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Every week, across several sports, players around the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) shine in individual performance. Every Monday, I’d like to take a minute to highlight some of those performances, including what I view as the best performance and name that athlete the “DMV Star of the Week.”
This week’s DMV Star of the Week is Maryland football Running Back Roman Hemby.
In my Maryland season preview, I pegged Hemby as the key man on offense for the Terps. He had an outstanding freshman year and excelled when given opportunities.
On Saturday, he shined for the first time in 2023, taking over in the second half to propel Maryland to its second win of the season, as they took down Charlotte 38-20.
Hemby, a sophomore from Edgewood, MD, rushed for just 58 yards in the opener against Towson, but was not required to do much more.
On Saturday, the Terps fell behind 14-0 early, requiring a comeback effort from Maryland, which led to 38 unanswered points and an emphatic 38-20 victory.
On the night, Hemby had 217 total yards. Through the air, he caught 4 passes for 55 yards from quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. On the ground, he rushed for 162 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown, which proved to be the game-clinching score with just over four minutes to play.
Hemby’s 220 rushing yards ranks 23rd nationally and he has fewer rushing attempts than all but two players ranked above him.
The sophomore back is just getting started in 2023. Up next, a Friday night clash with Virginia in College Park.
The DMV saw seven teams in action this past week, including the Washington Commanders, Washington Nationals, D.C. United, Washington Spirit, Washington Mystics, and Maryland and Howard football teams.
Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week:
Howard Football Quarterback Quinton Williams had 3 touchdowns on 205 yards passing in Saturday’s dominant 65-19 win over Morehouse
Maryland football Linebacker Jaishawn Barham had 2 sacks and 4 total tackles in the Terrapins win over Charlotte on Saturday
Washington Mystics Guard Natasha Cloud had a double-double in Tuesday’s win over Phoenix, scoring 20 points and dishing out 10 assists. She followed up the performance with 15 assists in the loss to Atlanta on Friday
Howard football running back Kasey Hawthorne had 110 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on just 5 carries in Saturday’s win over Morehouse
Howard football wide receiver Breylin Smith had 8 catches for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns in the big Howard win on Saturday over Morehouse
I’m going to name myself as an honorable mention for snagging a foul ball at the Nationals 3-2 win over the Mets on Wednesday. Thanks Francisco Lindor!
Here’s what’s coming up this week in DMV Sports:
Washington Commanders (1-0 overall, 0-0, 1st in NFC East)
9/17 @ Denver
Washington Nationals (64-79, 5th in NL East, 29.5 GB)
9/11 @ Pittsburgh
9/12 @ Pittsburgh
9/13 @ Pittsburgh
9/14 @ Pittsburgh
9/15 @ Milwaukee
9/16 @ Milwaukee
9/17 @ Milwaukee
Maryland Terrapins Football (2-0 overall, 0-0, 1st in Big 10 East)
*9/15 vs. Virginia
Howard Bison Football (1-1 overall, 0-0, 1st in MEAC)
*9/16 vs. Hampton (Truth & Service Classic @ Audi Field)
D.C. United: (9-7-12, 34 points, 9th in Eastern Conference)
9/16 @ Charlotte
Washington Spirit: (6-8-4, 26 points, 6th in NWSL)
9/16 @ Gotham FC
Washington Mystics: (19-21, 4th in Eastern Conference)
9/15 @ New York (WNBA Playoffs - 1st Round)
9/19 @ New York (WNBA Playoffs - 1st Round)
9/22 vs. New York (WNBA Playoffs - 1st Round - if necessary)
*Denotes games I will be covering in-person