Aldie, Va. — At Lightridge High School, Lightning football coach Bobby Eavenson will lead his team into battle this fall. Just a second year program, the Lightning put together an impressive freshman campaign during a bizarre COVID-ridden, senior-less, spring football season in 2021. But, for Lightridge, that was just the beginning. It’s time to take you Inside the Huddle. [adrotate banner=”46″]
Author: Owen Gotimer
Owen Gotimer
Owen Gotimer is an award-winning journalist and small business owner from Leesburg, Virginia. After graduating from Heritage High School, Owen spent his college years at Syracuse University, where he studied broadcast and digital journalism in the renowned Newhouse School of Public Communications, before earning a Masters degree in social media, culture, and society from the University of Westminster. Owen owns OG Media, a full-service marketing partner specializing in website design & development, content creation, and graphic design & print. Additionally, Owen is the president of of the Jeffrey C. Fowler Memorial Scholarship.
Leesburg, Va. — Less than 10 minutes into the game, the Washington Spirit found themselves in a predicament. After an early attack by forward Tara McKeown in the 2’, the Spirit were on the defensive when NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Midge Purce earned a free kick just outside the top of the box. Spirit defender Sam Staab was shown a red card on the play and exited the game in the 7’. Down a player for what ended up being the final 92 minutes, the Spirit put up a valiant effort, holding the lead for more than 10 minutes in…
Frederick, Md. — Growing up, Nick Stewart always dreamed about putting on a Keys uniform. An avid baseball fan and rising star, Stewart and his family would often make the short trip from Loudoun County to Frederick to watch the then-Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles play at Harry Grove Stadium. Just over a decade later, Stewart gets to live his childhood dream. “Sometimes I start to get sidetracked and I start to think a little bit too much, so I’ll just sit down here at the ballpark and think about when I was a kid coming to Keys…
Leesburg, Va. — For the first time in NWSL history, fans in Loudoun County were able to cheer as the Washington Spirit took the pitch on July 2 in the team’s first ever fan-attended game at Segra Field in Leesburg. Despite the hometown crowd cheering them on, the Spirit fell, 1-0, to a well organized Chicago Red Stars team. “The results were a little disappointing,” Washington head coach Richie Burke said. “But the performance was very pleasing.” With plans to eventually move all technical, support, and training staff to Leesburg, the Spirit will bounce between Audi Field in D.C. and…
Leesburg, Va. — Issuing back-to-back walks to start the state championship game probably would’ve had most pitchers in panic mode. But Connor Hale was in complete control. Giving up a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth in the state championship game probably would’ve had most pitchers stressed out. But Connor Hale was in complete control. Allowing a baserunner to reach on an error on your 110th pitch with two outs in the top of the seventh in the state championship game probably would’ve had most pitchers in a sweat. But as he jogged out to right field,…
Leesburg, Va. — It took the Riverside High School boys lacrosse team just 10 seconds to get on the board. Fifteen seconds after that the Rams had a 2-0 lead. And before three full minutes had elapsed, Riverside had extended its lead to 3-0. For the Rams, there was no looking back. Riverside had been here before. A state championship environment was nothing new to them having won VHSL state titles in both 2017 and 2019. But this year was different. Like everyone else Riverside missed its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and as recently as three months…