Strong performances by quarterbacks proved a major highlight for Arlington’s four high-school football teams during opening games of the 2025 fall season.
On the night of Aug. 28, the foursome combined to complete 53 passes for 772 yards and eight touchdowns, throwing just three interceptions. Their strong play could continue to be a big positive point for the remainder of the campaign.
The starters are senior Samson Schneider of the Yorktown Patriots and juniors Tyler Flint-Steinig of the Washington-Liberty Generals, Judah Connor of the Wakefield Warriors and Ryan Turpin of the Bishop O’Connell Knights.
One of the best overall performances was turned in by Schneider in Yorktown’s 29-28 road loss to the South Lakes Seahawks. He was 14 of 20 passing for 233 yards and touchdowns tossed of 45 and 15 yards.
On the ground, Schneider ran for 62 yards and a score.
“Samson had a very strong game. He was accurate passing and ran well,” Yorktown coach Alec Hicks told ARLnow.
In the game’s final three minutes, Schneider completed multiple passes to engineer a long drive that put Yorktown in position to win with a field goal, which narrowly missed clearing the uprights.
Last season, Schneider was the backup varsity quarterback for Yorktown, but played little.
“Samson learned a lot by watching the games last season and practicing with the varsity,” Hicks said.
Flint-Steinig had a strong first game for Washington-Liberty in its 55-22 home win over O’Connell. He was 16 of 19 passing for 231 yards. Flint-Steinig hurled three touchdown passes of 44, 13 and 2 yards and was intercepted once, but was not sacked.
“Tyler is very smart and poised back there in the pocket,” W-L coach Josh Shapiro said. “He is very calm, is an accurate passer and can make the throws.”
Last season, Flint-Steinig helped lead the Washington-Liberty junior-varsity team to a 6-1-1 record.
Connor returns as a starting quarterback for Wakefield. He was 13 of 22 for 176 yards and threw two long scoring passes in Wakefield’s 38-17 season-opening loss to the host Falls Church Jaguars. He was not intercepted and ran for 13 yards.
“Judah threw the ball well and took command of the offense,” Wakefield coach Clarence Martin said. “He played and learned a lot last season and is a big plus, and is ready to go for us this year.”
For O’Connell in its loss to W-L, junior Ryan Turpin completed 10 passes for 132 yards, while tossing two interceptions. Three of his passes were dropped. His TD pass went for 19 yards.
Turpin completed five passes for 53 yards on O’Connell’s opening drive, including a touchdown to help give the Knights a 7-0 lead. He was not sacked on the night.
“Ryan stood in the pocket and made some strong and accurate throws,” O’Connell coach Todd Sabatino said. “He was very good back there in the pocket. We think he will be very good for us.”
Turpin transferred to O’Connell this season. Last fall, he threw for 1,006 yards and a half-dozen touchdowns in 10 games as the starter for the Jackson-Reed Tigers high-school team in D.C.
“Ryan has a good arm and is a very good passer and quarterback,” Sabatino said.
This week’s games: All four Arlington teams today (Friday) at 7 p.m.: Washington-Liberty travels to McLean High School; Wakefield hosts Rock Ridge High School; Yorktown hosts Jackson-Reed High School; and Bishop O’Connell takes on St. Albans School at The St. James.
