Undefeated DeMatha Stags Football Champions 2016

Congratulations to the 2016 DeMatha Catholic High School football team on an undefeated 12 – 0 season and WCAC championship.  The Stags won their fourth Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title in football in as many years.

Check out the highlights (including select game video) that I compiled from Twitter here: DeMatha Wins 2016 WCAC Football Championship.

This time it was against the Saint John’s College High School Cadets in extraordinary fashion and the win required a never-give-up attitude and late game heroics.  SJC quarterback Kasim Hill is headed to the University of Maryland next year and will undoubtedly start on their home field in the future but he was no match for this DeMatha team.  Hill hooked up with Ed Lee for three touchdowns in the first half and it looked as if he was going to will the Cadets to victory early on when they took a 19 – 14 lead into halftime.

WATCH – Not one, not two, BUT THREE TOUCHDOWNS for @ed_ed_andedlee

What a performance!@SJCAthletics @SJCGridiron @SJC_BOOST @Khillqb11 pic.twitter.com/hLoBxRispS

— Scott Abraham (@ScottABC7) November 20, 2016

The answer came late for the DeMatha Stags who are usually accustomed to dispatching opponents early by demoralizing them with a bruising running game.  Without the benefit of time on their side the DeMatha football team relied on gritty play to come from behind after the Cadets eventually amassed a fifteen-point lead.  Trailing 29 – 14 in the fourth quarter the team that never quit got a break when Kasim Hill was sidelined temporarily.  A botched pitch resulted in a DeMatha recovery and a quick score to make the tally 29 – 21 in favor of SJC.

St. John’s student section is loving this outcome, drowning down the chant “Overrated!” pic.twitter.com/QSfR4O3P4b

— Kyle McFadden (@k_fadd) November 19, 2016

The most ironic scene of the afternoon was a video of Saint John’s students chanting, “overrated!” to the DeMatha crowd during their eventual failure to win the contest.

On the ensuing play the Saint John’s head coach Joe Casamento, commanded the Cadets to defend against an onside kick but failed to plan for the deep kick.  The DeMatha special team unit recovered the ball at the SJC 1 yard line as it rolled untouched after a footrace between the aware and unawares.  DeMatha quarterback Beau English threw a short strike to honor man #10 Anthony Toro and suddenly the Stags were back in business.  DeMatha head coach Elijah Brooks sensed the momentum shift and opted to go for two but the conversion failed.

With the score at 29 – 27 the vaunted DeMatha defense came up big and forced a punt.  The Stags offense matched the phenomenal efforts of their counterparts by marching down the field and scoring again on a fade route to the running back Myles Miree.  After kicking the extra point this time Coach Brooks must have thought that the DeMatha football team already had all the makings of a win.  With the score 34 – 29 with only 1:05 left to play he wouldn’t have very long to contemplate it.  Myles Canton intercepted Kasim Hill on what would be the last play of the game and returned it all the way back to the SJC 1 yard line.

DEMATHA TAKES THE LEAD! BEAU ENGLISH 27 YARDS TO MILES MIREE! Stags erase a 15 pt 4Q deficit to lead 34-29 with 1:05 left #mdpreps #allmets pic.twitter.com/uobuBYRVYG

— Kyle McFadden (@k_fadd) November 19, 2016

Calvin Ashley, a highly recruited offensive lineman for Saint John’s went down with an injury that left him unresponsive for a short period.  There were 29 seconds remaining on the clock when the game was decidedly over and both teams retired in prayer for the Auburn commit.  34 – 29 would be the final score and DeMatha completed one of the most memorable comebacks in school history with the total effort of their football team.

I want to thank EVERYONE for their prayers today. I have been cleared from the hospital and will be fine. Thank you all so much!!

— Calvin Ashley (@whiteboii_Cali) November 20, 2016

There are just too many football Stags to name and not enough time to give them all justice, but it will suffice to say that this is one of the finest sports teams that DeMatha has ever had.  In addition to notching multiple historic superlatives the 2016 DeMatha football team should also garner consideration for a share of a mythical national title with their unblemished record.  Their magnificent performance is rare when you consider their strength of schedule and conference format.  DeMatha took everybody’s best shot this year and achieved greatness by consistently rising to the occasion as a team.

First QB in the WCAC to win 3 championships. Blessed that Dematha gave him the opportunity. pic.twitter.com/PpvJJj7jMf

— Donny English (@donnyenglish) November 20, 2016

A collection of individuals, no matter how talented, couldn’t beat this team.  Even when the odds were the longest and football fans were headed towards the exits, the 2016 DeMatha team showed that they were prepared to overcome adversity.  Coach Brooks should be proud that his DeMatha football team could do it in a way that is both reflective of the school and aligned with the ideals that the prestigious conference is supposed to stand for.  The WCAC might be headed for restructuring in football with a more powerful commissioner about to take the reins for the first time but DeMatha is already in great hands.

Certainly one of the more amazing wins in DeMatha’s 70 years in any sport. #demathaforever

— DeMathaHighSchool (@DeMathaCatholic) November 20, 2016

In a world where even high school sports are experiencing the influences of big money and corporate donors, Coach Brooks still managed to do things the DeMatha way and win.  Chalk another one up for the DeMatha Stags that bought into the system and toughed it out to keep the WCAC football championship trophy in Hyattsville.  The 2016 DeMatha football team certainly lived up to all of the hype and a celebration is surely in order.

#DeMatha Stags win their 4th! 🏆🏆🏆🏆@justingielen you go boy!! pic.twitter.com/QGQhcVSxdM

— David Reyes (@duncan990305) November 20, 2016

Trump Victory & American Loss

Melania Trump poses for British GQ magazine fifteen years before becoming the First Lady.

President Elect Donald J. Trump’s wife Melania will inherit the title of First Lady when he takes the oath of office in January, 2017.  Unless you have been hiding under a rock, by now you realize that Donald J. Trump will be the next president of the United States of America.

.@WilliamHartung: “The contractors paid attention to what Trump was saying… bigger Navy, bigger Army, bigger Marines, bigger Air Force” pic.twitter.com/rpYsNBnPAQ

— Democracy Now! (@democracynow) November 11, 2016

Trump has been on record making racist, sexist, homophobic and xenophobic statements that struck a chord with the American electorate.  Trump also campaigned on promises to build a wall between the United States and Mexico, increase military power, end universal healthcare, limit funding to United Nations initiatives, and to rescind US participation the Paris Accord that focuses on global warming.  Despite facing pending criminal charges that alleged that Donald Trump raped and sexually assaulted a child, he has continued to the highest office in the land.  (The rape charges were officially dropped days before the election on November 4 according to the Jeff Zarranandia of Snopes.)  The president elect has no prior government experience but he has vowed that he is the person that can make America great again.

Protesters against President Elect Trump are pictured in Seattle, Washington. Foreign press like The Indian Express focused on the breadth of the protests in America.  [Source Associated Press via The Indian Express]

Some United States citizens feel a profound sense of loss due to the election of Donald Trump.

Many Americans are already protesting the Trump ascension.  Most notably a movement using the moniker Yes California along with the hashtag #CalExit is organizing to separate Western states from the rest of the United States.  Demonstrations have been held in cities throughout the entire United States in the days following the election results and it is a situation worth monitoring further because the world has taken notice.

The policy changes recommended by President Elect Donald Trump have far reaching effects.  The United States of America has technically been at war for 223 out of the 240 years of existence and the use of the military depends upon the moral authority of the presidency, and congress to act.  Trump has advocated a more aggressive use of the military that has been ruled illegal or unconstitutional along with beginning new armed conflicts in new countries.  The opinions held by citizens of other countries is trending downwards and confidence in the proper use of the United States military power has also significantly eroded around the world.  The destruction of life and property is also very unpopular to begin with, but it is even more detested when the results can be seen on the nightly news.

Anti-racism protesters against President-elect Trump stood outside the U.S. embassy in London. pic.twitter.com/84ZgMOuHr4

— AJ+ (@ajplus) November 9, 2016

The motives for using force are eventually rendered naked in the age of information and even more subtle shifts are studied in great detail.  The Paris Accord is an agreement fostered by the United Nations that officially went into force on November 4 as published on their website.  Environmental concerns over global warming have caused responsible industrialized nations to limit their own production of harmful gasses for the good of everyone on the planet. Donald Trump doesn’t believe that human activity can cause climate change and has expressed a desire for the United States to back out of the obligation during his campaign.  While he might be unsuccessful in his initial desire, this sort of stance reveals that President Trump would be reluctant to continue to doggedly pursue solutions to a shared, pressing problem.

A novice politician without any experience in government beat out seasoned lifers on a grueling campaign trail but citizens of the world are now questioning American integrity for electing such a polarizing figure.  The new direction that a Trump presidency would proceed in is likely to be viewed as reflecting the views of the American populous even though he failed to win the majority of votes.  Instead of informing would-be constitutional scholars on the Electoral College system that the United States is a republic, perhaps we should all examine Trump?

You knew that the United States wasn’t a democracy already. #ElectoralCollege #USA #Election2016 #Republichttps://t.co/SkbfwaNWFv

— DICooper (@DanKnuckles) November 11, 2016

Even a perceived deficiency in character in the President of the United States can significantly alter reality for voters at home in America and foreigners abroad.  It is dangerous for the United States to endure such a loss and in turn, it puts the entire world in peril.

[Featured Photo from The New York Post files]

DeMatha Versus St. John’s College Is Back On In High School Football

DeMatha bested St. John’s College 14 – 13 on Friday, September 30 and one thing quickly became clear: The rivalry between DeMatha and St John’s College High School (SJC) is back in full effect on the gridiron.  The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) has several high profile events in football despite imbalances.

(Full Game Highlights from utrhighlightvideos / YouTube)

DeMatha has not lost to SJC in football in almost a quarter of a century and the Cadets haven´t notched a championship in football since 1989.  While the recent football record has been lopsided in the favor of the DeMatha Stags it is now obvious that the Cadets are once again serious about challenging their supremacy.  Their last appearance in the WCAC football championship game in 2013 resulted in a 31 – 10 drubbing at the hands of DeMatha.  The Cadets haven’t been back to the WCAC final game since, but they have recently lured a myriad of skilled athletes with undeniably augmented facilities.

A recent influx of cold hard cash from Under Armour CEO and SJC alumnus, Kevin Plank, has propelled the Cadets into not just WCAC relevance but also national rankings.  The Cadets (4 – 2) came into the DeMatha game ranked in the top 25 in the USA and had previously been ranked as high as number 10 prior to their loss to IMG Academy in Florida.  As sports fans have witnessed at the university level there are often higher expectations and thus more pressure with such generous financial support.  SJC forced an alumnus out as head coach of the football program last year to make room for a renowned outsider in Joe Casamento.  A bevy of top prospect transfers bolstered the Cadets that have continued to make gains but the narrow loss on September 30 against the 3-time defending WCAC champions has created more questions than answers.

The talk around the WCAC is that SJC can’t be satisfied with anything less than total victory but it remains to be seen if all of the changes are going to be enough.  DeMatha is currently ranked number 4 in the USA and the Stags have their eyes set on a national title.  In order to complete that mission the Stags are going to need a little luck with absolutely no losses for the remainder of the year.  DeMatha has been fortunate with a 6 – 0 record but as they might recall from the previous year, a national title in high school football is no easy task.  Surprises can come from unexpected sources however the Cadets are all but assured a second chance at beating DeMatha in WCAC playoffs in a shrinking football league.

There aren’t too many WCAC schools that have had the stomach for this kind of high school football arms race.  Bishop Ireton and Paul VI have long since departed from playing the football schedule but still opted to stay in the WCAC for other sports.  When Bishop O’Connell of Virginia also dropped the sport there were only Maryland and DC schools left to play each other.  Three of the remaining six schools filled the holes in their schedules with national prominence in mind and that suddenly made wins against them hard to come by.  Gonzaga managed the feat last year in league play against the DeMatha Stags in 2015 and effectively ended the strongest national championship bid in recent years by a Washington DC metropolitan area school.

In order to even be considered for a national title the focus has to be maintained because every single game essentially becomes a national title game.  Contests against traditional rivals within the league are often the biggest pitfalls.  Even teams like Bishop McNamara and Archbishop Carroll have their hearts set on upsetting their more famous neighbors to make a name for themselves. There is a lot of good football to look forward to in 2016. SJC versus Gonzaga is one of the oldest rivalries in the history of the sport and DeMatha must play at Good Counsel to finish the WCAC regular season.  Both games will be played during the first weekend in November.

The grueling season will only get harder from there.  The WCAC playoffs and the pollsters are unforgiving in football and we all can’t wait to see how 2016 factors into ending these debates.

(Featured Photo A Stag In The Woods)