Demauriah Brown is averaging 9.8 yards per carry and has scored 15 touchdowns in seven games. (Chris Zollner Photo)
He’s not a well-known name in Kentucky high school football but sophomore Demauriah Brown of Danville High School is doing his best to make a name for himself.
He’s the third leading rusher in Class AA with 990 yards and 13 scores on 102 carries, averages of 143 yards per game and 9.8 yards per carry. Brown had a huge game in last week’s win over Somerset when he had 285 yards and five scores on 17 carries.
He had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown earlier this season and since moving to quarterback he’s completed 10 of 13 passes for 88 yards. He also has four catches for 67 yards and one score.
The 5-10, 163-pound Brown knows he needs to add strength and weight before he gets to college and hopes to be up 190 pounds by his senior season.
“I lift weights every day. I know what I need to do,” he said.
He’s been timed in 4.58 seconds in the 40-yard dash but on the field his speed normally stands out.
“I feel like I am pretty fast. I am going to run track this year to help my speed even more,” he said.
Brown has recently visited both Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky. He said the environment in Richmond for the Eastern Kentucky football game he attended was really good. However, he said it was “crazy” at Kentucky.
“I was sitting right there where they (players) came out (on the field) and everybody was so hyped. All the fans were really into the game,” Brown said. “It was my first time at a Kentucky game and it was very impressive. I have always wanted to be a college player. I’ve played football my whole life and I am hoping this offseason I will hear from even more college coaches.”
Danville broke a four-game losing streak with its win at Somerset and is 3-4 going into Friday night’s district game at Washington County.
“We have lost but we keep our heads up. It has been a frustrating season but at the end of the day it is my team. I want to keep everybody’s heads up and into the games,” Brown, who wants to have a 2,000-yard rushing season at Danville, said.
He liked moving from running back to quarterback because it puts the ball in his hands every possession.
“I had never played quarterback but I can throw the ball,” he said. “We are going to start throwing more. Jalen Dunn is a big target and I can also hit Braidin Baughman.”
He also plays safety on defense and had consecutive tackles for losses against Somerset before the score got out of hand.
“I just hit a gap and busted in and got the sack. I said I was going to do it again, and I did. That was very satisfying to help the team that way,” he said.
Danville will host Lexington Christian, the preseason district favorite, on Oct. 21. If the Admirals win at Washington County, that will decide the district champion. LCA has lost to Madison Central (6-1), Louisville Christian (8-0), Lexington Catholic (6-1)and Pikeville (5-2) — four of the state’s best teams.
LCA features quarterback Cutter Boley who has thrown for 2,024 yards and 18 touchdowns in six games despite being slowed by an ankle injury.
“After our game this week, I will be watching a lot of film on Lexington Christian,” Brown said. “I know their quarterback is really good but we are hoping we can get on our own winning streak now.”
