Toni L. Sandys/WASHINGTON POST - Gaithersburg’s Solomon Vault (right), shown last year against Sherwood, scored the winning touchdown against Richard Montgomery on Friday night.
Wootton beats Whitman for first time in four years
In the locker room before Friday’s game at Whitman, first-year Wootton Coach Tyree Spinner told his players — none of whom had been part of a team to beat the rival Vikings — that they could be part of a special “once in a blue moon” group to break the trend.
Host B.J. Koubaroulis runs through the top plays from the first full slate of games in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia football seasons.
Of course, the coach knew Friday marked the second full moon of the month — a rare blue moon by the folklore definition. On the walk to the field, Spinner pointed skyward where the outline of the moon was already visible.
“It was pretty cool,” Spinner said. “That’s when they got the point of that whole pregame speech, and I think that got them a little bit excited.”
Whatever the motivation, the Patriots responded with a 15-3 win, beating perennial playoff contender Whitman for the first time in four years. It was Wootton’s first season-opening victory since 2006.
Freshman Trevon Diggs — younger brother of 2011 All-Met Defensive Player of the Year Stefon Diggs — scored his first career touchdown on an eight-yard run in the first quarter and set up the other touchdown with a 63-yard catch in the third quarter. Diggs also had an apparent kick return for a touchdown called back by penalty.
The team’s defense — led by seniors Ralph Bernardo and Miles Green — forced four turnovers and shut out the Vikings in the second half, sparking some refreshing early-season optimism for a program that has made just one playoff appearance in the past 20 years.
“All the bumps, bruises, injuries, the nicks and fatigue go away when you win,” Spinner said. “Hopefully, it gives them confidence that they can do this. This is possible.”
Around Montgomery
No. 19 Damascus didn’t waste any time Friday night piling up points in a 41-6 win over rival Clarksburg. The Swarmin’ Hornets scored three touchdowns before their first offensive snap of the season. Less than three minutes into the game, senior Zach Bradshaw returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown. Clarksburg’s next two possessions resulted in defensive scores for Damascus. First, senior Jack Rogers scored on a fumble return and then Bradshaw, a Virginia recruit, returned an interception 82 yards to the end zone. Senior Stephon Jacob scored another defensive touchdown in the second quarter for Damascus, which posted all its points in the first half.
Senior Naim Reid registered 46 yards on 15 carries for the Clarksburg offense, which turned the ball over three times. “We start a bunch of sophomores and juniors. They haven’t started a single game of varsity,” Clarksburg Coach Larry Hurd said. “But we’re not going to use that as an excuse.” ...
Connecticut recruit Thomas Lucas scored the first two touchdowns of the game in Paint Branch’s 41-18 season-opening win over Rockville (0-1), including a 57-yard touchdown catch on the first series and a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown on the next. But Coach Mike Nesmith insists his team must get Thomas more touches as the season progresses in order for Paint Branch (1-0) to be successful on the perimeter.
“We really think he has a lot more, to be quite honest,” Nesmith said. “We just couldn’t get him out in space. So we really think that’s just the tip of the iceberg of what’s he’s capable of.” ...
Magruder (1-0) used three field goals from senior Nick Gruber to edge Walter Johnson (0-1) 9-7 in their opener. Gruber connected from 34, 26 and 34 yards, with the final kick serving as the game-winner in the fourth quarter…
Junior Joshua Gills caught a touchdown pass and ran for another as Northwest (1-0) pounded Blake (0-1) 32-7 on Friday night. Gills rushed for 88 yards on nine attempts. Senior quarterback Matty Callahan completed 9 of 26 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown…
Blair’s (0-1) only points against Bethesda-Chevy Chase (1-0) came on a fourth quarter safety Saturday in a 13-2 loss, while Kennedy (0-1) was shutout by Churchill (1-0), 34-0. Churchill rushed for 274 yards in the win.
More football coverage from AllMetSports.com
The Post Top 20 | Coaches’ poll
Prince George’s rewind: High Point ends 41-game losing streak
Maryland outer counties rewind: Monroe makes most of his chances with McDonough
AllMet Sports Search
The Post Most: SportsMost-viewed stories, videos and galleries int he past two hours
Featured Stories
McLean senior coxswain Andrea Pappas may be small in stature, but she demands respect with firm but calm style in the Highlanders’ boys’ first eight boat.
A televised lacrosse game led Wise’s Jasmine Windley to start girls’ team at Prince George’s County school.
Boys’ lacrosse recruiting is starting to resemble high-grossing sports like football and basketball.
Loading...
Comments