Running Back David Avit: The Bully Bulldog Of Winston Churchill

Heading into the Maryland 4A Class Semifinals, the Winston Churchill Bulldogs were poised for championship glory, especially with their top rusher, David Avit, showing stellar playoff performances. Facing the Broadneck Bruins, ranked 19th, the 10th-ranked Bulldogs seemed primed for victory. However, a crucial third-down attempt halted Avit’s momentum as the Bruins’ defense forced a punt while playing a solid defense the entire night.

Just a week earlier, the Bulldogs secured a 27-13 victory over Bethesda Chevy Chase, entering the semifinals with an impressive 11-1 record, their sole loss coming against the 2022 State Champion Quince Orchard. Interestingly, Quince Orchard was eliminated by the Northwest Jaguars, the team that fell to Broadneck with a tight score of 20-21 in the quarterfinals, propelling Broadneck’s journey to the championship with a convincing 31-7 win against Churchill.

Despite the Bulldogs’ loss, David Avit once again showcased his prowess in his final high school football game, amassing 189 rushing yards and securing a touchdown. Standing tall at 6’0″ and 215 pounds, Avit has demonstrated exceptional skill. Yet, the national media seemingly overlooked his talent. 247 Sports had him listed as an unranked athlete, but we beg to differ on why he doesn’t have at least three stars. However, despite these rankings, Avit did draw the attention of several Division 1 FCS programs, receiving numerous offers. Avit ends his high school senior senior season with 3,025 All Purpose Yards and 34 Touchdowns.

• Ranked 1st in Maryland Rushing & Scoring
• Montgomery County 4A Player Of The Year
• 300 carries for 2,487 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns
• 10 receptions for 169 receiving yards

Often, receiving recognition in high school athletics is all about the institutions that offer or recruit the athlete in their sophomore and junior years. Many hidden gems like Avit go underrated and under the radar despite being better than some of their starred peers who attend higher-profiled schools. Nevertheless, his standout performances throughout the year speak volumes about his capabilities.
This underlines a larger truth in high school recruiting: athletes must actively seek early exposure and compete against top-tier regional talents to stand out. With the evolving landscape of recruitment, the transfer portal, and colleges being more selective, the number of scholarships is decreasing for high school athletes. Being an All-State athlete or achieving over 2000 rushing yards might not suffice. Athletes must grasp this evolving landscape to enhance their chances of being recruited effectively.

Despite these challenges, we celebrate David Avit’s phenomenal season and commend his commitment to Villanova University.