The Langley Saxons avenged one of their regular-season losses with a first-round victory in the region football-tournament playoffs, and will have the opportunity to do the same in the semifinals.
On Nov. 15, third-seeded and host Langley (9-2) downed the sixth-seed Marshall Statesmen (6-5), 42-14, after rallying from an early deficit in the 6D North Region high-school tourney.
Marshall had defeated Langley, 28-21, during the regular season.
In the Nov. 22 semifinals, Langley will face the No. 2 seed, host and undefeated Washington-Liberty Generals (11-0). Washington-Liberty topped host Langley, 28-14, in the regular season.
Langley is making its third straight postseason appearance, with the first-round playoff victory its first since 2013.
In the win over Marshall, the Saxons did not turn the ball over, had just one penalty, and amassed a balanced 355 total yards — 178 passing and 177 rushing. Marshall was hurt by three turnovers.
Marshall took a 7-0 first-quarter lead, then led 14-7 in the second. The Saxons responded by scoring the ensuing 35 points.
For Langley, quarterback Cole Samburg ran for one touchdown and passed for two scores, 17 yards to Joe Proctor and 15 to Mark Muehlheuser. Jackson Popovich had two scoring runs, Ellington Roane returned a fumble 80 yards for a score and Mateo Arboleda kicked six extra points.
Samburg was 18 of 22 passing for 178 yards and ran for 45 more. Robert Roncskevitz ran for 91 yards and Popovich for 41. Vincent Shen caught five passes for 46 yards, Muehlheuser four for 54, with Roncskevitz, Lee Evans and El Dyrud two each. Samburg completed passes to eight different receivers.
On defense for Langley, Roncskevitz was a tackling leader along with Chase Langpaul (sack), Hudson Eberline, Asha Ariaban and Chandler Bowles. Cannon Clarke had a tackle for a loss. Roane also had an interception. Eberline recovered a fumble.
Marshall gained 308 total yards, 223 of them rushing. The playoff berth was Marshall’s first since 2021.
