After losing almost every statistical leader from its varsity football team in the off-season, the Fairfax Rebels (3-0) still found their rhythm from the get-go to open up the young season at 2-0. But Friday night, the also undefeated arch rival McLean Highlanders (2-1) charged into town and if not for a last minute holding penalty in the first overtime, could have derailed the Rebels’ unbeaten run.
Fairfax stood resilient and forced the game into double overtime where the Rebels’ junior kicker, Zach Intermill redeemed himself from an earlier miss by nailing a game-winning, 25-yard field goal to keep the win streak alive with the 19-16 victory.
“We felt very prepared for the game and I knew it was going to come down to a game of wills,” said Fairfax head coach Kevin Simonds. “We had a really bad first half and the guys were frustrated and said ‘Guys, this is our time. We need to step up and do our job.’ And they came out and did it in the second half and [in the overtimes.]”
The rivals battled it out, exchanging scores through the first four quarters. Simonds said his team may have committed 13 penalties for 90 yards, but his players never lacked effort or heart. As the second-year coach said, his Rebel defense was on fire in the second half.
Cornerback/wide receiver Abhishek Luthra picked off a McLean pass that would have put the Highlanders in position for a shot at the win. Instead, the Liberty District match-up stayed deadlocked at 13 apiece at the end of regulation.
“[Luthra] is the unsung hero right now of our team and is everywhere, doing everything the right way and he starts on both sides of the ball,” Simonds said of his star defensive back.
McLean won the coin toss in overtime but deferred to Fairfax, who would start its first of four downs from the 10-yard line of McLean. They could not find the end zone but Intermill drilled a mid-range field goal to give his Rebels a three-point lead, 16-13.
The Highlanders got their shot from the Fairfax-10 and on third-down the crowd grew silent as McLean’s quarterback threw a quick touchdown strike from 5-yards out. The game was over. Or so it seemed. But a yellow flag lay on the turf and the referee penalized the Highlander offensive line for holding, which negated the score to the relief of the thousands of Fairfax fans in attendance.
“I thought it was a hold and was hoping they would call it because if not, the game was over,” Simonds said. “Our defense then sacked their QB on third down.”
The tremendous defensive play again saved Fairfax from losing. McLean instead kicked a 35-yarder for three points to tie the game at 16-16 and the teams headed into a second overtime. McLean lined up for a 24-yard field goal for the win but missed its shot once more. This time Fairfax would not waste another shot at keeping their undefeated season alive. A Rebel running back pounded his way through to the 4-yard line of McLean. Simonds sent his kicker, who had missed a potential game-winner in regulation, onto the field for a chance at redemption. This time Intermill was perfect from 25-yards out to give Fairfax its third win in as many weeks.
The Rebels are rich with talent this year, especially at running back. Four rushers have more than 100 yards through the first three games and two others have toted the rock for more than 80 yards. Junior Rebel back Greg Sims has stepped up big so far and tore down field in the first half for a 20-yard score to put Fairfax ahead 13-10.
Starting quarterback Austin Perryman put the Rebels on the board first with a six-yard bullet to Chris Robic. Simonds feels his roster is filled with guys who have great chemistry and take care of each other both on and off the field.
Fairfax set its overall goal at the beginning of the season. That goal is to play for the Liberty District title in its last scheduled game of the season against Stone Bridge. Simonds believes his guys can get do it but they must not get ahead of themselves and instead, focus solely on each upcoming game regardless of the opponent’s stats, record or roster.
