High School Football: DeMatha Tops St. John's, 37-7

Top-ranked DeMatha discovered that playing without top running back Marcus Coker is manageable, at least for a half.

DeMatha cruised to a 37-7 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference victory on Saturday at St. John's, despite Coker sitting on the sidelines for the final two quarters.

Coker entered Saturday's game averaging more than 200 yards a game, but he left the game late in the second quarter after he pulled a groin muscle, according to DeMatha Coach Bill McGregor. Coker had 11 carries for 45 yards before his departure, lifting his season totals to 124 carries for 1,289 yards with 17 touchdowns.

The University of Iowa recruit didn't return to the game as a precaution, and because the Stags had a 20-0 halftime lead, McGregor said. McGregor added that he will rest Coker during practice this coming week, but said he has no worries about Coker's availability for DeMatha's game next Saturday against Bishop O'Connell.

In Coker's absence, backup running backs Michael Meriwether and Patrick Harbeson carried the load, combining for 135 yards and three touchdowns.

"They're both seniors, both quality running backs," McGregor said. "Harbeson is just a great kid and has the speed to get to the outside and I thought Meriwether played really well too."

DeMatha's only punt of the game came after its first possession, but the offense got things going on the next drive thanks to good field position. After forcing St. John's to go three-and-out deep in its own territory, DeMatha (7-0, 4-0 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference) took over on the St. John's 38-yard line. On third down, quarterback Daniel Tapscott found fullback Austin Bailey on a 22-yard screen pass, and Michael Branthover's kick gave DeMatha a 7-0 lead.

Despite cold temperatures and constant rain, Tapscott had success through the air, completing 7 of 8 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. Harbeson added a 28-yard touchdown run, and Kyrrel Latimer returned a St. John's punt 65-yards late in the second quarter to give the Stags a 20-0 halftime lead.

Facing a three-score deficit in the third quarter, St. John's (4-3, 2-2 WCAC) had trouble moving the ball through the air. Quarterback Andrew Konieczka completed 6 of 18 passes for 35 yards, but only two of his completions came before the Cadets' final drive.

"The weather really cut into our passing game and DeMatha's a team where you have to be relatively effective throwing the ball," St. John's Coach Joe Patterson said.

Running back Charles Brown led the Cadets with 17 carries for 95 yards. His 4-yard run with 9 seconds left in the game gave St. John's its only score.

DeMatha benefited from quality field position throughout the game. Three of the Stags' drives started in St. John's territory, and two more began at the DeMatha 45.

This story is from The Gazette group of community newspapers published by Post-Newsweek Media, a unit of The Washington Post Co.