WCAC Quarterback of the Year: Marc Poblador, DeMatha
Poblador led DeMatha to a 9-1 record and the #1 seed in the WCAC playoffs. The senior quarterback completed 78 of 131 passes for 1,447 yards and 11 touchdowns. Although he didn’t have the best numbers in the league for his position, he always came to play, especially in big games. Poblador averaged 18.5 yards per completion and ranked 15th in the area in passing yards despite throwing fewer times than anyone in the top 20.
WCAC Running Back of the Year: Patrick Mealy, DeMatha
Mealy carried the ball 157 times for 1,504 yards and 24 touchdowns for DeMatha. However, what's most impressive about Mealy is that he posted those numbers while only playing the first half of many games. Mealy averaged a touchdown every 6.5 carries (video).
WCAC Wide Receiver of the Year: Tyler Fisher, Gonzaga
Fisher was one of the main reasons Gonzaga made the playoffs this year. The senior receiver caught 38 passes for 587 yards and six touchdowns, good enough for 17th best in the area.
WCAC Offensive Lineman of the Year: Mike Ward, St. John’s
Ward was a dominant force on the line this year. The senior lineman showed up week in and week out and usually blocked the opponent’s best defensive lineman. Ward also played both ways, which makes what he did even more impressive.
WCAC Defensive Lineman of the Year: Nick Jenkins, Good Counsel
Jenkins is one of the quickest 290-pound linemen you’ll come across at the high school level. Watching Jenkins move on the defensive line is remarkable. As a junior, he started both ways and accumulated 58 tackles and two sacks and was a major reason why the Falcons only let up 10.4 points per game.
WCAC Linebacker of the Year: Akeem Hebron, Good Counsel
Hebron is heading to the University of Georgia and there is good reason why. The 6’2”, 200-pound linebacker led the WCAC with a 108 tackles and the Falcons with seven sacks. Look for Hebron’s name to be mentioned often for the Bulldogs over the next few years (video).
WCAC Junior of the Year: D.J. Mangas, QB, Paul VI
Mangas led the Panthers within one game of the playoffs and his league best 1,668 yards was the reason why. Mangas completed 103 of 241 passes and threw 13 touchdowns over the year. Look for Mangas and PVI to improve on all fronts next year (video).
WCAC Sophomore of the Year: Antwon Bailey, RB, St. John’s
Bailey made good use of limited playing time and the fact that he played the way he did in big games gives Bailey the edge over DeMatha’s Kenny Tate. Filling in for the injured Stephon Hampton, Bailey carried the ball 24 times for 182 yards in a win over Gonzaga and rushed for 102 yards in a victory over Carroll. The sophomore star also caught touchdown passes out of the backfield and scored on special teams as well. Look for Bailey to dominate over the next two years. (video 1) (video 2).
The WCAC’s Most Exciting Player: Kenny Tate, DeMatha
Tate is only a sophomore, but he started both ways for the #3-ranked Stags. In a game against Carroll, Tate showed what he is capable of doing on all sides of the ball. Tate had an interception, returned a punt for a touchdown and caught one as well from Marc Poblador (video 1) (video 2) (video 3).
Game of the Year: Good Counsel @ DeMatha
This game was an instant classic. Good Counsel led for the majority of the game but the Stags hit a game-winning field goal as time expired to win and earn the #1 seed in the playoffs. To see highlights of this game, you can read: (Game of the Year).
Special Teams Player of the Year: DeLonte Armstrong
Armstrong was phenomenal on all sides of the ball. However, on special teams, he was the best in the league. In successive weeks, Armstrong returned punts to give the Cadets the lead in must-win situations (video 1) (video 2).
Coach of the Year: Bob Milloy, Good Counsel
The Falcons struggled early in the year but Milloy made the necessary changes to right the ship. Not only did Milloy implement Zack Ingle as the starting quarterback, but he used three different running backs throughout the year to get the job done on the ground. In addition, Coach Milloy moved his Varsity Head Coaching record to 300-95-1 with a week nine victory over Paul VI. Whether or not Milloy can get his 301st victory this year is yet to be seen.
DCSportsFan.com Player of the Year: Patrick Mealy, RB, DeMatha
Patrick Mealy was exceptional this year. Not only did he lead the league in touchdowns, but he averaged nearly 10 yards a carry. Here are a few clips on Mealy and what he was able to do this year.
