Pay attention to the Marshall Statesmen.
The high-school football team’s biggest win so far this season was the night of Oct. 4 as the Statesmen improved to 5-1 overall and are tied for first place at 2-0 in the Liberty District. That victory was 28-21 over the previously undefeated and host Langley Saxons (5-1, 1-1).
The 5-1 start is Marshall’s best since the 2017 campaign, when the Statesmen finished the regular season 9-1 when playing in a different district. Also, the five wins match last season’s total.
Marshall’s four touchdowns against Langley came on short touchdown runs. Jihwan Park booted four extra points.
Marshall built leads of 14-0, 21-0 and 28-7 as it gained 341 total yards, including 308 rushing, with quarterback Michael Spriggs and runningback Ethan Lebkisher leading the way.
Langley rallied to within 28-21 with 4:49 left in the game, but did not have another possession for a chance to tie.
Beckett Brown had a 95-yard kickoff return for Langley, Hudson Eberline had a five-yard touchdown run and Robert Roncskevitz caught an 18-yard scoring pass from Cole Samburg. Mateo Arboleda kicked three extra points.
Samburg threw for 146 yards and Roncskevitz ran for 56. Vincent Shen had six catches for 38 yards and Roncskevitz three for 44.
The victory was the second in a row for the Statesmen. They routed the visiting McLean Highlanders, 42-3, in their previous district game.
In that win, Ignacio Gonzalez-Zunino led the way with two interceptions, one a 100-yard return for a touchdown. His first pick came off a tipped ball from defensive lineman William Fischer.
Josh Paine had Marshall’s third interception, returning it 27 yards for a score.
Marshall’s Oliver Smith had big plays on offense, defense and special teams. His blocked punt on McLean’s opening drive set up a Lebkisher scoring run. Smith also caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Spriggs. On defense, Smith recorded two sacks and multiple tackles for a loss.
Lebkisher led all runners with 112 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. Paine ran for 53 yards, Kevin Aleman for 40 and a TD ,and Spriggs completed one of just three passes.
Marshall’s win avenged a 27-24 double overtime loss to the Highlanders last year at McLean.
