2011 McLean Highlanders Football Preview

Team: McLean Highlanders (Liberty District)

Coach: James Patrick (4th year)

2010 Record: 8-3 (5-2 Liberty District)

Last Game: Loss 34-13 to Hayfield – November 12

Key Departures: QB/DB Chase Mills, RB Jimmy Ludwick, FS Rafi Enriquez, OL/DL John Geiser

Key Returning Players: P/WR Brian Sanders, OL Greg Young, TE/DL Scott Lafoon, DL Burke Bartow  

Position Strengths: DL, LB, WR

Key Games: Sept. 16 @ Hayfield, Oct. 14 @ Centreville, Nov. 14 vs. Langley

If history serves as an indicator, the Highlanders are in for another successful season. Head coach James Patrick’s record has progressively gotten better in each of his three seasons at the helm. After starting out 0-10 in 2008, the Highlanders won six games in 2009 and eight games in 2010.

McLean was one of the area’s hottest teams for much of last season. The Highlanders won their first eight games and had a realistic shot of finishing the regular season with an undefeated 10-0 record. Then came November. After defeating Fairfax 24-20, McLean suffered a late season collapse and dropped their last three contests, the final being in the first round of the playoffs to Hayfield. While the Hayfield loss stung, the 56-12 shellacking by crosstown rival Langley, still haunts members of last year’s team.Offensively, McLean returns a number of key players from last year’s playoff team.

Three lineman return and will help protect new starting quarterback Ryan McColgan (Sr.). Greg Young (OL) and Scott Lafoon (DL/TE) earned First Team All-District honors last season and look to build on last year’s success. McColgan was a running back in 2010 and earned Second Team All-District honors at the position, but also started two games last season at quarterback. An elusive runner, his passing ability has yet to be seen at a consistent level. However, the Highlanders return a number of experienced wide receivers who will help take the pressure off of McColgan.

The strength of McLean’s defense is their defensive line, led by 6’3, 315lb. bruiser Burke Bartow (Jr.). A sophomore last season, Bartow made Second Team All-District. Linebacker Stephen Bush (Sr.) will assist Bartow on defense and lead the McLean linebacker unit. The secondary took a hit with several departures and Patrick will look to one of the team’s young defensive backs, who played junior varsity last season, to step up and assume a leadership role at the position.

Special teams play will be a strength of McLean’s. Punter Brian Sanders (Sr.) was named First Team All-District last season and is receiving scholarship interest from local universities. Chris Rosenbaum (Jr.) kicked the game-winning field goal in McLean’s 24-22 victory against Madison last season, and will handle kicking duties this year.

Breakdown: McLean will be a formidable force in the Liberty District in 2011. They return many experienced players who look to avenge last year’s late season collapse. Questions surround McColgan’s ability as a passer, but a deep and experienced wide receiving corp should help ease him into the full-time position. Bartow and Bush bring intensity and experience to an already strong defensive front. McLean is thrown into the fire early with a road game at Falls Church being just the third game on the schedule, but the rest of their schedule sets up nicely for a return to post-season play. 

Coach’s Corner: “I’m really excited going into the season. This is a group that were freshman when I first got here and they’ve been a part of this process the whole time and helped us turn things around,” said Patrick.

“We have a lot of players coming back who have varsity experience; I think we have a nucleus. As coaches, we look at things and expect players to do things, but the bottom line is that they have to step up and do it. We have the ingredients to have a good season and I’m excited about that.” 

Calls to Langley  head coach John Howerton for a preview of Langley's upcoming season were not returned. Langley High School is currently 2-0.