Stalker, Lakota West Making Postseason Run

UVa-bound linebacker C.J. Stalker said the following ahead of his team’s regular season finale against Lakota East.

“Right now we have four wins and five losses,” Stalker said in an October 30 article on TheSabre.com. “There is a correlation between us and Virginia. If you take away some plays here and there, I really think we could be undefeated or have only one loss. If we win this week and things go our way, we have an opportunity to go to the playoffs. If we play our best game, I don’t think there is anyone that can stop us.”

CJ had good reason to be confident. After taking care of Lakota East in the regular season finale and securing a playoff berth, 16-seed Lakota West upset top-ranked Centerville in the first round of the Division 1 Regional Playoffs. Stalker had 12 tackles including 9 solo efforts in the win. Lakota West beat Lakota East again in the quarterfinals and will next face Wayne this week in a Division 1 Regional Semifinal.

Wayne defeated Lakota West, 34-29, in the regular season.

Other UVa commits were in action this past weekend. Here are the results…

Tanner Cowley, TE, Manasquan (N.J.)

Manasquan was ousted from the South, Group 3 playoffs by Bridgeton. The Big Blue (3-6) will look to finish the 2014 season on a high note against Wall in its Thanksgiving week matchup.

David Curry, S, Buford (GA)

Buford cruised to a 63-0 win over Southeast Whitfield in the first round of the AAAA playoffs. The undefeated Wolves (11-0) take on Mary Persons in second round action this week.

David Eldridge III, WR, Kettle Run (Nokesville, VA)

Eldridge III returned a punt for one touchdown and an interception for another, but Kettle Run’s Cougars lost to Petersburg in overtime, 46-38, in the first round of the 3A East Playoffs. Kettle Run (6-5) held a 38-18 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Eli Hanback, DT/OL, Patrick Henry (Ashland, VA)

The Patriots were oh-so-close to extending their season one more game; however, Potomac edged out Hanback and company, 31-28, in the first round of the 5A North Playoffs. Patrick Henry (6-5) finished out the regular season with five straight wins.

Nick Johns, QB, Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.)

Johns completed 10-of-18 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown pass in Gonzaga’s 21-14 loss to DeMatha in the WCAC semifinals. The Purple Eagles (8-3) led 14-7 after two quarters but were held scoreless in the second half.

According to the Washington Post, the Virginia-bound signal caller finished his senior season with 101 completions in 155 attempts for 1,366 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed 38 times for 200 yards and five touchdowns.

Kareem McDonald, LB, Wilson (Washington, D.C.)

Wilson fell just short of reaching the 45th annual Turkey Bowl when it lost to Ballou last week, 14-13. The Tigers (7-4) had won five straight games.

McDonald was kind enough to pass along his career regular season highlights. Here you go…

Gladimir Paul, DE, Northeast (Philadelphia, PA)

Northeast (6-6) defeated Dobbins last week by a score of 14-0. A Thanksgiving Day matchup against Central will be the Vikings’ season finale.

Grant Polk, OL, Charlotte (Punta Gorda, FL)

Charlotte downed Viera, 48-0, in a 7A regional quarterfinal. The Fightin’ Tarpons meet Fort Myers this week in the semifinals. Fort Myers won the regular season matchup between the two schools, 31-21.

RJ Proctor, OL, Liberty (Bealeton, VA)

Liberty rolled to a 48-7 win over Pulaski County in the first round of the 4A North Playoffs. Sherando awaits the Eagles (10-1) in the second round.

Myles Robinson, ATH, Good Counsel (Olney, MD)

2014 WCAC regular season champion Good Counsel dispatched of Bishop McNamara to reach the WCAC postseason championship, where it will face rival DeMatha Catholic.

Jahvoni Simmons, LB, Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA)

Ocean Lakes dominated Bethel, 42-0, in the first round of the 6A South, Conferences 1 & 2 Playoffs. The undefeated Dolphins (11-0) host Kecoughtan next.

Juan Thornhill, FS, Altavista (VA)

Altavista advanced to the second round of the 1A East Playoffs after blowing away West Point, 63-0. Thornhill had a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown, and a receiving touchdown in the win. The Colonels, unbeaten in 2014, host Central Lunenburg this week.

James Trucilla, DT, Cathedral Prep (Erie, PA)

After going undefeated in its first 11 games, Cathedral Prep fell to Conneaut by a 14-7 score in the District 10 Class AAA Championship.

Brandon Wilson, DL, West Orange (Winter Garden, FL)

West Orange doubled up Timber Creek, 42-21, in an 8A Regional Quarterfinal. Apopka is up next for the Warriors, who are now a perfect 11-0 on the season. One of those wins was a 45-31 decision over Apopka.

Olamide Zaccheaus, APRB, St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, PA)

Zaccheaus rushed for three touchdowns (4, 40, 38) as St. Joseph’s Prep (7-3) captured the 2014 Catholic League AAAA Championship with a 46-13 win over La Salle. The Hawks next face Benjamin Franklin in the District 12 Championship.

Click here for a write-up of St. Joseph’s big win over La Salle. Included is a good photo of the future Hoo.

The following UVa recruits have completed the 2014 season…

Ryan Bischoff, OL, Plymouth Whitemarsh (Plymouth Meeting, PA), 7-3 record in the 2014 season

Richard Burney Jr., TE, Hickory (Chesapeake, VA), 1-9

Click here to view Burney’s MaxPreps profile, which includes video from his senior season.

Cole Blackman, WR, Class of 2016, Glen Allen (VA), 1-9

Rasool Clemons, DE, South Aiken (Aiken, S.C.), 2-9

Kareem Gibson, CB, Greater Johnstown (Johnstown, PA), 7-4

Greater Johnstown lost to Clearfield in a Class AAA semifinal on November 7. Gibson had 836 total yards in the regular season, including 353 yards receiving, 229 yards on kickoff returns, 134 yards on punt returns, 92 yards rushing, and 28 yards on interception returns. He had six touchdowns in total, including 3 receiving, 1 rushing, 1 on a punt return, and 1 on a kick return.

Joseph Reed, WR, Class of 2016, Randolph-Henry (Charlotte Court House, VA), 2-8

Christopher Sharp, RB, Hun School (Princeton, N.J.), 7-1

Sharp rushed for 217 yards and three touchdowns on eight carries in the Hun School’s season finale victory over Mercersburg Academy. He also had a 13-yard touchdown reception in the victory. Sharp rushed 81 times for 1,085 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior. He added nine receptions for 218 yards and four touchdowns.