The Locker Room
by Jeff Wolfe
Calfee Sharp in Debut Victory
over Anacostia
BOX SCORE
8/29/98 - Pulaski County freshman Josh Calfee contributed on offense, defense and special teams in his first game at the high school level. He opened the second half with a nice kickoff return. Then he defended the endzone with an interception and runback. He also carried the ball for a touchdown on offense.
The Cougars opened the regular season with a 41-16 win over Anacostia High School of Washington, D.C. Kwasi Scott led the way rushing on offense. He often gained yardage on off tackle plays by cutting back to the middle of the field. He had the longest play of the day, a 54 yard touchdown carry. Travis Roop and Brandon Miller were stable and consistent contributors to the offense throughout the game. Randy Grubb played well on both sides of the ball and had a memorable hit and tackle to force a dropped pass. Unfortunately, later in the game he sustained a hip injury that will likely end the season for him. We wish him a healthy recovery.
Anacostia’s David Donaldson and Jarou Black practically put on their own show.
The two connected on passes all game long. When QB Donaldson went down for a few plays, Black filled in seamlessly at quarterback. The Cougars helped Anacostia along with penalties on almost every drive.
Pulaski County won the opening coin toss and chose to defer. Anacostia started on their own 20 yard line after the kickoff. On the first play from scrimmage Donaldson carried the ball to the right for a 14 yard gain. A Cougar was charged with a personal foul on the play, contributing 15 yards. After two incomplete passes, Anacostia elected to punt.
PC started from their own 34 yard line and used 12 plays to drive for a score. Miller had a 5 yard carry for the touchdown. Cameron Ashworth added the PAT for a 7-0 lead. During the drive, on a 3 and 10 situation, QB Roop carried around the left side with an 18 yard gain for a first down.
Donaldson’s offense could not get going. Anacostia punted after three incompletions. The Cougars drove down the field to score in 5 plays, ending with an 11 yard carry by Scott. Sophomore guard Josh Coleman lead the blocking through the hole on the touchdown run. Ashworth’s second PAT was good, creating a 14-0 lead.
Anacostia started again at their 20 after the kickoff. A first down was gained when a Cougar player was charged with a facemask penalty. On the next play a Donaldson pass was dropped when the receiver was met with a ferocious tackle by Randy Grubb. Another first down could not be obtained, and Anacostia’s punt went for 30 yards.
Then Roop led the Cougar offense to its third score on a 6 play drive.
He carried the ball twice for long gains. The score came on a 2 yard run by Scott. Ashworth’s PAT counted toward a commanding 21-0 lead.
Next Donaldson started his team on a good drive with four consecutive passes to Black. On 4th and 1, Donaldson carried for the conversion to keep the drive going. Anacostia gained more yardage with passes of 15 and 11 yards before an interception was thrown. Miller picked off Donaldson’s pass and returned it for 14 yards.
The Cougars were then driving down the field with runs by Scott, Miller, and Frank Cobbs, Jr. On 2 and 15, Roop passed incomplete to senior Randy Grubb, who was injured on the play. He had to be removed from the field by ambulance. The Cougar offensive players on the field came by to give their support to him before he was taken to the hospital. He suffered a hip injury on the play and is not expected to be able to return to football this season.
The Cougars were penalized for holding on the next play, which brought about a 3rd and 25 situation. Roop passed to Mark Fitzwater for a 15 yard gain. Ashworth came on to try a field goal, but it went wide right. The half soon ended with the score 21-0.
After the break Calfee returned the kickoff for 30 yards. Two plays later Scott rushed for a 54 yard touchdown. Ashworth’s PAT followed, making the score 28-0.
After the kickoff, Donaldson led his team swiftly down the field with several intermediate range passes. When he tried to throw deep down the right sideline, Calfee picked off what would have been a sure touchdown with an excellent coverage interception. He then returned the ball for 20 yards from the endzone. PC could not gain a first down this time and Bobby Peaslee came on to punt.
Donaldson started from his 20 and lead Anacostia on its first scoring drive of the night. He threw several short passes to Black. The defense contributed to the drive with a pass interference penalty. The score came on a 5 yard pass. Donaldson carried the ball for the two point conversion to trail 28-8.
The resulting kickoff was short and taken by Cougar sophomore Antoine Meadows for a 32 yard return. PC drove for its next score on runs by Scott and Miller, finishing on a short TD carry by Roop. The PAT was good, making the score 35-8.
On the next series Donaldson was injured and left the field. Jarou Black filled in and showed that he could lead his team by continuing the drive. Donaldson returned with Anacostia deep into Cougar territory to throw both a 10 yard touchdown pass and the two point conversion pass to Black. PC remained ahead at 35-16.
Junior Nickey Hoback returned the kickoff for 40 yards. Peasley then came into the game to lead as the quarterback. He handed off to Calfee for several short gains. Calfee scored on an 8 yard carry. The snap and hold were poor and junior Robert Taylor did not make the PAT, leaving the final score 41-16. Anacostia could manage only two more plays before time expired.
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