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Every week, across several sports, players around the DMV 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 Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke.
In his second start since replacing the injured Carson Wentz, Heinicke continued to step up when it mattered most.
He’s not necessarily stuffing the stat sheet, but the fifth year quarterback out of Old Dominion is 2-0 this season as the starter following a two point win over Green Bay and Sunday’s one point victory in Indianapolis.
The Commanders trailed 16-10 with 2:39 remaining and were beginning a drive at their own 11 yard-line, needing a touchdown and an extra point to take the lead.
In what would eventually be the game-winning drive, Heinicke was 5/5 passing for 76 yards, including a 12-yard completion to Curtis Samuel on 4th and 1, adding 11 yards rushing on 3 carries, including the game-tying score with 22 seconds to go.
The biggest moment of the drive, however, was the play that set up the touchdown. With just over 40 seconds to go, Heinicke threw a 33 yard bomb to receiver Terry McLaurin, who wrestled the ball away from cornerback Stephon Gilmore, hauling in the catch at the 1 yard-line.
“Terry wasn’t going to be denied,” Commanders coach Ron Rivera said following the 17-16 victory.
On the day, Heinicke completed 23/31 passes for 279 yards with a touchdown and an interception. On the ground, he rushed for 26 yards and, of course, the game-winning score.
The Commanders have won three games in a row and are back at .500 at 4-4 overall. A great test awaits this weekend as Wahsington welcomes in the 6-1 Minnesota Vikings.
The DMV saw four teams in action this past week, including The Washington Commanders, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, and Howard University football team.
Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week:
Howard football quarterback Quinton Williams dominated Norfolk State on Saturday in a 49-21 road victory. Williams threw for 175 yards on 17/22 passing with 3 touchdowns, adding 39 yards and a touchdown rushing the ball.
Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin had 6 catches for 113 yards in Washington’s 17-16 comeback win over Indianapolis. McLaruin, an Indianapolis native, hauled in a 33-yard pass from Heinicke to set up the game-winning touchdown with less than a minute remaining.
Capitals goaltender Darcy Keumper saved 34 out of 34 shots on target in Saturday night’s 3-0 victory over Nashville.
Howard football running back Eden James rushed for 114 yards on just 10 carries in Saturday’s win, averaging over 11 yards per rush, and scored one of Howard’s four rushing touchdowns.
Here’s what’s coming up this week in DMV Sports:
Washington Commanders: (4-4, 4th in NFC East)
11/6 vs. Minnesota
Washington Capitals: (5-4-0, T-5th in Metropolitan Division)
10/31 @ Carolina
11/1 vs. Las Vegas
11/3 @ Detroit
11/5 vs. Arizona
Washington Wizards: (3-3, T-5th in Eastern Conference)
10/31 vs. Philadelphia
11/2 @ Philadelphia
11/4 vs. Brooklyn
11/6 @ Memphis
Howard University Football: (3-5 Overall, 2-0 in MEAC, 1st in MEAC)
11/5 @ NC Central
Maryland Football: (6-2 overall, 3-2 in Big 10, T-3rd in B10 East)
11/5 @ Wisconsin