With a key victory Friday night (Oct. 25), the Herndon Hornets (7-2) significantly enhanced their chances to earn a region football playoff berth.
Herndon defeated the host Marshall Statesmen, 29-7, in a Liberty District high-school contest.
Marshall (6-3) is another team with a good chance to make the region playoffs, as eight teams qualify for the 6D North Region tournament.
Herndon and Marshall each have one regular-season game remaining.
Right now, Herndon would be the fifth seed based on the Virginia High School League power-point playoff-rating system, which determines the playoff teams. Marshall would be the sixth seed. The top four seeds earn first-round home games.
Herndon has qualified for the playoffs the past two seasons. Marshall last earned a region postseason berth in 2021.
In the Oct. 25 victory over Marshall, Herndon fell behind 7-0, then scored 29 unanswered points to win its third straight game. Herndon and Marshall each have 3-2 district records.
In the win over Marshall, Herndon’s Ethan Buhler had touchdown runs of three and six yards, John Costello ran 49 yards for a TD and John Callow threw 47 yards to Malcolm Levenberry for a score. Logan Lopez booted three extra points and Brayden Humpherys had a two-point conversion run.
Leading the Herndon defense were Donovan Willson and Thomas Quinn, with fumble recoveries, and Sebastian Kasper with a sack.
For Marshall, Ethan Lebkisher scored the team’s touchdown on a three-yard run and he gained 103 yards rushing. Randy Park kicked the extra point.
Also for Marshall, Michael Spriggs was 7 of 17 passing for 102 yards and ran for 10 more. Oliver Smith had three catches for 57 yards, Peyton Lubbe two for 12 and Carter Oketunji one for 29.
Max Carnevale recovered a fumbled punt for Marshall.
On defense for Marshall, Oliver Smith and Kevin Aleman had sacks and were tackling leaders, along with Lebkisher and Xavier Williams.
Herndon has a bye this week and Marshall plays on the road in Arlington against the Yorktown Patriots (5-3, 2-2) in district action Saturday (Nov. 2) at 5 p.m.
