Key Players in DeMatha’s Win vs. Gonzaga

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeMatha defeated their arch rival Gonzaga Purple Eagles in a very close back and forth contest over the weekend. The WCAC regular season opener and DeMatha Homecoming weekend game most certainly did not disappoint, and the home team Stags secured the 14-7 narrow victory. Now, let's highlight and break down the top performances from this game's key players.</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>With his spectacular performance in this game, [player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Lavar' last='Keys'] proved that the future of DeMatha Stags football is in the best possible hands. While he didn't score, Keys made play after play for his team, and he was particularly good on 3rd down conversions. He technically scored on an electric 55 yard Sports Center Top 10 type play, however, the catch and run was called back because of an offensive holding penalty. [player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Lavar' last='Keys'] is clearly one of the best DMV area receivers in his class, and he's also one of the most exciting underclassman prospects in the nation! He already has a D1 offer from Georgetown, but there's zero doubt in my mind that [player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Lavar' last='Keys'] has power five conference potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/yJai6Pl20K">https://t.co/yJai6Pl20K</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 5'10 185 RB - Bud Coombs - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeMatha's leading ball carrier, Bud Coombs, scored the game winning touchdown to take down Gonzaga, and he went completely untouched while doing it. Coombs rushed more than 10 times, and he was able to secure that late 20 yard score with those carries. Bud Coombs runs with force and physicality every single time that he touches the ball, and I am positive that his running style will translate very well at the next level. He's easily one of the best overall running backs in the entire WCAC.</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>2025 6'2 295 WR - [player_tooltip player_id='277915' first='Emmanuel' last='Dyson'] - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4 star wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='277915' first='Emmanuel' last='Dyson'] put forth one of his best performances of the year versus the Purple Eagles. He hauled-in the most clutch catch of the day on a late two point conversion pass that was successful because of Dyson's reception, and he also put the Stags up by a full touchdown score. [player_tooltip player_id='277915' first='Emmanuel' last='Dyson'] is one of [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner']'s primary targets in the passing game, and I believe that Dyson's involvement will only increase as the season continues. He's absolutely one of the premier overall players on DeMatha's roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/exrRxKWIRw">https://t.co/exrRxKWIRw</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'2 265 DL - [player_tooltip player_id='249993' first='Emmett' last='Laws'] - DeMatha - Virginia Tech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='249993' first='Emmett' last='Laws'] is most definitely the heart and soul on defense for the DeMatha Stags. He sacked Gonzaga's quarterback for a huge loss on one of the final plays of the game which ultimately sealed it for them, and he did so in emphatic fashion. Laws and the Stags' defense only allowed 7 total points in this game, and they've also only allowed 10 total points against their last three opponents. They'll need to bring their best game this upcoming weekend against a very worthy Good Counsel Falcons team, in a game which is sure to bring fireworks. It's crucial that scouts nationwide tune-in to this one on Friday night when DeMatha plays Good Counsel @7PM in Olney, MD! The future Hokie, Emmet Laws, will most certainly be one of the impact players in this game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/quhgANvwNn">https://t.co/quhgANvwNn</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 6'6 230 DL/ATH - [player_tooltip player_id='273741' first='Daniel' last='Holmes'] - Gonzaga - Florida State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though his team lost, [player_tooltip player_id='273741' first='Daniel' last='Holmes'] still played at such an elite level that it would be impossible to not give him my Player of the Game Award. The future Florida State Seminole scored the sole touchdown of the game for Gonzaga, and he made a tremendous catch on the play for a 15 yard score. Showcasing his next level two-way ability, Holmes also recorded a sack in this game when he wasn't lined up in the RedZone on the outside as a wide receiver. There's no doubt that Gonzaga's [player_tooltip player_id='273741' first='Daniel' last='Holmes'] can do it all on the football field, and all of FSU nation should be extremely excited about signing such a talented and versatile athlete! He's for sure going to be a game changing playmaker in Tallahassee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/LpCRbAL3EZ">https://t.co/LpCRbAL3EZ</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->