Roman Catholic Upsets DeMatha, Ends Stags’ 23-Game Winning Streak

Preparation and execution are arguably the two most important elements in winning or losing. The team that prepares well and executes better is more likely to reign victorious. Fail in both areas and the result is often defeat.

Only the DeMatha football players and coaches who know for sure if they gave maximum effort last week in prepping to play Roman Catholic of Philadelphia. The Stags' execution, however, was on prime display Friday night at Wilson Stadium.

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It was not good.

DeMatha (2-1) committed plenty of mistakes in allowing the Cahillites to leave Landover with a 14-7 victory and bring an end to its program-record 23-game winning streak.

Bryce Bevill, the Stags' interim head coach, said he, his coaches and players all need to do a better job preparing to play a full 48-minute game.

"It's an opportunity to learn. We need to get better," Bevill said. "We're disappointed in the outcome, but that's neither here nor there. It's about the process. It's about how do you prepare to win and how do you prepare to play?

"We have to do a better job preparing. I didn't do a good job this week preparing our guys and getting them ready to play. We need to get in the film room and take a look at how we can improve."

Bevill, in his exclusive post-game interview, praised how well Roman Catholic played. The Cahillites came into the game 0-2 but had played two of the top teams in the country. They are coming off their first state championship last season as winners of the PIAA Class 5 title.

"Roman Catholic and their coaching staff did a great job," Bevill said. "They came in with a great game plan and stuck with it. You have to give them credit. Those guys watch film and they want to go to college and their coaches want to win as well.

"I credit them for performing the way they did to win the ballgame."

The Stags got on the scoreboard first when junior Cam Williford motored 28 yards to paydirt. The Cahillites tied it on a five-play, 34-yard drive aided by a 15-yard roughing the passer call. Junior quarterback Jahmil Hawkins completed a 20-yard pass to junior Trey Montgomery, and two plays later, Hawkins went in from the 1 with 3:39 to go in the first half.

DeMatha drove to the Roman 6 just before halftime on the strength of a 24-yard carry by senior T.J. Grant. Three running plays brought the ball to the 1, but the Stags (who were out of timeouts) tried to rush their field goal unit on but didn't get the snap off in time.

The Cahillites, starting on their own 22 to open the second half, then assembled the finest drive on a night when offense was in short supply. They marched 78 yards to score the final points on a 3-yard scoring pass. Hawkins completed passes of 17, 11 and 33 yards, and two DeMatha penalties pushed the visitors closer.

The Stags' second big blunder came midway through the final period after they appeared to have gained a first down on the Roman 21. A long referees' conference ensued and resulted in DeMatha being penalized 15 yards from the previous spot. Instead of a first and 10, it was third and 17 from the 38.

The officials conferred for some time to make sure they got the call correct: One of the Stags had lost his helmet on the previous play and, by rule, has to exit the contest for at least one snap. However, he went to the sideline and came right back into the game.

"We have to do a better job of knowing our personnel and knowing who we are," Bevill said. "So, again, that's on me."

Learning and Looking Ahead

The Stags have plenty of time to regroup against three teams they should beat, beginning Friday night, 7 p.m., at Wilson Stadium vs. Loudon Sports Academy. Conference play begins Friday Oct. 9 with homecoming against Good Counsel.

"We always get an opportunity to learn and grow," Bevill said. "We have to stick together as a team and a coaching staff. We have to make sure what we're doing and how we're doing it preparation-wise is going to give us a better opportunity to win."

Chris McManes (mick-maynz) has coached baseball and basketball, most notably at St. Jerome and DeMatha, for the past 21 years. He is in his 12th season covering DeMatha football.