In a thrilling turn of events, Mclean’s varsity football team achieved a historic milestone, clinching their first victory against Yorktown High School since 1996. Despite trailing behind the Patriots through almost the entire game, the Highlanders were able to pull off a key touchdown in the final minutes of the game.
“Our plan from the beginning was to go in there and grind out,” junior running back Nemo Carter said.
From the kickoff to the final whistle, the game was intense, with both teams displaying unwavering determination to win. The Patriots edged out an early lead over the Highlanders, kicking a field goal on their first drive of the game to secure 3 points.
Down in the first quarter by 3 points, the Highlanders struggled to put themselves on the board.
“At the start of the game, we were struggling, the defense was rocking, and the offense was going kind of slow,” junior linebacker Noah Jander said.
The first three quarters of the game were a display of defensive prowess from both sides. With the score deadlocked at 0-3, the anticipation in the stadium was palpable.
Late in the fourth quarter, the game was put on hold when Junior Christopher Johns was struck in the shin by two Yorktown defensive players, sending the crowd into shock. Johns was injured badly, laying on the turf for several minutes until emergency medical services arrived. After ambulances and medical help came, he was wheeled off the field and taken to the hospital.
“Chris’s injury was a tough blow on all of us, it defined how rocky the start of the game had been,” Jander said. “He’s one of the most dedicated players on the team.”
From that point forward, the Highlanders were rejuvenated, determined to win the game for their team and preserve their undefeated streak.
After unsuccessful drives from both teams, the Highlanders received the ball with under two minutes on the clock, deep in their own territory. McLean slowly picked up steam, completing pass after pass and gaining every first down they approached.
Then, during their fourth down play, the Patriots breached McLean’s offensive line, forcing junior quarterback Ethan Ball to scramble. Miraculously, Ball made a spectacular 30 yard throw on the run to sophomore wide receiver Malcolm Andrews who caught it on his knees at the 1-yard line. Sensing a win, fans went wild, clearing the bleachers and crowding along the fence, ready to storm the field.
“I was very excited for us, but I don’t remember much [of the play] because of the adrenaline rush,” Andrews said.
However, the Highlanders hadn’t secured the win quite yet. On the first play after the pass, the Highlanders botched a hand-off and fumbled the ball. Luckily, McLean was able to re-secure their dominance quickly. After another incomplete pass, Ball ran around the Patriots’ defensive line for a touchdown. With a successful extra point, McLean took a 7-3 lead with just over 30 seconds on the clock.
The Patriots were unable to recover and the clock quickly wound down to zero. Students rushed onto the field in jubilation while the two teams shook hands.
Throughout the game, both teams showcased their impenetrable defense, resulting in a largely stagnant scoreboard. However, the Highlanders’ grit pushed them through as the Yorktown defense dwindled near the end of the game.
“Our defense was sharp and we outplayed their offense with strategy and skill,” Carter said. “Running down the field, I could sense the defense’s frustration. We outpaced them tonight.”
