The paint-splattered McLean crowd packed the home bleachers as the Highlanders took the field Friday evening against the Chantilly Chargers. Coming off a 2-0 start to the season, the Highlanders hoped to ride their momentum to a win against the Chargers, who stood undefeated at 2-0 as well.
“I think we’re going to get what we want out of it,” first-year coach Brian Slay said. “Those boys are really ready, we are all really prepared, and we are all feeling really good about tonight, but at seven o’clock we’ll find out.”
The team was ready for a matchup which many saw as the toughest game yet for the Highlanders, and the players saw the game as a defining moment for the season.
“This is our first real challenge,” sophomore wide receiver Aidan Reid said. “This shows the school and the district who we are.”
The Highlanders received an early stroke of fortune when the Chargers fumbled on just the second play of the game. Although their initial drive failed, they seized another opportunity with a muffed punt recovery at the 12-yard line. Senior running back Kaelan Ferris capitalized on this second chance, notching the first score of the night. Junior kicker Nathan Bender swiftly followed up with a successful extra point.
On Chantilly’s second drive, disaster struck for the Chargers when senior running back Devin Amaya, predicted to be a major threat, went down with a leg injury.
After a series of short drives that ended in punts, Chantilly gained a little bit of steam on the legs of senior running back Avery Chow, who was causing problems for the Highlander defense with several powerful runs.
The first quarter ended with the Chargers in the red zone, ultimately resulting in Chantilly getting a 2 yard touchdown run on the opening play of the second quarter. A 30-minute lightning delay then interrupted proceedings.
Undeterred by the delay, resilient fans returned with unwavering enthusiasm, setting the stage for a successful second quarter.
McLean was stifled on their first drive back, with a three and out that led to the ball being punted away to the 48-yard line. The Chargers drove down the field with a series of runs, leading to a 18 yard touchdown off a screen pass to junior slotback Andrew Fletcher.
The Highlanders started off their next drive with a 5 yard penalty, but a 37 yard pass from junior quarterback Ethan Ball to sophomore wide receiver Malcom Andrews quickly gave them renewed vigor and confidence. Ferris provided another big play with a 22 yard run, putting them at the 14. Two plays later, Ferris delivered yet again with a 14 yard receiving touchdown to bring his tally to two.
A strong Mclean defensive performance send the Highlanders into halftime on a high note, leaving the score at 14-14.
On the opening play of the third quarter, Ferris took a kickoff to the Chargers 40, but the drive turned into a turnover on downs. However, McLean’s defense stood strong and recovered the ball after only four plays.
Ferris continued to drive the offense, and it was his catch and run that got them inside the 20. After a 13 yard catch from Andrews that put them at the one-yard line, it was yet again Ferris that put points on the board with a strong run to set the Highlanders up by a score.
Two drives later, senior strong safety Kevin Kabasele came up with a huge blocked field goal for Mclean, and the momentum changing play led to a 34 yard completion for Ferris yet again. He pushed the ball to the 21, and a pass interference call on the Chargers took them to the 12 yard line.
Ball scrambled to the 2, and from there, Ferris punched it in for his fourth touchdown of the night and his tenth of the season, statistically putting him at 1st for both yards and touchdowns in the state.
Almost immediately after Bender’s successful extra point attempt, the signs of an incoming storm led to another delay for inclement weather, except this delay pushed the game to the following Saturday.
With 5 minutes and 51 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter, the Highlanders took the field for the second time on a bright Saturday afternoon.
After the kickoff by Bender, the Chargers ran a series of plays with junior tackle Charlie Boucher at quarterback, but a fumble recovery by junior middle linebacker Noah Jander got the ball back for the Highlanders, who punted it away after a 3-and-out.
Another Chargers quarterback change led to senior Sahir Mantri taking the reins, but the Highlanders’ defense did not falter. Good tackling and coverage held the Chargers to short balls and kept the clock running once the Chargers used their final timeout with 2 minutes left.
After a dropped pass by Boucher on a 4th down conversion attempt, the Highlanders took over with one minute and 3 seconds remaining. Ball took two knees to run out the clock, securing the Highlanders’ first win against the Chargers since 1990.
The Highlanders head to Edison High next week to avenge last year’s heartbreaking loss and stay undefeated.
“The win today feels amazing,” junior defensive tackle Will Lewey said. “We’re looking forward to rolling through the district and winning it.”
