Rekindling a High School Friendship in the Stands at South River High

Nearly four decades after graduating from high school in Prince Georges County, a mom and grandmother rekindled their friendship during the 2011-12 seasons of South River High School football and lacrosse.

The story started last fall when Brenda Chaney was at South River Seahawks stadium to watch her grandson, Lavon Chaney, a junior, play football. Chaney said that she recognized a familiar name being called over the PA system during the game: Jordan Kneisly, #12, a senior on the team.

The name rang familiar. An old high school friend from the class of 1973 at Oxon Hill High School, Pat Williams, had married a man named Kneisly and had a son named Jordan.

Surely it couldn’t be the same Kneisly from nearly four decades ago?

It was.

“I looked in the stands and found my friend and high school chum sitting in the bleachers.  We have since spent this year watching South River football and lacrosse and catching up,” Chaney said.

Chaney said that Kneisly’s youngest son, Jordan, Class of 2012 played both varsity sports alongside Chaney’s first grandson Lavon Chaney, Class of 2013.

To sweeten it all, the games were very exciting this season, with the Boys Lacrosse team winning the state championship. And, just like back in the day, both ladies were cheering for their team.

Next year they will celebrate their 40th reunion. Chaney said that she plans on taking these photos to the reunion: