The initial meeting between the Bishop O’Connell Knights and Potomac School Panthers in varsity high-school football action will be remembered for the game’s suspenseful close score and speed in which the contest was completed.
The host Panthers of McLean won the private-school clash between schools about 3 miles apart, 10-6, on a late field goal the afternoon of Sept. 21. The game was completed in 2 hours and 3 minutes, a rapid pace by today’s standards, when many prep-football contests last closer to 3 hours or longer.
Potomac School improved to 2-1 with its second straight victory. O’Connell fell to 0-4.
The winning points came on a 20-yard field goal by Stefan Harvey with less 3:02 left in the game. O’Connell’s ensuing possession ended when Potomac School’s Aarez Ahmed intercepted a pass, then the Panthers ran out the clock.
Potomac School took a 6-0 second-quarter lead on a 48-yard touchdown pass from Sean Sutherland to Akim Iscandari. O’Connell tied the game at 6 in the third quarter with 2:37 to play on a 20-yard run by runningback Mikhai Martin. Both extra points were missed.
“It was a great team effort,” Potomac School coach Dan Wolff said. “Stefan Harvey closed the door with a field goal.”
Potomac School only threw five passes, completing two. A reason for the few passes were because Panthers’ runningback Lucas Boulter rushed for 183 yards on 36 carries. Iscandari caught the two passes for 50 yards.
Among those leading Potomac School upfront on the offensive line were Sam Kim, Wyatt Overman, Rohan Amin and Graham Laforce.
Potomac School had 255 total yards and O’Connell 148. Each team had two turnovers.
Leading tackles for Potomac School were Jake Adamec, E.J. Schneeberg, Richard Perrry, Jag Gioia, Mack Repke and Isandari, with a tackle for a loss. Gus Tierney recovered a fumble.
Martin was O’Connell’s leading rusher with some 108 yards. The Knights lost tight end Joe Williams to an injury during the game. He is one of the team’s top pass catchers.
O’Connell quarterback Graham Deaton completed two passes for 39 yards.
“We are a young and inexperience team and too many mistakes continue to hurt us,” O’Connell coach Todd Sabatino said.
On defense for O’Connell, Xavier Reid and Josh Taliaferro had interceptions. Leading tacklers were Sebastian Argote, Eli Moran, Douglas O’Donnell, Brandon Green, Scott Anderson and James Fatzinger.
For Potomac School, the Panthers have doubled their victory total of one last season, when they finished 1-8. Next they host the St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Saints (2-1) on Sept. 28 at noon. On the same date at 2 p.m., O’Connell hosts the Landon Bears (3-1). Each are non-conference games for Potomac School and O’Connell.
