Gameday Magazine

STERLING, VA - Local football coaches from Loudoun, Fairfax, Winchester, and Fauquier Counties arrived at Joe's Pizzaria in Sterling, Virginia with excitement and optimism. The first annual Gameday Media Day 2007 luncheon showcased head coaches from several of the best football programs in the state. Each coach had 15 minutes to discuss his team's 2007 outlook and answer questions from the local media. Below is a recap of the day's events and some impressions of some of the press conferences.

Tom Verbanic - Westfield Bulldogs
In the morning session Westfield head coach Tom Verbanic spoke about his team's work ethic and experience entering the 2007 season. Verbanic emphasized that despite being tabbed by several media outlets as the favorite to win it all in Division 6, his team only needed to remember how their 2006 season ended to keep their focus.

Mickey Thompson - Stone Bridge Bulldogs
Stone Bridge's Mickey Thompson took the stage and discussed his team's personnel changes entering the 2007 season. Thompson said he was pleased with how his kids have prepared and said right now, they were a 5-5 team, but that when it was all said and done, they could be a really good football team if they took care of business. Thompson showed a quiet confidence in his statements, and provided the local media with every belief that his Bulldogs will once again be the team to beat in Division 5 this fall.

Andy Hill - Park View Patriots
Park View's Andy Hill followed Thompson and addressed many of the questions that the media had about how his team will respond this season after losing several key players from a year ago. Despite entering camp as last year's Dulles District champion, the Patriots appear to have more to prove than other teams in the district, and that didn't seem to bother Hill.

Joe Thompson - Oakton Cougars
Oakton head coach Joe Thompson spoke about how his team enters the season as an underdog in the Concorde District, a role he said that he and his staff enjoys. Oakton is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and Thompson expressed his excitement to get started. The Cougars finished 6-5 last year and made the playoffs, but it was clear to see that Thompson is expecting bigger things in 2007.

Mike Lalli - Chantilly Chargers
Mike Lalli took the stage after Thompson and explained to the media that the Chargers should be in the mix again this fall, as they return several key members from last year's state runner-up squad. Chantilly has one of the toughest schedules in the state and Lalli was quick to note that he was very concerned about that. Lalli also explained to the media the difference entering this year as a contender as opposed to last year, when his team was basically an unknown commodity in the Concorde District.

Bruce Sheppard - Loudoun Valley
Loudoun Valley head coach Bruce Sheppard stepped to the podium and expressed his optimism about joining the Cedar Run district. Sheppard was asked about how it has felt to have to change districts several times in recent years and he answered it simply by saying, "That is really not in my control so we don't spend a lot time worrying about it." Valley returns several talented players and Sheppard was confident his group will be as competitive as anyone in their new district.

Recap:
In total, 14 coaches spoke at the first annual Gameday Media Day hosted by TCC Sports. Every press conference was filmed for GamedayTV by TCC Sports and will be posted online at GamedayMagazine.com throughout the next two weeks as Gameday's training camp tour begins.

Check back for continuing coverage of the 2007 Gameday Media Day as we will be posting more stories shortly.

Posted by Andy Hayes - Publisher & Senior Editor at 10:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

STERLING, VA - With its website continuing to receive over 1 million page views per month, GamedayMagazine.com has expanded its media section to allow for a more interactive experience. Visitors will be able to watch more video clips, listen to live and on-demand radio right on the front page, and will also be able to browse through the latest photos taken by Gameday Magazine photographers and TCC Sports. Improving the user experience is always at the top of the priority list for TCC Sports owner Andy Hayes.

"This new media section is one of a kind, and it should make it much easier for visitors to GamedayMagazine.com to follow their favorite teams," Hayes said. "With the launch of our Gameday Radio Network this month, we needed to be able to showcase our live games and shows, and this will do it perfectly."

The changes to the front page revolve around the ability to select which kind of media you want to explore. On the prior platform, visitors could watch GamedayTV, but radio links were not available in the media section. In addition, TCC Sports has launched a new photo gallery that will allow visitors to see the action from the games that are being covered on the website.

"The photo gallery is something we are really excited about," Hayes said. "Our photographers do such an amazing job of catching the action at the games, and now they can showcase their work right on the front page. Best of all, if a parent or family member out of town wants to order a print, they can do it right on the spot."

With Gameday's coverage of training camp starting this week, the new media section on the front page will feature training camp television clips and also photos from camp. Stay tuned for more changes to GamedayMagazine.com in the coming days as the launch of the Gameday Radio Network is on the horizon.

If you have an opinion about our new media section, or are having difficulties with it, please e-mail us your comments at GamedayMagazine@aol.com.

Posted by TCC Sports Staff at 11:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

STERLING, VA - With the kickoff to the 2007 football season less than a month away, TCC Sports has announced which games it will be broadcasting for its Game of the Week. Highlighting the 2007 TCC Sports Game of the Week schedule includes rivalry games such as Liberty vs Fauquier, Stone Bridge vs Loudoun Valley, Westfield vs Centreville, and Park View vs Broad Run.

TCC Sports will kickoff the 2007 football season with a double header weekend. Its first broadcast will be on August 30th, 2007 at Langley High School, where the Chantilly Chargers will start their season after finishing as the state runner-up in Division 6 last year. On August 31st, the TCC Sports Game of the Week will travel to Liberty High School to cover the annual cross town rivalry between Liberty and Fauquier.

Play by play announcer Bruce Bornarth will once again join color analyst Andy Hayes for the call of the TCC Sports Game of the Week throughout the season. Grant Paulsen will handle sideline duties and TCC Sports analyst Tom Whipple will contribute to the broadcasts during the season.

The TCC Sports Game of the Week will travel to the best high school games each week in Loudoun and Fairfax County during the season. All games are broadcast live online at www.GamedayMagazine.com and also published for on-demand listening 24 hours after the game is over.

Below is a complete list of the games that will be covered during the 2007 season on the TCC Sports Game of the Week. All Games are considered tentative and could change at any time.

August 30th, 2007
Chantilly @ Langley

August 31st, 2007
Fauquier @ Liberty

September 7th, 2007
Stone Bridge @ Robinson

September 14th, 2007
Handley @ Park View

September 20th, 2007
Loudoun Valley @ Stone Bridge

September 28th, 2007
Westfield @ Robinson

October 5th, 2007
Oakton @ Chantilly

October 12th, 2007
Park View @ Potomac Falls

October 19th, 2007
Madison @ Stone Bridge

October 26th, 2007
Westfield @ Oakton

November 2nd, 2007
Westfield @ Centreville

November 9th, 2007
Park View @ Broad Run

Stay tuned for more announcements on the upcoming football broadcast schedule as TCC Sports will be releasing a schedule for all games covered on the Gameday Radio Network this fall...For more information on this press release, please call 571-233-8696....

Posted by TCC Sports Staff at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After receiving six National Letters of Intent
Notre Dame Academy senior Devin Pinkston
has decided that NCAA Division I Presbyterian
College is where he will play lacrosse after high
school. Pinkston is the first lacrosse player
from Notre Dame Academy to sign a national
letter of intent to a Division I program
accompanied by an athletic scholarship.

Presbyterian whose lacrosse program is only two
years old is moving from DII to DI play in 2007 and Pinkston is their first DI signee.
"When I visited Presbyterian College and met with Coach Childs everything clicked from
there. Coach Childs was one of the first coaches to contact me and stayed in touch with me
all the way through the recruiting process. I looked at a lot of schools but it was all about
the right fit for me, the academics and lacrosse at Presbyterian was that right fit."

"To have a player and person like Devin enter this program shows the direction that we are
taking. We are very excited that Devin will be joining the Blue Hose family as we make the
jump to the Division I level. His lacrosse abilities are proven, and I cannot wait for him to
get down here and add to the production on the field." - Coach Jason Childs Presbyterian
College.

Pinkston was recruited by several DI, DII and DIII lacrosse programs after his junior season
with Notre Dame Academy, when he helped the Dragons reach the State Semi-Finals. In
2006 Pinkston tallied 126 points setting School, County, and Division II State records. His
post season accolades included 1st team all state, 1st team all MILL and CAC conferences
and 1st team Washington Post All Extra.

When asked about his senior co-captain, Notre Dame Academy's head coach Rob Horne
responded;

"As a coach, you dream of working with a young man who has both the
necessary athletic gifts as well as the determination to reach his potential. Although a bit
undersized, Devin worked tirelessly to become a great attack man for this program. Upon
graduation, Devin will have shattered the point scoring record for a career at Notre Dame
Academy. In addition, Devin has been a two-time captain and tremendous mentor to the
younger players on the team. Every player and coach respects and admires the work ethic
and level of dedication that Devin has placed into his years in this program. While I have
worked with many talented attackmen, there will forever be a void at the "X" position with
which Devin manned these past three years. It is because of his talent, knowledge of the
game, and maturity that I am certain Devin will succeed at Presbyterian College over the
next four years."

"This has been a long process! I spent every weekend since last July visiting schools that
had contacted me. I met a lot of really nice coaches and visited a lot of great schools but I
am excited about my decision to help Presbyterian become a strong division I program over
the next four years.

I have had a great time at Notre Dame and will miss the team and coaches especially Coach
Horne who has helped me learn the game of lacrosse and how to become a college lacrosse
player."

Posted by Wire and Staff Reports at 04:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

STERLING, VA - TCC Sports is excited to announce that it has secured a new partnership with Oakton High School Athletics. The Oakton Cougar football games will be heard every week and all season long on the Gameday Radio Network online at www.GamedayMagazine.com.

In addition to the live games each week, Oakton football fans will also be able to listen to the Cougar Blitz each week with head coach Joe Thompson. The Cougar Blitz will be a 30 minute program that takes an in-depth look at each week's opponent, and a look back at the prior game.

Oakton is the last Concorde District team to win the Division 6 State Championship, having done so in 2005. TCC Sports President Andy Hayes expressed his excitement with adding a program like Oakton to the Gameday Radio Network.

"Oakton is synonymous with winning, and their athletic program is one of the finest in the state," Hayes said. "We are excited to showcase Oakton's athletic program on the Gameday Radio Network each week with the Cougar Blitz, and to broadcast every football game this season."

The opportunity to broadcast Oakton athletics this year comes at a perfect time as the school is celebrating its 40th Anniversary. Head Coach Joe Thompson has a young team returning this fall after a playoff season a year ago, and is excited to put the word out to the Oakton fans and alumni about this exciting partnership with TCC Sports.

"Since its inception, Gameday Magazine and TCC Sports have been dedicated to excellence. Gameday Radio is on the cutting edge of what will surely be the next step in scholastic sports broadcasting," Thompson said. "Oakton football is honored to have the opportunity to join the Gameday Radio Network this year. We are looking forward to performing each week for the fans in the stadium and also for the families and alumni around the world who can now listen online."

Athletic Director Phil Levine echoed Thompson's sentiments as well.

"TCC Sports and Gameday Radio will bring Oakton Athletics into people's homes no matter where they reside across the country," Levine said. "I am honored that Andy Hayes and his crew at TCC Sports have selected Oakton to be a part of this opportunity. Our fans and alumni will be able to follow our athletic programs all year long like never before. I'm looking forward to the relationship and continued success."

The first episode of the Cougar Blitz will air in the middle of August with the date to be announced soon. Oakton begins its season against Madison on August 31st, 2007, and the game will be carried live online at www.GamedayMagazine.com.

The Cougars join the Stone Bridge Bulldogs as the most recent programs to join the Gameday Radio Network lineup. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements about Oakton football and other schools in the Northern Virginia region that will be joining the Gameday Radio Network this upcoming school year....

If you are interested in advertising on the Oakton football games and the Cougar Blitz, please contact TCC Sports by calling 571-233-8696...

Posted by TCC Sports Staff at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Eastern Loudoun Babe Ruth 18U All Star team finished a successful run in summer play recently, capped by their 3rd place finish in the Virginia Babe Ruth State Championship tournament, held July 11-16, in Brunswick County, VA.

After steamrolling through their competition, and securing a 1st place finish in District play in Manassas, the program's first ever title for this age group since establishing in 2004, the team traveled south with high hopes of adding a state championship, and a bid to the Southeast Regional tournament, in North Carolina.

Opening against a tough Lane (Charlottesville) squad, the East started out hot. Highlighted by Chris Taylor's 1st inning 3 run home run, 4 RBI's in the game for David Laub, and a 6 run 7th inning, the team was off to a good start, coming away with the 12-6 victory. The bats would cool a bit in their next game, however, as Greater Fairfax would outlast the East by a score of 6-5, after the team left 6 runners in scoring position.

In the 1st game of the loser's bracket on Saturday morning, the East bats would make a statement against Halifax. All 16 players contributed, amassing 23 hits in a 21-0 laugher, capped by TJ Harrington's 2 home runs. Anthony DeMott added a 3 run home run of his own, and Jordan Taylor led all producers with 5 RBI's.

The East had to face Lane once again in the evening game for the right to advance to the semi-finals. Down 2-0 in the 1st inning, East would answer right back on a Jordan Taylor 2 run home run, and added 3 more in the 2nd inning on RBI singles by J. Taylor and Laub. Lane put 2 runs up in the 3rd inning, but that's all they would manage the rest of the game, as J. Taylor clamped down on their offense, and pitched the distance in the 8-4 win.

The tournament was now down to 3 teams.....all from Northern Virginia......and the East now would have to knock off Northern Fairfax for the right to advance to the finals, and a rematch with Greater Fairfax, the only undefeated team at this point, having knocked off their Northern rivals 6-5 earlier. The game would go back and forth, with both teams trading runs throughout most of the contest. With the score tied at 3 in the bottom of the 6th inning, Fairfax loaded the bases with no outs. Pitcher Alex Martin would induce a key strike out. With the infield drawn in, the next Fairfax batter would hit what seemed to be a routine ground ball to 3rd baseman J. Taylor, for what could have been the inning ending double play, however the ball would take a bad bounce over his head, scoring 2 runners. A sacrifice fly would score the 3rd and final run of the Fairfax inning. That's all the runs Fairfax needed, as the East bats fell silent in the 7th, ending the game with the 6-3 Fairfax victory.

Northern Fairfax would later fall to Greater Fairfax that day in the championship game, 15-5, and Greater Fairfax will now represent District VIII, and Virginia, in the Southeast Regional tournament, beginning July 20, in Tarboro, NC.

The Eastern Loudoun Babe Ruth 18U All Stars was made up of varsity players from Dominion, Park View, and Broad Run, along with 18 year old former players from Stone Bridge, Broad Run, and Potomac Falls. The team was managed by Tom Whipple, president of Eastern Loudoun Babe Ruth, and TCC Sports broadcaster, and he was assisted by Paul Earle and TCC Sports icon Bruce Bornarth, and statistician Walter McCowat. The team is as follows:

Steve Hershey (BRHS)
David Laub (PVHS)
Jordan Taylor (DHS)
Chris Taylor (DHS)
Kyle Irish (PVHS)
Rick Dimsey (FSU\PFHS)
Adam Foltz (PVHS)
Anthony DeMott (DHS)
Steven Schultz (FSU\SBHS)
Nathan White (PVHS)
Zach Boyd (DHS)
Geoffrey McCowat (DHS)
TJ Harrington (DHS)
Jimmy Armstrong (DHS)
Jimmy Kerby (PVHS)
Alex Martin (PSU\BRHS)

Posted by Tom Whipple - Gameday Magazine Senior Editor at 04:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

STERLING, VA - TCC Sports is excited to announce that Stone Bridge Bulldog football will be streamed live every week during the upcoming football season on the Gameday Radio Network online at www.GamedayMagazine.com .

In addition to the live games each week, Stone Bridge football fans will also be able to listen to the Bulldog Blitz each week for the second straight year with head coach Mickey Thompson. The Bulldog Blitz will once again be a 30 minute program that takes an in-depth look at each week's opponent, and a look back at the prior game.

Stone Bridge's football program has won more games than any program in the state of Virginia in the last five years, and according to TCC Sports President Andy Hayes, having every Stone Bridge game online each week at www.GamedayMagazine.com will be a big draw.

"We have produced a few Stone Bridge football games in the past on the Gameday Radio Network, and the statistics have shown people are interested in Bulldog football," Hayes said. "The Bulldog Blitz was one of our most listened to shows last fall, so we are all excited to see the response once Stone Bridge students, parents, and faculty know they can listen each week to the games live or on-demand with us."

Head Coach Mickey Thompson is entering his 8th year as head coach at Stone Bridge, and in a short period of time, he has built the Bulldogs into a perennial State Title contender. Thompson is also excited to know his program will be covered all season long on the Gameday Radio Network.

"I'm excited that our fans and kids will be able to follow the season on the air this season," Thompson said. "We are excited to join the Gameday Radio Network and to be a part of this program with TCC Sports. Over the years, we have developed an outstanding working relationship with Gameday and TCC Sports, and this opportunity will continue to enhance that relationship."

The Bulldogs have won the Liberty District the past two years, have won the past 3 out of 4 regional championship games they've played in, and finished as state runner-up in 2005. Stone Bridge has also become a hotbed for recruiting, having sent several players to the Division 1 ranks in recent years.

Stone Bridge begins training camp on August 8th, 2007 and shortly after, the first episode of The Bulldog Blitz will air. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements about Stone Bridge football and other schools in the Northern Virginia region that will be joining the Gameday Radio Network lineup....

For more information on the Gameday Radio Network, please contact TCC Sports at 571-233-8696...

Posted by TCC Sports Staff at 05:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Dominion High School Sterling, Va.
AA Dulles District. We have the flexibility to move other coaches around to fill these spots. We are in need of O-Line / D-Line. However, we can and will accomodate other areas. We can offer a position at all 3 levels to accomodate a new coach. We have Special Ed openings and a history opening.
Contact Mike Dougherty at mdoc376@aol.com.

Posted by Wire and Staff Reports at 05:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With the football season rapidly approaching, let's take a sneak peak into what should be the biggest match-ups and possible upsets in the 2007 football season. Every year, the season starts with high expectations for our local teams, coaches, and players. This fall will be no different as new coaches are set to take over programs in both Loudoun and Fairfax, and several teams are changing landscapes with a jump to the Group AAA level.

Week 1: (August 30th, 2007)
Chantilly @ Langley
The Chargers are hoping to keep their amazing run toward the end of 2006 going as they head into Mclean to play the Langley Saxons. Langley is continually talked about by opposing coaches as a team that can win any week, but they often don't win the big games. Last year's Saxon squad did show some promise and Chantilly has some big shoes to fill on defense and behind center, so this game should be really interesting....
Safe Pick = Chantilly

Upset Alert:
Fauquier travels to cross town rival Liberty on the 31st. Last year's game ended poorly for the Falcons as Liberty pulled away with the win. However, Fauquier has the most experience returning and may be able to get their first win over the Eagles in years.

Week 2: (September 7th, 2007)
Stone Bridge @ Robinson
This game has flare to it already! Stone Bridge, fresh off an 11-1 season and having won more games in the past 5 years than any program in the state, has to travel to face a Robinson team that should be vastly improved. The Rams were one game away from the playoffs last season and return their signal caller Timmy Meier and several outstanding defensive players. The Bulldogs will be facing their second straight away game after West Springfield in week one and that could play out to be an advantage for Robinson.
Safe Pick = Robinson

Upset Alert:
Oakton travels to Annandale in a rematch of last year's season finale in the regular season for the Cougars. Annandale played the Cougars close and if it weren't for a big play from Oakton's Ervin Garner, the game might have turned out differently. Look for this one to be close.....

Week 3: (September 14th, 2007)
Handley @ Park View
Anytime you have J.J. Dorsey to contain, your defense has a problem. In one of the most interesting match-ups of the season, the Park View Patriots will have to figure out an answer for the talented signal caller from Handley. Park View will need a special performance from quarterback C.J Leizear to keep the score close in this one as Handley will score points for sure.
Safe Pick = Handley

Upset Alert:
Woodbridge is a preseason favorite in Division 6 and they travel to Loudoun Valley in what should be a great game. The Vikings play well at home and will have the Jungle (Valley's Student Fan base) out in full force to make the atmosphere special. The Vikings could surprise the region with a big early season upset....

Week 4: (September 20th, 2007)
Loudoun Valley @ Stone Bridge
This game always has a special feeling to it, especially when you look at it in the preseason. The Vikings have been so close in years past at toppling the Bulldogs but haven't been able to pull out the victory. After a rough start to the season, Stone Bridge will be ready for this rivalry game that should feature a packed house in Ashburn.
Safe Pick = Stone Bridge

Upset Alert:
The entire Chantilly community will be at Westfield High School for a special Thursday night clash between two heated rivals. The Chargers and Bulldogs split games last year, but it was Chantilly's regional championship win over Westfield that is still resonating. The top ranked Bulldogs will need to be ready....

Week 5: (September 28th, 2007)
Handley @ Sherando

The Battle of Winchester takes place on this Friday night with Handley heading to Arrowhead stadium to face Sherando. Two of the top three quarterbacks in the state will be showcased in this one as Warrior Ross Metheny and Handley's J.J. Dorsey do battle for the second time together in this annual contest. Arrowhead stadium is a tough place to win and the Northwest District championship may be on the line in this one....
Safe Pick = Sherando

Upset Alert:
Last year's Group AAA state champ Osbourn travels to Bealeton, VA to play Liberty in a crucial Cedar Run district contest. Osbourn must prove they can win on the road against a tough team without last year's star Brandon Hogan. They get their first real test against a physically tough Eagle squad playing at home.
Safe Pick = Liberty

Week 6: (October 5th, 2007)
Oakton @ Chantilly
The Cougars travel to Chantilly to face the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season in this mid-season clash. The Chargers will have already faced Westfield which should prepare them for a physical Cougar squad. Oakton's ability to run the football on Chantilly's defense could be the key. Look for Cougar quarterback Ryan Harris to also play well.
Safe Pick = Oakton

Upset Alert:
Heritage has always played well against Broad Run, and this year should be no different. The Pride will have a solid offensive attack and should have the speed advantage in this game. This could turn out to be a district title spoiler for the Spartans if they get caught looking past the Pride......

Week 7: (October 12th, 2007)
Park View @ Potomac Falls
Last year, the Panthers were destroyed by Park View's Deric Dudinski, who rushed for 319 yards in a rout. It is a safe bet that Potomac Falls has had this game circled on the calendar since the schedules were released. Potomac Falls will have a better offense this year with quarterback Greg Woodlief back for his junior season behind center. The Patriots will have more size and stronger players in the trenches which is where most games are won. The question is who will save the Patriots if they fall behind?
Safe Pick = Potomac Falls

Upset Alert:
Oakton hosts Centreville in a game that is always physical and usually provides a crazy ending. The Cougars won last year's game on a kickoff return with 12 seconds left. Centreville has a new coach and will feature a new backfield with the graduation of quarterback Van Chew. However, the Wildcats are always one of the most athletic teams in the state, and this year should be no different. The Cougars will need to play their best to win...

Week 8: (October 19th, 2007)

Madison @ Stone Bridge
In just two short years, the Bulldogs have handed Madison some crushing defeats on the gridiron. Last year, they knocked the Warhawks out of the playoffs in a convincing win at home. The Warhawks will have a chance to rectify that loss with the Liberty District title once again on the line. Look for this game to come down to playmakers, the Bulldogs have more and should prevail...
Safe Pick = Stone Bridge

Upset Alert:
Could this be the year that Briar Woods head coach Charlie Pierce gets his first win against his former team Park View? It is highly possible. The Falcons will be a year stronger and should be much improved behind the play of quarterback Alex Munro. Munro and his two talented receivers Tim King and Devin Barber will need to put some points on the board early, and if they do, the Patriots could be in trouble...

Week 9: (November 2nd, 2007)
Westfield @ Centreville
The biggest game this week will no doubt be the annual contest between Westfield and Centreville. The Bulldogs should head to Centreville with the chance to clinch the Concorde District with a win, but in this rivalry, you never know. Centreville has a tendency to play their best against Westfield, but Glennon and the rest of the Bulldogs should be too much.
Safe Pick = Westfield

Upset Alert:
The Loudoun Valley Vikings travel to play Liberty in a game that should feature two hard hitting defenses. The Eagles should be in position to compete for the Cedar Run title, and every time we count out Valley, they end up proving us wrong. This game could be for all the marbles but the home team Eagles have the most to lose in this one....

Week 10: (November 9th, 2007)
Park View @ Broad Run
History, tradition, those are the only words that come to mind when you talk about this game. Last season's contest decided the district title and this year, it should be the same case. Broad Run is hoping that 2007 is their year while Park View is trying build from last season's championship run. All the best games have storylines and this one will be the same way. The Spartans are a program on the rise and they prove it with a close win....
Safe Pick = Broad Run

Upset Alert:
Millbrook travels to Sherando and while this game shouldn't be close, it will be. Sherando will be getting ready for the playoffs and Millbrook will be fighting to make the playoffs, which will make this interesting. Look for the Pioneers to take this game to wire....

Posted by Andy Hayes - Publisher & Senior Editor at 06:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA - Ever since their first tournament together in late March, the 13 year old Greater Loudoun Babe Ruth World Series Host Team had been looking for a solid winning streak. After anxious anticipation, the team finally found their stroke in the ECTB July 4th Blast in Reading, Pennsylvania.

The team powered their way to a perfect 6-0 record over the June 30th weekend, including a 4-0 record on Championship Sunday. Over those six games, the team compiled 57 runs and 65 hits en route to outscoring their opponents 57-24.

During pool play the Lions defeated ASBA 4-0, the Mt. Airy Bulldogs 7-4, and the Blue Bell Tigers 15-8. In the game against the Tigers, the Lions used two consecutive seven run innings to score the final 14 runs of the game and come back from an 8-1 deficit. After those games, the team finished tied for first in their pool but because of their runs allowed they placed 3rd.

The team didn't care about their ranking as they continued their offensive run with a 14-9 come back nail-biter against the 2nd seed Pennsylvania Rattlers. The team advanced to the Semifinals and had a solid victory against the Eckley Reds 6-3. Afterwards the team moved right into the Championship Game against the Hershey Baseball Academy. However, the limited break did not cause any trouble for the Lions as they easily defeated the Academy 11-3 in 5 innings.

The team was led offensively throughout the tournament by outfielder Marco Verdi, who went 9-16 with a HR, 2 2B, and 11 RBI. Verdi was assisted offensively by Matt MacMahon who added a HR and 5 RBI and Tyler Saleck with 2 2B and 6 RBI.

Another key to the tournament victory was the consistency of the team's pitching. The team had five different winning pitchers: Saleck, MacMahon, Mitchell Bowers, Travis Burke, and Billy Arens who pitched a complete game. The team also had solid pitching performances from Nick Collins, Ryan Rentfro, and Matt Reed.

The team hopes to continue their success in upcoming tournaments including a week in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina July 24-28. Afterwards the team will begin its final preparation as they await teams from across the nation to come to Fireman's Field in Purcellville August 17-24 for the 13 Year Old Babe Ruth World Series.

Posted by Kevin Burke - Gameday Magazine Columnist at 09:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Over the course of the 2006-2007 athletic season, there were many area athletes who did extraordinary things. Only one of them did enough to earn the title of Gameday Magazine Male Athlete of the Year.

Before this season, only eight wrestlers (AAA) had ever been crowned four-time state champion in the history of Virginia. Cox's Colin Dozier made it nine this season.

"I have thought about (being a four-time State Champion) ever since I started wrestling," Dozier explains after accomplishing the feat. "I have trained every day to make that happen."

From his first title as a freshman when he had to survive two double-overtime wins, to his last title where he dominated in pinning every opponent he wrestled, the 130-pounder has been nothing short of special.

"He's worked for this since he was a kid," his coach Corey Williams explains. Williams should know, he has been working with Dozier for almost a decade. The two met at what is now named the Cox Wrestling Club. "Dedication, desire, mental strength. That's what he has, and that's what it takes to do what he's done."

What he's done is compile an astounding 181-11 record as a high school wrestler. Of those 181 wins, an eye-popping 119 of those have come via the pin.

"I can't say for sure, but that has to be a record," his coach laughs. "I don't know of anybody in the history of Cox that has done that."

For Dozier, wrestling and winning have always gone hand-in-hand. After winning his first match as a middle schooler, he was hooked, and he finished that year like he does every year: by winning a state title. Dozier would later go on to win three more state titles making him the first middle school student to win four titles consecutively.
"I've coached him since he was about nine," Williams says. "He's always been pretty goal oriented even to this day."

"I've waited 12 years for my senior year and now I have a chance to do something amazing," says Dozier before the state tournament.

This season Dozier compiled a 50-4 mark, with all of his losses coming in premier tournaments. He placed 4th in nationals where he competed with the best high school seniors in the country. He has already accepted a scholarship from Michigan State, and will be lacing it up for the Spartans next year. He will be redshirted in his first season. It will be the first time in a long while, that his year will end without him winning another title.

Posted by Chad Capellman at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)