This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Falls Church Stumbles 24-6 to McLean

Jaguars play McLean close for three quarters in tough loss

After three days postponement, Falls Church and McLean met on the gridiron Monday evening for both schools’ second game of the season. Flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee prompted Fairfax County school officials to cancel school and all related activities on Friday, September 9.

Under clear skies and 70 degree weather, the Highlanders and Jaguars played each other extremely close for three quarters before McLean’s depth proved to be too much for Falls Church. In the end, McLean prevailed 24-6.

A program that won only two games last season, Falls Church hung tight with McLean, a program that won eight games last season, for three full quarters of football.

Find out what's happening in Falls Churchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Our team grew up tonight. We played one hell of a football team and I’m proud of them. For us to play McLean the way we did will only make us better. There’s nothing that I can get on the kids about, I’m just proud of them,” said Falls Church head coach Said Aziz.

After an eleven-day layoff, an energized Jaguar team sprinted onto the field following player introductions. Noticeable in street clothes on the McLean sideline was all-purpose player Ryan McColgan, who injured his ankle in the team’s September 1 victory over Washington-Lee.

Find out what's happening in Falls Churchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

With McColgan forced to watch from the sideline, McLean head coach Jim Patrick turned to Gabriel Sutherland to take the lion’s share of the carries. However, Patrick’s plans took a turn for the worse when Falls Church’s energized defense knocked Sutherland out of the game with a lower leg injury in McLean’s opening offensive series. By night’s end, Sutherland would be one of several McLean players who needed medical attention after absorbing the hits of Jaguar defenders.

Both teams relied on ground heavy play-calling in the first half. Falls Church’s marquee offensive weapon, Dayshawn Meadows, who garnered Second Team All-National District honors last season, frustrated McLean defenders with his blend of power and speed. After sputtering offensively in the first quarter, Meadows drove the Jaguars offense to McLean’s twenty-five yard line. But Falls Church failed to convert a 42-yard field goal.

The loss of McLean’s number one and two tailbacks gave Austin Jenkins an opportunity for the bulk of the first-half carries. But penalties negated several key runs by Jenkins. However, the Highlanders scored first on a 37-yard field goal by Christopher Rosenbaum and took a 3-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Special teams play gave Falls Church a third quarter offensive spark, which would carry well into the game’s final quarter. With just under eight minutes left in the third quarter, the Jaguars blocked a McLean punt, which gave the Jaguars the ball at McLean’s four-yard line. Three plays later, Meadows scampered in from five yards out to give Falls Church their first touchdown of the young season, and the lead. After McLean’s Scott Lafoon blocked the extra point attempt, the Jaguars led 6-3.

Not to be outdone, McLean quarterback John Burke scored on a quarterback sneak from a few yards out to put McLean up 10-6 as the third quarter came to an end. The fourth quarter was all Nathaniel Fletcher’s as McLean’s fourth string tailback rushed for two touchdowns to solidify the victory. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, McLean won 24-6. Falls Church will have little time to recover as they return to action this Friday at home against Marshall.

After tonight’s showing, Falls Church running back Dayshawn Meadows is anxious to build off of Monday's positives.

“We played well tonight, much better than last week. We’re going to talk about the game tonight and then get ready by Friday to try to get the win,” he said post-game. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?