This Time Around, Stags Stay on the Defensive

DeMatha defensive lineman Ikechi Nnawuba is congratulated after his sack in the end zone forced a safety in the second half of the Stags' 12-7 win over Good Counsel in the WCAC final. (Katherine Frey - The Washington Post)

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By Jeff Nelson

Special to The Washington Post
Monday, November 19, 2007; Page E08

DeMatha's players and coaches knew it, and the film showed it. The first time the Stags played Good Counsel, they were pushed around. The second time, DeMatha decided things would be different.

With the exception of one long play early in the game, the Stags' defense manhandled Good Counsel throughout last night's 12-7 victory in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship game at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium.

The win gave DeMatha (10-2) its fifth straight WCAC title and avenged a 28-24 loss to the Falcons (10-2) two weeks ago.

"We were all hungry after that loss," said Stags senior cornerback Tyler Carter. "We knew we could be the hammer or the nail today. We wanted to be the hammer and just wanted to hit them every time and let them know we're DeMatha and we're the best."

Good Counsel gashed the Stags with a 71-yard touchdown run by junior Caleb Porzel on the Falcons' fifth offensive play of the game. That run brought to mind the regular season matchup, when Good Counsel rushed for 197 yards.

To combat Porzel and junior bruiser Jelani Jenkins, the Stags made an adjustment.

"Their running backs are real good players so we decided to keep our men in the box," said Virginia-bound senior cornerback Rodney McLeod. "As [defensive backs], we had to man up today."

After the touchdown run, DeMatha allowed a total of 28 yards the rest of the first half and only 25 more in the second half.

Making that domination all the more remarkable were the four first-half turnovers by DeMatha's offense, which consistently put the defense back on the field in a tie game.

"The defense kept us in the ballgame," said Stags Coach Bill McGregor. "We go off 7-7 at half, and I'm the happiest guy in the world, because it could have been big the other way. But the defense hung tough."

The Stags forced two turnovers -- a first-half fumble recovery and an interception by Carter with five minutes to play in the game -- and put the finishing touches on their gem when junior defensive tackle Ikechi Nnawuba caused a safety.

Said McGregor: "I don't think we could have played any better defense than we did."