Author: Dave Facinoli

Dave Facinoli grew up in Prince George’s County, Md. and attended Friendly High School. After attending Prince’s George Community College and James Madison University, where he covered sports on both college papers, he launched a local newspaper career that included roles as the sports editor of the Alexandria Gazette, the Arlington Sun Gazette and GazetteLeader, and other local papers.

News

Arlington football teams enjoying their best combined start since 2014

By Dave Facinoli
O'Connell and Washington-Liberty captains meet prior to kickoff this season (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Through four games this season, Arlington’s high-school football teams have combined for the most wins at this point since the 2014 campaign.

Each of the four squads has at least one victory entering this coming weekend’s game-five action, for a total of 10 overall. That total is the most since the four combined for 12 wins at the same time 11 seasons ago.

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Sports

Early-season victories are again scarce for O’Connell football team

By Dave Facinoli
Nick Morris, No. 4, was a standout on offense and defense in O'Connell's most recent game (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

For two seasons now, the Bishop O’Connell Knights have won little during the early portion of their high-school football campaigns.

Through four contests this fall, the private-school squad owns a 1-3 mark, losing to the Washington Patriots (2-2) of Charles Town, W.Va., by a 29-14 score in its most recent contest, played the night of Sept. 19 in non-conference action.

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Sports

Wakefield football team puts together first three-game win streak since 2021 season

By Dave Facinoli
Wakefield quarterback Judah Connor waits for a snap (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

A football season of resurgence continued for the Wakefield Warriors with their most recent victory during the early portion of the 2025 high-school campaign.

The host Warriors defeated the Justice Wolves, 33-12, the night of Sept. 19 to improve to 3-1 with a third straight win.

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Sports

W-L defeats perennial football power Westfield for first time in program history

By Dave Facinoli
Brayden Black runs the ball for Washington-Liberty (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

History was not on the side of the Washington-Liberty Generals in taking on the Westfield Bulldogs when the two undefeated high-school football teams met Friday night (Sept. 19).

Westfield (3-1) had never lost to W-L — nor had the games been close — in the eight times the non-district opponents played.

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Sports

Yorktown makes most of opportunities to win key district football game against Langley

By Dave Facinoli
Members of the Yorktown defense get set for a play (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The fourth game of the regular season became the biggest and most important so far for the Yorktown Patriots, as a home victory earned the high-school football team a share of first place in the Liberty District.

Yorktown (2-2, 1-0) held on to nip the Langley Saxons, 21-20, the night of Sept. 19. Yorktown, Langley (2-2, 1-1) and the defending champion and undefeated Washington-Liberty Generals (4-0, 1-0) are the favorites to contend for the 2025 league crown.

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Sports

Close victory could be confidence-builder for Wakefield football team

By Dave Facinoli
Wakefield defensive players are set for a play against Lewis (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The potential existed for the Wakefield Warriors to blow out the host Lewis Lancers in their most recent game of the high-school football season.

That didn’t occur. Instead, the Warriors won, 34-20, in a much closer result in the Sept. 12 non-district clash.

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Sports

Strong running game propels O’Connell to first football victory of season

By Dave Facinoli
O'Connell's Josh Taliaferro (5) runs the ball (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

All finally was well for the Bishop O’Connell Knights, and the result was the team’s first victory of the football season.

In the third week of the high-school campaign, host O’Connell (1-2) defeated the winless St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Saints, 38-12, the afternoon of Sept. 13 in non-conference private-school action.

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Sports

Veteran offensive line continues to excel for 3-0 W-L football team

By Dave Facinoli
Washington-Liberty's offensive line (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Three weeks into the high-school football season, a big and experienced offensive line has been clearing the way to help the  Washington-Liberty Generals to a 3-0 start.

The line has opened holes for running backs like Brayden Black, and in pass protection has given quarterback Tyler Flint-Steinig plenty of time to find open receivers.

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Sports

Yorktown football team hopes to regroup after loss to Centreville on road

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown plays defense against Centreville (courtesy of Yorktown football)

Missed opportunities and key mistakes contributed to the Yorktown Patriots falling to 1-2 as the high-school football season rolls on.

Yorktown was defeated in that game on the road by the Centreville Wildcats, 38-14, in non-district action the night of Sept. 12.

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Sports

Wakefield football team off to strongest start since 2020 season

By Dave Facinoli
Wakefield's Andrew Jackson boots a field goal (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

It has been a while since the Wakefield Warriors have had a winning record early in any football season.

But thanks to a 34-20 road victory over the Lewis Lancers Friday night (Sept. 12) in non-district play, Wakefield improved to 2-1 after losing its season opener.

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Sports

Members of W-L football family have different roles during opener

By Dave Facinoli
From left, Bolfek family members Mark, Justin and Andrew (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Three members of the Bolfek family were present and working hard along the sidelines in different roles during an opening-season high-school football game in Arlington between the host Washington-Liberty Generals and visiting Bishop O’Connell Knights.

The youngest of the three was Andrew Bolfek. The 2025 University of Virginia graduate and former W-L starting quarterback was busy in the O’Connell area as a first-year assistant coach for the Knights.

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Sports

O’Connell soccer coach, standout player selected for Sports Hall of Fame induction

By Dave Facinoli
Bishop O'Connell soccer coach Alberto Starace (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

It wasn’t a matter of if, but when, Alberto Starace — a highly accomplished girls high-school soccer coach — eventually would be inducted into the Arlington Sports Hall of Fame.

That time has come, with induction ceremonies slated for Wednesday, Oct. 8 at the Knights of Columbus main hall.

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