The St. Stephens & St. Agnes Saints improved to 3-0 on the young season with a hard-fought 16-13 win against Woodberry Forest (Orange, Va.). The long-time rivalry game was played Sept. 22 in Alexandria.
The Saints were spearheaded by junior place kicker Chazzo Habliston. Habliston had a day that many NFL place kickers would envy. The junior successfully converted field goal attempts of 20, 30 and 38 yards and also converted a PAT to account for 10 of the Saints 16 points.
The Saints have now defeated St. Christophers, Norfolk Academy and Woodberry Forest. Last season, SSSA merely mustered a 3-6 overall record. SSSA will visit Randolph Macon Academy (Front Royal) Sept. 29 and will host Ireton on Oct. 6.
Episcopal soccer off to big start
The Episcopal Maroon boys soccer team is off to one of its best starts in recent history. Coached by Rick Wilcox, Episcopal thoroughly dominated visiting Collegiate of Richmond, winning 5-0 on Sept. 24 in Alexandria.
Our offensive philosophy is possession, said Wilcox. It largely revolves around Shadow [Episcopal junior midfielder, Abel Sebele]. We want to possess the ball, spread the other team out and make them chase us.
The Maroon took a decisive 3-0 lead at halftime and never looked back. First-half goals were logged by junior midfielder Abel Shadow Sebele (the first and third) and junior striker Given Kalipinde. Second-half goals were notched by Kalipinde and junior midfielder Greg DiNardo.
Sebele, Alexandria Sportsmans Club Soccer Player of the Year as a sophomore, scored one of his goals unassisted. Sebele was also First-Team All-VISAA after his sophomore season 10 months ago.
Senior goalkeeper Zach Glubiak (VISAA Honorable Mention 10 months ago after his junior season) is the primary Maroon captain this season and anchors the defense as the keeper. Glubiak is supported in the back by junior sweeper Will Addis, junior stopper Yao Sithole, and outside defenders junior James Williams and sophomore David Kagulu-Kalema.
Thus far, with the season approaching the halfway mark, the Maroon weighs in at 7-2 overall. After starting the season 2-2, the Maroon has reeled off five consecutive decisive victories, having defeated Paul VI (5-0), Christchurch (3-0), SSSA (5-2), St. Annes Belfield (3-0) and Collegiate (5-0) in its red-hot winning streak.
The Maroon is ranked No. 3 in the State of Virginia for Division One schools.
Episcopal will travel to Landon on Sept. 28 for a key battle in the Interstate Athletic Conference.
Ireton wins defensive battle
Bishop Ireton improved to 4-1 overall on the season with a defensive 10-7 football win against cross-town rival Episcopal. It was Iretons first win versus the Maroon since 1989.
Neither team scored during the games first three quarters. In the decisive fourth quarter, after a 30-yard Ireton field goal, Episcopal forged ahead 7-3 when junior QB Alex Helm connected with sophomore wide receiver Hunter de Butts on a 45-yard scoring strike (junior Sam Dashiell added the PAT).
As the fourth quarter wound down, Ireton senior QB Ed Pastorino made a number of plays with his feet and through the air, and the Cardinals scored the game winner with less than a minute remaining on the clock.
Senior running back Andrew Rodriguez punched in the game winner from 1 yard out, catapulting the Cardinals to a hard-fought 10-7 win. The young Maroon team dropped to 0-2 on the season.
This season, the Cardinals have improved on last seasons win total with five more regular season games remaining.
Following a bye week this weekend, Ireton visits St. Stephens & St. Agnes on Oct. 6. Meanwhile, the Maroon hosts Collegiate Sept. 29 and then will visit Landon on Oct. 5.
