The high school football season has officially kicked off in the D.C. area, and a new crop of local talent has already begun to emerge. This past weekend marked the start of a new year for public programs in the city and in Northern Virginia. Many of the region’s private schools also played their first games. Next week, Maryland publics will join the party. Here are five players who stood out in Week 1:
Austin Barber, Senior, Wide Receiver, DeMatha
The Stags opened their Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title defense with a 35-14 statement win over Archbishop Spalding Friday, and Barber made his mark with two game-changing plays. The senior wide receiver first hauled in a 45-yard touchdown pass with a defender draped on his back, helping give DeMatha an early edge against the Cavaliers, four-time defending champs in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association. He later returned a punt 42 yards for his second score as the Stags pulled away for their 22nd-straight victory and first under interim head coach Bryce Bevill, who took over for longtime coach Bill McGregor this offseason.