7 on 7s, team camps, and “transfer portal” dust starting to settle. Who yall got as your too early C4 top 5? Gimme:
1. Phoebus
2. Salem
3. Varina
4. Tusky
5. Huguenot


Dinwiddie & Eastern View both deserving to be in the mix.

The Riverheads Gladiators made the most of their only game of the week with an impressive 10-1 win over the Waynesboro Little Giants. Not only did the Big Red avenge an earlier home loss, but they continued their impressive streak of road wins against Shenandoah District teams. They have now beaten four out of five district rivals away from home, scoring an amazing 59 runs in those four victories.

Tonight they scored all they would need in the first inning as the first three batters all reached safely and two of them came around to score. It might have been an even more damaging inning if not for the fact that Waynesboro got out of the jam with an inning-ending double play, leaving Riverheads with potential runs 3 and 4 stranded at second and third.

Waynesboro then threatened to tie things up in the bottom of the first, as the lead-off batter bunted straight to the mound. It appeared that Gladiator pitcher Brody Phillips had gotten to the ball in time to nail the runner but he was called safe, much to the dismay of the visiting fans. The Giants would eventually cut the lead to 2-1 but left the tying run at third.

That would turn out to be Waynesboro's only serious threat of the game as Phillips worked a solid six innings before Logan Austin came on to retire the home team 1/2/3 in the seventh. As we were leaving the field the announcer gave the box score and I believe he said that Waynesboro had either two or three hits for the game, either of which would sound impressive from a Riverheads standpoint.

However, to Waynesboro's credit, they hung tough in the early going. Riverheads was only able to small-ball single runs in the 3rd and 4th, and even after five innings, the issue was still in doubt at 4-1. However the Gladiators broke it open with a four-run sixth inning and added two more in the seventh to account for the final tally.

With the win, Riverheads is now 7-3 in district play and should have second place in the standings nailed down, although the point system will of course determine their regional playoff picture. They will wrap up the regular season by hosting Buffalo Gap Monday night for Senior Night, followed by a trip to Staunton on Wednesday to see if they can pad that 59 run total a little bit.

As for the home game against the Bison, the Gladiators have already won 22-0 at the Gap, a night when Mr. Phillips pitched a perfect game (meaning a statistically perfect game) but when those two get together, no matter what sport, anything can happen. So don't be surprised if you come on here Monday night and read about the Bison standing up for themselves this time.

Shamari Earls (6-foot-2, 180) had committed to South Carolina before the Richmond Showcase selecting the Gamecocks over Alabama, Michigan and Georgia among others. Despite his committed status, Earls recently picked up an offer from South Carolina SEC rival LSU. Earls had 30 catches for 720 yards and eight touchdowns on offense while adding two picks on defense. He was selected 1st Team All-Region Receiver and 1st Team All-Region at Cornerback.

Rising senior Ethan Medley took over for UVA quarterback commit Ethan Minter and earned Honorable Mention 6A All-Region at quarterback. He passed for 1661 yards with 13 touchdowns while adding 146 yards rushing with a touchdown. Medley also plays on the basketball team where he averaged 11 rebounds per game. He received his 1st offer after the Richmond Showcase and is receiving some Ivy league interests.

Rising junior Nkanta Hines (5-foot-10, 200) averaged about 10 carries a game finishing with 512 yards and nine touchdowns. Hines has a powerful running style and runs with a purpose. He showed good hands out of the backfield during the passing drils portion of the showcase. He is the Knights leading returning rusher and says he has interests from Navy and Yale.

Delwan Walker was one of the more athletic prospects for Thomas Dale and his length (6-foot-4) resulted in a few acrobatic receptions during the drills. Walker caught seven passes last year while averaging 17.7 yards per catch. Walker is a star basketball player where he averaged 13 points and 18 rebounds per game. However, e says he is a football player and plays basketball for fun.

On defense, Cole Lineburger (6-foot-2, 225) worked out with the defensive line initially then went out for pass drills towards the end on the session. The 2026 proguct says his primary position will be along the defensive front line.

Linebacker Mike Davis (6-foot-1, 220) started the last part of his sophomore season including the two playoff games. Davis has offers from William & Mary and Appalachian State.

Marquis Purvis plays both sides of the line but he is getting recruited for defensive tackle. He moves well for a 300-pound lineman and he was credited with 24 tackles during his junior year.

Taylor Johnson strikes out all 9 batters she faced and the Lady Cavs pounded out 16 hits in a slaughter run win. Next up is Class 3 New Kent on Tuesday and Class 4 Atlee on Wednesday.

Matoaca won the Region 5C championship last season and they had several prospects at the Richmond Showcase

Matoaca has star athletes at the receiver positions with two-elite level wideouts in Dillon Newton-Short and Bryce Yates. Newton-Short caught 65 passes for 1095 yards and 22 touchdown receptions while Yates hauled in 79 receptions for 1193 yards and 15 touchdown receptions. At the showcase both receivers impressed the coaches in attendance with their athleticism.

The Warriors have three players expected to battle for starting quarterback when camp begins. Yates will contend with rising junior Jaelen Penson, and rising senior Justus Carter.

Matoaca has no concern at running back with Montino Williams (6-foot-2, 205) who gained 883 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes including four touchdowns. Williams is a big back who has offers from Pittsburgh, Minnesota and Virginia. He recently added Coastal Carolina and Temple to his list of offers.

The star on the defensive side is Caleb Williams who was the Region 5C Defensive Player of the Year and All-State performer. Williams was credited with 15 sacks among his 95 tackles while also adding an interception. Williams committed to the University of South Carolina in April.

Rising senior Victor Afolabi was second on the team in sacks with eight and he added 50 tackles. Afolabi (6-foot-2, 220) is a physical edge rusher who looked agile while performing the drills. Yale, Maine, and Old Dominion all showed interests after the showcase.

Joshua Jiggetts (6-foot-2, 188) caught 12 passes during his sophomore year for 208 yards. He scored his only touchdown in the Region 5C championship game. Ladanian Brown will look to build upon his sophomore season where he recorded 50 total tackles last year. Brown (6-foot-1, 195) recently attended the Rivals Charlotte combine.

Two rising sophomores were identified on the defensive side of the ball as players to watch in the future. Cornerback Kemari Cherry (5-foot-9, 170) will receive on-the-job training facing tougher competition in practice than he would in most Friday night games. He will also see time at wide receiver but his future is on the defensive side. Jonah Louden projects as a defensive end and already has a good frame (6-foot-2, 220) and athletic ability.

I hope you will allow me to share in a proud Papa moment. My daughter made a film for her class at Hollins. I'll share it with you here.

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Down 3-2 in the bottom of the 7th, Averi Fuller (FR) doubles to walk it off with runners on 2nd and 3rd for the district championship.

The Hermitage Panthers held their prospect camp a couple of hours before the multi-team event involving six schools at Highland Springs. The Panthers star attraction and the player everyone was there to see was Rivals.Com 4-star defensive back Andre Clarke who has over 20 D1 offers. Clarke is an explosive, athletic talent who is currently ranked #8 overall in the State for 2026 by Rivals.Com

Rising senior Nicholas Christian (6-foot-3, 230) earned All-Region honors for the Panthers as a junior. He recorded eight sacks and he expects to reach double-figures in sacks this year. Christian added 12 tackles for loss to go along with 45 tackles. He also competes on the track team (shot put).

Last year as a sophomore, Clarke made All-State and All-Metro (Richmond) after scoring 16 touchdowns and picking off three passes. He has offers from Tennessee, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Florida State, Kentucky and Duke among others. In from of a large contingent of UVA coachers, Clarke received an offer from the Cavaliers.

Linebacker Dillan Webb (5-foot-10, 205) had a great sophomore season recorded 90 tackles with four sacks , 13 tackles for loss and one interception. He earned 2nd team All-State and All Metro Honorable Mention. Webb received a Division II offer shortly after the camp.

Ky'Mani Carpenter (6-foot-1, 175) is a 2025 defensive back who will look to grab a starting position. Carpenter played for private school St Michael last season and he has two offers from Campbell and Liberty University and interests from Old Dominion.

Quarterback Caleb Tucker (5-foot-11, 185) is another newcomer who won a State title with Freedom last year. He completed 32 touchdown passes splitting time between JV and varsity. He took a few snaps in the championship game. Tucker was one of three rising junior quarterbacks at the Hermitage Showcase throwing the football. He has interest from William & Mary.

Rising senior cornerback Jaron Harris led the team with 20 pass breakups while making two picks. Harris has two offers from Bluefield and Hampton-Sydney with interest from Old Dominion.