The most recent defeat for the Wakefield Warriors during the squad’s ongoing four-game losing streak was probably the most disappointing for the high-school football team.
The 21-7 setback at home to the Marshall Statesmen came Friday night (Oct. 24) in a Liberty District home game. Marshall (4-4, 1-3) had the worst record of the four teams during the losing stretch, and entered the game tied for last in the league with Wakefield.
With the loss, the Warriors (3-5, 0-4) are now in last place alone, and have lost 22 straight games to district rivals over a four-season span.
Wakefield was hopeful that losing string would have ended against Marshall, which had lost four straight — three by lopsided margins — entering the contest.
The most costly mistake for Wakefield was a first-quarter fumble on a first-and-goal situation at the Marshall 1-yard line, with the Statesmen ahead, 7-0.
“That took our momentum away and gave it back to them,” Wakefield coach Clarence Martin told ARLnow.
After recovering the fumble, Marshall put together a long scoring drive to move in front 14-0 with 5:36 left in the second quarter. The lead swelled to 21-0 in the fourth.
Penalties that nullified other positive Wakefield plays and a couple of interceptions also hurt the Warriors. And the squad did not convert on multiple fourth-down attempts, a couple deep in Marshall territory.
“It seems whatever could go wrong went wrong,” Martin said.
On defense, Wakefield struggled to stop Marshall’s running game. The Statesmen’s three touchdowns were rushing scores. Marshall threw only four passes in the game, just one in the first half.
Wakefield’s touchdown came with 1:48 left in the game when Andrew Mason caught a flanker screen pass from Judah Connor and raced 95 yards for a score. Andrew Jackson made the extra point.
Wakefield had two more possessions after the TD, both ending with interceptions, the second in the end zone with two seconds to play.
“We had the mistakes and lost momentum, but they played until the end, and that’s what we’ve done all season,” Martin said.
In the loss, Connor was 16 of 29 passing for 371 yards. Mason had six catches for 173 yards. Xavier Winkelmann also had six catches for 159 and Connor Morrison had two for 25.
On defense for Wakefield, Abraham Velis had a fumble recovery.
Tackling leaders were Sean Perry, Dylan Hutchinson, Santiago Aceves Villanueva, Josh Radka, Dash Gloss, Jeremiah McCray, Antonio Warlock, Nicholas Sejas, Andre Larue and Chris Gilpin, who had some 60 yards in kickoff returns and caught one pass.
Wakefield’s three wins to date are its most since the 2021 season, but the loss to Marshall hurts the Warriors’ chances of earning a 6D North Region playoff berth. Wakefield will have to win its final two games to have any hope of reaching the postseason.
Wakefield’s next game is on the road against the Herndon Hornets in district action Thursday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
