C TOUCHDOWN CLUB ANNOUNCES 2021 AWARD WINNERS PRESENTED BY 3M
Three high school players of the year, high school coach of the year
and University at Buffalo star Jaret Patterson receive honors
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Military Bowl Foundation is proud to announce the 2021 DC Touchdown Club award winners presented by 3M, honoring the Washington Metro’s top high school football players, a longtime coach who guided his team to an undefeated season and one of college football’s top stars this past season.
The award winners are:
- Washington, D.C. High School Player of the Year: Trey Jamison, Gonzaga College High School
- Maryland High School Player of the Year: CJ Eley, Howard High School
- Virginia High School Player of the Year: Tristan Leigh, James W. Robinson Jr. Secondary School
- Washington Metro High School Coach of the Year: Mickey Thompson, Stone Bridge High School
- Washington Metro College Player of the Year: Jaret Patterson, University at Buffalo
“What an amazing group of award winners,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “Their achievements this past fall and spring are even more impressive given the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Washington Metro College Player of the Year and High School Players of the Year certainly made their impact despite playing in shortened seasons.
Jamison, a linebacker, made 44 tackles and had three sacks in five games, leading Gonzaga to a 5-0 record and first place in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. A three-year starter, Jamison twice was named first-team all-WCAC. He will attend the Naval Academy Preparatory School and plans to play for the U.S. Naval Academy.
Eley was a standout on both sides of the ball for Howard, excelling as a wide receiver and running on offense and at safety on defense. He was a threat every time he touched the ball, rushing for 550 yards and six touchdowns and catching 23 passes for 417 yards and two touchdowns. While most opponents did their best to prevent him from returning kicks, Eley also had a punt return for a touchdown. He plans to play for Bowie State University.
At 6 feet 5 and 300 pounds, Leigh was a force on Robinson’s offensive and defensive lines. His father played at the University of Virginia and after a growth spurt his sophomore year, the college scholarships started rolling in for Tristan. He will play for Clemson University.
A former player at the University of Virginia, Thompson became a teacher and coach upon graduation and his results speak for themselves. His 300th career victory came in this season’s final game, a 13-10 overtime victory over Highland Springs in the Virginia 5A championship game that claimed Stone Bridge’s second state title. In 21 seasons at Stone Bridge, Thompson has guided the Ashburn school to a 229-47 record with 16 district titles, 13 region titles and 10 state championship game appearances.
A Glenn Dale, Md., native and St. Vincent Pallotti High School alum, Patterson was one of the biggest stars of the 2020 college football season. Although Buffalo was limited to six regular season games, Patterson posted his third 1,000-yard season, highlighted by one of the best performances ever, when he rushed for 409 yards (the second-highest total in Football Bowl Subdivision history) and eight touchdowns (tying the FBS record) in a 70-41 victory over Kent State. Patterson opted to turn professional after the season and now plays for the Washington Football Team.
“We are thrilled to recognize these talented players and Coach Thompson,” Beck said. “We look forward to them taking the next step in their careers. We can’t wait to enjoy the 2021 football season and get together for the DC Touchdown Club 3M Awards Dinner in April 2022.
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About the DC Touchdown Club presented by Capital Bank N.A.
The DC Touchdown Club honors the best in Washington Metro football, with year-round events highlighted by an annual awards dinner. Operated by the Military Bowl Foundation, the Club promotes the game of football, hosts entertaining social events and generates a significant philanthropic impact for Patriot Point. To learn more about the DC Touchdown Club, visit dctouchdownclub.com or follow DC Touchdown Club on Twitter and Instagram @DCTouchdownClub and like DC Touchdown Club on Facebook.
About the Military Bowl Foundation
The Military Bowl Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates premier events in the National Capital Region to benefit our nation’s service members. Originally formed to create the region’s first-ever college football postseason bowl game, the Foundation now not only runs the Military Bowl presented by Peraton but additionally operates the DC Touchdown Club and Patriot Point, a nearly 300-acre retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Foundation hosts engaging events throughout the year to raise money and awareness for military service members, directly impacting those who give so much of themselves for the country.
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