Beiro Blasts Through Obscurity
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Beiro Blasts Through Obscurity

Despite McLean’s 0-4 record, talented junior running back Riley Beiro’s talent shines bright.

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McLean Highlanders Tim Ferry (21) and Riley Beiro (9) make a tackle against a Washington-Lee player last Friday night at McLean High School.

First-year McLean Highlanders football coach Jim Patrick couldn’t help but speak with a disappointed tone after his team lost its fourth-consecutive game last Friday night, this time a 21-14 last-second defeat to Washington-Lee courtesy of a 10-yard touchdown run from Generals quarterback Charlie Fuller with just 17 seconds remaining in regulation.

But once talk turned towards the play of his standout junior running back and linebacker, Riley Beiro, Patrick couldn’t stop himself from thinking about the little glimmer of hope that resides in his backfield.

"Riley is an amazing competitor and when the lights are on, he’s wanting to make the play, he wants the ball in his hands, he wants to make the tackle," Patrick said of Beiro, who finished last Friday’s game with 137 yards rushing, an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown, and countless big hits on defense. "You can move him to safety, linebacker, running back, receiver, and he’s got go of instincts. He wants the game to be on his shoulders. I can’t say enough positive stuff about him."

The long punt return was a perfect example of the size, speed, and smarts Beiro brings to the gridiron. After a long punt by Washington-Lee, Beiro caught the ball on his own 15-yard line, noticed a seam to the left, bulled his way through a first wave of defenders untouched, and was off to the races with only the Generals’ punter to beat.

"I never looked back," Beiro said. "He wasn’t touching me."

<b>BEIRO</b> did so much running over the course of the game, he got ill in the third quarter after a particularly long gain while playing running back. He sat out for a couple series before returning once fully hydrated.

And his play over the course of the entire season has gotten the attention of the rest of the northern region, despite McLean’s winless record. After Friday’s game, Washington-Lee coach Josh Shapiro couldn’t help but sing the praises of Beiro, singling out his ability to change directions on the fly.

"We knew he was good, but they’re always better in person," Shapiro said. "The beautiful thing about him is how he cuts back against the grain. He finds open yards and then some wiggle room to get five, six extra yards. When you’ve got him wrapped up he just breaks ’em and gets away."

<b>ALL THAT SAID</b>, Patrick knows Beiro’s exploits will get lost in the shuffle if his team doesn’t start producing wins. It won’t get easier next week since the Highlanders will face off against defending Division 5 state champion Stone Bridge, but Patrick was encouraged by his team’s effort against the Generals.

"We’re getting better, and we’re getting competitive," Patrick said. "I know the record doesn’t show that right now, but we are making big strides from where we were in week one to where we are now."