Wakefield High School

Published September 8, 2026 at 9:00PM

The Bishop O'Connell offense (black) and Washington-Liberty defense (white) had strong performances in week-two action (file photo by Dave Facinoli)

Arlington’s high-school football teams each came away with a victory in Sept. 3-4 competition, and for the first time since the 2014 season, all four have at least one win after two games of a new season.

On Sept. 3, the visiting Wakefield Warriors (1-1) held off the Rock Ridge High School Phoenix of Ashburn to win 21-14 in non-district play, the host Washington-Liberty Generals (2-0) topped the McLean Highlanders, 17-7, in a Liberty District contest, and the host Yorktown Patriots (1-1) blanked the Ballou Knights (1-1) of D.C., 41-0, also in non-league action.

Sports

Yorktown and Wakefield football teams show potential despite first-game losses

By Dave Facinoli

Published September 1, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated September 2, 2026 at 10:14AM

Yorktown quarterback Jack McCorry throws a pass in the season opener (photo by Dave Facinoli)

Despite opening-game losses, the Wakefield Warriors and Yorktown Patriots had bright spots to expand on as the 2026 high-school football season kicked off.

Playing at home on Friday night (Aug. 28), Wakefield lost to the Falls Church Jaguars, 34-21, while Yorktown fell to the South Lakes Seahawks, 43-21, in non-district action.

Sports

Wakefield football team seeks turnaround under new head coach

By Dave Facinoli

Published August 28, 2026 at 10:00AM

Wakefield kicker Andrew Jackson returns this season (photo by Dave Facinoli)

As the team’s third new head coach in five seasons, Brian Slay has set realistic expectations for the Wakefield Warriors in the upcoming high-school football campaign.

Slay inherits a squad that won few games the previous four years, and victories could be a challenge again this fall with a young, sophomore-heavy unit.

Sports

High school football kicks off in Arlington later this month

By Dave Facinoli

Published August 6, 2026 at 4:45PM

Ryan Turpin, left, returns as O'Connell's starting quarterback (photo by Dave Facinoli)

High school football in Northern Virginia is set for kickoff later this month.

Arlington’s Bishop O’Connell Knights, Wakefield Warriors, Washington-Liberty Generals and Yorktown Patriots open their 10-game regular-season campaigns, which include a bye week for each, on Aug. 27 and 28.

Sports

Wakefield HS celebrates two coaches named district and regional ‘Coach of the Year’

By Dave Facinoli

Published June 29, 2026 at 12:45PM | Updated June 30, 2026 at 10:52AM

Wakefield girls lacrosse coach Tylar Abrams designs a play during a match (courtesy Wakefield lacrosse)

It’s a big deal any time a head coach of a high-school sports team is chosen as Coach of the Year.

But two different head coaches from the same school receiving that recognition during the same campaign by separate organizations? That’s a very rare occurrence — but happened during the 2026 spring outdoor season at Arlington’s Wakefield High School.

Schools

APS graduation ceremonies celebrate achievements of 1,900 seniors

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 15, 2026 at 12:45PM

Wakefield High School senior-class president Brianna GIlbert (screenshot via APS)

Members of Arlington Public Schools’ class of 2026 wrapped up their high-school lives last week with a sense of gratitude and fulfillment.

“We are proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited for what lies ahead,” said Evangeline “Evie” Price, one of Washington-Liberty High School’s seniors and a speaker at the school’s June 13 graduation ceremony.

Sports

Arlington track-and-field teams shine at state, wrapping up spring competition

By Dave Facinoli

Published June 8, 2026 at 12:45PM

O'Connell's Brefczynski brothers placed high in races at the conference meet (photo by Dave Facinoli)

Arlington high-school track-and-field teams included one event winner, one runner-up and other top-10 finishers at the season-ending Class 6 girls and boys state meets.

The winner was Yorktown Patriots’ senior discus thrower Kaiya Ovando at the Virginia High School League event, held June 5-6 in Newport News. Her throw was a personal best and school record mark of 134 feet, 7 inches to win the girls event.

Schools

JUST IN: Bomb squad responding to threat at Wakefield High School

By ARLnow.com

Published June 4, 2026 at 4:15PM | Updated June 4, 2026 at 8:41PM

Police presence at Wakefield High School in 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Police and firefighters from the county’s bomb squad are on scene at Wakefield High School after a reported threat.

First responders — including bomb-sniffing dogs — were dispatched to the school around 3:45 p.m., after school dismissal, for an unspecified threat that prompted school officials to initiate security procedures.

Sports

Local crew squads make marks in season’s final two big regattas

By Dave Facinoli

Published May 28, 2026 at 12:45PM

The Yorktown boys varsity eight holds bronze medals at the national meet (courtesy of Yorktown crew)

Arlington’s three public high-school crew teams saw significant highlights during the two prestigious season-ending out-of-town regattas.

The most notable performance was that of the Yorktown Patriots boys varsity eight shell.

Schools

APS plans more limited access to iPads, promises more public engagement

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 19, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated May 19, 2026 at 1:00PM

A student looks at an iPad (file photo)

Arlington Public Schools leaders are planning further limits on some grade levels’ access to digital devices, promising more opportunities for public feedback.

Superintendent Francisco Durán updated School Board members on May 14 regarding the status of changes and what is coming next for the program that once provided every student with a MacBook or iPad.

Sports

Wakefield, Yorktown varsity eights repeat as state rowing champions

By Dave Facinoli

Published May 14, 2026 at 1:00PM | Updated May 15, 2026 at 11:00AM

The Wakefield girls varsity eight gathers with the state championship trophy (courtesy of Wakefield crew)

Arlington high-school teams won two premier races during the 2026 Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association championship regatta.

The Wakefield Warriors won the girls varsity eight high-school crown for the sixth year in a row. The shell’s winning time was 5:10.07 on the 1,500-meter Sandy Run Regional Park course along the Occoquan Reservoir.

Sports

W-L boys soccer team keeps on pulling out victories as playoffs approach

By Dave Facinoli

Published May 8, 2026 at 2:45PM

Darragh Cahill (10) controls the ball for Washington-Liberty (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

With one exception through 13 regular-season high-school soccer matches this spring, the Washington-Liberty Generals have done whatever is necessary to finish on top.

The boys team has won in a variety of ways: twice in overtime, five times by one goal, a handful by three goals or more and six by shutout. As a result, the Generals own a 12-1 overall record with eight straight wins and stand atop the Liberty District standings with a 5-0 mark leading into their final regular season game Friday night.