HHS Weekly Sports Recap: Oct. 31 – Nov. 4

Bulldogs give Herndon a ‘trick,’ not a ‘treat’ on Halloween

First team All-District setter Courtney Guengerich racked up a team-high 25 assists and 18 digs for her Herndon Hornet volleyball team (5-11) as it held on tight for two sets in the Concorde quarterfinal against a tough Westfield squad (14-13). But Guengerich and her teammates would not outlast the powerful Bulldog effort in a 3-0 sweep (22-25, 23-25, 13-25) on Halloween night. Coach Rebecca Waters’ girls lost the first two sets by a combined total of just five points and seemed to be gaining ground. Unfortunately, Westfield shifted its game into fifth gear and outplayed Herndon 25-13 in the third and final set to close out the Hornets’ first season under Coach Waters.

Jen Gettler (Honorable mention All-District Team) and Catherine Nickle once again led Herndon’s offense with eight and seven kills, respectively. Maggie Middleton stormed the net for six blocks against Westfield while Ella Rutanen added four more. Kayleen Harrington (2nd Team All-District) played a strong match with three kills and three digs for Herndon and Gettler added 14 digs and three blocks to an already stellar performance. But the Hornets could not keep up with the Bulldog offense, which eventually reached the Concorde semifinal later in the week.

Waters’ team showed great improvement throughout the 2011 season and seems poised for next year as the return of a youth-filled squad and new recruits should boost its hope for an even stronger performance.

Hornet Football team’s troubles continue

If strength of schedule were considered more in Virginia high school football, the Hornets would be given credit for toughness and heart they well deserve. After winning just one game in 2010, Herndon was issued one of, if not the most difficult regular-season schedules in the region for 2011. That schedule was capped off with a date against the now 10-0 Westfield Bulldogs, who came into last Friday night’s game averaging more than 40 points per game and a roster stacked with college prospects including one of the state’s best and most heavily recruited running backs in Kendell Anderson.

The Hornets (2-8) traveled to Westfield High (10-0) last Friday night in hopes of upsetting the undefeated Bulldogs. Unfortunately, Anderson and his teammates tallied a season-high nine touchdowns against Herndon and handed the Hornets their eighth loss of the season, 63-7.

The Hornet offense received bad news before the game as star running back Josh Schow was unable to play due to an injury he suffered at the end of last week’s game. Still, junior tailback Denzel Weaver showed hope for next year as he rushed for 76 yards, averaging 4.2 per carry. Ryan Griffin led all Hornet receivers with three catches for 49 yards and the team’s sole touchdown. Herndon limited itself to just four penalties in the game but could not find its rhythm offensively with just 11 first downs.

Kendell Anderson was used sparingly by Westfield coach Kyle Simmons and carried the ball just six times for 50 yards against Herndon, but still managed to score four touchdowns; two rushing (10, 7), one receiving (56), and one by way of punt return (61). Matt Pisarcik went 3 for 8 for 123 yards passing and two TDs.

Herndon totaled only 173 yards of offense, far below its season average, and did not score until late in the fourth quarter when Hornet quarterback Zach Goldsby hit Griffin on a four-yard touchdown strike. Westfield won the turnover battle 3-1 against Herndon and its special teams unit blocked a punt in the end zone for a safety early in the first quarter.

Cross Country

Patch attempts to reach the Hornet Cross Country team representatives for interviews were not returned in time for the submission of the article. The article will be updated upon received response.