Howard senior linebacker Cam Demma plays with a greater purpose.

After his friend, Steven Bassler, was killed in May 2023, Demma’s whole outlook changed, impacting the person and football player he’s become today.

“The work ethic that I put in after that happened, I don’t think I’d be the person I am today,” Demma said. “It hit me so hard and I do it for Steve. Every time I’m thinking about giving up in a workout, I think, ‘Steve can’t even feel this right now, he’s not here.’ It’s just a different mindset. It keeps me going.”

Demma plays with an edge and a relentless motor each snap. That is evident in his play, finishing with a Howard-County leading 125 tackles, including 22 for loss. The veteran linebacker also had three sacks, five quarterback hurries, six forced fumbles and a team-high four interceptions.

A force all over the field, Demma is the 2024 Howard County Times football Defensive Player of the Year.

“Cam just checks every single box that a coach could possibly want. From the commitment to the game, and year-round to the weight room, film study,” Howard coach Ross Hannon said. “He doesn’t just understand his assignment, he understands everyone’s. He gets our front where it should be. He makes sure the back end is where it should be. He is a very physical player, but he kept accountability with all 10 people on that field with him.”

Demma wasn’t always a linebacker. He began his high school career playing defensive end, then transitioned to inside linebacker as a sophomore. The move felt like a natural fit for Demma, who always played as an inside backer while playing the Madden video game series. That experience translated to real life as Demma learned to read offensive line tendencies in run or pass situations and understand route combinations.

His high football IQ shouldn’t come as a surprise when learning that his all-time favorite linebacker is Luke Kuechly. The Carolina Panthers’ seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro is widely regarded as one of the smartest to play the position. Outside of video games Demma’s understanding comes from diligent film study.

Demma’s preparation allows him to be one step ahead of the offense, which in turn slows the game down. While that knowledge was beneficial, Demma also improved his speed and pass coverage entering senior year.

“You have to be around him to understand, the one word I’ll use is maturity,” Hannon said. “He has been an absolute leader. He marches to the beat of his own drum. He has goals that he sets for himself and he’s not going to let anyone sidetrack him from those goals. Individually, he wanted to be defensive Player of the Year and I said, ‘You’re going to have to let all the other county coaches know that you’re the best player on that field.’ He did exactly that.”

His favorite moment of the season was a 70-yard pick-six in a 14-0 rivalry win over Glenelg. Prior to the season, Demma promised his mom he would get her one before he graduated and delivered on that promise the day before his birthday.

“I was coming down for a blitz and I run through trying to hit my gap and I see the guards running up field,” Demma said. “The ball is in the air and it’s a screen to the wide receiver. I just saw the ball. I didn’t even read it. The ball fell in my hands. Then my teammate, it looked like he and the quarterback were trying to tackle me, so I hurdled and juked at the same time. Then I just saw green, it felt unreal. Right when I saw my mom at the end of the game, it was the biggest hug ever. She was so proud. It made me so happy.”

Closing out his career in a big way, Demma accomplished his preseason goal. However, preparing for the potential to play college football, Demma said, “on to the next step, grind don’t stop.”

“Within the last couple of years, I just like to imprint something in my head and just attack it,” Demma said. “It’s just in my blood now.”

All-County first team

Ayo Adeniyi, Oakland Mills, senior, defensive line: Adeniyi was a force up front for the Scorpions, finishing tied for the county lead in sacks (11). He also had 53 tackles, including 13 for loss and four forced fumbles. The senior was also disruptive on special teams with three blocked punts and two blocked field goals.

Moses Bailey, Reservoir, senior, defensive line: A Richmond commit, Bailey was a game wrecker, tying for the county lead with 11 sacks. He also finished with a team-high 81 tackles, two forced fumbles and 17 pressures.

Ian Pope, Atholton, senior, defensive line: Pope led the Raiders in tackles (81.5), tackles for loss (25) and sacks (nine). He was also disruptive in creating turnovers with three forced fumbles and three field goal blocks.

Kenny Stevens, Howard, senior, defensive line: Stevens was explosive off the line with great length and athleticism at 6-foot-3. He finished second on the team in tackles (107), including 21 for loss. The senior was the team’s sacks (seven) and quarterback hurries leader (17) as well.

Kwadwo Boampong, Wilde Lake, senior, linebacker: First team All-County for a second straight season, Boampong flew all over the field. He finished with 120 total tackles, which ranked second in the county and added four sacks. The senior created multiple turnovers with an interception and three forced fumbles.

Luke Holland, Marriotts Ridge, senior, linebacker: A team captain, Holland was the unquestioned leader of a Mustangs defense that only surrendered 10 points per game. He had a team-leading 113 tackles, including 13 for loss, one sack, two interceptions and one forced fumble.

Kaiden Lee, Oakland Mills, senior, linebacker: A four-year All-County player, Lee anchored the Scorpions defense in the middle. He finished tied for a team-high 64 tackles, including 10 for loss and two and a half sacks.

Shane Schrecengost, River Hill, senior, linebacker: A three-year starter, Schrecengost never came off the field for the Hawks as a two-way starter at linebacker and quarterback. He led the team with 74 total tackles, also with three sacks and a fumble recovery.

Brendan Sutch, Howard, senior, linebacker: A first-year player for the Lions, Sutch formed a powerful one-two punch with Demma at linebacker. He was third on the team in tackles (94), including 13 for loss. He also had three sacks, five quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, an interception and a blocked kick.

Jaydin Gore, Wilde Lake, sophomore, secondary: After being named first team All-County as a freshman, Gore stepped up in a big way on the back end. He was a ball hawk, finishing with a county-leading seven interceptions, also with four pass breakups and 30 total tackles.

Kristin Rogers, Oakland Mills, junior, secondary: Rogers was a playmaker on the back end for the Scorpions’ defense with a team-high four interceptions and also four pass breakups. He finished with 43 tackles and was a two-way starter who also played wide receiver and tight end.

Ja’Varr Stewart, Atholton, senior, secondary: A St. Frances transfer, Stewart emerged as an integral piece of Atholton’s defense. He finished second on the team with 52 solo tackles and tied for the team lead in interceptions (three). Stewart also had four passes defended and a sack.

Lucas Tran, Marriotts Ridge, senior, secondary: Marriotts Ridge’s leader on the backend, Tran excelled in covering both the run and the pass. He was second on the team in total tackles (89), including six for loss and was the county leader in pass breakups (11).

Nick Bilotto, Glenelg, senior, punter: First team All-County for a second straight season, Bilotto averaged 33.5 yards per punt with a long of 48 yards. He also had 11 punts inside the 20.