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

Flint Hill, Potomac School have catching up to do in Va. private-school football poll

By Dave Facinoli
A Flint Hill huddle (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The first statewide Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) Division I private-school weekly high-school football poll for the 2024 season has been released, with no local teams ranked among the top six.

The Potomac School Panthers (4-2) and Flint Hill Huskies (1-5) received votes, but did not make the VISAA ranking.

Go to Flint Hill, Potomac School have catching up to do in Va. private-school football poll Read more
Sports

Oakton football team evens record at 3-3 with an overtime victory

By Dave Facinoli
Oakton coach Brian Slay talks to his team (file photo)

It was a game described as “weird” by Oakton Cougars head coach Brian Clay. But he was happy to accept the result.

In a recent non-conference contest highlighted by multiple penalties and unusual situations, visiting Oakton (3-3) defeated the West Potomac Wolverines, 17-14, in overtime. Collin Henriques made the winning and walk-off 18-yard field goal.

Go to Oakton football team evens record at 3-3 with an overtime victory Read more
Sports

Robinson golfers finish season second in Class 6 state tourney

By Dave Facinoli
The second-place Robinson golf team (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

They fell short of their ultimate goal, but the Robinson Rams still had another strong golf season.

The fall campaign ended when defending champion Robinson finished second in the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 state team tournament, played Oct. 15 on a chilly and windy day on the par-72 Norman course at the Lansdowne Resort in Loudoun County.

Go to Robinson golfers finish season second in Class 6 state tourney Read more
Sports

Edison High golfer repeats as state champion by winning playoff

By Dave Facinoli
Owen Love and Raquel Walker finish play (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

In recording a repeat performance for the first time in decades, Owen Love won his second state championship.

The Edison Eagles sophomore golfer shot a 2-under-par round of 70, then won the individual title outright with a birdie putt on the second playoff hole to defeat Robinson Rams’ junior Raquel Walker (also with a 70) to defend his Virginia High School League Class 6 state golf tournament crown.

Go to Edison High golfer repeats as state champion by winning playoff Read more
Sports

Langley golfers avenge last year’s third-place finish, triumphing in state tournament

By Dave Facinoli
The state champion Langley golf team (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Their time without a state championship was short-lived for the Langley Saxons.

Motivated by last season’s disappointing third-place finish in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 6 state golf tournament, Langley returned to the throne by winning this year’s crown with a 303 team score. The defending champion Robinson Rams finished second this year with a 308 total.

Go to Langley golfers avenge last year’s third-place finish, triumphing in state tournament Read more
Sports

Potomac School golfers dominate to win conference tournament

By Dave Facinoli
The champion Potomac School golf team (courtesy of Potomac School golf)

Good luck taking the conference golf championship away from the Potomac School Panthers anytime soon.

With two talented freshmen on this season’s team, the high-school squad dominated and won the Oct. 9 one-day, 18-hole Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament title by 42 strokes with 229 team total. Sidwell Friends was second at 341.

Go to Potomac School golfers dominate to win conference tournament Read more
Sports

Potomac School football team earns first road win this fall

By Dave Facinoli
The Potomac School defense (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

With their first road win of the season, the Potomac School Panthers kept their state playoff hopes alive.

The Panthers (4-2) defeated the host Sidwell Friends Quakers, 28-6, Oct. 10 behind a strong defensive performance and, on offense, the production of runningback Lucas Boulter, who ran for 191 yards on 25 carries, including a three-yard scoring run.

Go to Potomac School football team earns first road win this fall Read more
Sports

Local golfers, teams set to tee off in Class 6 state tournament

By Dave Facinoli
Sophie Cao is Langley's top player (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The players and teams are ready and the tee times set for the Class 6 state golf tournament.

The one-day, 18-hole Virginia High School League event will be played on the Lansdowne Resort course in Loudoun County on Oct. 15, beginning at 9 a.m. when the first of 15 foursomes tee off.

Go to Local golfers, teams set to tee off in Class 6 state tournament Read more
Sports

Flint Hill records first victory of season with team-record 63-point performance

By Dave Facinoli
Caleb West passes for Flint Hill (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The first win of the season was a record-setter for the Flint Hill Huskies.

By defeating the visiting Catholic Crusaders (0-7) from Virginia Beach by a 63-7 score Oct. 12 in non-conference high-school football action, the Huskies (1-5) set a team-high scoring total. The previous mark was 62 points, accomplished four different times over the past 14 years.

Go to Flint Hill records first victory of season with team-record 63-point performance Read more
Sports

Langley football team rallies past Wakefield in second half

By Dave Facinoli
Robert Roncskevitz runs for Langley (file photo)

The Langley Saxons were outgained by a hundred total yards, but not outscored, in their Oct. 10 Liberty District road victory over the host Wakefield Warriors.

Langley (6-1, 2-1) rallied from a 17-7 second-quarter deficit to win the high-school football game, 42-30, bouncing back from their lone loss of the season a week earlier.

Go to Langley football team rallies past Wakefield in second half Read more
View More Stories