The Bishop Ireton football team gained 328 yards of offense and created multiple scoring chances during its season opener against Bishop O’Connell on Sept. 4. But four turnovers and a pair of missed opportunities in the red zone led to a 20-13 loss for the Cardinals at OHS.
Trailing 12-7 late in the fourth quarter, Ireton had a chance to take the lead but lost a fumble near midfield. O’Connell’s Kenya Brown scooped up the loose ball and returned it for the game-clinching touchdown.
Ireton took a 7-0 first-quarter lead on a touchdown pass from P.J. Zingler to Anthony Rivers, but did not score again until Zingler found Malcolm Westbrook in the end zone on the game’s final play.
O’Connell pulled to within one at 7-6 on a 29-yard touchdown run by freshman Marvin Stewart late in the first quarter. Ireton drove inside the O’Connell 20 on its next possession, but came up empty with an incomplete pass on fourth down. Four plays later the Knights took the lead for good on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Nicholas Morabito to Zachary Allen.
Ireton once again drove into the red zone on its next possession, but fumbled the ball through the end zone for an O’Connell touchback.
Zingler, a sophomore, completed 21 of 29 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns, but threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles. Westbrook caught seven passes for 96 yards and a touchdown and River caught four passes for 69 yards and a score. Moses Webb rushed 10 times for 83 yards.
Ireton will host Benedictine at 2 p.m. on Sept. 11.
<b>SSSAS Football Opens Saturday</b>
The St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes will open its 2010 season on the road at 1 p.m. on Sept. 11 against St. Christopher’s. The Saints’ home opener is Sept. 25 against Bishop Ireton.
<b>SSSAS Soccer Wins Opener</b>
The St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes boys soccer team defeated St. Christopher’s 2-1 in overtime on Sept. 3. Freshman Graham Guidry scored the game-winning goal for the Saints. SSSAS junior Parker Patterson scored on a penalty kick in the second half.
The Saints travel to face Woodberry Forest at 4 p.m. on Sept. 10.
<sh>Episcopal Football To Host Scrimmage</b>
The Episcopal football team will host a scrimmage against The Hill School at 1 p.m. on Sept. 11. The Maroon opens its season at home against Flint Hill at 4 p.m. on Sept. 17.
<b>Episcopal Boys Soccer To Open</b>
The Episcopal boys soccer team, ranked one of the top teams in the country last season, opens its season with the two-day Maroon & Black Cup, starting Sept. 10. Episcopal will face Paul VI at 4 p.m. on Sept. 10, EMHS at 10 a.m. on Sept. 11 and Potomac at 4 p.m. on Sept. 11.
<b>Lil’ Titans Youth Flag Football</b>
The Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities’ Sports Section is now accepting registrations for the Lil' Titans Youth flag football program. This developmental program is for participants ages 5 - 6. League age is determined by the age of the participant as of Oct. 1, 2010. Teams are formed by recreation districts. Registration fee is $50. All participants must be resident of the City of Alexandria. Games will held on Saturday afternoons in September and October. The league is limited to a maximum of 100 registrations. For more information, call the sports office at 703-746-5402 or go on the recreation department's Web site at www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.
<b>Girls Volleyball Program</b>
The Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities’ Sports Section is now accepting registrations for the girls volleyball league for ages 9 - 14. League age is determined by the age of the participant as of Dec. 31, 2010.
The league is designed to develop the basic fundamentals and further the development of the skilled players. Teams will be formed based on the number of participants registered and by experience.
Practice begins in late September with practices on Sunday afternoons and games on Thursday and Friday nights. The registration deadline is Sept. 15, and is limited to a maximum of 120 participants. The fee is $30 and participants must be a resident of the City of Alexandria.
For more information, call the sports office at 703-746-5402 or visit alexandriava.gov/recreation. Space is limited.
<b>Youth Coaches Needed</b>
The Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is currently seeking volunteers to coach flag football, basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball. Criminal history background checks are required. Interested persons should call the youth sports office at 703-746-5402 or e-mail mac.slover@alexandriava.gov or tamika.coleman@alexandriava.gov.