Spalding Powers Past DeMatha in Heavyweight Showdown
September 1, 2024
SEVERN, Md. — In an early season battle between two teams with high expectations for the 2024 season, the Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers (2-0) pulled away late to defeat the DeMatha Stags (0-1), 26-10, on Saturday evening.
Spalding senior quarterback Malik Washington accounted for two of the Cavs three touchdowns, tallying one on the ground and one through the air. The Spalding defense stood strong in the fourth quarter and thwarted any comeback attempt by DeMatha.
The scoring started in the first quarter, as DeMatha knocked through a short field goal after holding Spalding three-and-out on its first possession. But Spalding would eventually answer back late in the quarter as Washington took off and ran 23 yards into the end zone for the game’s first touchdown.
Both defenses would settle in for the remainder of the half. DeMatha was well short on a 51-yard field goal, and then Spalding was stopped short of the goal line on 4th down from the 1-yard line. The Cavaliers would take a 7-3 lead into the halftime break.
DeMatha came out strong in the third quarter and capped off an explosive drive with a 1-yard run by Dhonte Jackson. However, on its next possession, Spalding would also find the end zone on a 6-yard rush by Antonio Ledbetter. The Cavs would take a 14-10 lead and never look back.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, while attempting to punt, DeMatha’s snap went well over the head of the punter and out of the back of the end zone for a safety to give the Cavs a 16-10 lead. The ensuing possession was then topped by Washington running to his left and flipping a short shovel pass into the end zone to receiver Myles McAfee. Washington would complete another short pass for the two-point conversion to make the score 24-10.
After that score and kick return, DeMatha found itself backed up near its own goal line after a penalty, and the Spalding defense smothered the Stags and forced the second safety of the fourth quarter. Despite moving the ball effectively on the final drive of the game, time would run out on the Stags, and Spalding secured a 26-10 victory.
Spalding wins its second game in as many weeks, and will play host next weekend to Archbishop Stepinac from White Plains, New York. DeMatha drops its first game of the season and will host Mt. Zion Prep next week.
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