For Gilman quarterback David Emala, the game plan yesterday against visiting Georgetown Prep was simple.
Take the snap. Pick a hole. Run.
On nearly two-thirds of his team's offensive plays, the senior did just that, gaining 163 yards on 33 carries out of the shotgun to help the No 8 Greyhounds dominate time of possession in a 21-0 win over the Little Hoyas.
"We thought going right at them was going to work, and it did," Emala said.
"Our line is the centerpiece of our team."
The win was Gilman's second straight over a Washington-area power, after last week's 21-14 victory over DeMatha, then the No. 2 team in the Washington area. The Greyhounds improved to 3-0. They finished 4-5 a year ago.
Gilman kept its plan basic. With the offensive line winning the battle up front, Emala carried the ball on 18 of the Greyhounds' first 24 plays.
A bit of trickery, however, finally got Gilman on the scoreboard. On third-and-six at Georgetown Prep's 7, Emala faked a run and handed the ball to Darius Jennings on a reverse.
Jennings made a cut, dashed through the middle and scored to make it 7-0 just before halftime.
The score stayed that way until the fourth quarter, when the Greyhounds started at Georgetown Prep's 36 after a punt from the end zone.
Six plays later, Emala found wide receiver Marcus Holman open over the middle, and Holman took it the rest of the way for a 25-yard score.
The Little Hoyas (2-1), meanwhile, could muster little, gaining just 138 yards of offense, including 43 in the second half.
This game, however, belonged to Emala.
"We've got real good running backs, but Davey is also an excellent running back," Gilman coach Biff Poggi said.
"He's right up there with all of them. He's in awesome physical condition ... and he's one of the most competitive kids on the planet.
"That boy is clearly our leader, and we're going to go as far as he takes us."
