Friday Sep. 17, the Harrisonburg Blue Streaks varsity football team took home a thrilling victory over the Orange County Hornets for their annual homecoming game. Entering their fourth game of the season, Harrisonburg had set their hopes on improving to a two-game win streak while also bringing home the win for the stands packed full of students and fans. 

To start the game, Harrisonburg suffered multiple offside penalties that allowed Orange County to score their first touchdown mid-way through the first quarter. The Hornets then proceeded to seal the touchdown with a successful 2 point conversion to take an early 8-0 lead. The Streaks quickly answered with a first quarter touchdown of their own however they failed to convert on the extra two points, leaving the score at 8-6 Hornets to end the first.

After an overall slow second quarter, Harrisonburg senior Tyrell Foster got to the end zone with three minutes remaining in the half to take the lead yet again. Likewise, Orange County went on their own scoring drive and took back a 14-12 lead. With under two minutes in the half, sophomore Aaron McAfee Jr. had a four-yard rushing touchdown to end the quarter. Putting the streaks ahead 19-14. 

Following a three and out on Harrisonburg’s opening drive of the second half, the Hornets scored a touchdown and regained the lead of 20-19. 

After a stagnant 3rd quarter for the Harrisonburg offense, and a strong defensive showing, the streaks made up for lost time with a late touchdown in the fourth quarter, from senior quarterback Keenan Glago to junior receiver Kris Walker.

The Streaks defense held strong with five minutes remaining. After a broken up pass by junior defensive back Jadon Burgess, and a forced incompletion on 4th down the streaks offense regained possession and ran out the remaining two and half minutes of the game. 

To cap their 25-20 victory, Harrisonburg’s red sea stormed the field to celebrate the homecoming win with their team. With the win, Harrisonburg improves to 2-2 overall. The Streaks will play on the road against William Fleming and Staunton the next two weeks and then will host Broadway  Oct. 15.