Behind a powerful rushing game that accounted for all four of its touchdowns, the McLean High football team powered its way past visiting Herndon, 27-14, last Friday night in a non-district matchup.
McLean, which two weeks ago opened the season with a 14-6 home win over Washington-Lee, improved to 2-0 with the victory over the Hornets.
A year ago, McLean had lost, 28-21, in a road game at Herndon. But on Friday, playing its second consecutive game at home to begin the season, the Highlanders were able to defeat a Herndon squad that, one week earlier, had overwhelmed Jefferson, 41-0.
McLean, which led 20-7 at halftime, rushed for over 280 yards in the win over the Hornets. The Highlanders got touchdowns on the ground from senior Jimmy Ludwick (2), junior Ryan McColgan and senior Rafi Enriquez.
Ludwick, who scored on runs of 14 and one yard, finished the night with a game-high 165 yards on 15 carries. McColgan contributed 65 yards on 13 carries. Meanwhile, the Highlanders also used the passing game effectively as quarterback Chase Mills completed six-of-nine passes for 68 yards.
Four of his completions went to senior wide receiver Bruce Beatty (45 receiving yards).
Herndon’s top ground gainer was junior running back Josh Schow, who scored a third quarter touchdown to get the Hornets within 20-14 and finished the game with a team-high 78 yards on 14 carries.
Herndon’s first touchdown of the game came in the first quarter when sophomore quarterback Ky Parrott connected with senior wideout Leeth Aaron (3 catches, 23 yards) for a nine-yard scoring toss.
McLean will play at Wakefield High in Arlington this Friday night while Herndon will host cross-town rival South Lakes.
<b>LANGLEY HIGH</b> quarterback Braden Anderson tossed for 257 yards and three touchdowns in a losing cause as the Saxons lost in a high-scoring overtime affair at Chantilly, 42-35.
Anderson, who completed 19-of-35 passes, tossed a pair of touchdowns to Colin Pitts from 11 and 12 yards out, and also found Troy Scharfen (9 catches, 123 yards) for a nine-yard scoring play.
But Chantilly’s ability to run the football with success proved to be the difference as the Chargers (2-0) rushed for 450 yards. Jimmy Hicks was the Chargers’ leading ball carrier with 192 yards and four touchdown runs on 27 carries. The junior scored on touchdown runs of nine, 14, three and one yards away. The one-yard score came in overtime and proved to be the game-winner.
Also for Chantilly, William Hill-Pensamiento rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown (38 yard score) on 24 attempts. Cory Donovan (35 yards rushing) and quarterback Carson Romine (49 yards, 1 TD) also contributed to the prolific ground game.
Langley, which led 21-14 at the half, scored its first touchdown in the first quarter when junior running back Marcus Harvey returned a kickoff 93 yards for a score. Later in the half, the Saxons got a one-yard scoring run from AJ Holtberg.
Langley will be at home on Thursday night to take on 0-2 Madison, which lost big at Yorktown last week, 42-0. Chantilly will travel to the Route 1 South corridor of Alexandria to take on 1-1 West Potomac, which lost a 28-24 overtime contest to Westfield last week.
<b>POTOMAC SCHOOL</b> opened up its private league schedule with a resounding 44-0 home win over Randolph-Macon Academy (Front Royal) last Friday. The Panthers jumped out to a 42-0 first quarter lead. Top ball carriers for the home team were Brandon Arvanaghi (106 yards) and Michael Duffy, who gained all his yardage on a long touchdown run. Conor McNerney ran for two touchdowns and caught another. The scoring pass play, on a toss from quarterback Edwin Kuhn, came from 15 yards out. McNerney also returned a fumble 49 yards for another score. That was one of two defensive touchdowns for the Panthers – the other coming on a fumble recovery in the end zone by junior linebacker Andre Peterson. Potomac School’s only points in the second half came on a safety. Junior Ryan Eckert converted all six of his point-after kicks in the win.
On Thursday evening of this week, Potomac School will be at home against Bullis (Md.). Kickoff is scheduled for 4:45.