By Michael Pittinger
LoCoSports Staff Writer
[twitter-follow screen_name=’MikePitting’]
Sterling (September 12, 2015) — On a night where Park View High School had their 2015 athletic hall of fame induction ceremony, they also celebrated Patriot Day to honor the victims, heroes and families affected by the 9/11 tragedy 14 years ago. Prior to the game the local fire department presented the nation’s colors on their ladder truck for the National Anthem. About two hours later, Park View would use three fourth quarter scores to defeat Freedom High School, 27-7.
“We had a heck of a week with everything that went on within the last eight days,” Park View head coach Mick Mullins said. “We just wanted to come out and show a lot of heart and fight and represent Sterling Park.”
The Patriots (2-1) would strike first, when quarterback Chase Jefferson got to the outside and ran 49 yards for a touchdown early in the first quarter.
Freedom (1-1) would take the lead later in the first quarter when quarterback Jack Fitzgerald found receiver Robert Mayo wide open to his right for a 9-yard touchdown pass which would be the last score for either team in the opening half.
What was a defensive battle for the first three quarters, quickly changed early in the fourth quarter.
It took the Patriots only 25 seconds to score in the fourth quarter when Jefferson got to the outside on the run for a 28-yard touchdown.
“They played their hearts out and played a tough game,” Mullins said. “So it was good to come out and get rewarded for everything that we’ve been working towards.”
Park View’s defense also stepped up, intercepting Fitzgerald twice in the fourth quarter. The first pick happened four minutes into the final frame when Fitzgerald threw into double coverage and was intercepted by Patriots defensive back Giovanni Lopez.
That interception would lead to Jefferson’s third rushing touchdown of the game.
“It’s a win and our kids deserved it, they played hard,” Mullins said. “We practiced hard this week.”
The Eagles head to Leesburg to take on undefeated Heritage High School on September 18, while the Patriots travel to Ashburn to take on up-and-coming Rock Ridge High School.
“Next week we got another one, so it never stops,” Mullins said. “We’ve got to get ready for a team that is young and is doing well, they won their first game, and they have a lot of confidence. So we’ve got to come out and put a lot of work in again.”
Football: Park View stays undefeated on their new turf! Park View 27, Freedom 7 FINAL.
— LoCoSports (@LoCoSports) September 12, 2015
Scoring Plays:
1Q 10:07 PV Chase Jefferson 49-yard TD run (PAT failed)
1Q 2:49 F Jack Fitzgerald 9-yard TD pass to Robert Mayo (Pearson PAT)
4Q 11:35 PV Chase Jefferson 28-yard TD run (2pt failed)
4Q 6:54 PV Chase Jefferson 25-yard TD run (2pt good)
4Q 0:36 PV Nikolai Hopkins 37-yard TD run (Lampe PAT)
