It started badly for Westfield High football alumni this fall.
First, more struggles for Sean Glennon, the Virginia Tech senior quarterback who can’t get out of first gear despite an MVP performance in last year’s ACC title game.
Thankfully, last weekend running back Evan Royster rushed for a career-high 141 yards and three touchdowns in Penn State’s 45-14 romp over Oregon State, earning Big Ten Player of the Week honors.
But Eddie Royal trumped both of his former teammates with an NFL opening weekend-best 146 yards from nine catches in his rookie debut for the Denver Broncos.
The first of the Westfield trio to reach the pros looked like he belonged — and then some — and completed the trifecta of nostalgia for the trio that together won a Virginia state title in 2004.
“I tried telling people about this guy,” Broncos receiver Brandon Stokley told the Denver Post. “He plays bigger than he is. He’s real strong for his size, he runs great routes and he has great hands.”
Royal embarrassed $70-million cornerback DeAngelo Hall, drawing two personal foul calls, and impressed everyone else: running, catching, returning punts, even passing. The most telling play may have been his decision to throw the ball away on a doomed third-quarter end-around.
Royal, who hails a stone’s throw from Redskins Park, finished the night with 185 all-purpose yards, more than double the total preseason production (92 yards) of Washington’s top three 2008 draft picks — two receivers and a tight end — including Devin Thomas, who the Redskins picked eight spots ahead of Royal in the second round.
