The Washington-Liberty Generals need victories in their final two regular-season games to outright win a third straight Liberty District football championship.
But it won’t be easy. The first-place Generals (7-1, 4-0) are set to face tough opponents following a bye week.
The first will be an away Oct. 30 game against their Arlington rival Yorktown Patriots, also tied for first in the district at 4-0. The other is Nov. 7 against the visiting Langley Saxons (5-2, 2-1), a team considered the district favorite at the season’s outset.
“Those are two very tough teams, and they both are playing very well,” W-L coach Josh Shapiro told ARLnow.
Even without two victories, Washington-Liberty potentially could share the district crown. But the goal is an outright title, like the team won the last two autumns.
“The bye comes at a good time. We need the week off to get healthy and prepare for those two games,” Shapiro said.
Washington-Liberty entered the bye with a hard-fought 21-12 home victory over the Herndon Hornets (2-5, 1-2) in district action Friday night (Oct. 17). The Generals built a 14-0 advantage before Herndon battled back to cut the lead to 14-12 in the second half.
Washington-Liberty added a final touchdown early in the fourth quarter to secure the victory, its 14th straight against district rivals over three years.
“They played us tough, and had some big and good defensive tackles and linemen,” Shapiro said.
Herndon was the last district opponent to defeat W-L, in overtime in 2023.
Leading W-L on offense was junior running back Jasper Dennis with 94 yards rushing on 17 carries and a touchdown. He also had one catch.
Dennis filled in for starter and leading rusher Brayden Black, who left the game with arm soreness in the first quarter. Black finished with 33 yards rushing on seven carries.
“Jasper ran well and did a great job running and following his blockers,” Shapiro said. “He has great vision as a runner.”
Generals’ quarterback Tyler Flint-Steinig completed 15 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. His TD passes went to Trevor Fullen (four catches for 68 yards) and Gavin England (two catches).
“Tyler was accurate and threw well,” Shapiro said.
David Toepel and Luke Jones each had three catches and Black two.
Landon Jones booted three extra points and Toepel had a 32-yard kickoff return.
On defense for Washington-Liberty, Maximus De La Vega had three sacks and Jeremiah Saunders one. Black, Miles Whitaker and Henry Fonseca-Cruz were among tackling leaders.
