With Maryland public schools kicking off this past weekend, high school football season is officially in full swing in the D.C. area. Here’s who made their mark in Week 2:
David Anderson, senior, quarterback, Theodore Roosevelt
With Anderson under center, the Roughriders’ offense exploded in a season-opening 40-15 victory over KIPP. The senior torched the Bulldogs, passing for 252 passing and three touchdowns. He also added a fourth score on the ground as Roosevelt kicked off a new year with a statement victory. Anderson’s connection with senior wide receiver Gabe Hudgens could make for one of the strongest combinations in the city as coach Chris Harden’s team looks to bounce back from last year’s dramatic playoff loss to Dunbar.
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Asheton Burton, senior, running back, Gonzaga
After a slew of early turnovers Thursday against Coolidge, Gonzaga’s offense needed a spark. With the game still scoreless midway through the second quarter, the Eagles handed the ball to Burton, the team’s bruising running back, nine straight times and the senior marched his team down the field. Burton scored from 2 yards out for the game’s first points, then pulled off a second-half hat trick with three more touchdown runs as Gonzaga rolled to a 33-0 victory. Burton’s final touchdown run of the night was arguably his most impressive as he bulldozed his way through a horde of Coolidge defenders for a 14-yard score.
Corey Smith Jr., junior, wide receiver, Good Counsel
The Falcons earned their first win of the Sal Gorgone era in thrilling fashion Friday, turning New Jersey powerhouse Bergen Catholic away at the goal line in the closing seconds of the game to seal a 41-39 win. Smith, a towering 6-foot-5, 210-pound receiver whose Division I offer list includes Maryland and Virginia Tech, caught three touchdowns and racked up 131 receiving yards. “What a beautiful athlete,” Gorgone said of Smith after the win. “He’s a playmaker, and he makes those plays in clutch moments.”
Darren Theobald, senior, defensive back, C.G. Woodson
Theobald pulled down three interceptions for the Cavaliers in Thursday’s 28-7 victory over Edison. The first came on the game’s opening drive, when the senior grabbed an Eagles pass in the corner of the end zone to squash Edison’s momentum. The second came with the game knotted at 7 in the third quarter, and it was followed by a long Woodson touchdown drive. Theobald’s busy night peaked in the fourth quarter when he hauled in a 33-yard receiving touchdown at wide receiver before switching to defense and snatching a third pick to clinch a victory. Theobald and the Cavaliers will look to replicate their defensive performance next week against Oakton, whose high-powered offense is averaging 49 points per game.
Jamie White Jr., senior, defensive back, Quince Orchard
It didn’t take long for White, a senior transfer from St. Frances, to make an impact with the Cougars. In his first game, the defensive back nabbed an interception on the first play from scrimmage. It would be his first of three on the night. The Cougars, two-time defending Maryland 4A champions, earned their 28th straight victory with a 28-0 win over Paint Branch. With White and three-star senior Rico Jackson patrolling the secondary and senior Pittsburgh commit Jaheim Bond wreaking havoc up front, coach John Kelley’s defense is again among the area’s best.
To nominate a local player for next week’s roundup, send us an email with their name and stats. See last week’s selections here.