Marshall H.S. — 21,
Jefferson H.S. — 14
The Statesmen continued to roll toward a historic season, taking possession of the ball with 48 seconds left in regulation, and charging down the field for a 70-yard game-winning drive.
Sophomore quarterback Harold Sweet was 9 of 15 for 135 yards, passing for a pair of touchdowns, including the game winner; a 22-yard toss to senior captain Ryan Goss. Goss finished the day with three catches for 36 yards.
Junior Chris Hurlburt led the Statesmen from the ground, rushing for 128 yards on 31 carries, including a two-yard touchdown run. Sweet also chipped in with his feet, rushing for 55 yards.
Junior Josh Earl, who caught three passes for 75 yards, got the Statesmen going early, when the wide receiver recovered a fumble in the end zone for the game’s first score.
With the win, Marshall improves to 6-1 on the year, the team’s best start under head coach J.T. Biddison, and is on track with the district-winning squad from 1993.
“We worry about winning during the week. We worry about winning in the weight room during the off-season. During the game, they just lay it all out there, and no matter what happens, we can live with the results,” said Biddison on his team’s knack for pulling out close games.
The Statesmen take their clutch play on the road this Friday, when they travel to South for a 7:30 p.m. matchup.
Loudoun Valley H.S. — 28,
Falls Church H.S. — 14
What began as a fairly low scoring game saw an offensive storm in the final quarter, in which both teams doubled their scores. Unfortunately it still wasn’t enough for the Falls Church Jaguars, as they came up on the short end of a 28-14 game, falling to 2-5 on the year.
Junior Yousef Khatib won the quarterback battle, completing 15 of 25 passes and amassing 143 yards, including the Jags early first quarter score. Senior Gabe Eusebio took Khatib’s 15-yard pass into the promised land, putting the Jaguars up by seven, before the Vikings broke loose for 21 consecutive points.
A two-yard run by junior Keith Long in the fourth quarter was the only other Jaguar score of the afternoon.
Eusebio compiled over 100 yards offensively, rushing for 36 and catching for the team’s high of 72.
The Vikings were buoyed by a 67-yard touchdown run from junior running back Bryan Oden. Quarterback Clyde Kessler also threw a six-yard end zone pass and had a two-yard touchdown run to put the Vikings at 4-3 on the year.
Falls Church looks to get back on the horse this week when a tough Yorktown team (6-1) comes to town Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Stone Bridge H.S. — 62,
McLean H.S. — 6
The winless Highlanders were outmatched in every aspect of the game, as undefeated No. 7 Stone Bridge showcased why they are one of the area’s top teams on Friday night, amassing a 42-point first quarter.
Running back Devon Brown carried the ball only five times, but ripped apart the Highlanders defense for 167 yards including three trips to the end zone. The standout back has now surpassed 1,000 total rushing yards on the season.
McLean’s lone score came in the fourth quarter; when senior quarterback James Pascoe connected 37 yards downfield to senior Connor White.
Pascoe struggled in the air, completing just 3 of 14 passes, with five interceptions, including one by senior Sam Kraynack, returned 48 yards for a touchdown.
McLean will look to generate more offense this Friday, when Thomas Jefferson comes to town. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
