Landon’s Matt Underhill finds time for football and soccer; Wilson’s Jeremy Dixon aims high

Sidwell Friends improved to 6-1 with a 28-6 win over Maya Angelou Saturday. Chase Plebani threw for 136 yards and a touchdown for Sidwell, and Kameron Mitchell added 73 yards rushing on just seven carries, two of which went for touchdowns in the win. Sidwell Friends will meet Flint Hill next week. . . .

Avalon snapped the Potomac School’s three-game winning streak with a 30-19 win, behind a monstrous performance from running back Rachid Ibrahim. He rushed for 324 yards and three touchdowns — hitting paydirt from 9, 95, and 93 yards. Jacquille Veii added a 99-yard kick return touchdown in the first quarter for Avalon (4-4).

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Donta Wilkins said he’s worked hard for his opportunities and won’t let any pass him by. He will play football at the University of Virginia.

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Friendship Collegiate’s Jalen Tabor may be the best cornerback in the class of 2014.

Wilson’s Dixon brings high standards

Were it not for a holding penalty that negated a 55-yard touchdown run, Wilson senior tailback Jeremy Dixon’s stat line from Thursday’s 28-6 win at Coolidge would have been even more impressive. Officially, Dixon carried the ball 19 times for 123 yards and a touchdown. But it could have been more. That, according to Wilson Coach Mark Martin, is likely what Dixon will remember.

Dixon “is his own toughest critic, man,” Martin said.

Of all Dixon’s positive attributes — and for the player who has led Wilson (6-3) into DCIAA West title contention, there are many — his desire to do better may rank supreme in his coach’s eyes.

Sure, Wilson had success using three different tailbacks against Coolidge, which limited Dixon’s carries. And yeah, the fact that 55-yard touchdown run didn’t stick was out of his control. Regardless, Dixon felt he could have done more. It’s a trend Martin has watched build in the past year.

Dixon “always worked hard, but he put in a little bit more effort in the offseason,” Martin said. “And it shows with his endurance, his speed, he got stronger. It’s showing now.”

Among the area’s top rushers, Dixon ranks No. 6 this season with 1,287 yards and eight touchdowns. And the Tigers will need Dixon to be in top form when they take on perennial DCIAA power Dunbar (6-1) in the regular season finale.

Both teams enter the contest with unblemished conference records, which means the winner will claim the DCIAA West crown. Martin recalled the last time that was the case between these two programs, and the memory didn’t treat Wilson kindly.

In 2002, both squads took 3-0 conference records into the final regular season game, and — led by future NFL tight end Vernon Davis and current Dunbar offensive coordinator Stadford Brown — the Crimson Tide prevailed, 52-8.

“Just saying Dunbar, kids get intimidated by it,” Martin said. “We have to be prepared to play four quarters. Like I tell my kids, we can’t give 110 percent; we have to give 150 percent.”