It was the little things, mental mistakes and costly penalties that kept Falls Church High from beating Thomas Jefferson High for Science and Technology Thursday.

The Jaguars fell to TJ 28-12, an improvement from last year’s 37-0 trouncing.

“If we keep playing like this, we’re going to win some games,” said Jaguars Head Coach Said Aziz.

The Falls Church defense did their best to contain TJ’s senior running back Patrick O’Connor who kept churning up the clock and scored two rushing touchdowns. Falls Church penalties and miscues kept TJ’s drives going. A 69-yard Rashad Lehar kickoff return in the first quarter to set up an 8-yard O’Connor score didn’t help either.

Aziz said his team made mental mistakes that he expects to see fixed before the Jaguars meet McLean High next week. The Jaguars went into the half down 21-12.

Junior signal caller Adam Daly exploited the Colonial’s secondary with the Jaguars new passing attack. The Falls Church quarterback went 24 for 35 and 148 yards passing with two touchdowns. One of those touchdown passes went to fellow junior wide receiver Jordan Coneys (10 catches for 63 yards) who turned a fourth and short play into a dazzling score. Daly said he hopes he and his teammates, most of them underclassmen, can continue to build a solid team for the future.

“I saw some good things out there,” Daly said. “Our entire receiving corps besides [Richard] Henderson, who’s a senior, will be back next year. I’m looking forward to it.”

Ken Kincaid, head coach at T.J., said the Jaguars are a much-improved team. Kincaid said his team fought until the end but Falls Church wasn’t going anywhere.

“People are going to see they’re for real,” Kincaid said. “The National District better grab their hats. Falls Church High is coming.”

OTHER SCORES

George Mason High dropped their season opener at home to JEB Stuart in a 35-6 loss.

Robert E. Lee ruined George Marshall’s home opener in a 47-7 loss.