DeMatha Stags’ Top Performers from Opening Day

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEMATHA 35 SPRINGFIELD 7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'6 285 OL - [player_tooltip player_id='888703' first='Terez' last='Davis'] - DeMatha - Maryland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With his next level blocking performance against Springfield, 3 star UMD commit [player_tooltip player_id='888703' first='Terez' last='Davis'] was arguably the player of the game for the Stags. He opened up the running game in a big way for all of the DeMatha ball carriers, and his dominance upfront was critical in achieving a blowout victory. At this level, a great offensive line separates teams from the pack exponentially, and, with [player_tooltip player_id='888703' first='Terez' last='Davis'], DeMatha definitely has one of the best OL units in all of high school football. Davis continues to make his case for 1st Team All-WCAC OL, and, if he keeps playing like this, then he might just achieve Under Armour All-American honors. Terrapin nation has to be ecstatic that [player_tooltip player_id='888703' first='Terez' last='Davis'] is headed to College Park, MD! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/mAFPQbxQIK">https://t.co/mAFPQbxQIK</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 6'0 190 QB - [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'] - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now dawning the #4 like a Superman cape, [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'] absolutely dominated this opening day football game from the very first snap. Gardner accounted for 3 total touchdowns before halftime, and the Stags held a commanding 28-7 lead heading into the second half. Gardner threw touchdown passes to both Cody Williams and first year starter [player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Lavar' last='Keys'], but he also ran for a score. He had a huge impact running the ball throughout the game, and his mobility clearly gave the Springfield defense a ton of problems. The DeMatha offense looked very organized, efficient, and confident against a solid Springfield team, and I believe that [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'] deserves a ton of the credit for that fact. He performed like a poised playmaker each time he had the ball, and his maturity and experience really started to show. I anticipate nothing but dominance from [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'] and the DeMatha Stags again this weekend against St. Michael the Archangel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights:<a href="https://t.co/kRovD8jxR9"> https://t.co/kRovD8jxR9</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 5'10 185 RB - Bud Coombs - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the first game, it's extremely evident that Bud Coombs took both his offseason training and development to the next level. He added a ton of mass, and this really showed itself in his yards after contact numbers. Coombs simply couldn't be taken down in this game, and, while he didn't score, I can guarantee you that he is on track to have his breakout season this Fall. My prediction is that he easily clears the 1,000 yard mark, and I still believe he's capable of reaching 10 total TD scores. The tandem of Gardner and Coombs in the read-option seems to be unstoppable from the get-go, so I wouldn't be surprised is Coombs racks-up multiple touchdowns in the Stags' next game against St. Michael the Archangel this Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/mHASVHtG41">https://t.co/mHASVHtG41</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'0 175 WR - Cody Williams - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a five yard TD reception, Cody Williams hauled-in the first touchdown of the 2023 season for DeMatha. There's no doubt that Williams is still a primary option for his QB- [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'], and their chemistry together looked as good as ever over the weekend. Williams is so elite that he possesses the unique ability of playing the decoy, and, as he often draws double coverage, he plays this role very well. He also made one of the most critical third down conversions of the game with an emphatic catch and run to secure a new set of downs. Cody Williams is most definitely one of the standout offensive players for this DeMatha team, and he's playing 1st Team All-WCAC type football right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://twitter.com/Spotlight39_Pod/status/1589095231693410304?s=20">https://twitter.com/Spotlight39_Pod/status/1589095231693410304?s=20</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 5'11 165 WR - [player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Lavar' last='Keys'] - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You'd be hard pressed to find another Sophomore player in the nation who performed better than [player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Lavar' last='Keys'] of DeMatha over the weekend. Keys caught his first career touchdown after securing a deep ball for the 30 yard score, and his breakaway speed on the play was truly eye-opening. If Keys continues to find the open space and make plays consistently, then the DeMatha offense will be an unstoppable force all the way through the WCAC Championship game. [player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Lavar' last='Keys'] takes the DeMatha Stags to the next level, and he is on track to become the next big time pass catcher from the WCAC. All eyes must be on DeMatha this year, because, with elite talent like [player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Lavar' last='Keys'] playing at their best, I can guarantee you that they will be going back to the title game this Fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/T1VgAtDOdP">https://t.co/T1VgAtDOdP</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->