Staunton Storm standout Marc Geffrard was one of the most dynamic players in the Shenandoah District on the football field. Each time he touched the football he was a threat to take it the distance.

As a senior wide receiver/running back/return man, Geffrard touched the ball 94 times, accounting for 1,126 yards. He averaged 20.2 yards on 17 pass receptions and 9.1 yards on each rushing attempt. Geffrard found the end zone 18 times. That’s roughly one touchdown for every five times he touched the football.

Strangely enough, Geffrard first made an impact at Staunton as a defensive player when he picked off seven passes during his sophomore season.

“Offense is my better position. That’s where I prefer to be,” Geffrard said. “One thing I needed to improve on defense was my tackling. I guess I won’t have to worry about that now.”

Geffrard’s days of playing defense appear to be a thing of the past as the Storm standout has committed to play college football at Washington and Lee where he was recruited to play running back.

The time the Generals’ coaching staff spent recruiting Geffrard left an impression on the Storm senior.

“With some of the other schools that were recruiting me I felt like I was just another player,” he said. “The coaches at Washington and Lee took their time with me. They understood I had other options, but they told me to take the time to make my decision. They would stay in touch with me, just checking to see how I was doing. They made me feel like they really wanted me there.”

Running back is a high-usage position at W&L. The run-happy option attack ran the football on 564 out of 633 offensive plays this past season.

“They definitely run the football. When I visited, the coaches showed me how I would be used in that offense. It’s a different offense than what I’m used to, but I’m a quick learner. I think I’ll pick things up quickly,” Geffrard said. 

Geffrard would also like to stay involved in the return game, “It’s fun returning kicks - getting the ball in open space and seeing what you can do.”

While football was a key component in picking a college, academics was equally important. At W&L, one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation, Geffrard gets the best of both worlds.

Geffrard carries a 4.19 GPA at Staunton. “I’ve always been a good grade-getter,” he said. “The more I take my time with things in school, the easier things seem to come. Academics have always been important. My mom has always pushed me to do my best.”

At Washington and Lee, Geffrard plans to pursue a business degree. “I feel like that is a pocket knife type of degree. You can go a lot of different things with it. W&L also has a strong alumni system and that can help me get internships that will enhance my studies and opportunities.”

Staying close to home while going to college is a bonus. “Location was never a big factor in my decision,” Geffrard said. “I wanted to find a college that was the best fit for me. The fact that it is close to home isn’t a bad thing. It makes it easier for my family and friends to some watch some games.”

Looking back on his career at Staunton, Geffrard is proud of what he and his senior class accomplished. He was a three-time first-team all-district pick and a two-time all-region first-team selection. This past season he helped lead the Storm back to postseason football.

“When I played JV, we did well, but the varsity was struggling. With my class and with Coach (Mike) Bell we really changed the dynamic of Staunton football,” Geffrard said. 

“I’m still a little upset that I never got a varsity win over Riverheads, but we won the district championship this year. I’m proud of my career and proud of what my class and Coach Bell have accomplished.”