The Paul VI Panthers got into the win column Sept. 20 with a 36-17 win over diocesan rival Bishop Ireton. PVI improves to 1-3 on the season. The Cardinals fall to 0-4.

The game was played under the lights in Fairfax and was very competitive

in the first half. Ireton, coached by Brian Inman (first season), got on the scoreboard first when sophomore quarterback Charlie West scored from one-yard out.

Paul VI, coached by Mark Collier (also his first season), answered with one first quarter and two second quarter scores of their own.

In the first half, Panther tight end Arthur Dabney caught scoring passes of 32 and 73 yards from junior quarterback Mike Geraghty.

"Ireton forced us to punt on our first offensive series, but then we made some adjustments in our passing game," said Collier. "Arthur ran a number of up and out routes very successfully tonight."

"We did a good job stopping their runs and their counters; however their big plays hurt us," said Ireton’s Inman.

Sandwiched in between Dabney's big plays, Paul VI junior running back Scott Flanagan ripped off a 17-yard scoring run and Ireton senior Jon Lawler booted a school record 43-yard field goal.

The score was 14-10 with two minutes remaining in the second quarter, but by the time the first half dust had settled, the "Black and Gold" led the "Cardinal and Gold" 22-10.

Panther senior place kicker Rob Stoegbauer converted two point after attempts and junior running back Dan Cinalli had also caught a two-point conversion pass from Geraghty.

By the end of the third quarter PVI had increased its lead to 29-7 via a 39-yard scoring pass from Geraghty to Dabney. Both teams traded scores in the final quarter after the contest had been decided. Once again Dabney found pay dirt with an 18-yard scoring pass from Geraghty.

Ireton’s West ripped off a 19-yard run to complete the games scoring.

"They did a pretty good job shutting down our running game tonight," said Collier. "But Mike (Geraghty) did a real good job finding the open receivers. Arthur (Dabney) had a huge game."

Dabney's four TD receptions in one game are believed to be a Panther school record.

"We got caught out of position in the defensive backfield at times tonight," said Inman.

"Our defensive line (Darryl Proctor, Joe DePorter, Jeff Marcey and Peter Vogt) has really been playing well this year," said Collier.

"We're playing well as a unit. We just had to get use to our assignments," said Proctor.

"Our offensive line (Tim Coogan, Khalil Hall, Danny Margoupis, Patrick Zanelotti, Daniel Matheny and key subs Joe Gannon and Ryan Rose) have also done a good job this season," said Collier.

"Unfortunately, we didn't win the Culpeper or Carroll games. I don't know what it was, but we just didn't give it all we had in the Carroll game," said Coogan. "That loss really hurt because it was a WCAC game."

Ireton senior fullback William Bryant rushed for 157 yards. West rushed for 65 yards.

PVI travels to McNamara on Sept. 28, while Ireton travels to Heritage H.S. in Loudoun County Sept. 27.

O’Connell Loses to DeMatha

The Bishop O'Connell Knights were defeated 37-0 by the DeMatha Stags last weekend at Yorktown H.S. in Arlington.

The "Royal Blue and Silver" drops to 2-2 on the season. DeMatha is ranked in the "top 10" of east coast high schools by USA Today.

"We were only down 14-0 at the half," said O’Connell head coach Darrell Snyder. "Our defense was playing pretty well."

The Knights offensively shot themselves in the foot with one fumble and two interceptions.

Late in the game the Stags only led 24-0. O'Connell turnovers led directly to DeMatha's first and last touchdown.

Knight game captains included seniors Shane Briggs, Brian Vaughn and Steve Hunter. Briggs (two-year starter) led the Knights with nearly 10 tackles.

Senior guard Logan Wyllie spearheaded the Knights offensive line. Wyllie and junior Ernie Lomax led the defensive end line charge. Seniors Rob Morissette and P.J. Smith made their presence known as the starting defensive tackles.

"Our defense really did play well," said Wyllie. "We gave them too much with the turnovers. The defensive play is a good sign for some positive things to come." Juniors Matt Mallory and Ryan Molina led the Knight ground game with just less than 100 yards combined.

"We just have to do a better job on offense," said Snyder. "We have to find ways to not beat ourselves."