Photos by Jim Marczesky Cardinal Newman's Luke Allen tackles Heathwood Hall quarterback Mac Whalen. Mac Whalen ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns, including the game- winner with 2:24 to go in the fourth quarter, as the Heathwood Hall Highlanders eked out a 28- 27 win over the Cardinal Newman Cardinals Friday, October 31.

Heathwood came into the game with a 6- 3 overall record, but only 1- 2 in the region and was coming off a loss to Hammond. Cardinal Newman came in at 2- 6 and 0- 3 in the region and had been shut out in their two previous contests.

The game started in favor of Heathwood as the Highlander defense forced consecutive three- and- outs from the Cardinals, and the offense scored on their second possession as Mac Whalen ran in from 19 yards out on third down.

Cardinal Newman tried to answer on the kickoff as senior Thomas Winstead returned the ball 61 yards to the Heathwood 31- yard line. But the Cardinal offense stalled, and quarterback Tommy Winterstein threw an interception in the end zone to stop the drive. The Highlanders then drove 71 yards in nine plays before having to settle for a Cole Fowble 26- yard field goal to make the score 10- 0.

Cardinal Newman cheerleaders (l- r) Christine Egan, Krystyna Bogle, Victoria Harvey, Courtney Alexander, Courtney Poston, Elaine Beck, Madeline Williams, and Meredith Peter getting ready for the final home game. The Cardinals punted on their next possession, but junior Kyle Broadwell jumped in front of a Mac Whalen pass for an interception, giving Cardinal Newman the ball at the Highlander 24. Six plays later, Winterstein hit senior Luke Allen on a slant route for a 10- yard touchdown and a 10- 7 Heathwood lead.

Whalen then led the Highlanders down the field without a timeout until they were in field goal range. Fowble hit a 23- yard field goal at the first half horn to give Heathwood a 13- 7 lead at the break.

Heathwood received the second half kickoff and started driving down the field when senior Rush Tompkins forced a fumble that was recovered by fellow senior Greg Regan. Regan and Tompkins were menaces on the Cardinal defense, forcing the Highlanders into several holding and blocking penalties while garnering 10 tackles each including five sacks by Regan.

Heathwood Hall's Davis Ray tries to escape the grasp of Kyle Broadwell. After the turnover, the Cardinals threw deep on the first play, catching the Highlanders off guard as Winstead reeled in the 55- yard touchdown pass from Winterstein, and with the extra point took a 14- 13 lead.

The Cardinal defense forced a three- and- out, and four plays later Winterstein hit Broadwell for his third touchdown throw of the night, this one covering 42 yards and giving the Cardinals a 21- 13 lead.

Whalen and the Highlander offense were undaunted as they came back with an 11- play, 68- yard drive capped by Whalen's one- yard plunge. Whalen then ran in the two- point conversion, and the score was tied at 21 with just over four minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The Cardinals came right back scoring in just five plays after a 37- yard kickoff return by Winstead. Winstead ran the final 18 yards, but the Highlanders blocked the extra point, and Cardinal Newman held only a 27- 21 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Caitie McFarland was chosen by the football team as Cardinal Newman Sweetheart for Homecoming. She is pictured with her father, Patrick McFarland. After exchanging turnovers and punts, Heathwood got the ball with six minutes remaining in the game. Whalen led his offense down the field methodically going 77 yards in 11 plays aided by an unsportsmanlike penalty against the Cardinals. Whalen ran it in himself from five yards out, and Fowble's extra point gave the Highlanders the one- point lead.

Cardinal Newman had one last chance, but senior Jack Moorman intercepted Winterstein on third down, and the Highlanders ran out the clock to escape with the victory.

In addition to running for 169 yards, Whalen also threw for 196 and caught a 51- yard pass from senior Davis Ray. For the Cardinals, Winstead had 220 total yards and two touchdowns.

Heathwood, as the three seed from SCISA Region I- AAA, travels to Pinewood Prep Friday for the first round of the playoffs. The Cardinals have finished their season.