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.

Sports

Arlington football teams combine for 19 victories, down from 22 last year

By Dave Facinoli
Washington-Liberty and Yorktown each won seven football games this season (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The 19 combined victories amassed this fall by the four varsity high-school football teams in Arlington were three fewer than during the 2024 campaign.

The drop-off can be attributed to the Washington-Liberty Generals having five fewer wins than a year ago, when the team achieved a single-season program best 12 victories.

Go to Arlington football teams combine for 19 victories, down from 22 last year Read more
Sports

O’Connell achieves field-hockey milestone with tournament crown

By Dave Facinoli
The O'Connell players hold the WCAC championship trophy (courtesy of O'Connell field hockey)

For a fifth season, the Bishop O’Connell Knights girls field-hockey team continued to find success under the leadership of Megan Sullivan.

This fall, the high school squad won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference tournament for the first time, nipping top seed St. John’s, 1-0, in the championship match.

Go to O’Connell achieves field-hockey milestone with tournament crown Read more
Sports

Football season ends for Yorktown with close first-round playoff loss

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown quarterback Samson Schneider runs with the ball against South Lakes (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The 2025 high-school football season began and ended in a similar fashion for the Yorktown Patriots — with bookend losses to the South Lakes Seahawks.

Playing at home, Yorktown fell to South Lakes, 24-17, Friday evening (Nov. 14) in a first-round game of the 6D North Region tournament playoffs.

Go to Football season ends for Yorktown with close first-round playoff loss Read more
Sports

W-L falls to Westfield in first-round region football playoff game

By Dave Facinoli
Washington-Liberty receivers caught multiple passes in a playoff loss to Westfield (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The Washington-Liberty Generals were productive enough on offense to win their first-round playoff game of the 6D North Region football tournament.

Defense, though, was another matter — and became the reason W-L lost the Friday night (Nov. 14) high-school contest to the host Westfield Bulldogs, 56-28.

Go to W-L falls to Westfield in first-round region football playoff game Read more
Sports

Arlington middle schoolers make history with area-wide football crown

By Dave Facinoli
The champion Arlington Admirals (courtesy of the Admirals)

As the team’s nickname indicates, the Arlington Admirals were in command of local youth football action this fall.

In addition to the team of middle schoolers’ undefeated 9-0 record, the Admirals won the Varsity Central Division playoff championship of the Northern Virginia Youth Football League.

Go to Arlington middle schoolers make history with area-wide football crown Read more
Sports

Yorktown runner caps standout season with second in state meet

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown runners and Washington-Liberty's Maddie Bryss placed at the state meet (courtesy of Yorktown cross country)

Bursting on the high-school cross-country scene by winning her first race as an unknown sophomore runner in early September, Molly Hardwick continues to prove she is no fluke.

The Yorktown High School harrier capped the 2025 campaign with probably her biggest accomplishment and against the toughest competition Saturday (Nov. 8) — a runner-up finish in the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 girls state championship meet.

Go to Yorktown runner caps standout season with second in state meet Read more
Sports

O’Connell boys win first Va. private school cross-country title in 25 years

By Dave Facinoli
The Bishop O'Connell boys hold the state cross-country championship trophy (courtesy of O'Connell cross country)

A cross-country season that began strong and seldom faltered finished with the Bishop O’Connell Knights boys cross-country team winning the Division I private-school state championship for the first time since 2000.

Improving from fifth place in last year’s meet, the Knights brought home the title Nov. 6 on the 5,000-meter Panorama Farms course near Charlottesville. O’Connell finished ahead of second place and defending state champion Potomac School.

Go to O’Connell boys win first Va. private school cross-country title in 25 years Read more
Sports

Late rally falls short in Wakefield’s final football game of fall season

By Dave Facinoli
Wakefield's Judah Connor, left, completed nine passes to Andrew Mason, right (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Although they didn’t win, the Wakefield Warriors ended their high-school football season on a high note of sorts.

By rallying late in a 35-32 home loss to the McLean Highlanders in Liberty District action Nov. 7, the Warriors scored the most points in a contest during their seven-game losing streak.

Go to Late rally falls short in Wakefield’s final football game of fall season Read more
Sports

W-L loses big in final regular-season district football game as playoffs await

By Dave Facinoli
Trevor Fullen (7) scored Washington-Liberty's touchdown against Langley (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

With a lopsided loss in their final regular-season football game Friday night (Nov. 7), the Washington-Liberty Generals finished third in the Liberty District standings.

The host Generals (7-3, 4-2) were blown out by the Langley Saxons, 42-7, in the high-school contest.

Go to W-L loses big in final regular-season district football game as playoffs await Read more
Sports

O’Connell girls soccer team wins state invitational crown on home field

By Dave Facinoli
O'Connell's Mackenzie Barbato advances the ball in the state final (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The Bishop O’Connell Knights bounced back from a major defeat in regional action to win the four-team Northern Virginia Independent Schools State Invitational girls soccer tournament.

With a 2-0 home victory over the third-seed St. Paul VI Catholic Panthers in the Thursday (Oct. 6) title game, the top-seeded Knights (14-2-1) won the crown for the second straight year and fourth time in five seasons.

Go to O’Connell girls soccer team wins state invitational crown on home field Read more
Sports

Under first-year coach, Yorktown football team proves naysayers wrong

By Dave Facinoli
Alec Hicks, second from left, is in his first season as Yorktown's head coach (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

There were many open questions about the Yorktown Patriots prior to the start of the high-school football season.

That’s common any time a program undergoes a big head-coaching change, especially when the former team leader steps down after 40 years at the helm, winning hundreds of games and multiple championships.

Go to Under first-year coach, Yorktown football team proves naysayers wrong Read more
Sports

Yorktown field hockey team wins district tournament; volleyball squad places second

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown's Madeleine Nimerala takes a shot (coutesy of Yorktown field hockey)

Two girls fall teams at Yorktown High School enjoyed success in recent Liberty District tournaments, with each recording upsets along the way.

The second-seeded Patriots’ field hockey squad won the district title for a fifth straight time, with the third-seed volleyball unit finishing second in its tournament.

Go to Yorktown field hockey team wins district tournament; volleyball squad places second Read more
View More Stories