed to take it the distance. He resembles some of nations top route runners in the way he snaps down into his routes. [embed]https://twitter.com/Ryan1Manning/status/1447413598750392321?s=20[/embed] [embed]https://twitter.com/RHAcademy_/status/1416927392854159361?s=20[/embed] <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16503022/Ryan-Manning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ryan Manning’s HUDL</a>   <img class="size-medium wp-image-215265 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/Chris-Mc-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Chris McGraw, 5’10 200lbs, LB ,2023 McGraw may be Bowie’s most polished linebacker, he plays with sharp fundamentals and fly’s to the ball on every play. At a point during the game I began to count his tackles because he was making plays back to back for the Bulldogs, I stopped counting after 6 tackles in a quarter. He is another private school transfer for the Bulldogs from Saint Vincent Pallotti, even there he was well ahead of his teammates at his position. Between McGraw and Harrington a lot of defensive stops where made between the tackles. I had the chance to evaluate McGraw over the summer and he is a very vocal and smart linebacker, when his defense makes a call he echoes until everybody is set. His communication coming from the middle linebacker position is great and he catches on to changes on the fly really well. I like McGraws personality also, he’s not a "ra-ra" type of player even after he makes a play, he’s locked in and focused on what he needs to do. I cant wait to see his growth into next season. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16302795/Christopher-McGraw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">McGraws HUDL</a> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/bowie-12-rotated-crop-400x263-1633973738.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-215322 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/bowie-12-rotated-crop-400x263-1633973738-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> </a> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/bowie-12-rotated-crop-400x263-1633973738.jpg">Stewart Harrington lll, 6’2 210lbs, LB/DE, 2022</a> Harrington had a big game for the bulldogs absolutely flying around the field. He chalked up some huge stops over the course of the game including a strip sack that turned into a touchdown. After the strip sack, as the defensive back is coasting down the sideline Harrington is the player leading him into the end zone, you cant teach that type of hustle. During the last drive of the game on 3rd down, time expiring for the Raiders ,Harrington teams up with McGraw for a huge tackle for a loss. On 4th down, the very next play, Harrington executed a perfect bull rush and swim move, speed and hand placement were a thing of beauty. He engaged the would be blocker, hands on opponents wrists, tossed the lineman’s hands opposite of the way he was going, and executed as smooth swim moved. The only way the would be blocker slowed him down was by grabbing Harrington around the waist. Harrington, being a two sport athlete, basketball and football has the size and athleticism to make a good outside linebacker for a college program. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9721888/Stewart-Harrington-III" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harringtons HUDL</a> [embed]https://twitter.com/big_stewww/status/1447307318106935305?s=20[/embed] <img class="size-medium wp-image-215327 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/Roose-5-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />   Raquane Matthews, 5’10 180lbs, RB, 2023 Raquane showed that he’s a real deal athlete through the game, starting on offense, defense and special teams for the Raiders. On a 40 yard touchdown run early in the game he showed off some traits you look for in a good running back, vision, strength, speed, and awareness. On a designed sweep he cut up the field, making an over perusing linebacker miss in the hole. Once he got to the second level he used a stiff arm to break a tackle and turned on the jets. His work wasn’t done as of yet, the safety gave him a chase, but as the defender went in for the diving tackle Matthews hurdled the attempt as he jumped into the end zone for six. Mathews doesn’t dance when carrying the ball, he makes one move and sticks his foot in the ground. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/raquane-matthews/VCFUTAQwEeuAzqREozo6lw/default.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matthews’ Highlights</a>   <img class="size-medium wp-image-215338 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/Sid-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Sidikie Daramy, 5’11 215lbs ,LB , 2023 Hard hat football player who gets in the box and does the dirty work, he’s very aggressive and mobile. Daramy played linebacker and fullback in this game leading his running backs into the end zone. He never shy’s away from contact and is usually the enforcer. Some plays from Sid that stood out on defense were a few tackles and pass coverage. On a run play up the middle he took on and shed the lead block and made the tackle showing his strength and physical style of play. He laid a big hit on a Bowie quarterback, that was not lacking in size by any means, which forced the back up quarterback into the game. From the middle linebacker position he broke on a 5 and out route and just missed the interception by the tips of his fingers. Sidikie is another player I had the chance to see perform during the summer at camps and 7on7 tournaments. He draws a few flags during 7on7 tournaments because of his physicality but he is a linebacker that you can trust to make contact and reroute running backs and slot receivers. Offensive players are lucky if they don’t hit the turf when crossing his path. [embed]https://twitter.com/_officialsid/status/1442201827219427330?s=20[/embed]   <img class="size-medium wp-image-215348 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/Roose-25-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />   Aiden Garrett, 5’8 165lbs, RB/WR , 2023 Garrett had a great game for the Raiders as he slashed and dashed through the bulldogs defense. He demonstrated good speed and agility on his handful of big runs. Because of his size most will label him as a scat back, but he does not lack in strength and balance. He shows that defenders actually have to get a body on him to bring him to the ground, after contact he keeps those legs churning for extra yards. [embed]https://twitter.com/a_garrett25/status/1447613113575034881?s=20[/embed] Players to watch: <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/Roose-2-rotated-crop-400x263-1633975706.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-215355 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/Roose-2-rotated-crop-400x263-1633975706-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="208293" first="Khalil" last="Graves"] , 5’9 175lbs, RB, 2022, Elanor Roosevelt</a>   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11083524/Khalil-Graves">Graves’ HUDL</a>     Chris Gill ,DB, 2023, Bowie Fumble return for a TD vs Roosevelt. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12400286/Christopher-Gill" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gills HUDL</a>