WATER WORLD: Five Cedar Run swim programs are previewed, SPORTS, Page 12-13
December 9, 2021 | Vol. 20, No. 49 | www.princewilliamtimes.com | $1.00 Covering Prince William County and surrounding communities, including Gainesville, Haymarket, Dumfries, Occoquan, Quantico and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Could ‘Dads on Duty’ help keep the peace? School officials discuss allowing volunteer program aimed at deterring school fights By Daniel Berti
Times Staff Writer
After students returned to classrooms this August after more than a year of mostly virtual schooling, parents and school officials in Prince William County have raised the alarm over what appears to be a sharp uptick in fights in middle and high schools. Despite that perception, however, school division data shows “no
spike,” so far, in school-based fights, Ron Crowe, Prince William County schools’ director of risk management and security services, told members of the school division’s Safe Schools Advisory Council on Monday, Dec. 6. Still, parents and administrators are considering expanding opportunities for parents to become involved in school safety and are exploring programs like “Dads on Duty” in an
effort to deter aggressive behavior in schools. Dads on Duty is a group of about 40 dads who made national headlines earlier this fall when they began showing up at their children’s high school in Shreveport, Louisiana, to help stop school fights. Since then, dozens of school districts across the country have looked to replicate their success. See FIGHTS, page 8
Data on school fights Since August 2021: 455 2019-2020 school year: 1,234 (through mid-March) 2018-2019 school year: 1,509 Numbers reflect fights at the county’s 13 high schools and 17 middle schools. Source: Prince William County schools
Manassas National Battlefield Park
‘Single greatest threat to the park’ in decades Manassas Nat’l Battlefield voices its opposition to data center plan By Daniel Berti
Times Staff Writer
PHOTO BY MIKE BEATY
Santa, Mrs. Claus light the Old Town Manassas Christmas tree: Dozens turned out to see Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive via train in Old Town Manassas to light the community Christmas Tree. Osbourn High School Eagles’ marching band performed, and excited kids of all ages greeted Mr. and Mrs. Claus as they made their way through the crowd. Pictures of the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade on page 6.
Time to lace up the skates! See Page 10
Manassas National Battlefield Park’s superintendent has issued two letters opposing a plan to allow data centers on 2,133 acres of land adjacent to the park, calling it “the single greatest threat to Manassas National Battlefield Park in nearly three decades.” The proposal, known as the “PW Digital Gateway,” asks county supervisors to replan a rural residential and agricultural area bordering the park on Pageland Lane to allow for the construction of up to 27.6 million square feet of data centers. The landowners have filed a See BATTLEFIELD, page 4
Upcoming Prince William events See Page 10
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CHRISTMAS PARADE
Prince William Times | www.princewilliamtimes.com | December 9, 2021
Greater Manassas Christmas Parade Hundreds turned out to Old Town Manassas Saturday, Dec. 4, for the 75th Annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade: “Right Down Santa Claus Lane.” The parade featured 96 entrants, including high school marching bands and cheerleaders, local businesses, churches and community organizations. The event marked the 75th year that Manassas has hosted a holiday parade. The first known parade occurred in 1947 and for the next 50 years was sponsored and produced by the PWC Chamber of Commerce. For the past 27 years, the parade has been an all-volunteer effort organized by the Greater
Manassas Christmas Committee, according to the parade program. This year, the committee named Sharita Rouse and Joe Nelson the parade’s woman and man of the year. Rouse, owner of Tummy YumYum Gourmet Apples, was chosen “Woman of the Year” by the parade committee because of her goal to “serve those who are less fortunate and be a shining example of God’s love to all,” according to the parade program. Nelson has been an “active and valued member of the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade Committee for 35 years,” according to the parade program.
Parade “Man of the Year,” Joe Nelson (center)
Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger
PHOTOS BY MIKE BEATY
Parade “Woman of the Year,” Sharita Rouse
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Prince William Times | www.princewilliamtimes.com | December 9, 2021
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Prince William Times | December 9, 2021
Time to lace up the skates! Dumfries offers free ice skating at Garrison Park
Ice skating around Prince William
By Aileen M. Streng
Dumfries Garrison Park
Where: 17749 Main St., Dumfries When: Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19 Details: Ice skating is available and free from noon to 4 p.m. on all four days. Ice skates are free.
Contributing Writer
Dumfries is adding something new to its holiday celebrations – a free ice-skating rink. As part of the festivities around the town’s 47th Annual Christmas parade, the town decided to offer ice skating at Garrison Park, behind the town hall, said Dumfries Town Manager Keith Rogers, Jr. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. It steps off from the Triangle Shopping Plaza and ends at the Dumfries Town Hall. The ice-skating rink also opens for the first time on Saturday, Dec. 11, from noon to 4 p.m. It will also be open from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12 and again the following weekend, Dec. 18 to 19, during the same hours. Skates are available and free. The town contracted with a private company to build the rink and provide the skates. “We just wanted to keep the activities going,” Rogers said. “With kids out of school, we thought it would be a nice outdoor activity since the pandemic has limited indoor activities.” Rogers did not say how much the rink will cost the town. The town plans to offset the expense with money collected from parade sponsors, he said. “I want to encourage everyone to come out to the Christmas parade.
Manassas Harrison Pavilion
TIMES STAFF PHOTO
Skaters enjoy the rink at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge. We are thinking this will be one of our best parades,” he said. The parade will include 50 entries. “It looks like we have everything a parade should have,” he said, to include bands, floats, dance teams, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and balloons. Although, the balloons “will not be as big as those in the Macy’s parade,” Rogers said. “We are also hoping people will take advantage of the skating rink,”
he added. “This is open to everyone.” Rogers said the town wants to bring more activities to Garrison Park. The interest in the skating rink will help it gauge the town residents’ interest in that. In the future, the town may host movies in the park during the summer months. “It will also let us test out our operations as we grow our activity base,” he said. Reach Aileen Streng at aileenstreng@gmail.com
Where: 9201 Center St. Manassas When: Daily through mid-March, weather permitting Details: The rink is open weekdays from 3:30 to 9 p.m. and weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Holiday hours vary. Skating sessions are 1.5 hours long and can be reserved in advance online. The number of skaters allowed for each time slot is limited to encourage social distancing. Masks are encouraged but not required. Cost is $9 for adults and $8 for kids. Skate rentals are $6. For more information, visit: www. harrispavilionice.ticketsocket.com
Woodbridge’s Stonebridge Town Center
Where: U.S. 1 and Dale Boulevard, Woodbridge. Rink is located in front of the Alamo Draft House movie theater. When: Daily. Weekdays, 3:30 to 9 p.m., Fridays until 11 p.m. Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sundays, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Until the end of February Details: $10 for adults, $9 for children, $9 for military/seniors. Skate rentals: $6.
UPCOMING PRINCE WILLIAM EVENTS DEC. 9 TO 15 Thursday, Dec. 9
Gingerbread House Decorating for Ages 3 to 12: 7 to 8 p.m. Bring the family for holiday cheer. Preregistration required; call 703-335-8872. Manassas Park Community Center, 99 Adams St., Manassas. $5 per house kit. Friday, Dec. 10 American Festival Pops Orchestra: 8 p.m. Holiday concert. For tickets and information, call 703-330-2787. The Hylton Performing Arts Center requires proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result for all visitors. Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas. Tickets $60, $51, $36, half price for youth through grade 12. Holiday Through the Ages: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additional dates: Saturday, Dec. 11; Sunday, Dec. 12; Monday, Dec. 13. View seasonal celebrations of the past. Masks required. Reservations strongly suggested; call 703-499-9812. Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge. $5.00 per person, children under 6 free. A Christmas Carol-Touring Version: 8 p.m. Additional date: Saturday, Dec. 11; 2 and 7 p.m. Presented by the Prince William Little Theatre. For tickets and information, call 703-330-2787. The Hylton Performing Arts Center requires proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result for all visitors. Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960
George Mason Circle, Manassas. Tickets $21, $21. A Christmas Chaos: 7 p.m. Additional date: Saturday, Dec. 11; 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 12; 3 to 5 p.m. Presented by Rooftop Productions. All attendees at indoor performances must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination or show a recent, negative COVID-19 test result. Face coverings are required for indoors for patrons ages two and up. For reservations and tickets, call 703-330-2787. ARTfactory, 9419 Battle St., Manassas. $25 adults, $20 students/seniors. English Conversation: 12:30 to 2 p.m. For adults. Improve speaking skills in a relaxed atmosphere where speakers of all languages are welcome. First come, first served until capacity is reached. Potomac Library, 2201 Optiz Blvd., Woodbridge. Free.
Saturday, Dec. 11
47th Annual Dumfries Christmas Parade: 10 a.m. Parade will begin at Triangle Shopping Center and end at Dumfries Town Hall. Free ice skating will be offered at Garrison Park. Monthly Naturalist Walk-Winter Survival: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free and open to the community. Leopold’s Preserve, 16290 Thoroughfare Road, Broad Run. Nokesville Community Christmas Parade: 4 p.m. Tree lighting and parade. Town of Nokesville,
Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville. City of Manassas Holiday Market: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Outdoor event. Vendors, mulled wine, hard cider and more. Prince William Street Commuter Lot, 9024 Prince William St., Manassas. Holiday Concert: Noon to 1 p.m. Featuring the Quantico Marine Corps Band Brass Quintet. National Museum of the Marine Corps, 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle. All are welcome. Free admission and parking. A Visit with Santa: 10 to 11 a.m. For all ages. While waiting for Santa, or after visit, do some holiday crafts. Lake Ridge Library, 2239 Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge. Free. Holiday Christmas on Parade: 2 to 4 p.m. Enter vehicle and bring the family; call 703-494-3817 by Dec. 10 to sign up. Potomac Place, 2133 Montgomery Ave., Woodbridge. Family Day-Holiday Celebration: Noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy music and holiday activities. National Museum of the Marine Corps, 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle. Free admission and parking. They Came for Freedom: 1 to 2 p.m. For adults. Local historian and author Char McCargo Bah will discuss the methods used to locate the descendants of the Freedmen and Contrabands See CALENDAR, page 11
LIFESTYLE
Prince William Times | www.princewilliamtimes.com | December 9, 2021
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Toys, gifts still needed for hundreds of local needy kids By Jill Palermo
Times Staff Writer
Volunteer Prince William is hoping to make the holidays a bit brighter for 3,200 local children, but they need a little more help from local elves. The nonprofit helps Santa Claus every year by collecting toys and gifts for the neediest children enrolled at Title 1 elementary schools in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park. Each school is asked to identify 25 to 35 families who could most use a helping hand around the holidays, according to Bridget Mullins, executive director of Volunteer Prince William. The nonprofit then strives to provide each child in the family -- from infant to age 12 -- at least two gifts valued at a total of about $75. For Volunteer Prince William, which has only four paid staff members, providing holiday gifts for so many kids is a huge task that’s been made even more difficult by the ongoing pandemic. Last year, the organization’s efforts were challenged not only by the pandemic but also by a mid-December snowstorm that closed schools during the last days before winter break. That made delivering the gifts especially difficult. Gifts are usually distributed by the schools’ counselors, but when that couldn’t happen because of the school closures, volunteers came to the rescue, driving all over the county to make deliveries, the last of which weren’t finished until Christmas Eve, Mullins said. This year, the nonprofit decided it had to move up the delivery dates to give schools more time to distribute the gifts. But that has meant less time for local elves to “adopt” needy children for the holidays and for those donors to shop for gifts, Mullins said. As of this week, Volunteer Prince William had already gathered gifts for about 960 kids from about 350 families in Manassas and Manassas
Most needed toys Volunteer Prince William’s “Untrim-a-Tree” program has at least 400 needy children who still need to be adopted for the holidays. The nonprofit is also accepting donations of money and general toys for those whose specific needs are not fulfilled. The most-needed toys include: • Dolls • Barbies • Legos CALENDAR, from page 10 who were buried at the Alexandria Cemetery from 1864 to 1869. Masks required. For more information or to register, call 703-792-8740. Montclair Library, 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries. Free. 2021 Breakfast with Santa: 8 to 11 a.m. Santa and Fire Pup will join the community at 9 a.m. Masks required. Lake Jackson Fire Department, 11310 Coles Drive, Manassas. $5 per person, kids 3 and under free. Civil War Christmas and Holiday Concert: 6 to 8 p.m. See how soldiers and civilians celebrated Christmas during the Civil War. Music performance by the Brentsville District High School Choir. For more information, call 703-365-7895. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow. Free. Manassas Chorale: 7:30 p.m. Holiday concert. For tickets and information, call 703-330-2787. The Hylton Performing Arts Center
Some of the gifts Volunteer Prince William has collected in its effort to make the holidays a bit brighter for 3,200 local needy children. COURTESY PHOTO
Park. About 230 of those children were not “adopted” by local volunteers, however, meaning Volunteer Prince William had to step in and provide those children with gifts, Mullins said. Next, they’ll turn their attention to the remaining 2,300 kids from Prince William County schools, and help is needed, Mullins said. It’s not too late to adopt a child one or more of those children for the holidays. Those willing to do so should email Mullins at utat@ volunteerprincewilliam.org or visit the Volunteer Prince William website. Those who want to help can also donate at the website or can shop for general toys (see box for the most-wanted items), which will be spread among children who are not individually adopted, Mullins said. • Cars & Trucks • Remote control cars • crafts kits • Pokemon cards • Action figures -- all types Items can be dropped off at Volunteer Prince William’s Manassas office, located at 9246 Center St. Manassas by Wednesday, Dec. 15. To “adopt” a child, email Bridget Mullins at utat@ volunteerprincewilliam.org. To donate money, visit their website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org.
requires proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result for all visitors. Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas. Tickets $25, $23. Santa Comes to Rippon Lodge: 1 to 3 p.m. Bring camera; dress appropriately as some activities are outside. Reservations required; go to www.pwcparks.org/HistoricPrograms. Rippon Lodge, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge. $5 per child, parents free.
Sunday, Dec. 12
Breakfast with Santa: 9 a.m. to noon. Enjoy a pancake breakfast and have picture taken with Santa. Buckhall Volunteer Fire Department, 7190 Yates Ford Road, Manassas. Donations accepted. Liberia Holiday Open House: 1 to 4 p.m. Hosted by the Manassas Museum Associates. Liberia House, 8601 Portner Ave., Manassas. Free. Holiday Carriage Rides: 1 to 4 p.m. Rides are limited so arrive early. For more information, call 703-361-6599. Historic Downtown Manassas, 9431
All items that are purchased can be dropped off – by Wednesday, Dec. 15 – at Volunteer Prince William’s Manassas office, located at 9246 Center St. Someone will be in the office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to collect the toys and gifts, Mullins said.
Senior gift baskets
Volunteer Prince William is also collecting items for senior gift baskets, which are distributed to about 300 local, homebound seniors who receive Meals on Wheels. Those gifts are typically gift baskets or bags that contain items like warm slippers, hard candies and puzzle books that most seniors enjoy. The pandemic continues to challenge Volunteer Prince William’s gift-collecting efforts because it has meant fewer people are willing to go out and shop for gifts at the same time that job losses have created even more need among local families. The good news, Mullins said, is that the organization has received more cash donations over the past few years. This year, about $15,775 has been donated for the gift-giving effort, she said. But more help is always needed and welcome. People “could still adopt kids. They can still donate, and if they want to buy some general things, that’s good also,” she said. “Fingers crossed, if all goes well, we’re going to be able to get it all covered.” Reach Jill Palermo at jpalermo@fauquier.com
West St., Manassas. Free. Nutcracker Tea with Clara: 1 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Presented by the Manassas Ballet Theatre. Seating is limited. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test result required. For information and tickets, call 703-791-0627. Weinegar’s Sweets and Treats, 9105 Center St., Manassas. $35 per person.
Family Movie Night: 6 to 8 p.m. For all ages/families. Enjoy a movie and some refreshments. Funded by Friends of the Library. Masks required. For more information, call 703-792-4800. Chinn Park Library, 13065 Chinn Park Drive, Woodbridge. Free.
Monday, Dec. 13
Jane Austen Movie Party: 5 to 7 p.m. For adults. Celebrate Jane Austen’s 246th birthday. Activity filled movie party with a showing of “Emma” (2020). Masks required. For more information, call 703-792-8740. Montclair Library, 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries. Free. Spanish Conversation Group: 1 to 2:30 p.m. For adults. Improve speaking skills in a relaxed atmosphere where speakers of all languages are welcome. First come, first served until capacity is reached. Masks required. Chinn Park Library, 13065 Chinn Park Drive, Woodbridge. Free.
English Conversation Group: Noon to 1:30 p.m. For adults. Improve speaking skills in a relaxed atmosphere where speakers of all languages are welcome. First come, first served until capacity is reached. Masks required. Central Library, 8601 Mathis Ave., Manassas. Free. Tuesday, Dec. 14 Visit with Santa: 10 a.m. to noon. Holiday themed activities and crafts while waiting to meet Santa. Guests must provide their own camera. National Museum of the Marine Corps, 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle. Free and open to the public.
Wednesday, Dec. 15
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SPORTS
SHAWN MURPHY WINS BUTKUS AWARD
Shawn Murphy of Unity Reed High won the 2021 Butkus Award given to the nation’s top high school linebacker. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound University of Alabama recruit learned he’d won Monday during a ceremony at school where he was presented the award by Matt Butkus, son of the NFL Hall of Famer.
WWW.PRINCEWILLIAMTIMES.COM
Prince William Times | December 9, 2021
WHO’LL RULE THE POOL? A preview of some Cedar Run District swim teams By Jason S. Rufner Special to the Times
BATTLEFIELD BOBCATS
Led by state champion freestyler and University of Tennessee commit Camille Spink, the Bobcats return most of the girls team that placed second at the Class 6 state meet a year ago. Jamie Cornwell, Sophia Heilen, Tess Peny, Lexi Sawwa, and Emma Hannam provide 11th-year head coach Jay Thorpe with additional leadership, augmented by “an outstanding group of freshmen.” Battlefield’s boys are led by Ryan Strotheide, Matthew Pianoto, Leyton Arnold, and Alex Canfield. Thorpe’s goals for both teams include winning the regional meet and securing a top-5 placement at states.
PHOTO BY SARAH HYDE
Junior Emma Hannam is one of many talented swimmers on coach Jay Thorpe’s powerful Battlefield program. “Additionally, we want to have at least one swimming All-American and three academic All-Americans,” he said.
OSBOURN EAGLES There are more than twice the number of Osbourn swimmers this year as last year. That has co-head coaches Casey Simpson and Jeane Ryder excited. “We have so many new underclassmen swimmers who give us many options to be competitive,” Simpson said. “We’re thrilled to continue to grow the sport at Osbourn!” The Eagles are led on the girls side by sophomore Lyla Browne and freshmen Nika Picardo and Darcy Lucas. The boys are counting on junior Patrick Epifanio.
PHOTO BY LINH HOANG
Gainesville will debut with 13 girls on its swim team and nine boys.
GAINESVILLE CARDINALS You’ve got to start somewhere. The new Gainesville High School has no seniors, just a few juniors, and a swim team roster barely a third its ideal size. The Cardinals have nine boys and 13 girls for their inaugural swim season. Co-head coaches Matthew Mast and Bradley Morrison want to attract 30 swimmers to each team. “This season is mainly laying the groundwork for a quality program, a family feeling amongst the swimmers on the team,” Mast said. Sophomore backstroker Christian Carroll captains the boys team, joined by junior medley specialist Charlie Cappellini and freshmen Nolan McCurdy and Joshua Hirsch, “an up-and-coming butterflier.” The girls are led by sophomores Elyse Eyre, a distance freestyler, and Kaylee Jaimes Rodriguez. Freshmen Grace Seidl, a backstroker, and Lexi Brazier, from the cross-country team, show promise.
PHOTO BY CASEY SIMPSON
Osbourn swimmers pictured include from left freshman Darcy Lucas, junior Patrick Epifanio and freshman Nika Picardo.
Junior Hailey Annibelle is back to swim for Unity Reed’s new coach Elizabeth Vogel. PHOTO BY KELLYE ANNIBELLE
UNITY REED LIONS There’s a lot of newness for the Lions this season. In addition to a new head coach in Elizabeth Vogel and a new assistant coach in Robbie Seymour, new boundary lines shaved off some of the swim team’s roster. Still, “our team is very competitive and has a great sense of unity,” Seymour said. “Success will be measured by the individual swimmer’s goals, and how they accomplish them.” The Lions boast multiple returners, including Evan Dick and Kyle Romano on the boys side, and Emma Knick, Chris-Ann Whyte, and Tica Jones on the girls team.
PHOTO BY CHANIDA PETERS
Osbourn Park’s Peter Davis is part of first-year coach Lauren Kranz’s strong squad.
OSBOURN PARK YELLOW JACKETS First-year head coach Lauren Kranz inherits deep, experienced rosters on both the boys and girls teams. She’s impressed by the culture she’s now part of. “Everyone puts in effort to get to know the names of their teammates. There’s always someone cheering behind every lane,” Kranz said. “The support and respect the team has for each other is unmatched in my eyes.” The girls are led by freestyler
Sydney Craft, backstroker Katie Luetkenhaus, and breaststroker Melia Truong. Butterflier Caroline Luetkenhaus and sprinter Rosangela Le are talented freshmen. The boys are led by medley swimmer Connor Adrian, breaststroker Jake Waldman, and sprinter Mason Simpson, all seniors. Junior medley swimmer Peter Davis and sprinter Jake Gaston contribute to OP’s depth.
NOTE: Patriot did not respond to interview requests. The Prince William Times did not include Champe or Freedom-South Riding in Loudoun County.
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Prince William Times | December 9, 2021
REAL ESTATE WWW.PRINCEWILLIAMTIMES.COM
Lots of upgrades and amenities in Potomac Club Check out this stunning upper-level townhouse-style condominium in the Potomac Club Community. This home boasts 2,164 finished square feet with three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and a garage. The main level features an open floor plan with a spacious family room, kitchen, dining room, sunroom and half bathroom. The newly renovated gourmet kitchen has plenty of cabinet and countertop space with a large island that overlooks the dining room and the sitting room. A special feature is the private balcony off the kitchen. The upper level features a spacious primary bedroom with two walk-in closets and a renovated primary bathroom with a walk-in double shower and two vanity sinks. There are two additional bedrooms and a full bathroom on the upper level, as well as many upgrades! Conveniently located less than a mile from Interstate 95 and shopping, restaurants and entertainment at the Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center. The Potomac Club’s amenities include a clubhouse/community center, an indoor and outdoor pool, a sauna/spa, a business center, rock climbing, playgrounds and more! This is a must-see! Located at 2258 Margraf Circle #406 in Woodbridge and offered at $410,000. Stephanie Wayne Email: stephanie.wayne@c21nm.com Cell: 703-965-1643 Office: 703-753-7910
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, age, familial status, or national origin. All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Virginia and federal fair housing laws, which make it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, or elderliness, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint, call the Virginia Fair Housing office at 804-367-8530 or toll-free at 888-551-3247. For the hearing impaired, call 804-3679753. EMAIL: fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov WEBSITE:dpor.virginia.gov/fairhousing
Brentsville’s super football season ‘will be hard to top’ By Jason S. Rufner Special to the Times
Loren White’s first season as Brentsville District High football coach was one for the record books. Brentsville played 14 games, making a deep playoff run into the Class 3 state semifinals before falling to Phoebus 49-0. “I know each season going forward will create its own memories, however, this one will be hard to top,” said White, who helped Brentsville to an 11-3 record and the first state semifinal appearance in school history. Thirteen Tigers were all-region performers, led by junior lineman Tyler Nix, who was the region’s Offensive Player of the Year. Seniors Nick Griffin, Victor Vasquez, Bryce Jackson, Hunter Lambert, Jackson Schnetzler, Ryan Stevens, Luca Orlando and Trae Owens were all-region picks. “This is a special group of young men,” White said of his 16-man senior class. “The leadership that I witnessed coming from these seniors was immeasurable.” One of those seniors was Ryland Harris, a member of Brentsville’s football, baseball, and wrestling teams, who died in September of brain
cancer. That loss tested the team. “Watching each player navigate the emotions and find it within themselves to fight every single day to be the best they can be, in honor of Ryland and his memory, that was special,” White said. The Tigers’ Region B championship victory over Meridian will remain in the players’ minds forever. On the final play, quarterback Caleb Alexander passed to Bryce Jackson, who weaved 50 yards for a game-ending touchdown and a 13-7 road win. “Watching every player execute their role to get Bryce across that line was everything a coach could hope for,” White said. The Tigers went 8-2 in the regular season, averaging 35.1 points while the defense tossed three shutouts, then earned three more wins in the playoffs. A loss to Phoebus kept Brentsville from playing for its first state championship. “I am grateful to the team, families, BDHS staff, and the community for welcoming me and helping me navigate my first season,” White said. “I’m very happy with the success on and off the field this season.” White, who was previously Gainesville High’s defensive coordinator and a former Brentsville assistant coach, was the region Coach of the Year.
TIMES STAFF PHOTO/COY FERRELL
Langston White (No. 9), Luca Orlando (No. 5), Nicholas Griffin (No. 30) and Eli Furner (No. 66) helped Brentsville (11-3) make its first state semifinal appearance.