For the first time in the history of the school, T.C. Williams High School will host a football game played under "Friday Night Lights."
Set for Oct. 29 against South County, the game will also serve as Senior Night and special ticket packages will be available for businesses and booster organizations.
"We expect this game to be the place to be for everyone in the city," said athletic director Steve Colantuoni. "We are working with the community to make this happen and especially need the support of the business community and alumni."
Colantuoni made the announcement Sept. 29 at a gathering of local business and city leaders, including Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, Vice Mayor Kerry Donley and long-time T.C. supporter Jack Taylor, and outlined the ticket packages that are available to help defray the cost of the lights — estimated to be $24,000 for the event.
"We have a $30 package that includes a Titan Tailgate party, commemorative T-shirt and early entrance to the game," Colantuoni said. "We'll have an alumni party for all the classes of the school — from 1965 to 2010 — and a VIP club seating area at ground level inside the fence."
Colantuoni emphasized the need for financial support from the business community to make the game a success and perhaps pave the way for future games to be played under lights at Parker-Gray Memorial Stadium.
"We already have Donnie Simpson supplying the generators and hope more businesses will get involved," Colantuoni said. "It's pretty special playing high school football under lights and we want to make this a memorable experience for both the athletes and supporters of the school."
Tickets for the game will be available through the T.C. Williams athletic department.
— Jeanne Theismann
<b>Episcopal Wins Seminary Cup</b>
Episcopal defeated St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes for the Third Annual Seminary Hill Cup, a battle of fall girls sports on Oct. 2. The schools battled in nine events on the varsity and JV levels, with one point awarded for a win and a 1/2 point for a tie. The schools tied at 4 1/2 points, but Episcopal was awarded the title via tiebreaker due to having more varsity wins. The Maroon won in varsity volleyball, varsity field hockey, varsity cross country and JV volleyball. The schools tied in JV soccer.
Episcopal won the cup in 2008 and SSSAS won in 2009.
<b>BI To Host City Volleyball Tourney</b>
The Alexandria City Volleyball Tournament will be held Oct. 7-8 at Bishop Ireton. T.C. Williams, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, Episcopal and the host Cardinals will compete in the two-day event. T.C. Williams defeated Episcopal in last year’s championship match at SSSAS.
<b>BI Football Loses to Bullis</b>
The Bishop Ireton football team surrendered a fourth-quarter lead against Bullis and lost 20-17 on Oct. 2, dropping the Cardinals’ record to 1-4.
Sophomore quarterback P.J. Zingler completed 15 of 23 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Anthony Rivers caught five passes for 99 yards and a touchdown and Moses Webb caught two passes for 31 yards and a score.
The Cardinal will host St. Albans at 2 p.m. on Oct. 9.