VIRGINIA BEACH — The last time a Beach District football team beat Green Run was when Salem did it on March 12, 2021, during the shortened spring season due to the 2020 pandemic.
But since that loss, the Stallions have won 49 straight district regular-season games and 56 consecutive overall over district opponents.
That streak was in serious jeopardy Friday night as No. 14 Salem held a two-touchdown lead in the third quarter.
But the Stallions battled back. And after tying the game in the fourth quarter, running back Charles Jackson III scored on a 3-yard touchdown run with 31.4 seconds left to help Green Run beat Salem 35-28 to keep the streak intact.
Charles Jackson III with the 3 yard TD run with 31.4 seconds. Green Run 35, Salem 28 pic.twitter.com/lFPIVQXvvr
— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) October 4, 2025
“The game was on the line and I knew I had to put my trust in God,” Jackson said about the game-winning touchdown. “And my boys, they blocked for me. We had to win this game.”
Jackson said the Stallions refused to give up, even when they trailed by 14 points in the third quarter.
“We just don’t think about losing,” he said. “We may bend, but we don’t break. We kept our composure and we stayed in the game. We did not want the streak to end.”
Salem gave the Stallions all they could handle.
The SunDevils (3-2) were led by a couple of sophomores. Izayiah Bray scored on a 2-yard touchdown run and later scored on a 43-yard fumble return, set up by linebacker Markus McCoy’s hit on quarterback Luke Ashcraft. McCoy finished with 13 tackles and two sacks. Running back Jason Harden also contributed with touchdown runs of 63 and 43 yards.
Turnover. Izayiah Bray fumble return. Markus Mitchell with the big hit. Salem 14, Green Run 0 (2nd) pic.twitter.com/4VWNti88hZ
— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) October 3, 2025
Ashcraft helped keep the game close with two touchdown passes. The Stallions also got a touchdown run by Tristen Williams and a 74-yard punt return by Chadney Cross.
But in the end, it came down to Jackson’s big touchdown run.
Green Run coach Brandon Williams knew he could count on Jackson.
“He’s been battle-tested and he’s our guy we’re going to ride,” he said. “I’m just so proud of him. He fought and gritted and he helped pull us through.”
Salem running back Jason Harden (4) breaks free for a long touchdown run in the second half. Green Run defeated Salem 35-28 at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Oct. 3, 2025. (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot)
The Stallions (6-0) have now been tested in three consecutive games, including last week when they had to come from behind to beat Kempsville.
“It’s hard not to think about it,” Williams said about the streak. “But it’s still out there. And we take pride in it. And we’re going to keep it going as long as we can.”
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
