DeMatha head coach Bill McGregor notched career win No. 299 as the Stags routed WCAC rival Gonzaga 27-3 Friday.
The Stags extend their winning streak to five, improving to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play. Both teams entered the Washington Post’s top-10 with DeMatha ranked No. 2 and Gonzaga No. 7.
DeMatha appeared to set the tone early on the second play of the game. Georgia commit, running back Tovani Mizell broke a 30-yard gain through the Gonzaga defense. But, the Stags’ drive stalled with a punt.
Later in the first quarter, DeMatha struck first blood as sophomore quarterback Denzel Gardner scored a six-yard touchdown on an option that put the Stags up 7-0 with 2:58 remaining in the quarter after the extra point.
With 8:05 left in the second quarter, Mizell picked up 20 yards on 3rd-and-5 for a first down. On the very next play, Gardner connected with senior wide receiver Kristian Tate for a 44-yard touchdown, extending the Stags lead to 14-0.
Gonzaga senior wide receiver Brendon Lee hauled in a great catch before he made several defenders miss. Lee picked up 26 yards down to DeMatha’s 13-yard line. But the Stags’ defense stayed strong forcing a field goal by the Eagles to maintain a 14-3 lead at halftime.
The Eagles’ lone field goal snapped DeMatha’s streak of four consecutive shutouts. The Stags have only allowed 14 points in six games, including 11 in their season-opening loss to Cardinal Gibbons.
DeMatha senior cornerback DeAndre Ricks interception a pass into triple coverage, returning it to Gonzaga’s 21-yard line. It took DeMatha one play to capitalize, as Mizel scored on a 21-yard touchdown to extend the Stags’ lead to 20-0.
DeMatha’s defense had two more interceptions in the second. Virginia Tech commit Dante Lovett grabbed his pick at the seven-yard line. Later in the quarter, five-star defensive end and Ohio State commit Jason Moore intercepted a screen pass with one hand.
The Stag put an exclamation point on the game with a four-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Bud Coombs with 2:04 remaining in the game.
The loss drops Gonzaga to 4-3 overall and 0-1 in WCAC play. The Eagles will travel to Good Counsel next week for another WCAC clash.
Meanwhile, DeMatha added another impressive win to the mantle that included Rock Creek Christian, Benedictine, Friendship Collegiate Academy, and Life Christian Academy.
DeMatha will host McNamara next for their homecoming.
