Game of Firsts

8/29/2017

Hayfield’s season opening 55-10 victory over Chantilly featured a host of firsts. The win was the first against Chantilly, who held a commanding 7-0 series lead over Hayfield. The Hawks actually defeated the Chargers 17-14 back in 1975, but were forced to forfeit the win due to an ineligible player. The 55-10 victory featured the most points scored against Chantilly and the fewest points allowed against a Hayfield defense in the series. Trevor Gleason was the first sophomore to start a game for the Hawks at QB since Ellis Knudson in 2011. And it’s reported that Elly Gorham became the first female player to score points for the Hawks after splitting 2/3 PATs between the uprights.

Chantilly won the coin toss but deferred to Hayfield’s high-flying offense to start the game. Gleason (SO) navigated the offense down the field completing 3/3 passes for 55 yards in his varsity debut, connecting with WR Jevon Pailin (SR) for a touchdown on a 38 yard flea flicker to take the 6-0 lead. The Hawks defense would stifle most of the Chargers attempts to get drives going throughout the game, but the Hawks offense also faced early cobwebs in the 1st quarter. Gleason (SO) showed his rookie stripes on the next two offensive possessions that ended in interceptions leading to a 38 yard field goal by Chantilly, necessitating Monty Byers (JR) to step in to get the offense rolling.

M. Byers (JR) would find the end zone on a one yard run after starting the drive at the Chantilly 25 yard line to take the 12-3 lead. On the next offensive possession, M. Byers (JR) would use his shifty athleticism on a 4th & 3 to find a wide open Kylan Booker (SR) for a seven yard touchdown. Human football magnet – and University of Maryland commit – WR Brian Cobbs (SR) would add the 2PT reception from M. Byers (JR) to expand the lead 20-3 late in the 2nd quarter. Earlier in the drive, Cobbs (SR) seemed invincible on an 11 yard reception that took six Chantilly defenders to bring him down.

After another three-and-out stop by the defense, Gleason (SO) reentered the game with 2:31 remaining in the 2nd quarter. No word on what pep talk was given after the rookie QB threw two interceptions, but it worked. Gleason (SO) would throw a perfect 9/9 for 111 yards and 3 touchdowns for the remainder of the game. The last offensive drive before halftime Gleason (SO) would connect with Cobbs (SR) on an eight yard touchdown and 2PT conversion to put Hayfield in a commanding 28-3 lead.

Hayfield’s first offensive position of the second half would have similar results with Gleason (SO) connecting with Cobbs (SR) on a six play-65 yard drive in 91 seconds to put the Hawks up 35-3. Chantilly would finally reach the end zone on a one yard run in their next position to close the gap 35-10. The penalty marred drive (although rightly called) saw Chantilly gain nine offensive yards and 47 penalty yards. It would be the last time they light up the scoreboard.

Senior Stephen King would make a name for himself during the next two drives on both sides of the ball by collecting a 12 yard touchdown from Gleason (SR) and then blocking a punt and returning it for 20 yards to set the Hawks up in the Chargers red zone. Booker (SR) would earn his second touchdown of the day on an 11 yard run to put Hayfield up 48-10 with 11:34 remaining in the 4th quarter.

At this stage, many backups entered the game, including QB Jacqui Bailey (JR), who would throw 2/2 for 17 yards and a touchdown to WR Tim Drummond (JR). More research is needed, but it’s been at least a decade since three Hayfield QB’s threw a touchdown in the same game.

Next up: vs. Edison (0-1) | Friday, September 1 | 7:00 pm