The finish came down to a couple of Hail Mary passes at the end, one a big success and the other so close to working, as the Madison Warhawks fell a point short of winning their first state football championship.
The undefeated Oscar Smith Tigers of Chesapeake (15-0) nipped Madison, 21-20, in a seesaw Dec. 14 championship game of the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 state final at James Madison University in Harrisonburg.
Three players from the Flint Hill Huskies and one from the Potomac School Panthers were chosen to the 2024 Division I all-state private high-school football teams for their performances during the 2024 high-school season.
From Flint Hill, senior quarterback Caleb West was chosen to the first team on offense while his teammate, senior wide receiver Victor McNeal, made second team.
A few matches into the Northern Virginia Scholastic Ice Hockey League, the Herndon/South Lakes club team leads the Adams Division with a 4-0 record, with the multiple-time defending champion Langley Saxons at 4-1 with a four-match winning streak.
Also in the division, the Madison Warhawks are 2-2, the Oakton Cougars 2-3 and the McLean/Chantilly high-school squad 1-3. Langley and Herndon/South Lakes meet later in the season.
When it comes to the Madison Warhawks’ undefeated opponent in the Class 6 state-championship football game, there are no secrets.
The Warhawks know from first-hand experience that the Oscar Smith Tigers (14-0) of Chesapeake are very good, talented, fast and big. The Tigers routed Madison in the 2021 Virginia High School League Class 6 state final, 42-17.
Fairfax County elected officials intend to take the same position on a proposed Tysons casino in 2025 that they held during the 2024 legislative session.
While some individual members have expressed explicit opposition to the possibility, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as a whole has hedged its bets: it has concerns but isn’t averse to getting the power from Richmond to conduct a referendum on the matter.
This holiday season, we’re partnering with Brx American Bistro to create a cozy, memorable experience for you and your loved ones.
At Rossen Landscape, we believe in making every moment spent at home meaningful and inviting, so we’re adding a touch of seasonal charm to your space to help set the stage for unforgettable gatherings.
🎁 Here’s what’s included in our Holiday Giveaway:
🍽️ A $150 Gift Card to Brx American Bistro.
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🌿 Bonus: A stylish planter pot that fits perfectly into the firepit, transforming it into a decorative piece when not in use.
✨ How to Enter
Follow @RossenLandscape and @brxamericanbistro.
More Ways to Win
1️⃣ One additional entry for each person you tag and would like to share this experience with.
2️⃣ Sign up for Rossen and BRX’s email lists for an additional entry.
3️⃣ Share this post to your story for an additional entry.
Let’s make your holiday season a time for connection, warmth, and celebration. Enter for your chance to create memories that last a lifetime!
Giveaway ends December 20. Winner will be announced on December 23.
✨Good luck!
As Fairfax County Public Schools considers revising its cell phone storage policy, students are calling for a more consistent approach across classrooms, citing concerns about uneven enforcement.
The school system is currently testing a phone-free pilot program at select middle and high schools to evaluate the impact of stricter limits on student cell phone use. Once the pilot concludes, the school board plans to use the collected data to develop an updated policy aligned with new Virginia Department of Education guidelines, which must be adopted by school boards statewide by Jan. 1, 2025.
Tysons is an overall financial boon for Fairfax County, generating more tax revenue than it takes, a recent analysis commissioned by the Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) found.
Presented on Nov. 21 as part of the TCA’s first Tysons Quarterly Market Report, the net fiscal impact analysis conducted by the consulting firm HR&A Advisors suggests that Tysons is generally living up to its reputation as the county’s “economic engine.”
Reston Native Engaged to Selena Gomez — “While Gomez, a global superstar, and [Benny] Blanco, a chart-topping producer, have captured worldwide attention, it’s Blanco’s Northern Virginia roots that make this romance even more special for NoVA fans.” Born in Reston, Blanco attended Langston Hughes Middle School and South Lakes High School. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Fairfax City Police Chief to Retire — “Erin Schaible announced on Thursday that she was retiring as the chief of police for the City of Fairfax Police Department. Schaible was hired as Fairfax City’s first female chief in January 2019.” The news came after the Fairfax City Council voted to terminate City Manager Laszlo Palko on Tuesday (Dec. 10), but a police spokesperson says the timing is coincidental. [Patch]
Boundary Adjustment Considered for Lincolnia School — “The Parklawn Elementary School community came together Dec. 11 to hear Fairfax County Public School’s plans for a boundary study to relieve overcrowding … The Parklawn boundary study is separate from the ongoing FCPS district-wide boundary study, which is looking at all county schools.” [Annandale Today]
Park Authority Releases Call for Farmers’ Market Vendors — “Calling all local farmers and food producers! Applications are now open for food producers to participate in the wildly popular Fairfax County Park Authority Farmers Markets in 2025. If you’re passionate about what you grow or make, this is your chance to share it with the community!” [FCPA]
Police Station Hosts Winter Clothing Donation Drive — “The Fair Oaks District Station is hosting a Winter Coat, Hat, and Glove Drive to support local children in need this winter season. [The] drive ends: Saturday, Jan. 4. Your donations will make a huge difference by keeping kids in our community warm throughout the colder months.” [Fairfax County Government/Twitter]
Pricey McLean Mansions Land Buyers — A 16,000-square-foot home at 1113 Langley Lane with “an indoor sports court that doubles as an entertainment pavilion” has a buyer who’s expected to pay over $11 million. Another mansion in the Langley Farms neighborhood — a 14,000-square-foot house at 1150 Chain Bridge Road with a sauna, tea house and outdoor koi pond — is also now under contract after being listed for over $22 million. [Washington Business Journal]
Where to See Christmas Lights in N. Va. — “Looking for the best and brightest neighborhood Christmas lights? Check out our annual list of some of Northern Virginia’s most popular neighborhood holiday light displays, plus a few professional twinkling winter wonderlands.” [Inside NoVA]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny skies during the day with a high temperature close to 41°F and a gentle breeze from the northeast. Heading into Friday night, the skies will turn mostly cloudy with temperatures dipping to about 28°F, accompanied by a 6 mph northeast wind. [NWS]
Finally, the Lake Braddock Bruins won a close basketball game.
After opening their season with two- and three-point losses, the boys high-school team rallied to win a tight contest by defeating the visiting Marshall Statesmen, 59-53, in overtime in non-district action Dec. 10.
