January 4, 2011

It was announced today with great pride that the winner of this year’s FCCFA Annual Youth Football Scholarship is George Mason High School Varsity Football player Stephen Lubnow.  Pictured here receiving the award from FCCFA President Brian Sulc, this year’s scholarship amount grew to $1,000.00.

“As this tradition continues and as the FCCFA grows it will definitely be a highlight of the season to award a former youth player this honor and it will most definitely go on to become an integral part of the football season and a motivator for GMHS players,” stated Tom Horn, Head Coach of the George Mason Varsity football team.

This scholarship, awarded to a current senior who previously played organized youth football, is in recognition of his exemplary performance in abiding by the Mustang Football principles of “Pursuing Victory with Honor,” and contributing to the mission of ensuring that the George Mason Football Program rests on a foundation of strong character. In keeping with Mustang Football’s proud tradition, the board of the FCCFA and the GMHS coaches felt that Stephen demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm, and a superb sense of individual pride, personal responsibility, tolerance, respect, integrity and discipline. Additionally, his devotion to Mustang Football will serve as a model for current youth football players who may be aspiring George Mason Mustangs. By striving to reach these high expectations for a student-athlete in the areas of character and sportsmanship, Stephen stood out as an ambassador for, and a model of, the “Six Pillars of Character,” (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship).

Stephen’s previous Arlington Youth Football experience, his personal initiative, dedication and loyalty to George Mason High School his teammates and coaches reflect great credit upon him and is in keeping with the highest traditions of George Mason Football. “In addition to receiving the scholarship, Stephen is also honored with a perpetual plaque that will be on display in the trophy case at GMHS and it will list him and all of the future awardees,” said Brian Sulc, the FCCFA’s President. The FCCFA was created with the goals of promoting participation in youth football to the City of Falls Church and developing a community connection with George Mason High School Football.

It’s been a busy year for the FCCFA.  In addition to giving the scholarship, the Association also held its annual football summer camp for boys between the ages of 7 and 14.  Over 40 local youth players came and worked on developing their football skills during some of the areas hottest days this past summer.  The camp is hosted and run by GMHS coaching staff and FCCFA volunteers, and varsity and junior varsity players also helped to instruct the young athletes all the while giving back to the youth programs that helped them get their starts.  This year the FCCFA also marked what it hopes to be an ongoing tradition: a gift to support the JV and Varsity football teams.  This year, the FCCFA donated a practice clock to the GMHS athletics department, the clock which cost $1,000.00, will help the team to stay focused and scheduled during their practices.

We all wish Stephen good luck in his future academic studies and on the field if he plans to continue his football career at the college of his choice.

About the FCCFA: The FCCFA is a non-profit 501 c 3 organization.  The current officers are Brian Sulc, Steven Valley, Kevin Creed, and Dave Hagigh. The association was founded with the mandate to increase awareness of and participation with local youth football clubs, host an annual football summer camp for kids 7-14, and handout one-time scholarships to graduating senior players who exemplify the game. For more information about the association and to view information on the benefits of playing youth football go to: http://www.thefccfa.org

To become a member of the board or to volunteer at the camp contact The FCCFA directly at: info@thefccfa.org

BY STEVE SELBY
SPECIAL TO THE FALLS CHURCH TIMES

October 1, 2011

Fresh off a strong performance in its 42-8 win over Central Woodstock, the Mustang 9^th Grade football team traveled to Madison County Thursday evening to face their traditional rivals. Hoping to increase their record to 2-0 in Bull Run District play, the Mustangs quickly found themselves in a hole. In spite of some long gains, Mason was unable to get on the scoreboard, while giving up 14 unanswered points to Madison. Then, as the clock ran down for the first half, a Mustang turnover deep in its own territory proved costly, allowing Madison to grab a quick score and exit the field with a 21-0 lead. 

When Madison returned the opening kick off of the second half for a touchdown, spirits sagged and shoulders slumped on the Mustang side of the field. It looked like the route was on. But teams with character have ways of bouncing back.  On the next possession, running back D’Amonte Noble took a soft pass from quarterback Sam Selby, who narrowly escaped the grasp of a rushing Madison lineman, and raced some 50 yards up the sideline for Mason’s first score. 

After Mason’s Matthew Valley recovered a Madison fumble, Noble scored again on another long run, making the score 28-14 Madison.   After the ensuing kick off, Madison was pinned deep in its own territory.  On a crucial third down play, Mason defensive end Davis Hagigh, in what proved to be one of the turning points of game, burst into the Madison backfield, bringing down the ball carrier and pinning Madison on its one-yard line. The Madison punt attempt failed when the snap sailed over the punter’s head, resulting in a safety and bringing the score to 28-16. 

Following the safety, the Madison kick off was returned 35 yards by Daniel Donovan.  On the next play, Noble would score again – making it three scores on three touches for Mustang’s fleet back.  After Wynton Cobb connected on this third straight extra point – and his ninth straight for the season – Mason had pulled to within five points, 28-23.

A resurgent Mason defense continued to plague Madison in the fourth quarter.  Led by Aphonso Banks and Sean Brown, the Mustang “D” got strong contributions from many players, including a key stop by Austin Clark, strong play at nose guard by Omar Kassar, and several heads-up plays by the omnipresent Hunter Sulc.

As Madison moved down the field on what would be its last drive of the night, they tried a long pass, only to have Brandon Ward move in for an acrobatic interception.  With the ball back in their hands, the Mustangs turned again to Noble who ran for his fourth touchdown of the night and eighth in two games. With the score now 29-28, Mason fans could finally exhale.  In what was one the most stunning comebacks in the history of Mason football, the Mustangs finally ran out the clock, securing the win.

In addition to Noble’s scoring, a key to Mason’s second half revival was the fact that the Mustangs had no turnovers.  Throughout the night, forcing turnovers was key to Mason’s success on defense.  In addition to Ward, timely interceptions were made by Sulc and Dean Hinson.  Louis Lindsay added a critical fumble recovery.  And, before leaving with a sore back, nose guard Ryan Jones was, as the kids say, “a beast” on the D-line.  On offense, Nick Casillas continued his solid play as the unflappable center for the Mustangs.

As the victorious Mustangs boarded the bus, one tired but happy lineman said, “It’s going to be a fun bus ride home.”

September 6^th, 2011

Another fall sports season is here and kids from across the city are suiting up and heading out to fields.  That’s right, it Football Season!

Football in Falls Church City kicks off for many in mid- July with the annual FCCFA Football Camp.  This year, 41 players from the city and from around the surrounding area showed up at George Mason Field to take part in 4 days of conditioning, drills, and fun.  The players that took part  executed drills that focused on fundamentals, form, and techniques in blocking, tackling, ball handling, and footwork.  These players spent two hours each day learning the basics, building skills, and executing those skills in live drills and fun football related games. .

The camp was created to help players between the ages of seven and fourteen learn and prepare for this complicated and physically demanding sport.  The players were taken through 6 stations and concluded each day with a skills game at the end of the practice.  Despite heat and high humidity, the boys gave their best and made great strides in preparing themselves for the gridiron this fall. Most of these players will go on to one of the three teams located around Falls Church; the McLean, Vienna, or James Lee youth football programs. Just as was the case last year, players from the George Mason Mustangs were on hand to help the rookies.  Nine  George Mason players helped the coaches put the boys through their paces while also strengthening the connection to between the youth players and George Mason.

Heading up this year’s roster of volunteer coaches was Mike Larcamp (last year’s FCCFA scholarship winner) as well as coaches from McLean and Vienna to help Tom Horn and his staff to prepare the young players for this coming season.  The camp, by all accounts was a success and the proceeds are being used to help the George Mason program with scholarships and equipment.

This year, the association will be awarding two $500.00 football scholarships to players who have had previous youth football experience. and who have been leaders on the field and in the community as well as being good students.  This year’s scholarship winners will be announced at the Fall Sports banquet.

In addition to the scholarships, the FCCFA was able to fund a new practice clock for George Mason this year.  The clock is used to time practices and keep each drill on time so that nothing is missed during the session.  Practices can last several hours and be comprised of multiple drills, each one requiring a different amount of time.  In the past, keeping the time required that one of the coaches or an assistant be tied up timing each drill and signaling the transition to the next drill -  a tedious and error prone process. With the new clock, the practices can be timed down to the second and the horn sounds when it’s time to move on.  This will allow all of the staff members to focus on the athletes and not have to watch the clock.

To view information on the benefits of playing youth football go to: click here

To get more information on the local clubs in the area go to: click here

To become a member of the board or to volunteer at the camp contact The FCCFA directly at: info@thefccfa.org

The FCCFA is a non-profit 501 c 3 organization.  The current officers are Brian Sulc, Steven Valley, Kevin Creed, and Dave Hagigh. The association was founded with the mandate to increase awareness of and participation with local youth football clubs, host an annual football summer camp for kids 7-14, and handout one-time scholarships to graduating senior players who exemplify the game. For more information about the association go to: http://www.thefccfa.org

All those youths who are interested in flag or full contact football are welcome.  The camp will be non-contact, and adequate water breaks will be given.  The camp will take place rain or shine.

Registration fee will be $75.  Fees will be collected on-site via cash or check (made out to the FCCFA) only.

To register online click here

This camp will feature football fundamentals, techniques, form, conditioning, and fun.  It will use classic speed and agility drills, instruction, observation and repetition.

To register or pose inquiries, contact theFCCFA (info@thefccfa.org)

Come and get ready for the 2011 season with Coach Horn and GMHS Players, and learn from the most successful coaches in the Falls Church/McLean/Arlington area!

See you on the field in July!

By STEVEN VALLEY

May 30, 2011

You read that right; Falls Church City is a football town! You wouldn’t know it from walking down the street, but it’s there, just below the surface and it’s looking for a way to be heard.

Every year George Mason High School fields a team of experienced players who take on other high schools with decades of football culture and tradition behind them and the Mustangs win! Before they got to GMHS though some of them have spent anywhere from 2 to 5 years working with one of the local clubs: The James Lee Razorbacks, the McLean Mustangs, or Vienna Youth football. But, as most of the parents involved with the program will tell you, it is a struggle, a labor of love, and for those parents it’s one that takes years to support and nurture. Dozens of Falls Church City residents send their kids to football camps, join youth football clubs, and then watch as a few years later their child takes to the field wearing the red and black helmet that is the George Mason Mustangs for the first time!

So to aid in increasing the participation in football by the youths of the City of Falls Church, the Falls Church City Football Association (The FCCFA) was founded. At first it was just to mail the youth football info a couple of Dads had found through their own research and send it out as a flyer in the Friday Folders. Over the past 4 years however those flyers have grown into so much more. Increased awareness of youth football opportunities, a weeklong football camp, and an annual scholarship to a GMHS football player who has previously participated in local youth football.

On March 14th 2008 the FCCFA was launched. It was in the Mustang Cafeteria with 4 members, 2 parents, and 2 future players along with coaches from the 3 local clubs looking on. It was a pretty inauspicious start to say the least, but the FCCFA was able to hang on and establish itself and in the process has become stronger. Last year the FCCFA held its first citywide pre-season summer camp, it became a full fledged non-profit, and it funded and gave its first scholarship. Most importantly it began supporting Head Coach Tom Horn in developing young players who will eventually attend GMHS. 2011 marks the first year that Coach Horn will be receiving players who have been helped by the Association.

The 2011-12 Football Season is on us!  The FCCFAs season starts with the pre-season summer camp, which will be held July 18-21st from 6 to 8 PM rain or shine, the camp fee is $75.00 and to sign up go to: http://www.thefccfa.org/styled/styled-2/ SIGN-UP FOR CAMP TODAY! It’s the best way to get ready for the 2011 season!

To view information on the benefits of playing youth football go to: http://www.thefccfa.org/styled-4/

To get more information on the local clubs in the area go to: http://www.thefccfa.org/styled-5/

To become a member of the board or to volunteer at the camp contact The FCCFA directly at: info@thefccfa.org

The FCCFA is a non-profit 501 c 3 organization. The current officers are Brian Sulc, Steven Valley, Kevin Creed, and Dave Hagigh. The association was founded with the mandate to increase awareness of and participation with local youth football clubs, host an annual football summer camp for kids 7-14, and handout one-time scholarships to graduating senior players who exemplify the game. For more information about the association go to: http://www.thefccfa.org

By STEVEN VALLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

The winner of this year’s Falls Church City Football Association’s Annual $500 Youth Football Scholarship is Mike Larcamp, a varsity player at George Mason High School.

“This is a wonderful new tradition for George Mason football — it really helps to close the loop for our varsity players who participated in youth football and helps to inspire the young ones coming up through the ranks to stay motivated and develop their skills,” stated Tom Horn, head coach of the Mason varsity football team.

This scholarship, awarded to a senior who previously played youth football, is in recognition of his exemplary performance in abiding by the Mustang Football principles of “Pursuing Victory with Honor,” and contributing to the mission of ensuring that the George Mason football program rests on a foundation of strong character.

In keeping with Mustang Football’s proud tradition, the board of the FCCFA and Mike’s coaches felt that he demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm, and a superb sense of individual pride, personal responsibility, tolerance, respect, integrity and discipline. Additionally, Mike’s devotion to Mustang Football will serve as a model for current youth football players who may be aspiring George Mason Mustangs.

By striving to reach these high expectations for a student-athlete in the areas of character and sportsmanship, Mike stood out as an ambassador for, and a model of, the “Six Pillars of Character”: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.

Mike’s previous McLean Youth Football experience, his personal initiative, dedication and loyalty to George Mason High School, Mustang Football, his teammates and coaches reflects great credit upon him and is in keeping with the highest traditions of George Mason Football.

“By being the first George Mason player to receive this scholarship, Mike has set a very high standard for all those youth players who will definitely follow and we’re very happy to award it to him” said Brian Sulc, the FCCFA’s President. The FCCFA was created with the goals of promoting participation in youth football to the City of Falls Church and developing a community connection with George Mason High School Football.

We all wish Mike nothing but good luck in his future academic studies and on the field if he plans to continue his football career at the college of his choice.

August 1, 2010

Youth from around Falls Church City and the surrounding area gathered last week to learn the basics of football, get in some pre-season conditioning, and meet potential teammates and coaches. Sixty-five young boys and girls participated in the Falls Church City Football Association camp that focused on basic blocking and tackling techniques, ball handling, and skill drills.  Players spent two hours each day building skills for both flag football and the full contact version of the sport.

Open field running - every kid's dream.

The camp was created to help players between the ages of seven and fourteen learn and prepare for this complicated and physically demanding sport.  The players sat through brief demonstrations, asked questions, and then performed the drills demonstrated.  Each block of instruction concluded with a skill game.

Time in the trenches is a necessity.

Tom Horn, Director of George Mason Athletics, his staff, and several George Mason High School players volunteered their time to watch all of the campers closely.  “I’m glad I can help teach the next generation of Mustang players,” one of the varsity helpers commented.

The FCCFA camp, yielding the next generation of footballers for GMHS.

Proceeds from the camp will go to fund a yearly scholarship and end-of-season awards ceremony, which are part of the FCCFA mandate.  The scholarship will to to a graduating George Mason High School varsity player who best fits the community, character, and commitment ideals of the association.  The awards ceremony will honor the best players from age groups within the flag football program as well as players from the three local clubs for the 2010 season.

By STAN FENDLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

Tom Horn has had one of the most successful high school football programs in the area.  One thing he hasn’t had, however, is a City youth program to help younger players gain the skills they would need later in high school.

At least, not until now.

Enter Brian Sulc, Steven Valley and Bob Cureau.  In March, the three Falls Church men met with Coach Horn to see how they could lend a hand with his efforts.  From that meeting the Falls Church City Football Association (FCCFA) was conceived, an organization dedicated to building interest in, support for, and awareness of youth football in Falls Church City.

“We want to make younger kids in Falls Church City aware that there is youth football here if they want to play,” said Sulc.  “And we want to help them develop their skills in a safe and positive manner.”

“The three leagues open to Falls Church City youth – James Lee, McLean, and Vienna – are available to children beginning at around age 7 and are designed to teach them the rules and fundamentals of the game over a four to five year time span,” Valley said.  Then the youth players are ready to step up for Horn on day one at George Mason.  The city provides a Flag Football league for boys who have never played before and who are trying to familiarize themselves with this physically and mentally demanding game — and it’s a good way for parents to begin that process as well.

Sulc, Valley and Cureau all coach in the McLean league, but keep close contact with the James Lee and Vienna leagues as well.   Plans are underway for the Association to talk with Players and Parents of the Flag Football league and familiarize them with their options to playing the full contact version in future seasons.

“We have around 17 boys from Falls Church City, all at various age levels and skill sets, playing in the three local leagues,” Sulc said.  “All three leagues are terrific and really help kids develop the skills for High School ball.”

The FCCFA is still in its infancy, but the three organizers and the association’s initial members plan to make it a full-fledged force in George Mason’s football future.  Right now the association shows up for home games to root for the Mustangs and is planning to recognize a player of the year for Mason and a host of awards for the feeder leagues at a November ceremony.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the FCCFA.  This kind of effort will inform our youth of football opportunities in the area and help them learn the game under some good coaches,” said Coach Horn.

All three local youth leagues are featured on the association web site.  Interested players and parents may learn more about each league and the association at the FCCFA web site, www.thefccfa.org.