Brothers with Opinions -B.W.O.

Send a text Two stories, one playbook for making it in today’s high school sports world. We kick off with Millbrook’s own Mason Savage, a soccer-first athlete who turned a powerful leg into 48-yard receipts and the confidence to try from 56. He opens up about the most surprising stat of his senior season—just one field goal attempt—and the moment he took recruiting into his own hands. From direct...

Send a text Snow shut down the games, but it couldn’t stop the stories. We sit down with Mike Arculin to explore how Handley pride shows up in real life—from Baltimore Federal Hill to youth soccer sidelines, from neighborhood festivals to late-night group texts that span decades. What starts as a weather update turns into a tour of connection: coaching kids, building community, and keeping the Win...

Send a text A simple room, a shared meal, and an open floor can change a life. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Kevin Curry Sr., the force behind Building Brothers Up—a grassroots gathering where men of all ages speak honestly about depression, loss, marriage strain, and the pressure to “be tough.” Kevin talks about receiving the vision during a difficult time and choosing action over...

Send a text The energy hits before the beat does. We sit down with our childhood friend Quaye to celebrate Quaye Genye The Gemini, a 16-track project built for the car, the gym, the grocery run, and those late-night windows-down moments. He walks us through the album’s arc—how a love letter to music sets the stage, how punk edges crackle on “Quasar,” and why the joyful bounce of “Get Loose” took t...

Send a text We break down what really moves recruiting today, from the Arby’s Classic stage to the transfer portal’s squeeze, and why patience plus production still wins. Kevin Schneider , COO and National Recruiting Director of Big Shots shares how events, relationships, and the right fit turn potential into offers. • Arby’s Classic takeaways and venue quality • College coach turnout and what imp...

Send a text A scoreboard can change your night, but a hometown name on a national stage can change your year. We kick off 2026 with Indiana blistering Alabama and a Winchester kid—Stephen Daly—woven into the story, turning a playoff bracket into something personal. The energy is loud, the analysis is sharp, and the pride is real as we size up Miami’s statement over Ohio State, Oregon’s finish, and...

Send a text Barber-shop energy meets hard truths in a fast-moving hour that starts with local pride and ends with a call to do better by our own. We run the scoreboard on Martinsburg’s title chase and Strasburg’s route through the bracket, then flip to Handley’s stacked roster, the rotations that could make or break a state run, and why depth now means legs in March. It’s candid, unapologetic, and...

Send a text They said a run-first team couldn’t survive December. We invited Strasburg assistant coach Jason Gutierrez to show exactly how a clear identity, punishing practices, and a connected community turned doubt into a state championship. We dig into the heart of culture: why Strasburg keeps practices more physical than games, how “good on good” reps build muscle memory, and why a simple, rep...

Send a text The night before Thanksgiving, we sat down with community energy buzzing—clippers humming, a dog chiming in, and playoff scores rolling across our screens—and took stock of where our teams stand. We started with football: Skyline fighting through overtime, Strasburg rolling, Martinsburg and Jefferson setting up big West Virginia matchups. Then we pulled apart Handley’s playoff loss wit...

Send a text A beloved PE teacher with a coach’s grit and a neighbor’s heart, Miss Shelly Lee joins us to share how a lifetime of movement turned into a citywide mission: build two indoor pools and two ice rinks so every kid can swim, skate, and thrive. From teaching line dances to launching teams, she shows how play unlocks confidence, health, and community—and why water safety should be as standa...

Send a text The scoreboard told two stories tonight. On one side, blowout wins, playoff seeds, and a local junior tearing up the field with jaw-dropping numbers. On the other, grocery budgets evaporating overnight, parents driving an hour to unfunded jobs, and food pantries moving four times their usual volume just to keep families fed. We brought both into focus because they’re part of the same c...

Send a text A rushing phenom closing in on 2,000 yards, a shutdown standoff threatening family budgets, and a city weighing a casino to fund growth—tonight’s conversation connects local pride to statewide power with zero fluff. We kick off with Skyline’s surge and Zaydon’s historic pace, then widen the lens with policy strategist Chris West to unpack why Virginia never sleeps on elections and how...

Send a text A small city stares at a big decision, and we pull the lens all the way back. We kick off with Winchester’s casino question—real jobs and tax revenue on one side, addiction risk and culture shifts on the other. Ray joins us with a lived-in blueprint for building something from scratch, from Connecticut studios to Brooklyn shows to a Florida pivot. His story threads the needle of this e...

Send a text Friday night lights, changing streets, and a cold plunge that might actually fix your mood—this one moves. We start on the field with a rapid-fire rundown of local high school football, including Handley’s rough day against Kettle Run and what really swung the game: protection, turnovers, and field position. From there, we look ahead to this week’s matchups and plant our flags on the p...

Send a text The night starts with the crackle of hometown football—scores flying in from the Shenandoah Valley, a showdown circled on calendars, and the buzz of a 6'5 playmaker, Christian Dinges suiting up for Handley. We swap streaming notes, argue about strength of schedule, and give flowers to local athletes putting up real numbers. If you love the rhythm of Friday night lights, you’ll fee...

Send a text The moment you step onto a college field, everything feels faster—and Emmanuel “Manno” Lusca doesn’t sugarcoat it. From standout days at John Handley High to carving out a role at strong safety for Emory & Henry, Manno walks us through what it really takes to level up: embracing a redshirt year, letting go of ego, learning a new position, and building the habits that keep you ready...

Send a text A guitar at 28. A notebook full of poems. Two losses that changed the shape of a life. We sit down with our friend and musician Justin Garber to trace how Family Tree came to life and why starting “late” can be the best kind of beginning. Justin opens up about writing through grief, turning a grandmother’s wisdom into a narrative ballad, and sequencing an album that actually takes you...

Send a text Boxing isn't just about landing punches—it's about landing purpose in young lives. Meet Michael Benitez, founder of Mutopia Boxing and Fitness in Winchester, Virginia, whose passion for the sport transcends the ring and enters the realm of youth transformation. Starting with nothing but a football pad tied to a pole after his father's gym closed, Mike has built an 8,000-...

Send a text Ever wonder what makes a community truly special? In this captivating conversation with Brian Pierce Gonzales (BPG), we discover the heart and soul of Winchester through the eyes of someone who chose to make it home 21 years ago.  BPG takes us on a journey from his role as a Shenandoah University professor to his position on the Winchester Public School Board and his recent mayoral cam...

Send a text Friday night lights have returned, and the Brothers With Opinions are here to break down all the local action! High school football in the Shenandoah Valley kicked off with some eye-opening results. James Wood's 44-3 demolition of Clarke County signals they might be this season's team to beat, while Handley silenced doubters with their impressive victory over Eastern View des...

Send a text The undefeated 1994 Handley High School football team stands as the last to bring a state championship home to Winchester, Virginia. Thirty years later, running back Trey Kern and wide receiver/safety Danny Westfall join BWO to share what made that legendary squad special. Their championship journey began with heartbreak – a tough loss to Matoaca in the 1993 state semifinals that lit a...

Send a text Tyrus Thomas is quietly revolutionizing youth development in Winchester, Virginia. As president of both the Youth Development Center (YDC) and Winchester Rising Stars, his visionary leadership has transformed these organizations while maintaining their core mission of community service. The conversation begins with exciting news about YDC's relocation to downtown Winchester at 302...

Send a text What happens when three record-breaking high school athletes gather to share their journeys? Pure inspiration. Brothers With Opinions welcomes Emeryce Worrell, Rylan Stribling, and Hassan Akanbi – three extraordinary talents from John Handey High School who are redefining athletic excellence in their community and beyond.  Emeryce, now attending the prestigious University of Virginia,...

Send a text From middle school sidelines to high school head coach, Chris Higgs is taking the reins at James Wood Basketball with a clear vision for building champions both on and off the court. His journey represents the passion and dedication needed to develop young athletes in today's competitive landscape. "It's not how you do anything, it's how you do everything," Hig...

Send a text In this engaging episode, we tackle a blend of sports triumphs and pressing social justice themes that resonate with our community. Starting with the recent victory of Handley against EC Glass, we celebrate the achievements of local players like Christian Dinges, showcasing their talent and passion on the court. The thrill of high school basketball serves as a backdrop to crucial discu...