6 Stock Risers from WCAC Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The DeMatha Stags defeated the Gonzaga Purple Eagles 28-7 this past weekend in the WCAC Semifinals. The following article provides detailed analysis of the top performances from this playoff contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeMatha 28</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 5'11 185 RB - [player_tooltip player_id='90681' first='Brendon' last='Wyatt'] - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='90681' first='Brendon' last='Wyatt'] is riding a hot streak right now, and he has scored three touchdowns in back to back games heading into this weekend's WCAC Championship game. He surpassed 100 yards rushing in this game as well, and that's not a surprise considering that one of his carries was a 65 yard touchdown run. [player_tooltip player_id='90681' first='Brendon' last='Wyatt'] should absolutely be the primary concern for the St. John's defense heading into this weekend. If [player_tooltip player_id='90681' first='Brendon' last='Wyatt'] gets going early then the championship game will be over before it even starts. Wyatt's production also continues to draw attention away from DeMatha's elite dual-threat quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'], which has really increased Gardner's production as well. [player_tooltip player_id='90681' first='Brendon' last='Wyatt'] is undoubtedly one of the standout players to watch in this WCAC championship, and he'll look to end his 2022 All-WCAC 1st Team season with another spectacular performance on Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/fx103iDoVg ">https://t.co/fx103iDoVg </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 6'0 175 QB - [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'] - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'] got off to an early start in this game with a highlight reel 25 yard touchdown run to take the 1st Q lead for the Stags. From that point on, Gardner was solid in the passing game and he protected the football beautifully for DeMatha. [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'] is most certainly the focal point of this DeMatha offense, and he demonstrated just that in the Stags' victory over Gonzaga in the semifinals. My prediction for this weekend is that [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'] will lead the DeMatha Stags to a WCAC Championship victory over St. John's. Gardner's dynamic dual-threat abilities will simply be too much for the Cadets to handle, especially in tandem with a surging [player_tooltip player_id='90681' first='Brendon' last='Wyatt'] coming out of the backfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights:<a href=" https://t.co/AxvKhaa6ZP"> https://t.co/AxvKhaa6ZP</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'1 205 RB - [player_tooltip player_id='371280' first='Tovani' last='Mizell'] - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Georgia commit, [player_tooltip player_id='371280' first='Tovani' last='Mizell'], continues to run the ball at an elite level for the Stags in every game. Against Gonzaga, even with [player_tooltip player_id='90681' first='Brendon' last='Wyatt']'s breakout performance, Mizell was able to convert on multiple third down runs and he even broke free for a 20 plus yard run in the second half. [player_tooltip player_id='371280' first='Tovani' last='Mizell'] gives this DeMatha offense incredible depth in the backfield, and this depth will pay dividends for the Stags this Sunday in the WCAC Championship. It would not surprise me at all if [player_tooltip player_id='371280' first='Tovani' last='Mizell'] puts up big numbers this weekend against St. John's, and I think it is going to be very difficult for the Cadet defense to stop the one-two punch of Wyatt and Mizell coming out of the backfield for DeMatha. [player_tooltip player_id='371280' first='Tovani' last='Mizell'] is a very deserving 4 star recruit and there's no doubt in my mind that he's going to prove that this weekend in the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/jORWSWz4PZ">https://t.co/jORWSWz4PZ</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'1 180 DB - [player_tooltip player_id='90656' first='Tawfiq' last='Byard'] - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='90656' first='Tawfiq' last='Byard'] delivered the game sealing interception for DeMatha in their semifinal showdown, and he did so in spectacular fashion. Byard caught an extremely difficult tipped pass ball that was anything but easy to catch, however, he made it look as such. Byard's web gem interception was the first turnover of the game for either team, and it punched the Stags' ticket to the WCAC final game this Sunday. [player_tooltip player_id='90656' first='Tawfiq' last='Byard'] is one of the most lockdown defenders in DeMatha's secondary, and if the Cadets don't account for Byard then he will wreak havoc on a young St. John's quarterback in this championship contest. All eyes should be on #1 in this final game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/5Npc0vXOzz">https://t.co/5Npc0vXOzz</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gonzaga 7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 5'11 175 QB - [player_tooltip player_id='264054' first='Aidan' last='Conrath'] - Gonzaga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='264054' first='Aidan' last='Conrath'] and the Purple Eagles responded to an early 7-0 deficit quickly and efficiently in this contest, and they did so through the air with the passing game. Conrath connected with Gonzaga tight end [player_tooltip player_id='321264' first='Burke' last='Carroll'] for the score to tie the game at 7 a piece. [player_tooltip player_id='264054' first='Aidan' last='Conrath'] has phenomenal arm talent, and, in my opinion, he will be a top two passer in the WCAC next season. He faced an extremely difficult task in the DeMatha defense during this game, and I truly believe that this game was valuable experience for him moving forward. He's a very talented passer with great arm strength, and there's no doubt in my mind that he will have the best season of his career next Fall in 2023. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if [player_tooltip player_id='264054' first='Aidan' last='Conrath'] and the Purple Eagles are competing for a WCAC title this time next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/JKgETFa0LN">https://t.co/JKgETFa0LN</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'5 220 TE - [player_tooltip player_id='321264' first='Burke' last='Carroll'] - Gonzaga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are very few players in the WCAC that played as well as [player_tooltip player_id='321264' first='Burke' last='Carroll'] did down the playoff stretch for Gonzaga. Carroll caught a handful of touchdowns in his final two games for the Purple Eagles, and his elite performance embodied what it means to be a Gonzaga tight end. The Senior pass catcher has received offers from schools such as Buknell and Georgetown, however, my way too early prediction is that [player_tooltip player_id='321264' first='Burke' last='Carroll'] will finish-out his football career at a power five conference school. He's simply too talented a tight end to not make a splash at the next level, and my guess is that he finds his way into the elite college game down the stretch in his collegiate career. It was a spectacular 2022 season for the Senior tight end [player_tooltip player_id='321264' first='Burke' last='Carroll'] of Gonzaga. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->