MCLEAN — Just a week after head coach Justin Hilliard was placed on administrative leave and playing without standout running back Stran Henderson, McLean overcame all of that adversity and looked good doing it, passing a big test with a 63-34 win over Booker at Duncan Field on Friday night.
Starting Monday, McLean superintendent Shawn Read, boys basketball coach Matthew Teran and McLean ag teacher Justin Taylor took over the reins of the football team after Hilliard was placed on administrative leave. The Tigers then suffered another blow later in the week when Henderson, their top playmaker, was lost to an eye injury.
Despite the sudden changes and loss of their biggest offensive weapon, the Tigers stayed focused and continued to prepare for Friday night’s homecoming matchup.
“I’m extremely proud of our kids,” Read said. “We’ve had a lot of adversity since last Friday, and we’ve had our other kids step up after we lost Stran to an eye injury. I couldn’t be prouder.”
The Tigers responded with a balanced offensive attack that saw several players step into key roles. Slayde Stalls, Andrew Bauer and Grey Hagler helped lead the way offensively, while McLean’s defense continuously made big plays when the Tigers needed them most.
The game started close, with both teams trading early scores as the first quarter ended with McLean holding a 15-6 advantage. Four minutes into the first quarter, Wyatt Hagler connected with Jesse Woods for a touchdown to give the Tigers an early lead.
Booker answered with a touchdown pass from Axel Valdevia before Bauer responded with a scoring scramble, setting the tone for what would be a back-and-forth first half of action.
The second quarter was no different as Booker and McLean continued to trade scores. Valdevia added two more touchdown passes for the Kiowas, while Grey Hagler showed off his hands with two touchdown receptions for the Tigers.
Despite Booker (1-1) continuing to answer, McLean maintained control and held a 29-20 lead heading into halftime.
The second half, however, belonged to the Tigers.
McLean quarterback Wyatt Hagler suffered a thumb injury that forced the Tigers to make an adjustment and switch to the spread offense. Rather than allowing the injury to derail their momentum, McLean adapted and continued to find ways to move the ball.
“Wyatt had a thumb injury,” Read said. “So, we went exclusively spread in the second half, just because we didn’t want him to take snaps and risk hurting his thumb more.”
After a scoreless opening six minutes of the second half, Grey Hagler broke through tacklers for a short touchdown run to extend the Tigers advantage. Just a minute later, Stalls found the end zone on a 25-yard touchdown run, giving the Tigers a three-score advantage and putting them firmly in control.
Booker answered immediately, taking the ensuing kickoff 60 yards to the house in an attempt to swing the momentum back in its favor.
The Tigers (2-0) refused to let it phase them.
McLean answered with two more rushing touchdowns and another score through the air, continuing to put pressure on the Kiowas and keeping the game out of reach.
Booker would add one more score with 1:30 remaining, but by then the game had already been decided. McLean’s offense continued to roll while the defense prevented Booker from mounting a serious comeback, allowing the Tigers to close out a decisive 63-34 victory.
For McLean, the victory meant more than just starting the season 2-0. After a week filled with uncertainty, a coaching change and the loss of its top player, the Tigers came together and delivered one of their most important performances of the season.
“It was just a great effort by the kids,” Read said. “A lot of football knowledge within our players and they used that tonight.”
The Tigers will look to carry that momentum into next week as they travel to Logan, N.M., to face the Longhorns, while Booker will look to bounce back against the Groom Tigers.
Photo gallery by Carter Pirtle:
