DeMatha Opens Football Season With 35-14 Victory

As an all-boys school celebrating its 80^th year in Hyattsville in 2026-27, DeMatha has never hosted a debutante ball. But we can certainly call the Stags’ 35-14 season-0pening victory over Archbishop Spalding a coming-out party.

Interim head coach Bryce Bevill, senior Austin Barber and senior transfer T.J. Grant led the parade of successful debuts Friday night Aug. 28 at Wilson Stadium in Landover.

While Bevill was coaching his first game since 2012. Barber and Grant made their night memorable by combining for five touchdowns. Grant scored three touchdowns on the ground, and Barber found the end zone on a long reception and a punt return.

Except for several sizable Cavaliers returns and penalties, DeMatha played a fine all-around game, including an interception by senior Logan Brown that kept Spalding from tying the game late in first half.

“Overall, it was a great team win, said Bevill, who’s stepping in this year during Bill McGregor’s leave of absence. “Special teams scored, offense scored, defense got a big stop inside the 5-yard line with Logan’s interception. We were able to capitalize on opportunities to change the momentum of the game.

“Hats off to the coaching staff, hats off to the players. They all did an amazing job, and we look forward to going 1-0 next week.”

In addition to it being Bevill’s first victory at his alma mater, it was the school’s 22^nd consecutive win, equaling the program record set in 2000-01. The Stags will attempt to snap the tie Saturday night at Imhotep Charter (1-0).

“It’s the expectation of who we are,” Bevill said. “We’re going to continue to play DeMatha football, and like we always say, ‘tradition never graduates.’ We give young men the opportunity to step up and carry the mantle, and they did a great job tonight.”

The Cavaliers, on Aug. 31, 2024, were the last team to beat the Stags. They came into the game having won four consecutive Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association championships. They finished third last year in the final Washington Post poll, two slots below No. 1 DeMatha.

It was a contest that should be played each season as they are two of the top programs in the DMV.

Grant, who transferred in the spring from Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman and has committed to play at Maryland, opened the scoring early in the second half with a 2-yard rushing touchdown. Braxton Thornburgh, another senior transfer, drilled the extra point to give the Stags a 7-0 lead.

Spalding got a short field on the ensuing kickoff when Thornburgh’s kickoff went out of bounds. Sophomore quarterback Brian Snowden concluded a 37-yard scoring drive with a 2-yard plunge to tie the game.

Barber, who joined the Stags last year after playing his first two campaigns at Mountain View High School in Stafford, Va., gave notice that he will be a receiving threat this year midway through the second quarter by hauling in senior Tristan Sabb’s 45-yard TD pass.

Barber lined up wide right and ran a post pattern to just slip past the defender. He bobbled the ball at the 2 before securing it for his first TD as a Stag.

“That was a great ball from T-Sabb,” Barber said. “Coach gave me the opportunity to go deep after I told him I could [beat my man], and he trusted me. The play was just perfect.”

The Cavaliers squandered outstanding field position when junior wideout Keith Miller broke free for a 69-yard kick return yards to the DeMatha 33-yard-line. They moved the ball to the 6 before Brown stepped in front of a receiver in the end zone.

The Stags were only able to advance the ball 7 yards on Grant’s first-down run but got a 50-yard punt by Thornburgh to put Spalding back on its own 23. They got a 13-yard run by junior Gabe Denius and Snowden completions of 12 and 13 yards.

An 8-yard sack by senior linebacker Devan Lassiter pushed the ball back before the Cavs concluded the second period by missing a 36-yard field goal.

Grant scored from 6 yards out with 6:46 to go in the third quarter to push the DeMatha lead to 21-7. One play after three Stags tackled the Spalding punter following a low snap, Grant flashed his speed by breaking into the open field and running left for a 47-yard TD. Senior left tackle Jared Taylor blocked two would-be tacklers to spring Grant.

Miller struck again when he took Thornburgh’s kickoff at the 1 and galloped 55 yards to set up a 44-yard TD drive.

Austin ‘Amazing’ Under Friday Night Lights

Barber concluded the scoring with a 42-yard punt return down the right sideline. It was a great way for the first-year starter to punctuate his night and reinforce why he and two friends drive at least two hours and 40 minutes a day to attend school in Hyattsville.

“When I came to DeMatha, I knew the legacy of [the football program], and just being a part of it is amazing,” Barber said. “Being able to do my thing with [new] teammates, the coaches putting me in the right positions and our teamwork, it’s just amazing.

Barber didn’t get targeted much last year because he was playing behind Josh Taylor, who’s now at Coastal Carolina, and Lavar Keys (Indiana). Barber is wearing Keys’ No.5 jersey. His performance led to him being honored by NOTUS as one of its Players of the Week.

“Austin is the epitome of a DeMatha man, someone who is faith-filled, a gentleman, a scholar. That’s who he is,” Bevill said. “He’s a heck of an athlete. He’s been voted a team captain. He does an amazing job.

“He came out and played a tremendous game this evening, returning the punt (for a touchdown), making blocks. He’s such an unselfish player. I’m excited to see him and his development over the season.”

Next up - The Stags travel to Philadelphia to play Imhotep Institute Charter School on Saturday at 7 p.m.

DeMatha is tied for 16^th nationally in the MaxPreps media composite top 25.

Chris McManes (mick-maynz) has been covering DeMatha football since 2015.