DeMatha Football Heads into Playoffs on Eight-Game Winning Streak

Denzel Gardner and Lavar Keys have got it going on. And just in time for DeMatha as it heads into the playoffs.

Gardner, a senior quarterback, threw three touchdown passes and scored one on the ground to lead the No. 2 Stags to a regular-season-closing 37-0 victory over McNamara on Nov. 1 at Wilson Stadium in Landover.

“Denzel is special; he’s a great football player – four-year starter, leader on the team [and] tough as nails,” DeMatha coach Bill McGregor said. “He makes plays with his arm; he makes plays with his feet.”

The Stags, winners of eight straight, improved to 8-1 and 4-0 in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.

Keys, a junior wide receiver who has pledged to attend Penn State, was the recipient of two of Gardner’s TD passes and finished with six catches for 123 yards. Included among his haul was a 58-yard reception.

With his 4.3 speed, Keys is a threat to go all the way each time he touches the ball, be it receiving or returning punts and kickoffs.

“Absolutely,” Gardner said. “He makes plays; get the ball in the playmakers’ hands and let them make plays for you. I just have to be a distributor of the football.”

Gardner’s finest toss of the night showcased his touch and accuracy. With the ball on the Mustangs’ 10-yard line, the Marshall recruit slightly lofted the ball straight into Keys’ waiting arms for a TD. Keys caught it with little room to spare deep in the right corner of the end zone.

“One-on-one, press coverage, I like my guy versus their guy,” Gardner said. “He just made a play on the ball.”

Gardner’s first scoring aerial, a 12-yarder, went to Brandon Newman. The extra point was blocked. Gardner’s next TD pass (to Keys) covered 14 yards. Senior running back Bud Coombs (Maryland) scored from 4 yards out to make it 23-0 with 3:33 to go before halftime.

Senior Alex Amaya hit a career-long 48-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Gardner ran one in from 3 yards in the third to push the Stags’ advantage to 30. His laser to Keys put the finishing touches on DeMatha’s third shutout of the year.

Gardner finished 11 of 12 for 148 yards.

“His passing has always been good,” McGregor said. “I think we’ve been blessed this year with very good receivers. He’s been getting better and better. He’s been playing like a senior and playing like a true DeMatha senior quarterback.

“He’s as fine a quarterback as I’ve ever coached. I’m just happy he’s with us. He’s a special young man in all aspects – athletically, academically; he does what he’s supposed to do.”

The Stags have not lost to McNamara (4-4, 3-0) since 1990.

Next Game – DeMatha will host the loser of the Gonzaga-St. John’s game on Friday Nov. 15 in the semifinals of the WCAC Capital Division playoffs.

Chris McManes (mick-maynz) is DeMatha Catholic High School’s communications manager.