An atypical, and unplanned, winning formula has evolved for the Yorktown Patriots in the team’s past two football games.
Yorktown (3-2, 2-0) has won despite being outgained in total yards, but has countered with a takeaway and bend-but-don’t-break defense that sets up points for an offense that is running error-free.
That pattern worked in a week-four home victory over the Langley Saxons, then again Friday, Sept. 26 in the Patriots’ 35-20 victory over the McLean Highlanders in Liberty District high-school action.
McLean outgained Yorktown in total yards, 346 to 257, but was hurt by turnovers. Yorktown benefited from two long kickoff returns by Jack Ezzedin, one 92 yards for a touchdown. Another 71-yard return by Ezzedin set up Yorktown’s early third-quarter TD to help the Patriots move in front 21-13 to begin pulling away.
“It was an awesome night for Jack on the returns. We played pretty well overall and our defense came up with big plays again,” Yorktown coach Alec Hicks told ARLnow. “On offense we ran the ball well and passed well, and in the end we kind of wore them out.”
With its second straight win, Yorktown remains atop the district standings with a 2-0 record.
“It was another big district win,” Hicks said. “We have to keep that going.”
McLean fell to 1-4, 0-2.
Yorktown led 7-0 in the first quarter, 14-13 at halftime, and 35-20 after three periods.
Patriots’ quarterback Samson Schneider ran 19 yards for a touchdown and threw scoring passes of 42 yards to Boston Izzo, 17 to Nate Randles and 12 to Sammy Keiser. Max Yoon booted five extra points.
Schneider was 12 of 18 passing for 167 yards, and ran for 30 yards.
Keiser caught four passes for 34 yards, Brady Owens three for 29, Izzo two for 52, and Randles, Colt Monticello and Alex Hans each had one catch.
Randles led the team in rushing with 46 yards and Monticello gained 10.
Leading Yorktown’s defense was George Cocker with an interception that set up a touchdown, Bobby Shea with a sack and forced fumble, and Henry Royal with a deflected pass and quarterback hurry. Collin Damato and Teddy Sennott were among the tackling leaders.
On special teams, Andrew Cole blocked an extra point and Alex Len had a 12-yard kickoff return.
Yorktown’s next game is Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. on the road against the Marshall Statesmen (3-1) in a district contest.
O’Connell falls to 1-4: The Bishop O’Connell Knights (1-4) lost on the road to the Landon Bears, 21-0, Sept. 27 in a non-conference game in Bethesda.
O’Connell coach Todd Sabatino said every offensive drive for the Knights was stalled by a turnover, sack or penalty. Mistakes helped set up touchdowns for Landon (4-1).
“We played well on defense and we moved the ball at times on offense, but the drives ended with mistakes,” Sabatino told ARLnow.
O’Connell was missing a few key players with injuries.
Kian Kaboli had two interceptions on defense for O’Connell and Jake Weber was a tackling leader with eight total and wto for losses. Ariston Kroeger recovered a fumble and Jayden Campbell caused a fumble and had two tackles for losses. Eli Moran made six tackles, James Fatzinger five and Kellen Hicks and Tyler Mcmanus had half sacks.
The Knights next host the Potomac School Panthers (3-1) of McLean in a non-conference game Saturday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.
