DeMatha Wins GEICO Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WCAC was on ESPN live TV over the weekend, and the game featured two of the top teams from the conference in an epic rivalry matchup- DeMatha and St. John's. The Stags were victorious in OT 21-14, and the game featured a number of elite commits from the ESPN 300 rankings. Let's take a closer look at the standout performers from this clash of high school football juggernauts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'0 175 WR - Cody Williams - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cody William earned the GEICO Player of the Game Award for his immaculate performance against St. John's during this weekend's showcase. Williams made play after play for this team, and he even thrived on special teams where he ran back a huge kickoff return to give the Stags great field position early-on in the contest. His play of the day was undoubtedly his game-winning 22 yard touchdown reception in OT where he hauled-in an extremely difficult over the shoulder catch, but Cody Williams made it look easy. The Senior pass catcher remains one of the top uncommitted prospects in the WCAC, regardless of position, and I believe it's clear that he possesses off the charts power five conference potential. As they continue to make their run at the WCAC Championship, all eyes must be on Cody Williams and the DeMatha Stags for the rest of the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://x.com/SCNext/status/1715561770197098605?s=20">https://x.com/SCNext/status/1715561770197098605?s=20</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>Denel Gardner showed up huge for his team in overtime, and his elite performance secured DeMatha's third consecutive win by exactly one touchdown. In OT, Gardner threw his most beautiful pass of the day to Cody Williams for the 22 yard score which ended up being the game winner. “I just trusted my guy- Cody Williams. It was man on man coverage and the safety was in the middle of the field so I just trusted my guy. He made the play and we won”, said the DeMatha QB postgame. After running the ball most of the game, the DeMatha coaching staff trusted their quarterback to make a big time throw, and [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'] delivered in a big way for his team under the Friday night lights. Gardner and the Stags kickoff against Bishop McNamara this weekend in a highly anticipated matchup with the playoffs just around the corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://x.com/SCNext/status/1715561770197098605?s=20">https://x.com/SCNext/status/1715561770197098605?s=20</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 5'10 185 RB - [player_tooltip player_id='272269' first='Bud' last='Coombs'] - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='272269' first='Bud' last='Coombs'] delivered his longest run of the day for DeMatha right when they needed it the most, and he consistently set-up scoring opportunities for his team throughout the day against St. John's. Coombs ran for a 40 yard gain in the fourth quarter which gave DeMatha the ball deep in the RedZone, and they would eventually score and take a 14-7 lead as a result. [player_tooltip player_id='272269' first='Bud' last='Coombs'] showcased next level strength and physicality in this game, racking-up a ton of yards after contact and finishing plays. The Junior running back is having an All-WCAC type season in 2023, and I believe that it is his presence in the backfield on offense that makes this Stags team a title contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://x.com/LeagueRDY/status/1715524742369673688?s=20">https://x.com/LeagueRDY/status/1715524742369673688?s=20</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 6'3 200 QB - [player_tooltip player_id='372517' first='Isaiah' last='French'] - St. John's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='372517' first='Isaiah' last='French'] most definitely played his best game of the season versus DeMatha on Friday in the GEICO Showcase. French threw multiple touchdown passes, and both scores were for fifty plus yards. He connected with wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1242584' first='Reece' last='Williams'] for 65 yards in the first half, and, in the second half, he connected with Jason Woods for a spectacular 80 yard TD. As a Junior QB in the WCAC, [player_tooltip player_id='372517' first='Isaiah' last='French'] is playing at an exceptionally high level right now, and he has really proved himself under center for the Cadets so far this season. It's safe to say that St. John's has found their QB1 of the future, and they clearly have everything that it takes to win it all with [player_tooltip player_id='372517' first='Isaiah' last='French'] leading the charge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://x.com/SCNext/status/1715554365593759776?s=20">https://x.com/SCNext/status/1715554365593759776?s=20</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 5'10 200 RB - [player_tooltip player_id='212257' first='Breyon' last='Williams'] - St. John's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 10 carries and more than 50 yards rushing, [player_tooltip player_id='212257' first='Breyon' last='Williams'] took command of the running game for St. John's on Friday night. He's absolutely on track to become the next great running back at St. John's, and, with Da'Juan Riggs headed to Oregon this Fall, [player_tooltip player_id='212257' first='Breyon' last='Williams'] will most definitely take over RB1 duties for the next two seasons. “They're grooming [player_tooltip player_id='212257' first='Breyon' last='Williams'] to be the next Da'Juan Riggs for St. John's”, said one announcer for the GEICO ESPN Showcase. The one-two punch of Da'Juan Riggs and [player_tooltip player_id='212257' first='Breyon' last='Williams'] is simply spectacular for the Cadets, and both of them in tandem is definitely one of the best backfields in all of high school football. Come playoff time, [player_tooltip player_id='212257' first='Breyon' last='Williams'] will be of paramount importance to this St. John's Cadets team, and I believe that he can be the ultimate X factor for them when it truly matters. He's one of the most exciting running backs in the nation for his class!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/JZ3l2bOxEw">https://t.co/JZ3l2bOxEw</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->