Ben Lippen Defeated Heathwood Hall in Close Contest
A late touchdown drive secured a 10-3 victory for Ben Lippen over Heathwood Hall on Friday.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Football
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Ben Lippen improved to a 5-1 record after defeating Heathwood Hall 10-3. Michael Traynum scored the decisive 25-yard touchdown run with just 48 seconds remaining in the game.
Why it matters
The narrow victory maintains Ben Lippen's strong standing this season, while Heathwood Hall falls to an even 3-3 record following the defensive battle.
Michael Traynum led the offensive effort with 81 rushing yards on eight carries and 69 receiving yards on seven receptions. The game saw both teams trade 36-yard field goals earlier in the contest.
The players
Michael Traynum
He is a standout player for Ben Lippen who recorded both the game-winning touchdown and an interception on defense.
Ben Lippen
The school football team improved their season record to 5-1 following this victory.
Heathwood Hall
The opposing school football team fell to a 3-3 overall record after this loss.
Liam Edwards
He is a kicker for Heathwood Hall who successfully converted a 36-yard field goal.
Grant Turner
He is a kicker for Ben Lippen who successfully converted a 36-yard field goal.
The details
After falling behind early, Ben Lippen executed a 13-play, 95-yard scoring drive to eventually force a tie. The defense played a critical role in the final minutes, recovering a fumble from an errant snap at their own 49-yard line before Traynum's game-winning sprint.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: Ben Lippen defeated Heathwood Hall.
4:14 left in the first quarter: Liam Edwards kicked a 36-yard field goal.
1:52 left in the third quarter: Grant Turner kicked a 36-yard field goal.
1:54 left in the game: Ben Lippen recovered a fumble.
48 seconds left in the game: Michael Traynum scored the winning touchdown.
The Big Picture
This game highlights the intense defensive focus typical of SCISA 4A football competitive standards. It follows a pattern of low-scoring, physical contests frequently observed within the league structure.
The victory moves Ben Lippen to a 5-1 record, strengthening their position in the league standings as the season progresses. Heathwood Hall drops to .500 at 3-3, creating pressure for the team to perform in upcoming conference matchups.
The takeaway
Close-scoring games often turn on single-possession execution and late-game defensive turnovers. Fans should watch for how winning teams leverage these momentum shifts to climb the conference rankings in the final half of the season.
Further reading
For more updates on local competition, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Columbia Star - Columbia's locally owned weekly newspaper since 1963.
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