LEWISTON — This season hasn’t been perfect for the Leavitt football team, but the Hornets still have a chance to win a Gold Ball.

Mason Henderson scored four touchdowns to lead second-seeded Leavitt to a 47-14 win over No. 3 Hermon in a Class C semifinal Saturday at Don Roux Field.

“It feels phenomenal,” Henderson said. “It’s been a long journey. We definitely started with some ups and downs at the start of the year. But coming all the way to here and making it to the regional final — it’s a big milestone.”

After a challenging start to the season, Leavitt (8-2) has won five straight games and will face top-seeded Greely (10-0) in the state championship game next Saturday in Lewiston.

“There were some holes to fill and just bonding, team bonding over time, just trusting one another,” Leavitt quarterback Landon Marquis said.

Henderson said the team started to click after a 12-7 loss to Wells on Oct. 3.

Coach Michael Hathaway said positive changes started after that loss, in everything from practices to team meetings.

“I think a lot of people think that we just coach them up real good, but we got some good players over here, too,” Hathaway said.

Nathan Karkos (seven carries, 52 yards) scored on a 26-yard run to give Leavitt the lead in the first quarter. Brody Poland had the first of his two interception on the ensuing possession.

Marquis (4 for 8, 75 yards, two touchdowns) found Poland for a 15-yard touchdown pass to cap a seven-play, 59-yard drive that gave the Hornets a 12-0 lead.

The Hornets then blocked a Hermon punt, setting up Henderson’s 31-yard touchdown reception from Marquis.

“We want to start fast and quick and send a message right away,” Marquis said. “And we came out there and did it. Big thanks, big shout out to the guys up in the box, and just having the playmakers that we have and just the faith in the O-line and just holding it up up front.”

Hermon quarterback Ethan Curtis scored on an 11-yard run and Justin Largay ran in the 2-point conversion as the Hawks sliced their deficit to 18-8 late in the second quarter.

Sam Hopkins caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Curtis in the second half, but not before two more Henderson TD runs extended Leavitt’s lead.

Henderson (five carries, 127 yards; two receptions, 57 yards) recorded rushing touchdowns of 29, 8 and 62 yards in the second half. After intercepting a pass, Jackson Brooks scored on a 23-yard run for the Hornets.

Leavitt is looking forward to returning to Lewiston, where the Hornets won the Gold Ball in 2023.

“We were here two years ago for, I believe, the state game,” Henderson said. “That was a big game. I played in that one a little bit. It’s surreal to be back here on this field, to have a chance to come back here next week and play again.”