WASHINGTON — In the first DMV Game of the Week, we covered a pair of schools that would not usually match up, with Gonzaga College Prep travelling out to Clifton to take on Centreville High School. That was an enormous matchup of the two top-rated local programs, drawing in national ESPNU television coverage. And while this week’s game between Friendship Collegiate and Wilson High School may not have been on the same level in terms of talent and national rankings, the spirit of its creation was the same.
At the behest of D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) set out to create a compelling kickoff to the high school football season. He called upon Clark Ray, statewide director for the DCSAA, to find public, private and charter schools from D.C. to play against one another.
“It was [Mayor Gray’s] desire to see more high schools play that traditionally do not play,” Clark explained. “So we started talking to some of the administrations to see if they had open dates.”
That led to a three-game event stretched over two weeks, involving six schools from across the District. On Saturday, Sept. 6, St. Albans defeated Anacostia High School 12-0 followed by Bell topping Maret, 34-8. The finale saw perhaps the most intriguing game of the three, matching up two of the top eight-ranked teams in D.C.
That’s what led to Wilson, from Tenleytown, and Friendship, from the northeast Benning neighborhood, to come together and square off at Catholic University on a picture perfect late summer evening. Getting public, charter and private schools together — and getting them a chance to play on a college field, in a different neighborhood — is the whole point of the Classic.
And it seems to have worked. Despite no natural rivalry, there was plenty of interest in Friday’s game, with the bands and lively crowds fueling a fun atmosphere.
“You have about 1,200-1,300 people here tonight,” said Ray. “It’s just going to be a good high school football game. It’s a little bit about bragging rights. Kids get to brag about who’s the best in the city.”
For at least one family, those bragging rights hit closer to home. Because while the contest may have brought together two different communities, the Braswells needed no reminder of how important this matchup was.
Mia Braswell sported a homemade T-shirt as she sat in the metal bleachers along the west sideline, featuring a young man’s face on the front, and another’s on the back. Her elder son, Jaylen, a senior cornerback for Wilson, graced the front. Her younger son Christian, on the back of her shirt, is a wide receiver/defensive back for Friendship.
How did this happen?
Jaylen was already attending Wilson when Christian began working out with some friends, who were on their way to Friendship. And while the two schools hadn’t squared off on the football field in seven years, the Pigskin Classic happened to bring them together at just the right time for the Braswell family.
“Oh gosh, it’s been so much tension back and forth,” she said of the week leading up to the game. “I don’t know what the ride home is going to be like. I’m just here to support them both.”
But for all the anxiety in the lead up to Friday night, the actual game itself turned out to be an enjoyable experience after all.
“It’s fun, actually,” said Mia. “Because I’m yelling the whole entire time.”
Braswell
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The Braswell family after the game with Christian (right) and Jaylen (left) flanking mom and dad. (WTOP/Noah Frank)
The game itself looked to be on its way to a blowout, after Friendship ran back the opening kick, storming out to an early 18-0 lead just eight minutes in. The Knights led by as many as 25 points in the third quarter, but Wilson chipped away, getting the contest to a one-score game at 45-37 with 5:26 to play. In the end, the Tigers came up just short, falling by a final of 52-44.
For the Braswell boys, it was the culmination of a week of build-up and, of course, trash-talking.
“It’s been crazy,” said Christian. “[Jaylen’s] been talking trash to me, going in my room, back and forth. Our mother telling us to stop and stuff.”
And while Christian may not have contributed as much on the field, he got the last laugh, with Friendship hanging on for its third straight win to open the season. As for the experience, even if her kids don’t realize it yet, Mia knows such an opportunity doesn’t come along every day.
“It’s really big,” she said. “I’m actually having it recorded for a memoir, something to share with their children down the line.”
Jaylen understood coming off the field that he was in for a long ride home, but took it in stride.
“I know he’s gonna try to clown on me when we get in the car on the way home,” said Jaylen. “It’s not serious. We’re all family at the end of the day.”
Besides, Jaylen understands that part of being the big brother means setting the right example, on the field and off, win or lose.
“I just try to be a role model for him, do what I do right,” he said. “Go to practice, just so that he can look up to me.”
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