For Marshall: Home Sweet Home; But Mt. Vernon Sours Jaguars’ Day
Marshall H.S. — 21
Jefferson H.S. — 0
On Marshall's homecoming night, it was essentially the Doug Howell show throughout the night. The senior Statesmen running back accounted for all of Marshall's scores and brought the fired-up fans to their feet with his efforts, leading his squad to victory over the visiting Colonials.
The 5-foot-9 Howell bulldozed his way through the defense, en route to scoring runs of nine, six and 15 yards. He finished with 126 yards on the ground on 20 carries, while classmate Chris Hurlburt added 84 yards on 13 carries and 54 yards receiving.
On the other side of the ball, Marshall was equally effective, forcing three turnovers and allowing only seven first downs on the night. The Statesmen’s offense, on the other hand, accounted for 17 first downs.
With the district win, Marshall improves to 2-2 among Liberty teams and 5-2 in the 2007 campaign. Jefferson fell to 0-4 in the Liberty District, and 1-6 overall. Marshall will battle host W.T. Woodson this Friday in hopes to get above .500 in district play, while Jefferson will return home to take on McLean High at 7:30 p.m.
J.E.B. Stuart H.S. — 7
Edison H.S. — 53
Right from the start of the game, the vaunted Eagles showed why they are one of the premier teams in the region, as they put up 19 points in the first quarter alone en route to a drubbing of the host Raiders.
Edison quarterback Ben Barber, a converted wide receiver, completed all five of his passes for 126 yards total, including two touchdown tosses to Corey Washington. Barber added 109 yards on the ground and two scores, including a 73-yard burst in the second quarter.
The Eagles set the tone early, as a 40-yard interception return in the first quarter was essentially all Edison needed to best the Raiders. Stuart scored its lone touchdown during garbage time in the fourth quarter, when quarterback Thinh Trinh found Anthony Champ for a four-yard score.
With the loss, Stuart falls to 0-7 on the year and will look for that elusive first win this Friday at Washington-Lee. Edison remains unbeaten in its district, and seeks to keep its record untarnished the same day in their homecoming game against Falls Church. Both games will take place at 7:30 p.m.
McLean H.S. — 14
South Lakes H.S. — 21
After going up 13-0 in the first half, South Lakes nearly let the game slip out of their hands, but withstood a final charge by the Highlanders of McLean to secure the victory on their homecoming night in a battle of winless Liberty District members.
South Lakes quarterback Scott Reed threw a pair of touchdown passes, finishing with 175 yards through the air. Senior A.J. Price finished with 100 yards receiving, while Thomas Mayo contributed 75 yards of his own.
The Highlanders benefited from a late 64-yard touchdown reception by senior Tarek Ammoury, but it was too little, too late for McLean, as they were unable to muster a last-ditch effort in the waning seconds of the match.
Seniors Aaron Cornwell and Justin Johnson combined for 119 yards on the ground, but the balanced Highlander attack was not enough, as they fell to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the district. They will travel to Thomas Jefferson this Friday in search of their first district win. Jefferson is 0-4 as well in the Liberty District.
South Lakes, with the homecoming victory, got its first win in the district and now the Seahawks stand at 2-5 overall. They will square off against Langley High School on October 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Mt. Vernon H.S. — 42
Falls Church H.S. — 14
While it was the Jaguars' homecoming game, it was likely a game Falls Church would like to forget, as it endured a 28-point thrashing at the hands of Mt. Vernon High.
Falls Church actually led early, 7-6 after senior quarterback Yousef Khatib ran the ball in from nine yards out. However, a 28-point second quarter enabled Mt. Vernon to cruise to victory with only a 55-yard pass from Khatib to senior Keith Long marring the rest of Mt. Vernon's evening.
Trailing for much of the game, Falls Church was forced to go to the air, with Khatib accumulating 223 passing yards, but also throwing seven interceptions. Senior running back Wesley Davis led the Jags on the ground with 41 yards.
Falls Church will receive no reprieve, next facing juggernaut Edison on Saturday in a game that will serve as the Eagles homecoming. The Jaguars will hope to sour the occasion, beginning with the kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
