Mason varsity volleyball went up against Madison County last Thursday, which ended up as a win for GM.

“I would say we definitely played well. I don’t think we expected to beat that team the way that we did. They’re always really tough to play. The fact that we won three games to zero was really unexpected, but a good unexpected surprise,” said Mr. Erik Healey, coach.

“We stayed focused until the end and fought for every point! The team stayed positive even when we were down by a couple points. We are so happy to win against one of the best teams in the district in straight sets!” stated Casey Sheehy, a sophomore on the team.

The girls prepared for this game by looking at how Madison played last year, and found the opposing team’s weaknesses. The team set up a game-plan based on those weaknesses, setting up Mason’s strengths against them.

“There is a lot of self-motivation, I think, that our team has a lot of goals this year to really be the best in our district,” explained Healey.

Follow the Volleyball action on Twitter by following Coach Healey @HealeyMath

After trailing Central Woodstock 35-0 at the half, the George Mason Mustangs started to make a comeback late in the game. The team scored three touchdowns and made one extra point kick, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap and get past the tight defense of the Falcons. Here is a few highlights from the game.

Mason Mustangs are always a spirited bunch. Be it in the audience for Quiz Bowl or baseball, they know how to cheer on a team. And that they did Friday night in Mason’s first home game against the Central Woodstock Falcons.

Mason was down in the count early, as the Falcons made a few key touchdowns early in the half, but Mason fans rallied on.

The cheerleaders did impressive stunts and yelled rallying cheers while the Mason Pep-band played favorites like “Jai Ho” and “Strike It Up” in the back ground.

Mason was down 35-0 at halftime, but that didn’t put the crowd in a sour mood. They continued to cheer, with cries of “Let’s go Mason!” and “C’mon boys!”, not letting the scoreboard dictate their commitment to their team.

Mason’s luck on the field turned late in the fourth quarter, with D’Montae Noble scoring the first touchdown of the night. The crowd went wild, Mason fans jumped up and down cheering loudly, excited to see their guys finally put one up on the board.

Their excitement continued as Mason’s Alfonso Banks put another one on the board, making it, after a successful extra point, 13-42 after another Falcon touchdown.

Mason fans were roaring, on their feet cheering and as Mason Senior Taylor Breise put it, “Mason fans always support, no matter what…everyone is always hyped and excited.”

That they were as the Mustangs delivered one final touchdown ending the game with a tally of 19-42.

While Mason didn’t win on the scoreboard, their fans cheered them all the way through, excited to see Mustang football no matter the out come.

Winning dual state titles last year, the cross country team has set a precedent for themselves. Critics inquire, will they live up to their record?

"We're supreme," stated a confident Lauren Meinhart, sophomore. "Other schools are going to be looking out for us."

Whether or not other schools are aware of the team's winning reputation is not a subject of dispute among the members of the team.

"We're historically good," said Nate Jones. "How couldn't they notice us?"

And there's reasoning behind their opinions. In past years, Head Coach Julie Bravin and her methods have proved successful in the performance of her runners. However, this is the first year following an era. The torch has been passed to a new head coach, Alisa Harvey.

"I enjoy her personality," said Bravin, sitting among her trophies. "Coach Harvey is someone who can relate with high schoolers. Not all coaches can do that."

In a word, Jeremy K. Brown, senior, calls her coaching, "notorious."

Putting the quality of the team aside, though, the competition facing George Mason is staggering. The last school to establish itself as the powerhouse of Virginia State was Clark County. Now it is George Mason's time to shine or be shined upon.

In the words of Strasburg Cross Country Coach, Jeff Rudy, "It is George Mason that other programs look to dethrone."

You can watch the cross country team run in their next meet September 19 at William Monroe High School. Or you can update yourself on stats at masonathletics.org.

The upcoming season was approaching, and the George Mason football team was lacking in one position, head football coach. After Mr. Tom Horn, GM athletic director, resigned from being coach, he immediately went out looking for someone to replace him. Tony Green, the tenth grade PE, Drivers ED, and health teacher, as well as a head football coach at Bishop O’Connell, appeared to be the perfect choice.

Green, who formerly coached at Mason 15 years ago, accepted the job. Many of the football players have had him as a teacher before.

“He is much more serious at football practice, than he is in a PE class,” said senior kicker, Henry Darmstadter.

Green also demands high expectations for players both on the field and in the classroom.

“Coach wants us to excel in our academics and push ourselves to be the best football player we can be,” said Connor Rhodes, junior.

Green is a very accomplished teacher, and has been teaching at Mason for a total of 23 years.  He is expecting a lot of the Mustangs this season and for the upcoming seasons.

“My goal for this season is to make the playoffs,” said Green. “My long term goal is continued success.”

He explained that over the past 10 years the Mustangs have become a “Bigger team” and “the school has changed tremendously.”

Mason’s next home game is Friday, September 21, against Central High School at 7:30 p.m.

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As the George Mason football team’s offense ran onto the field for the first time this season, there was a different sort of excitement.  It wasn’t just the fact that the football season had started, but the fact that they were going to be more devoted to passing the ball than in previous years.

In previous years, Mason had been a run-first offense and a throw when you need too.  That offense was effective at first, but eventually teams knew what to expect.

Now, under new Head Coach Tony Green, they boast a running offense and a passing offense forcing the other team’s defenses to be on their toes and not just expect a run.

“As a quarterback, you want to pass the ball, not just hand it off,” junior quarterback Grant Hagler said.   “We have a better chance of making a game-changing play when we throw.”

It isn’t just exciting for Grant now, but also the receivers who catch the ball.

“The receivers were usually blocking for most of the game in our prior years, but now we are the ones making some plays,” senior kicker/receiver Henry Darmstadter said.

Mason is really counting on this offense because their goal is to make the playoffs this year.

George Mason’s (0-2) varsity plays their next game at 7:00 p.m. this Friday, away at Warren County (2-0).  Mason’s JV team also plays Warren County at home at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12.  It is their first game.

Warren County, which beat our rival Clarke County 27-9, will be a “tough challenge” says Grant Hagler.  “But if the offense and defense both show up, we can pull out a W.”

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