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Scholarship offers have started rolling in for some of the county's top football players. As usual, Washington Catholic Athletic Conference power DeMatha will be loaded with Division I prospects this fall. But what's unusual is how many offers have come in early.

Eight of DeMatha's 2009 seniors have received Division I scholarship offers so far, and two juniors already have offers in hand. Coach Bill McGregor anticipates several more offers by the time the season gets started.

"I've never had anything like this before," McGregor said. "Last year we had 10 boys signing, and at this stage we had one with a full scholarship offer, and then a second one came in June. The year before we had 14, but only one offer this early."

McGregor says colleges are moving earlier to offer scholarships, adding that he anticipates the NCAA might eventually institute an early signing period for football, similar to the November signing period that exists for basketball players. DeMatha's reputation for producing quality football players precedes it, and is a key factor in the recruiting process.

"We've had so many boys go on and do well in college that now a college coach can come in and take a look at a player on film and we're able to compare them to someone who came before," McGregor said. "[College coaches] know what they're getting that way."

Offensive linemen Ari Kouandjio and Shane Johnson, defensive back/wide receivers Lorenzo Waters, Michael Coley and Kyrrel Latimer, defensive tackle/running back Jeff Knox and running backs Marcus Coker and Austin Bailey all have multiple Division I offers.

Ari Kouandjio's brother, lineman Cyrus Kouandjio, and running back/linebacker Delonte Morton both have multiple offers, including Maryland, though both will be entering their junior years this fall.

Erroneous Internet reports surfaced two weeks ago that Coker, a Laurel resident and Gazette-Star All-County First Team selection who ran for 1,174 yards and 18 touchdowns last year, had committed to Minnesota. McGregor said Coker also is considering Maryland, among other schools, and that Latimer is scheduled for a visit to Virginia on Sunday, but none of the group has made a commitment.

"It's almost like they're all afraid to be the first one," McGregor said. "I think once the first one of them commits, then they'll all do it. When that story came out about Coker a couple others were ready, but then they held back."

Elsewhere around the county, Jordan Haden, who will be a senior at Friendly this fall, has verbally committed to Florida, where his brother Joe Haden is a starting defensive back. Jordan Haden was a Gazette-Star All-County First Team defensive back last fall after registering 62 tackles and three interceptions.

Potomac wide receiver/defensive back Devonte Tabannah has received offers from Akron and Maine. Last fall, Tabannah was a Gazette-Star All-County First Team selection at wide receiver after catching 31 passes for 603 yards and nine touchdowns. He accumulated 1,441 yards of total offense, adding four punt returns for touchdowns and one TD run.

Parkdale lineman Jermaine Dory has accepted a football scholarship from Norfolk State.

Bladensburg pair pick schools

Two Bladensburg High girls' basketball players recently finalized their college plans. Uchechi Ahaiwe is headed to Delaware State University, and Vanica Proctor will play for St. Paul's College.

Ahaiwe, a Gazette-Star second team choice this past season, averaged 14.5 points and 10 rebounds per game this past season, and the 6-foot-3 center posted a double-double average for her final two high school seasons. Proctor led the Mustangs last season in steals and rebounds and averaged eight points, three rebounds and three steals per game.

The Bladensburg pair is two of four starters who coach Lester Butler is losing to graduation. The lone returning starter next winter will be rising senior Kara Davis.

Panthers named All-MIAA

Several St. Vincent Pallotti High athletes were named to the All-Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association teams in their respective sports.

P.J. Martindale, Kevin Murphy and Sam Stefanelli were selected to the B Conference baseball team. Stefanelli hit .559 with two homers and 28 RBIs. He also compiled a 5-2 pitching record with a 3.02 ERA. Martindale hit .449 with two homers and 34 RBIs. Murphy hit .391 with a homer and 20 RBIs.

Jason Clatworthy and Kevin Poole were named to the B Conference golf team. Clatworthy went 11-0 in match play this year, while Poole was 10-1.

Mike Marks was named to the B Conference boys' lacrosse team.

E-mail Seth Elkin at selkin@gazette.net.