Highlanders Earn First District ‘W’; Marshall Can’t Survive Woodson
Marshall H.S. — 28
Woodson H.S. — 37
On a night where numerous schools across the region postponed their games due to the looming storms, Marshall and host Woodson gritted it out for the Cavilers' homecoming game.
While this year's result was within nine points, it was certainly not as close as last year's overtime Woodson victory.
Marshall got its offense rolling early and fast, as Harold Sweet hit Doug Howell on a catch and run that went 64 yards for a touchdown just eight seconds into the game. Woodson answered right back with two scores of its own to take the lead going into the second period.
Marshall took its turn racking points up on the board, as Howell exploited the holes in the Cavilers defense for a 48-yard scoring burst. He finished with 15 carries for 141 yards, as well as two catches for 73 yards, and three touchdowns. The Statesmen went into the half with a slim 21-17 lead.
It was essentially the third quarter that spelled defeat for the Statesmen, as they allowed Woodson to get two quick scores. Junior Woodson receiver Max Waizenegger hauled in three touchdowns in the latter half, from 27, 15 and eight yards out, finishing with 78 yards on the day.
Sweet’s one-yard run in the third quarter was Marshall’s only score of the second half, as the Woodson defense held the Statesmen’s last ditch efforts in check, sealing the victory with Waizenegger’s final touchdown.
Marshall returns home for its senior night this Friday against South Lakes High School (2-6, 1-4), when the Statesmen will look to improve on their 5-3 record. Meanwhile, Woodson (5-3, 4-1) travels to Langley High on the same date at 7:30 p.m.
McLean H.S. — 26
Jefferson H.S. — 7
McLean stormed past Jefferson to get its first win in the AAA Liberty District last weekend. Both teams entered the game winless in the district. Senior Justin Johnson racked up career numbers for his Highlanders, finishing with 41 carries for 209 yards and two touchdowns, the third-best rushing stats in the entire D.C. area this last week.
Johnson and McLean struck first, as he punched it in on the ground from nine yards out. An Alex Rosenbaum field goal in the second period left the score at 10-0 McLean at the break.
The Colonials’ lone score came on a two-yard run by quarterback Ben Daly. However, four turnovers proved to be too much to come back from for Thomas Jefferson, who fell to 1-7 overall and 0-5 in their district with the loss.
McLean further added to its lead in the second half when Johnson ran in his second score of the night from 19 yards out. The Highlanders followed it up with an 18-yard touchdown reception by Tarek Ammoury. A safety accounted for the final points for the Highlanders (2-6, 1-4).
McLean will take on Madison High School this Friday in the Highlanders’ homecoming game at 7:30 p.m., while Jefferson looks to gain that elusive first district win on the same date and time at Stone Bridge High.
J.E.B. Stuart H.S. — 0
Washington-Lee H.S. — 31
Washington-Lee battered the winless J.E.B. Stuart squad on both sides of the ball, extending its winning streak to three last Friday with a victory in its homecoming game.
Nature dictated the Generals’ game plan, as the rain forced both teams to resort to a power running game. Washington-Lee running back Keith Johnson led the way, rushing for 130 yards on 19 carries, including a touchdown.
Darryl Carpenter was handed the ball only once on the night, but he made the best of his lone attempt, scoring from 15 yards out. Rudy Grey scored the other offensive touchdown, bursting across the goal line on a three-yard rush.
Meanwhile, on defense, Darryl Carpenter picked off a tipped pass deep in General territory and returned it 60 yards for the touchdown, giving his squad an incredibly comfortable 17-0 lead.
Stuart fell to 0-8 on the year, but hope to treat their fans to the first win of the season this Friday at its own homecoming game, as the Raiders take on Wakefield High. Washington-Lee looks to continue their recent offensive success against Edison at home at 7:30 p.m.
Falls Church H.S. — 7
Edison H.S. — 55
Edison High, one of the premier offensive juggernauts in the entire area, stuck it too Falls Church in an AAA National District matchup last Saturday, led by senior quarterback Ben Barber.
Barber paced the host Eagles through the air with 56 yards and two scores, as well as chipping in 93 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Running back Akeen Perry added to the assault, finishing with 131 yards on the ground and a scoring run from 46 yards out.
Falls Church’s lone score came in the second quarter when Yusof Khatib found sophomore Matt Renn in the back of the end zone for a two-yard pass play. However, the swarming Edison defense was too much for Khatib for the rest of the night, picking off two of the Fall Church quarterback's passes.
Edison remains undefeated in the district, improving to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the National, while Falls Church has yet to get a win, falling to 0-5 in the district and 2-6 overall. Falls Church will return home to battle Fairfax, while Edison will take on Chantilly in their final game of the regular season this Friday as well.
