With some key football players returning and others stepping up to replace graduates, the Washington-Liberty Generals are optimistic about having a fourth straight winning season.
The high school team is scheduled to open the 2026 campaign on the road on Friday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m., facing the Bishop O’Connell Knights in an all-Arlington public-vs.-private-school clash.
The Generals in recent years have enjoyed one of the more successful stretches in the team’s century-long history.
Over the past four seasons, the Generals have amassed two district championships, four region-playoff berths and a 19-5 district mark.
“Things are good. Football is shaping up this season,” said Josh Shapiro, in his 20th season as the Generals’ head coach. “Offensively, we are good. Teams are going to have to plan for us, because we can score and move the ball. Defense is a work in progress.”
Washington-Liberty finished 7-4 overall, tied for third in the Liberty District with a 4-2 mark and earned a fourth straight region-playoff berth in 2025.
The Generals’ offense is led by returning starting quarterback Tyler Flint-Steinig. The senior completed 180 passes for 2,214 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.
“Tyler is super smart and an accurate passer,” Shapiro told ARLnow.
One of W-L’s top returning receivers will be junior Luke Jones. He caught 16 passes for 193 yards in 2025. Senior running back Jasper Dennis is another top offensive returner. He also is a starter in the defensive backfield. Senior offensive lineman Aron Jacome Valenzuela also returns as a starter.
“Their experience will be important as we replace seven starters and establish the identity of this year’s offense,” Shapiro said.
Other offensive linemen for W-L are Anthony Fonseca, Lucas Munoz-Lopez, Zach Richardson, Taylor Jackson, Christian Grove and Takota Montana.
“The development and continuity of this group will be critical to the success of the offense,” Shapiro said.
Jamal Sullivan and Mikale Gray-Fenney are other running backs along with freshman Jack Dempsey. Other receivers are Colby Arenson, Grant Johnson, Bryce Decker and Matthew Herring.
In addition to Dennis, other returners on defense are led by senior defensive backs Miles Whitaker and Jack Eustice, along with senior lineman Tyler Hawkins and senior defensive back Lando Reed.
Sullivan will also be a linebacker. Other defenders will be Carter Gray, Aymane Fkihane, Amin Elgindy, Jack Eyle and Altai Hruby-Wisehart.
On special teams, senior Landon Jones was expected to return as the placekicker until an injury may have ended his season. He could return for the final couple of games.
Shapiro said he expects Washington-Liberty to be a contender again for the district championship. He expects the Yorktown Patriots of Arlington and the Langley Saxons and McLean Highlanders of Fairfax County to also be title contenders.
The Generals play McLean in their second game on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. at home. Washington-Liberty plays Yorktown, then Langley in its final two regular-season games. Yorktown won the district last fall with Langley second.
“We have experienced leaders, talented young players, strong competition and an extremely dedicated and stable coaching staff,” Shapiro said.
NOTES: Shapiro is the 6D North Region’s current longest tenured head coach with the same team. … Washington-Liberty plays its other two Arlington rivals this season on Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Wakefield Warriors, then Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. at home against Yorktown. The Generals defeated O’Connell and Wakefield last season, losing to Yorktown in overtime.
