No. 20 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) - Team preview / Preseason photo gallery
Strengths: This season has been circled on the proverbial calendars for DeMatha fans for several years, as its much-ballyhooed 2014 class will finally be seniors. The Stags have talent and experience at nearly every position. Quarterback
John Lovett returns alongside receivers
Cam Phillips and
Chris Jones.
Mark Allen and
Taiwan Deal will run behind the likes of
Brock Ruble. Defensively, linebacker
Spencer Kleinrichert is back, as are defensive ends
Deonte Holden and sophomore
Shane Simmons, who has all the makings of the next elite recruit for head coach Elijah Brooks.
Question marks: On paper, DeMatha is loaded, but can it beat arch-nemesis Good Counsel? It hasn't happened since 2010, and even in that season, Good Counsel exacted revenge in the WCAC title game. DeMatha exorcised some demons in the playoffs last year, snapping a four-game losing streak to Gonzaga by winning 40-27. The team was talented last year, but fell short of reaching its goals. Is it prepared to take the next step this season?
Outlook: Buoyed by a promising sophomore group and experienced senior leadership, this can be the year DeMatha wins the WCAC for the first time in Brooks' tenure. Its biggest hurdles could be mental.
