The Arlington Youth Football Club held a championship ring ceremony on Thursday evening to honor the 2025 Admirals, who completed an undefeated campaign and captured the league’s Varsity Central Division title.
A Perfect Season
The Admirals finished the year 9‑0, marking the first tackle‑football championship for the club since 2015 and setting a benchmark for youth competition in Northern Virginia.
A Perfect Season
League commissioner Emily Lyons praised the players, coaches and families for their dedication, noting that the victory reflects the community’s growing investment in youth sports and the club’s expanding footprint.
Coaching Legacy
Kevin Shaw, who guided the Admirals to the title, now serves as an assistant coach at Bishop O’Connell High School while continuing his role as vice commissioner of the Arlington Youth Football Club. Long‑time mentor Duane Tigney, a six‑year veteran of the organization, was honored for shaping the club’s culture and expanding its reach.
Player of the Year Spotlight
Grier Lyons was named the 2025 Player of the Year after topping his team in nearly every statistical category and earning accolades for academic excellence, Boy Scouts leadership, National Honor Society membership and choir participation. Beyond football, Lyons umpires Arlington Little League baseball games and competes in multiple sports.
He edged out other finalists — Lincoln Epstein, Colton Shaw, Lawson Churchill and James Wilson — for the honor, underscoring the depth of talent in the league.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Registration for the next season closed on September 2, with practices set to begin August 11 and the first games scheduled for September 12 at Wakefield High School. The 2026 campaign will run through early November, featuring Saturday matchups from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.