Falls Church H.S.
Falls Church Falls to Washington And Lee in the Fourth Quarter
After leading by 12 points in the final minutes of the third quarter, the Falls Church varsity football team fell to Washington and Lee High School 19-23.
Until the fourth quarter the Falls Church Jaguars dominated Washington and Lee on defense, giving up only 25 passing yards and allowing no rushing yards.
An 83-yard pass from Washington and Lee helped cut the lead to 19-14 in the final quarter.
The Jaguars fumbled the following kickoff, and Washington and Lee turned great field position into another scoring drive.
According to Falls Church Coach Anthony Parker, his team’s three fumbled kickoffs were pivotal mistakes.
The Jaguars play Yorktown High School on Oct. 2.
Yorktown will be a tough game to bounce back [with],” Parker said. “But the players are still upbeat and still feel they can win.”
Varsity Cross Country Teams Compete in Oatlands Invitational
The Falls Church girls and boys varsity cross country teams finished 16th and 29th, respectively, at the Oatlands Invitational on Sept. 26.
Senior Captain Riley Louden medaled in the top 25 and senior Captain Suh-Hee Yang finished 31st. Senior Captain Alex Howe finished third overall in the boys race.
In district play this season, the girls team remains undefeated. The boys, however, have been racing without two of their seniors who recently returned to the team and are training to get back in shape.
The girls hope to earn a district runner-up title behind Thomas Edison High School, and the boys’ hopes of earning the same title or a championship have been diminished with the absence of the two seniors.
“We are hoping to pull an upset still,” said Coach Rebecca Larson.
GEORGE C. MARSHALL H.S.
Marshall Field Hockey Edges Out Thomas Jefferson
The George C. Marshall High School varsity field hockey team defeated Thomas Jefferson High 2-1 last Friday.
The game, which went into overtime, began with Marshall senior Leslie Beard making a goal off a cross by senior Kelly Crider.
Thomas Jefferson scored a goal in the second half, and the scoreboard remained tied till regular time ended. In the first 15-minute sudden victory overtime, sophomore Maddie O’Beirne delivered the Marshall victory with a goal off a cross by Crider.
GEORGE MASON H.S.
Varsity Volleyball Team Sweeps Pope John Paul High
The George Mason varsity volleyball team swept Pope John Paul the Great High School in three games on Sept. 28.
The team now has an even 4-4 record as they approach the middle of their season.
According to Coach Elizabeth Rizzi, the sophomore Mustangs have shown the most improvement this year.
“The sophomores are beginning to see their future in the program and their importance on the team,” Rizzi said.
“With such a young team it is great that they can be aggressive and have more passion for the game. They will be great leaders.”
On Sept. 29, the Mustangs were preparing for their match against Strasburg High School, who boasts an impressive 9-1 record.
“No matter the outcome, I want us to play well,” said Rizzi.
J.E.B. Stuart H.S.
The Raiders Beat Mount Vernon, 19-17
The J.E.B. Stuart High School varsity football team held on to defeat Mount Vernon High School on Sept. 25, despite penalties that called back two of their touchdowns.
Junior Running Back Chris Ventura ran for 171 yards and Wide Receiver Ricarlo Bell ended a slump with a touchdown and three catches.
According to Coach Roy Ferri, a new offensive strategy that spreads out the opposing defense and opens running lanes for Ventura and Junior Quarterback Jason Friday continues to pay dividends.
“It is actually a throwback offense,” said Ferri.
“It is the same offense we ran throughout the 1980s, so in a sense, we’re reliving our glory years.”
The Raiders face off against Wakefield High School, a neighboring rival, on Oct. 10.
“They are a very dangerous and athletic team whose record doesn’t equate to their level of play,” Ferri said.
“It should be a tough game for us.”
McLean H.S.
Highlanders Field Hockey Bests South County
The McLean High School varsity field hockey team managed a 5-4 victory over South County High last Wednesday, Sept. 23, in overtime.
The girls went on to play George C. Marshall High this Wednesday, Sept. 30, in an away game, with results too late for press.
