The McLean Highlanders won big in their season opener by blanking the host Meridian Mustangs, 44-0, in Falls Church on Aug. 25. The points were the team’s most in a single game and the shutout its first since the shortened 2020-21 COVID high-school football season.
The Highlanders led 34-0 at halftime.
McLean won behind an explosive offense that amassed 405 total yards, led by 189 yards rushing from Kaelan Ferris. He had scoring runs of 62 and 90 yards and ran for another TD. Kennedy Munoz had 44 yards rushing and quarterback Ethan Ball ran for 30 on two carries.
“That was a huge game for Ferris,” McLean coach Joe Cockerham said.
Ball completed 10 of 16 passes for 141 yards and threw touchdown passes of nine and 32 yards.
Malcolm Andrews had two catches for 43 yards and a TD, Logan Blake had two catches for 58, Vaughn McCollough caught two for 13 and a score and Aidan Reid and Ben Irish each had a catch.
The McLean defense held Meridian to 102 total yards and six first downs.
On defense, Nadalo Ndebele recovered a fumble.
On special teams, Kevin Kabasele blocked a punt that he returned for a touchdown.
By winning its first game, the Highlanders already matched their victory total of last season.
McLean hosts the Lewis Lancers on Aug. 31 in another non-district game with a chance to improve to 2-0 for the first time in many seasons.