The McLean Highlanders won their second straight season opener, again defeating the Meridian Mustangs, this year 33-13, in an afternoon high-school football game Aug. 30.
The scoring leaders for McLean with two touchdowns each were runningback Noah Jander and receiver Sebastian Carmenates. Jander rushed for 167 yards with TD runs of 51 and 52 yards. Carmenates caught four passes for 121 yards and two scores.
McLean first-year junior quarterback Christian McNeill had a productive game after an early interception. He was 9 of 12 passing for 196 yards and three touchdowns, covering 69, 39 and 15 yards. McNeill rushed for 42 yards. Ben Irish had two catches for 26 yards and a TD and Aidan Reid had two catches for 42yards.
McNeill was a linebacker for McLean a year ago. He last played quarterback, a little, for the freshman team in 2022. He was moved back to quarterback for the 2024 campaign this season when last year’s starter, Ethan Ball, decided not to play football in 2024 to concentrate on baseball.
“Christian started slow with that interception, then came back strong played out of his mind,” McLean coach Joe Cockerham said. “He made some good reads and throws.”
McLean gained 405 total yards, with a good balance of 209 rushing and 196 passing.
