Last-Minute Touchdown Sends Statesmen to Playoffs; Square Off Saturday Against Mt. Vernon Majors
With a berth in the AAA Northern Region playoffs on the line, the Marshall Statesmen stepped up their game against a Madison team they had not beaten since 1999, finishing off the Warhawks within the last minute to win 27-20.
The Statesmen shook off big days from various players on the Madison offense, as Marshall senior Doug Howell posted a career day of his own, scoring three times including a nine-yard run in the final minute to help down their AAA Liberty District rival.
Howell finished with 155 yards on the ground, reaching the end zone on runs of three and 30 yards in addition to his game-winning burst.
Madison nearly pulled off the victory, though, aided by a strong game from quarterback Will Clarkson and receiver Tucker Barstow. Clarkson finished with 261 yards through the air and two touchdown passes to Barstow of 70 and 12 yards. Barstow racked up 157 yards receiving, as well as 59 yards on the ground.
With the score knotted at seven apiece heading into the second quarter, Marshall kicker John Peterman tacked on two field goals from 29 and 25 yards to give his team the lead.
Madison mounted a charge late in the game, aided by Barstow’s second score and two field goals from Tom Kennedy, but the Warhawks were unable to stop Howell, whose last score was coupled with a two-point conversion from quarterback Harold Sweet to Josh Earl to seal the deal for the Statesmen.
Sweet finished his day with seven completions for 146 yards through the air, 105 of which went to senior running back Chris Hurlburt, and one interception. The Statesmen offense was rolling throughout the night, as it recorded 17 first downs to Madison’s 11.
With the win, Marshall improves to 7-3 on the year, and 4-3 in the Liberty District, while Madison falls to 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the district. Both teams will move on to play in the Virginia AAA Northern Region Division 5 playoffs this weekend.
This Friday, Marshall hosts Mount Vernon (6-4, 4-2) at 7:30 p.m., looking to extend their recent hot streak into the playoffs.
Langley — 41
McLean — 7
For the 10th year in a row, Langley High School defeated Mclean to win the prestigious Rotary Cup, and this time around it was not even close, with the Saxons drubbing the host Highlanders 41-7.
Langley running back David Helmer paced the way for his squad, rushing for 114 yards and three scores on the night. Helmer opened the match with two scores in a row, giving his squad a lead over the seemingly powerless Highlanders that they never relinquished.
McLean’s lone score came in garbage time in the fourth quarter, when senior Joe Beiro scored from one yard out. The Highlanders, however, were unable to get anything productive going offensively throughout the entire night, as two interceptions quelled any legitimate shot of a comeback.
Saxon quarterback Danny Pritchett added to the assault, throwing for two scores in the second quarter, and finished with 153 yards through the air.
With the loss, McLean closes out its season at 2-8 overall, and 1-6 in the Liberty District, while Langley rounded their own campaign at 6-4 and 4-2 in the district. Both teams are now done for the season.
