Herndon-South Lakes rivalry continues a 46-year tradition

By Matt Reider, staff writer

While this year's Baron Cameron Bowl was one-sided, Herndon and South Lakes high schools are now nearly tied in wins and losses in the tradition of the bowl game that was introduced in 1998. Herndon leads the series 15-14. Photo by Will Bonham Photography

For more than four decades, the Herndon and South Lakes football teams have met on the field in one of Fairfax County’s enduring high school rivalries. The schools are only about four miles apart, and their annual matchup has become a tradition for players, families and fans from both communities.

The rivalry began in 1980, when Herndon defeated the newly established South Lakes varsity team 28-0. In 1998, the Baron Cameron Cup was introduced, giving the teams an added incentive to claim bragging rights and take home the trophy.

This year’s matchup was decidedly one-sided. South Lakes defeated Herndon 48-0 on Oct. 2 to remain undefeated and reclaim the cup, while Herndon remained winless.

The rivalry has roots that go back even further. Herndon High School is the oldest continuously operating high school in Fairfax County. Its first building opened on Locust Street in 1911 with eight classrooms and an assembly hall. In 1914, Herndon became the county’s first fully accredited high school and remained the only accredited high school in Fairfax County until 1920.

Herndon organized its first football team in 1945 and played its inaugural game against Leesburg High School that year.

South Lakes opened in 1978 with grades 7-10. Its football program began with a junior varsity schedule before the school fielded a varsity team. Tom Secules, an assistant coach at Annandale High School, was named head coach of the new program in 1978.

The first varsity meeting between Herndon and South Lakes took place in 1980. Herndon was a heavy favorite in the Great Falls District game and defeated South Lakes 28-0. South Lakes went on to win the next four meetings, and the rivalry became one of the area’s most anticipated high school football games.

The schools’ close proximity helped fuel the rivalry. Families and students from the two communities often knew one another, while school boundary lines divided some Reston students between Herndon and South Lakes.

The game traditionally was the final contest of the season, drawing strong community support. In 1998, the Baron Cameron Cup was created to recognize the winner. The trophy takes its name from Baron Cameron Road, which connects the two communities and roughly follows the boundary between the schools. After the game, the teams gather at midfield for the trophy presentation, and the winner keeps the cup for the year.

Dan Coghlan knows the rivalry from several perspectives. He played for Herndon from 1998 to 2000, later became a teacher and now serves as assistant director of student activities.

“It’s been a long-standing tradition between the Fighting Hornets and Seahawks,” Coghlan said. “It symbolized pride when we won the cup. Herndon and SL will always be a rivalry because of the proximity between the two schools and families who attended both schools.” He ended with, “Go Hornets!”

The rivalry has continued despite changes to the schools’ district affiliations. South Lakes left the Liberty District and rejoined the Concorde District in 2021, while Herndon competes in the Liberty District. Because the schools are in different districts, their football matchup is a non-district game.

Regardless of each team’s record, the Herndon-South Lakes game remains a highlight of the season. Players, coaches and fans know the significance of the matchup long before kickoff.

The 2026 Baron Cameron Cup game was played Oct. 2 at South Lakes. Herndon entered the game 0-4, while South Lakes was 4-0. The Seahawks had won each of their first four games by at least 10 points and were preparing for the start of Concorde District play.

Andrew Duggan, South Lakes’ athletic director, has compared the rivalry to a district game because “rivalry games matter a little bit more. The kids play hard every night, but you always seem to see an intensity that you might not see in another game.”

This time, the intensity did not produce a close game. South Lakes defeated Herndon 48-0 on a rain-soaked field to improve to 5-0 and reclaim the Baron Cameron Cup. Herndon fell to 0-5.

South Lakes scored on four of its first five possessions and led 27-0 at halftime. The Seahawks added three touchdowns in the second half, including two in the fourth quarter, while their defense held Herndon to 31 total yards.

Senior Christian Wyatt threw two touchdown passes and added a rushing touchdown. Sophomore Gavin Satterfield threw two touchdown passes after taking over at quarterback in the second half. Senior James Smith led the Seahawks’ rushing attack with 16 carries for 105 yards.

The victory narrowed Herndon’s overall advantage in the series to 15-14. The Hornets still lead the series, but South Lakes now holds the Baron Cameron Cup once again.