Football roundup: Mount Vernon, West Potomac and Hayfield all win openers

Mount Vernon quarterback Tim Heltzel runs through Edison defenders during the second quarter of the Majors’ win against Edison. (Benjamin Machado picture)

There could not have been better weather for the opening night of the 2017 football season, and three Richmond Highway-area teams kicked off the year with victories.

Mount Vernon traveled to Edison and won in blowout fashion, beating the Eagles 70-13. West Potomac and Hayfield also won their openers, with the Wolverines topping Briar Woods 27-13 and the Hawks crushing Chantilly 55-10. 

The Edison-Mount Vernon game remained competitive into the second quarter before the Majors blew it open. The teams traded fumbles after Mount Vernon’s Jason Lewis scored on the Majors’ first drive. Edison capitalized on the Majors turnover, with junior quarterback Peyton Esparza hitting senior receiver Adam Abu-Jamous for a 64-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7. 

Mount Vernon quickly answered with a touchdown pass from Tim Heltzel to senior slotback Darrien Newton. Moments later Mount Vernon linebacker Aaron Busby recovered an Edison fumble, and Newton scored again, this time on the ground. 

Down 21-7, Edison put together a long drive aided by Mount Vernon penalties and a long pass from Esparza to sophomore receiver Brandon Alliata. But the Mount Vernon defense stiffened, forcing a field goal attempt. Junior cornerback Chris Morris blocked the kick, and Busby scooped up the block for a long return.

Edison kept the Majors out of the end zone and made the most of their next possession, with Esparza finding a wide-open Mohamed Kamara for a long TD that closed the score to 21-13.

It was all Mount Vernon from that point on, however. Sophomore running back Jordyn Reid scored on a 4-yard run to make it 28-13 and moments later Heltzel hit senior wideout Damien Burke for a 49-yard TD pass.

Up 35-13, the Majors continued to pour it on. Lewis sacked Esparza for a safety, Heltzel ran for a 4-yard touchdown and later hit sophomore Darius Jones for a touchdown.

Leading 51-13, Mount Vernon’s Heltzel and Newton sat out the second half, but the scoring continued. Backup quarterback Alvin Mack ran for a touchdown, junior Skyer Davis scored on a punt return and junior linebacker Kwame Sarpong returned a fumble for the final score. 

Wolverines win on road, Hayfield romps

West Potomac features a number of new starters on both sides of the ball and graduated multiple all-conference performers from last year’s team, including their starting quarterback. The new group made the long trip to Ashburn on Friday and passed their first test, shooting out to a 27-6 halftime lead against Briar Woods before hanging on for the win. 

Hayfield had little trouble with Chantilly, allowing only one touchdown and running out to a decisive 28-3 lead at halftime. Quarterback Trevor Gleason led the Hawks with four touchdown passes.