Before tackling the Round 2 matchups in the regional semifinals across six classifications, here’s a recap of how Matthew Hatfield and Coach Ed Young did on their VHSL first round region playoff picks for 2022…
Hatfield:
6A = 4-0
6B = 3-1 (missed on Colonial Forge/Battlefield)
6C = 4-0
6D = 4-0
Class 6 = 15-1
5A = 4-0
5B = 1-1 (missed on Woodside/Menchville)
5C = 2-2 (missed on Hermitage/L.C. Bird)
5D = 4-0
Class 5 = 11-3
4A = 3-1 (missed on Deep Creek/King’s Fork)
4B = 3-1 (missed on Eastern View/Hanover)
4C = 3-1 (missed on Tuscarora/Millbrook)
4D = 4-0
Class 4 = 13-3
3A = 4-0
3B = 4-0
3C = 3-1 (missed on Turner Ashby/Spotswood)
3D = 3-1 (missed on Magna Vista/Staunton River)
Class 3 = 14-2
2A = 4-0
2B = 3-1 (missed on Stuarts Draft/Clarke County)
2C = 4-0
2D = 3-1 (missed on Gate City/Union)
Class 2 = 14-2
1A = 4-0
1B = 2-0
1C = 4-0
1D = 3-1 (missed on Lebanon/Twin Springs)
Class 1 = 13-1
Hatfield’s VHSL First Round Picks: 80-12 (87%)
Young:
6A = 4-0
6B = 3-1 (missed on Colonial Forge/Battlefield)
6C = 3-1 (missed on Lake Braddock/Robinson)
6D = 3-1 (missed on Yorktown/Langley)
Class 6 = 13-3
5A = 4-0
5B = 1-1
5C = 3-1 (missed on Midlothian/Glen Allen)
5D = 4-0
Class 5 = 12-2
4A = 4-0
4B = 3-1 (missed on Eastern View/Hanover)
4C = 3-1 (missed on Tuscarora/Millbrook)
4D = 3-1 (missed on Amherst/Orange County)
Class 4 = 13-3
3A = 4-0
3B = 3-1 (missed on Armstrong/Caroline)
3C = 4-0
3D = 3-1 (missed on Manga Vista/Staunton River)
Class 3 = 14-2
2A = 4-0
2B = 4-0
2C = 4-0
2D = 3-1 (missed on Gate City/Union)
Class 2 = 15-1
1A = 3-1 (missed on West Point/Westmoreland)
1B = 2-0
1C = 4-0
1D = 2-2 (missed on Grundy/Honaker and Lebanon/Twin Springs)
Class 1 = 11-3
Young’s VHSL First Round Picks: 78-14 (84.8%)
VHSL PLAYOFFS - ROUND 2 PREDICTIONS
CLASS 6
Region A
#4 Western Branch (9-2) at #1 Oscar Smith (9-1)
Note - The previous meeting was decided with a safety as Oscar Smith edged Western Branch 2-0 for their 23rd straight win the head-to-head series. Quietly kept though, the Bruins have given up fewer points – 120 – on the year compared to the 138 that the Tigers have allowed, 56 of which came in a lopsided loss to reigning Class 3 State Champ Phoebus. To get their first win in the series since 2003, Western Branch will need the offense to strike early with marquee playmakers in RB Shimique Blizzard and WR Paul Billups, a UNC commit, doing the heavy lifting.
Matt Hatfield – Western Branch 13-10
Coach Ed Young – Oscar Smith 21-14
#3 Manchester (10-1) at #2 Thomas Dale (10-1)
Note - While Thomas Dale leads the all-time series 39-25-2, Manchester has actually won the past two postseason encounters by a combined count of 89-14. Both teams suffered losses to unbeaten teams; Dale by a commanding 63-23 tally to Class 4 Dinwiddie, and Manchester by a whopping 48-7 margin to Class 5 machine Highland Springs.
Matt Hatfield – Thomas Dale 27-14
Coach Ed Young – Thomas Dale 24-20
Region B
#4 John Champe (8-3) at #1 Freedom-PW (11-0)
Note - Maybe the wildest thing about this Freedom juggernaut in pursuit to break the VHSL single-season scoring record as they put up more than 64 points per game is the fact that they’ve scored 20 non-offensive touchdowns on the campaign . That includes 12 defensive touchdowns and eight on special teams. All of this while giving up just 64 total points.
Matt Hatfield – Freedom 63-28
Coach Ed Young – Freedom 48-14
#7 Colonial Forge (6-5) at #3 Patriot (10-1)
Note - If you’re thinking an upset could be pulled off here, consider that Colonial Forge stunned a previously unbeaten Battlefield team 17-13 in the regional quarterfinals just one week after the Bobcats handed Patriot its lone loss of the season, 17-7. Outside of that game, the Pioneers have put up at least 35 points in every other contest, averaging 46.7 points per game. So it will be about the Eagles defense playing another superb game to advance to the regional title round.
Matt Hatfield – Patriot 28-17
Coach Ed Young – Patriot 24-21
Region C
#4 Lake Braddock (9-2) at #1 Fairfax (11-0)
Note - When these two teams met back on October 21st, it was Fairfax getting the better of Lake Braddock 29-14 behind the brilliance of four-star talent and Penn State commit Tony Rojas, who ran the ball 21 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns, caught four passes for 42 yards, plus made two sacks on defense from his linebacker position. It’s the only game to date on the season where Lake Braddock QB Daniel Lipovski (2285Yds. 27-4 TD/Int. ratio), a Delaware commit, did not throw a touchdown pass.
Matt Hatfield – Fairfax 30-26
Coach Ed Young – Fairfax 24-23
#3 West Springfield (9-2) at #2 South County (10-1)
Note - To date, South County has won 14 straight over West Springfield, which includes a 35-28 victory back in October and 16-13 triumph in November of last year. In the most recent encounter, the Stallions mixed it up well with 189 yards rushing and 116 yards passing, scoring twice by air with QB Jordan Dennis and twice via the ground game.
Matt Hatfield – South County 22-13
Coach Ed Young – South County 30-21
Region D
#5 Yorktown (8-3) at #1 James Madison (8-3)
Note - Sleeping on Yorktown in this spot would be a mistake because the Patriots knocked off the Warhawks, 14-11, back on September 9th in a contest that dropped Madison to 0-3 at the time. Yorktown was down 14-0 before rallying for a 21-14 victory over Langley in the quarterfinals. Their ground game with Miles Fang (1209 yards) can set the tone if they're able to sustain drives on a very well-schooled Madison defense that has held six of its past eight foes to single-digits. If QB Mac Lewis (1723 yards passing( gets time to throw, he can do some serious damage.
Matt Hatfield – James Madison 17-14
Coach Ed Young – James Madison 21-20
#3 Westfield (7-4) at #2 Centreville (9-2)
Note - A great Concorde District rivalry for many years, Centreville got the better of Westfield 35-7 just two weeks ago in the regular season finale and that actually is the lowest point total they’ve had in a win all year. They were held to 15 in a one-touchdown loss to Stone Bridge, and 18 in a narrow three-point defeat at the hands of Madison. Westfield survived overtime with sixth-seeded Herndon thanks to a field goal, 31-28, but the Bulldogs better be able to tackle Wildcats RB Isaiah Ragland, a Centreville commit with over 2000 yards, or it’ll be a long night.
Matt Hatfield – Centreville 34-16
Coach Ed Young – Centreville 30-21
CLASS 5
Region A
#4 Salem-VB (8-3) at #1 Green Run (11-0)
Note - A 25-yard pick-six with 2:21 to go in the second quarter by Kaevon Blanding put Green Run ahead 7-3 in the regular season meeting between these two on October 22nd, triggering what turned out to be a 42-10 rout. Stallions QB Kevin White was stellar that day, completing 12 of 18 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns to go with 40 yards rushing and another score, whereas the Sun Devils generated just 13 yards passing on three completions out of 18 attempts.
Matt Hatfield – Green Run 28-8
Coach Ed Young – Green Run 24-21
#3 Cox (9-2) at #2 Kempsville (10-1)
Note - The Falcons led 10-0 vs. Kempsville on October 28 in a game that was moved to the Virginia Beach Sportsplex and saw the Chiefs rally with 14 unanswered points. Statistically, it was not all that close as Kempsville out-gained Cox 313-85, preventing the Falcons from converting any of their seven third downs or two fourth down tries.
Matt Hatfield – Kempsvile 26-13
Coach Ed Young – Kempsville 21-18
Region B
#5 Menchville (6-5) at #1 Maury (7-1)
Note - This is a re-match of a playoff match from a year ago, where Maury breezed by Menchville 42-17 on their way to a fourth straight regional title. It’s doubtful that the Monarchs have improved enough defensively to slow down Commodores tailback and Duke commit Peyton Jones (84Att. 1080Yds. 7 TD’s), who was named to the U.S. Army All-American Game this week and is averaging nearly 14 yards per touch.
Matt Hatfield – Maury 48-12
Coach Ed Young – Maury 44-6
#3 Kecoughtan (8-3) vs. #2 Nansemond River (7-3) at Lakeland
Note - Someone nicknamed Warriors will move on to the Region 5B Championship and that’s a guarantee. Last year in the regional quarterfinals, it was Nansemond River WR Terrell ‘Philly’ Douglas hauling in a 22-yard touchdown pass on the final play of regulation to lift his team to an exciting 18-12 win. Kecoughtan comes in brimming with confidence, especially on defense as they blanked Norview 7-0 in the quarterfinals and boast one of the area’s most dominant linemen in Duke commit David Anderson, who entered the playoffs with 15 sacks on the season.
Matt Hatfield – Nansemond River 16-15
Coach Ed Young – Nansemond River 12-10
Region C
#4 Douglas Freeman (9-2) at #1 Highland Springs (11-0)
Note - The Highland Springs offense doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon behind QB Khristian Martin, the Region 5C Offensive Player of the Year with 2200 yards and 31 TD's passing in just 24 quarters during the regular season. But what is most impressive is the fact that their defense, headlined by a sophomore at linebacker in Brennan Johnson who got Region 5C Defensive Player of the Year honors, has limited ten straight opponents to seven points or fewer since the26-20 escape of Julius Chambers (NC) in the opener.
Matt Hatfield – Highland Springs 56-13
Coach Ed Young – Highland Springs 45-0
#7 Glen Allen (6-5) at #3 L.C. Bird (8-3)
Note - The 23-15 win over Hermitage for Bird was workmanlike for Troy Taylor's Skyhawks. Meanwhile, Glen Allen under Head Coach Perry Jones had a wild comeback over second-seeded Mildothian to reach this point, erasing a 25-7 deficit with 22 unanswered points. The Jaguars know they cannot get off to a similarly slow start against a Bird team that is known to ground and pound opponents, shortening the game with a strong rushing attack.
Matt Hatfield – L.C. Bird 20-18
Coach Ed Young – L.C. Bird 24-18
Region D
#4 Riverbend (9-2) at #1 Stone Bridge (10-1)
Note - There's no denying that Riverbend boasts some next-level talent on its roster with Penn State recruit Mathias 'Mega' Barnwell at tight end, LB/RB MarcAnthony Parker and others. What remains to be seen is if their run defense is up to the task to control a team as physical and hard-nosed as Stone Bridge? Just last week, Woodgrove ran for 236 yards on the Bears. Stone Bridge not only ran for 217 yards in last year's 58-3 playoff rout of the Bears, but threw for another 172 and got two pick-sixes on defense.
Matt Hatfield – Stone Bridge 35-14
Coach Ed Young – Stone Bridge 28-12
#3 Patrick Henry-Roanoke (9-2) at #2 Mountain View (10-1)
Note - Sidney Webb was a versatile jack-of-all-trades as Patrick Henry-Roanoke rallied from an early deficit to bounce Briar Woods, 28-14. Mountain View did not have as hard a time in dispatching Albemarle, 49-24, from the quarterfinals. Two electric players who'll try to get off in this one are Wildcats RB Ike Daniels, a Syracuse commit, and PH-Roanoke speedster Carmelo Taylor, who is headed to Penn State and can turn a simple hitch pattern into a 70-yard house call.
Matt Hatfield – Mountain View 25-21
Coach Ed Young – Mountain View 21-18
CLASS 4
Region A
#4 Churchland (8-3) at #1 Warwick (10-1)
Note - The Warwick defense has given up just 7.5 points per game, headed up by VMI commit Davion Corpening and Messiah Delhomme (6 INT’s) in the secondary. For the Raiders to advance, the key will be containing the very formidable Churchland ground game, which averages 291.8 yards rushing per game behind dual-threat QB Brandyn Hillman (1256Yds. 24 TD’s rushing) as well as backs Leon Clark (1225Yds. 10 TD’s rushing) and Dontavious Booker. Conversely, the Churchland defense led by Cam Flood (52 tackles) and Larry Campbell (6 sacks) will need to get Raiders QB Eduardo Rios Jr. rattled early and disrupt the timing of their passing game.
Matt Hatfield – Warwick 28-27 (OT)
Coach Ed Young – Churchland 24-20
#3 Warhill (8-3) at #2 King’s Fork (9-2)
Note - Down 14-10 in the fourth quarter in the regional quarterfinals against upset-minded Deep Creek, King’s Fork didn’t go ahead for good until 2:39 remaining on a rushing touchdown from sophomore JaVon Ford. They prevailed 24-14 in large part because of pick-sixes from Kaletri Boyd and Malachi Nixon, so the Warhill offense will need to control the clock and not get forced into third-and-long passing situations where the turnover risk can be high.
Matt Hatfield – King’s Fork 30-7
Coach Ed Young – King’s Fork 28-12
Region B
#4 Hanover (9-2) at #1 Dinwiddie (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Dinwiddie 40-18
Coach Ed Young – Dinwiddie 33-6
#3 Varina (10-1) at #2 King George (11-0)
Note - On paper, this has the makings to be the best regional semifinal of any in the entire state of Virginia. Three of the very best receivers in the entire state will be on display with the King George terrific junior tandem of Mekhai White and Chanz Wiggins against Penn State commit Kaveion Keys from defending State Champ Varina, which re-grouped from the 29-0 loss to Highland Springs in the regular season finale by blanking Matoaca 35-0 in the regional quarterfinals for their fourth shutout of the year.
Matt Hatfield – King George 31-30 (2OT)
Coach Ed Young – Varina 21-18
Region C
#2 Sherando (7-4) at #1 Loudoun County (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Loudoun County 24-17
Coach Ed Young – Loudoun County 26-0
#3 Millbrook (6-5) at #1 Kettle Run (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Kettle Run 27-12
Coach Ed Young – Kettle Run 30-6
Region D
#5 Amherst (7-4) at #1 E.C. Glass (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – E.C. Glass 35-7
Coach Ed Young – E.C. Glass 28-14
#3 Salem (9-2) at #2 Louisa (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Louisa 20-19
Coach Ed Young – Salem 20-19
CLASS 3
Region A
#4 Norcom (8-3) at #1 Phoebus (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Phoebus 34-6
Coach Ed Young – Phoebus 28-0
#3 Lake Taylor (10-1) at #2 Lafayette (10-1)
Note - Back in 2018 when these two collided on Thanksgiving weekend at Wanner Stadium in Williamsburg, it was Lake Taylor pulling away for a 35-14 victory. The Rams are led by Navy commit Jaylen Pretlow, who has found the end zone 56 times since the start of his varsity career. Meanwhile, the Titans counter with a sturdy defense that has four shutouts to its credit, anchored up front by UVA commit Anthony Britton (25 sacks), who received his U.S. Army All-American Game jersey this week.
Matt Hatfield – Lake Taylor 32-20
Coach Ed Young – Lake Taylor 24-21
Region B
#5 Caroline (5-6) at #1 Brentsville District (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Brentsville District 41-21
Coach Ed Young – Brentsville District 33-0
#7 Goochland (4-7) at #3 Warren County (6-5)
Matt Hatfield – Goochland 23-17
Coach Ed Young – Warren County 23-17
Region C
#5 Turner Ashby (9-2) at #1 Liberty Christian (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Liberty Christian 42-7
Coach Ed Young – Liberty Christian 30-8
#3 Brookville (8-3) at #2 Heritage-Lynchburg (9-2)
Note - In the regular season meeting, Brookville out-gained Heritage 343-172, but the Pioneers prevailed 10-7 on a late goal-line stand. This is the fourth playoff meeting since 2017 between these two Seminole District rivals. Brookville took care of business 50-21 in last year’s regional semifinals, and to get it done again, someone will need to step forward as a drive-finisher for QB Drake McDaniel with defensive end Terrell Washington (28 tackles for loss), the Seminole Defensive Player of the Year, breathing down his neck.
Matt Hatfield – Brookville 17-14
Coach Ed Young – Heritage-Lynchburg 21-20
Region D
#4 Bassett (8-3) at #1 Lord Botetourt (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Lord Botetourt 42-21
Coach Ed Young – Lord Botetourt 28-12
#7 Staunton River (6-5) at #3 Christiansburg (8-3)
Matt Hatfield – Christiansburg 33-20
Coach Ed Young – Christiansburg 24-0
CLASS 2
Region A
#4 Greensville (9-2) at #1 King William (8-3)
Matt Hatfield – King William 26-6
Coach Ed Young – King William 27-20
#3 Poquoson (7-4) at #2 Thomas Jefferson-Richmond (8-3)
Matt Hatfield – TJ-Richmond 14-7
Coach Ed Young – TJ-Richmond 21-18
Region B
#5 Stuarts Draft (8-3) at #1 Strasburg (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Strasburg 30-21
Coach Ed Young – Strasburg 24-18
#3 Central-Woodstock (9-2) at #2 Luray (9-2)
Note - Back on October 7th, a pair of outside kicks triggered a jolt for Luray in its 41-25 win over Central-Woodstock, the reigning Region 2B Champs who’ll have to be better against the run this time around to reverse the outcome.
Matt Hatfield – Central-Woodstock 28-24
Coach Ed Young – Luray 23-18
Region C
#4 Appomattox (8-3) at #1 Radford (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Appomattox 36-34
Coach Ed Young – Appomattox 26-24
#3 Glenvar (8-3) at #2 Martinsville (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Glenvar 26-19
Coach Ed Young – Martinsville 26-24
Region D
#4 Gate City (8-3) at #1 Graham (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Graham 40-15
Coach Ed Young – Graham 33-12
#3 Virginia High (9-2) at #2 Ridgeview (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Ridgeview 27-14
Coach Ed Young – Ridgeview 20-18
CLASS 1
Region A
#5 Westmoreland (5-5) at #1 Essex (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Essex 48-16
Coach Ed Young – Essex 45-0
#3 Northumberland (8-2) at #2 King & Queen (9-2)
Matt Hatfield – King & Queen 39-28
Coach Ed Young – King & Queen 28-20
Region B
#4 Sussex Central (7-4) at #1 Riverheads (8-1)
Matt Hatfield – Riverheads 56-18
Coach Ed Young – Riverheads 44-14
#3 Buffalo Gap (7-4) at Central-Lunenburg (10-0)
Matt Hatfield – Central-Lunenburg 32-27
Coach Ed Young – Central-Lunenburg 30-20
Region C
#4 Grayson County (9-2) at #1 Galax (7-3)
Note - Since 2010, Galax has 36 playoff victories, one of which came by a 42-7 margin over Grayson County last year. Grayson opened 8-0 before dropping its last two regular season contests, including 31-14 to this very same Maroon Tide outfit.
Matt Hatfield – Galax 35-13
Coach Ed Young – Galax 21-20
#3 Narrows (9-1) at #2 George Wythe (7-3)
Matt Hatfield – George Wythe 26-24
Coach Ed Young – George Wythe 21-20
Region D
#5 Holston (8-3) at #1 Patrick Henry-Glade Spring (8-3)
Matt Hatfield – Patrick Henry-GS 29-20
Coach Ed Young – Patrick Henry-GS 25-21
#7 Lebanon (7-4) at #2 Grundy (6-4)
Matt Hatfield – Grundy 56-41
Coach Ed Young – Grundy 30-21
Hatfield:
6A = 4-0
6B = 3-1 (missed on Colonial Forge/Battlefield)
6C = 4-0
6D = 4-0
Class 6 = 15-1
5A = 4-0
5B = 1-1 (missed on Woodside/Menchville)
5C = 2-2 (missed on Hermitage/L.C. Bird)
5D = 4-0
Class 5 = 11-3
4A = 3-1 (missed on Deep Creek/King’s Fork)
4B = 3-1 (missed on Eastern View/Hanover)
4C = 3-1 (missed on Tuscarora/Millbrook)
4D = 4-0
Class 4 = 13-3
3A = 4-0
3B = 4-0
3C = 3-1 (missed on Turner Ashby/Spotswood)
3D = 3-1 (missed on Magna Vista/Staunton River)
Class 3 = 14-2
2A = 4-0
2B = 3-1 (missed on Stuarts Draft/Clarke County)
2C = 4-0
2D = 3-1 (missed on Gate City/Union)
Class 2 = 14-2
1A = 4-0
1B = 2-0
1C = 4-0
1D = 3-1 (missed on Lebanon/Twin Springs)
Class 1 = 13-1
Hatfield’s VHSL First Round Picks: 80-12 (87%)
Young:
6A = 4-0
6B = 3-1 (missed on Colonial Forge/Battlefield)
6C = 3-1 (missed on Lake Braddock/Robinson)
6D = 3-1 (missed on Yorktown/Langley)
Class 6 = 13-3
5A = 4-0
5B = 1-1
5C = 3-1 (missed on Midlothian/Glen Allen)
5D = 4-0
Class 5 = 12-2
4A = 4-0
4B = 3-1 (missed on Eastern View/Hanover)
4C = 3-1 (missed on Tuscarora/Millbrook)
4D = 3-1 (missed on Amherst/Orange County)
Class 4 = 13-3
3A = 4-0
3B = 3-1 (missed on Armstrong/Caroline)
3C = 4-0
3D = 3-1 (missed on Manga Vista/Staunton River)
Class 3 = 14-2
2A = 4-0
2B = 4-0
2C = 4-0
2D = 3-1 (missed on Gate City/Union)
Class 2 = 15-1
1A = 3-1 (missed on West Point/Westmoreland)
1B = 2-0
1C = 4-0
1D = 2-2 (missed on Grundy/Honaker and Lebanon/Twin Springs)
Class 1 = 11-3
Young’s VHSL First Round Picks: 78-14 (84.8%)
VHSL PLAYOFFS - ROUND 2 PREDICTIONS
CLASS 6
Region A
#4 Western Branch (9-2) at #1 Oscar Smith (9-1)
Note - The previous meeting was decided with a safety as Oscar Smith edged Western Branch 2-0 for their 23rd straight win the head-to-head series. Quietly kept though, the Bruins have given up fewer points – 120 – on the year compared to the 138 that the Tigers have allowed, 56 of which came in a lopsided loss to reigning Class 3 State Champ Phoebus. To get their first win in the series since 2003, Western Branch will need the offense to strike early with marquee playmakers in RB Shimique Blizzard and WR Paul Billups, a UNC commit, doing the heavy lifting.
Matt Hatfield – Western Branch 13-10
Coach Ed Young – Oscar Smith 21-14
#3 Manchester (10-1) at #2 Thomas Dale (10-1)
Note - While Thomas Dale leads the all-time series 39-25-2, Manchester has actually won the past two postseason encounters by a combined count of 89-14. Both teams suffered losses to unbeaten teams; Dale by a commanding 63-23 tally to Class 4 Dinwiddie, and Manchester by a whopping 48-7 margin to Class 5 machine Highland Springs.
Matt Hatfield – Thomas Dale 27-14
Coach Ed Young – Thomas Dale 24-20
Region B
#4 John Champe (8-3) at #1 Freedom-PW (11-0)
Note - Maybe the wildest thing about this Freedom juggernaut in pursuit to break the VHSL single-season scoring record as they put up more than 64 points per game is the fact that they’ve scored 20 non-offensive touchdowns on the campaign . That includes 12 defensive touchdowns and eight on special teams. All of this while giving up just 64 total points.
Matt Hatfield – Freedom 63-28
Coach Ed Young – Freedom 48-14
#7 Colonial Forge (6-5) at #3 Patriot (10-1)
Note - If you’re thinking an upset could be pulled off here, consider that Colonial Forge stunned a previously unbeaten Battlefield team 17-13 in the regional quarterfinals just one week after the Bobcats handed Patriot its lone loss of the season, 17-7. Outside of that game, the Pioneers have put up at least 35 points in every other contest, averaging 46.7 points per game. So it will be about the Eagles defense playing another superb game to advance to the regional title round.
Matt Hatfield – Patriot 28-17
Coach Ed Young – Patriot 24-21
Region C
#4 Lake Braddock (9-2) at #1 Fairfax (11-0)
Note - When these two teams met back on October 21st, it was Fairfax getting the better of Lake Braddock 29-14 behind the brilliance of four-star talent and Penn State commit Tony Rojas, who ran the ball 21 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns, caught four passes for 42 yards, plus made two sacks on defense from his linebacker position. It’s the only game to date on the season where Lake Braddock QB Daniel Lipovski (2285Yds. 27-4 TD/Int. ratio), a Delaware commit, did not throw a touchdown pass.
Matt Hatfield – Fairfax 30-26
Coach Ed Young – Fairfax 24-23
#3 West Springfield (9-2) at #2 South County (10-1)
Note - To date, South County has won 14 straight over West Springfield, which includes a 35-28 victory back in October and 16-13 triumph in November of last year. In the most recent encounter, the Stallions mixed it up well with 189 yards rushing and 116 yards passing, scoring twice by air with QB Jordan Dennis and twice via the ground game.
Matt Hatfield – South County 22-13
Coach Ed Young – South County 30-21
Region D
#5 Yorktown (8-3) at #1 James Madison (8-3)
Note - Sleeping on Yorktown in this spot would be a mistake because the Patriots knocked off the Warhawks, 14-11, back on September 9th in a contest that dropped Madison to 0-3 at the time. Yorktown was down 14-0 before rallying for a 21-14 victory over Langley in the quarterfinals. Their ground game with Miles Fang (1209 yards) can set the tone if they're able to sustain drives on a very well-schooled Madison defense that has held six of its past eight foes to single-digits. If QB Mac Lewis (1723 yards passing( gets time to throw, he can do some serious damage.
Matt Hatfield – James Madison 17-14
Coach Ed Young – James Madison 21-20
#3 Westfield (7-4) at #2 Centreville (9-2)
Note - A great Concorde District rivalry for many years, Centreville got the better of Westfield 35-7 just two weeks ago in the regular season finale and that actually is the lowest point total they’ve had in a win all year. They were held to 15 in a one-touchdown loss to Stone Bridge, and 18 in a narrow three-point defeat at the hands of Madison. Westfield survived overtime with sixth-seeded Herndon thanks to a field goal, 31-28, but the Bulldogs better be able to tackle Wildcats RB Isaiah Ragland, a Centreville commit with over 2000 yards, or it’ll be a long night.
Matt Hatfield – Centreville 34-16
Coach Ed Young – Centreville 30-21
CLASS 5
Region A
#4 Salem-VB (8-3) at #1 Green Run (11-0)
Note - A 25-yard pick-six with 2:21 to go in the second quarter by Kaevon Blanding put Green Run ahead 7-3 in the regular season meeting between these two on October 22nd, triggering what turned out to be a 42-10 rout. Stallions QB Kevin White was stellar that day, completing 12 of 18 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns to go with 40 yards rushing and another score, whereas the Sun Devils generated just 13 yards passing on three completions out of 18 attempts.
Matt Hatfield – Green Run 28-8
Coach Ed Young – Green Run 24-21
#3 Cox (9-2) at #2 Kempsville (10-1)
Note - The Falcons led 10-0 vs. Kempsville on October 28 in a game that was moved to the Virginia Beach Sportsplex and saw the Chiefs rally with 14 unanswered points. Statistically, it was not all that close as Kempsville out-gained Cox 313-85, preventing the Falcons from converting any of their seven third downs or two fourth down tries.
Matt Hatfield – Kempsvile 26-13
Coach Ed Young – Kempsville 21-18
Region B
#5 Menchville (6-5) at #1 Maury (7-1)
Note - This is a re-match of a playoff match from a year ago, where Maury breezed by Menchville 42-17 on their way to a fourth straight regional title. It’s doubtful that the Monarchs have improved enough defensively to slow down Commodores tailback and Duke commit Peyton Jones (84Att. 1080Yds. 7 TD’s), who was named to the U.S. Army All-American Game this week and is averaging nearly 14 yards per touch.
Matt Hatfield – Maury 48-12
Coach Ed Young – Maury 44-6
#3 Kecoughtan (8-3) vs. #2 Nansemond River (7-3) at Lakeland
Note - Someone nicknamed Warriors will move on to the Region 5B Championship and that’s a guarantee. Last year in the regional quarterfinals, it was Nansemond River WR Terrell ‘Philly’ Douglas hauling in a 22-yard touchdown pass on the final play of regulation to lift his team to an exciting 18-12 win. Kecoughtan comes in brimming with confidence, especially on defense as they blanked Norview 7-0 in the quarterfinals and boast one of the area’s most dominant linemen in Duke commit David Anderson, who entered the playoffs with 15 sacks on the season.
Matt Hatfield – Nansemond River 16-15
Coach Ed Young – Nansemond River 12-10
Region C
#4 Douglas Freeman (9-2) at #1 Highland Springs (11-0)
Note - The Highland Springs offense doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon behind QB Khristian Martin, the Region 5C Offensive Player of the Year with 2200 yards and 31 TD's passing in just 24 quarters during the regular season. But what is most impressive is the fact that their defense, headlined by a sophomore at linebacker in Brennan Johnson who got Region 5C Defensive Player of the Year honors, has limited ten straight opponents to seven points or fewer since the26-20 escape of Julius Chambers (NC) in the opener.
Matt Hatfield – Highland Springs 56-13
Coach Ed Young – Highland Springs 45-0
#7 Glen Allen (6-5) at #3 L.C. Bird (8-3)
Note - The 23-15 win over Hermitage for Bird was workmanlike for Troy Taylor's Skyhawks. Meanwhile, Glen Allen under Head Coach Perry Jones had a wild comeback over second-seeded Mildothian to reach this point, erasing a 25-7 deficit with 22 unanswered points. The Jaguars know they cannot get off to a similarly slow start against a Bird team that is known to ground and pound opponents, shortening the game with a strong rushing attack.
Matt Hatfield – L.C. Bird 20-18
Coach Ed Young – L.C. Bird 24-18
Region D
#4 Riverbend (9-2) at #1 Stone Bridge (10-1)
Note - There's no denying that Riverbend boasts some next-level talent on its roster with Penn State recruit Mathias 'Mega' Barnwell at tight end, LB/RB MarcAnthony Parker and others. What remains to be seen is if their run defense is up to the task to control a team as physical and hard-nosed as Stone Bridge? Just last week, Woodgrove ran for 236 yards on the Bears. Stone Bridge not only ran for 217 yards in last year's 58-3 playoff rout of the Bears, but threw for another 172 and got two pick-sixes on defense.
Matt Hatfield – Stone Bridge 35-14
Coach Ed Young – Stone Bridge 28-12
#3 Patrick Henry-Roanoke (9-2) at #2 Mountain View (10-1)
Note - Sidney Webb was a versatile jack-of-all-trades as Patrick Henry-Roanoke rallied from an early deficit to bounce Briar Woods, 28-14. Mountain View did not have as hard a time in dispatching Albemarle, 49-24, from the quarterfinals. Two electric players who'll try to get off in this one are Wildcats RB Ike Daniels, a Syracuse commit, and PH-Roanoke speedster Carmelo Taylor, who is headed to Penn State and can turn a simple hitch pattern into a 70-yard house call.
Matt Hatfield – Mountain View 25-21
Coach Ed Young – Mountain View 21-18
CLASS 4
Region A
#4 Churchland (8-3) at #1 Warwick (10-1)
Note - The Warwick defense has given up just 7.5 points per game, headed up by VMI commit Davion Corpening and Messiah Delhomme (6 INT’s) in the secondary. For the Raiders to advance, the key will be containing the very formidable Churchland ground game, which averages 291.8 yards rushing per game behind dual-threat QB Brandyn Hillman (1256Yds. 24 TD’s rushing) as well as backs Leon Clark (1225Yds. 10 TD’s rushing) and Dontavious Booker. Conversely, the Churchland defense led by Cam Flood (52 tackles) and Larry Campbell (6 sacks) will need to get Raiders QB Eduardo Rios Jr. rattled early and disrupt the timing of their passing game.
Matt Hatfield – Warwick 28-27 (OT)
Coach Ed Young – Churchland 24-20
#3 Warhill (8-3) at #2 King’s Fork (9-2)
Note - Down 14-10 in the fourth quarter in the regional quarterfinals against upset-minded Deep Creek, King’s Fork didn’t go ahead for good until 2:39 remaining on a rushing touchdown from sophomore JaVon Ford. They prevailed 24-14 in large part because of pick-sixes from Kaletri Boyd and Malachi Nixon, so the Warhill offense will need to control the clock and not get forced into third-and-long passing situations where the turnover risk can be high.
Matt Hatfield – King’s Fork 30-7
Coach Ed Young – King’s Fork 28-12
Region B
#4 Hanover (9-2) at #1 Dinwiddie (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Dinwiddie 40-18
Coach Ed Young – Dinwiddie 33-6
#3 Varina (10-1) at #2 King George (11-0)
Note - On paper, this has the makings to be the best regional semifinal of any in the entire state of Virginia. Three of the very best receivers in the entire state will be on display with the King George terrific junior tandem of Mekhai White and Chanz Wiggins against Penn State commit Kaveion Keys from defending State Champ Varina, which re-grouped from the 29-0 loss to Highland Springs in the regular season finale by blanking Matoaca 35-0 in the regional quarterfinals for their fourth shutout of the year.
Matt Hatfield – King George 31-30 (2OT)
Coach Ed Young – Varina 21-18
Region C
#2 Sherando (7-4) at #1 Loudoun County (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Loudoun County 24-17
Coach Ed Young – Loudoun County 26-0
#3 Millbrook (6-5) at #1 Kettle Run (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Kettle Run 27-12
Coach Ed Young – Kettle Run 30-6
Region D
#5 Amherst (7-4) at #1 E.C. Glass (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – E.C. Glass 35-7
Coach Ed Young – E.C. Glass 28-14
#3 Salem (9-2) at #2 Louisa (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Louisa 20-19
Coach Ed Young – Salem 20-19
CLASS 3
Region A
#4 Norcom (8-3) at #1 Phoebus (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Phoebus 34-6
Coach Ed Young – Phoebus 28-0
#3 Lake Taylor (10-1) at #2 Lafayette (10-1)
Note - Back in 2018 when these two collided on Thanksgiving weekend at Wanner Stadium in Williamsburg, it was Lake Taylor pulling away for a 35-14 victory. The Rams are led by Navy commit Jaylen Pretlow, who has found the end zone 56 times since the start of his varsity career. Meanwhile, the Titans counter with a sturdy defense that has four shutouts to its credit, anchored up front by UVA commit Anthony Britton (25 sacks), who received his U.S. Army All-American Game jersey this week.
Matt Hatfield – Lake Taylor 32-20
Coach Ed Young – Lake Taylor 24-21
Region B
#5 Caroline (5-6) at #1 Brentsville District (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Brentsville District 41-21
Coach Ed Young – Brentsville District 33-0
#7 Goochland (4-7) at #3 Warren County (6-5)
Matt Hatfield – Goochland 23-17
Coach Ed Young – Warren County 23-17
Region C
#5 Turner Ashby (9-2) at #1 Liberty Christian (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Liberty Christian 42-7
Coach Ed Young – Liberty Christian 30-8
#3 Brookville (8-3) at #2 Heritage-Lynchburg (9-2)
Note - In the regular season meeting, Brookville out-gained Heritage 343-172, but the Pioneers prevailed 10-7 on a late goal-line stand. This is the fourth playoff meeting since 2017 between these two Seminole District rivals. Brookville took care of business 50-21 in last year’s regional semifinals, and to get it done again, someone will need to step forward as a drive-finisher for QB Drake McDaniel with defensive end Terrell Washington (28 tackles for loss), the Seminole Defensive Player of the Year, breathing down his neck.
Matt Hatfield – Brookville 17-14
Coach Ed Young – Heritage-Lynchburg 21-20
Region D
#4 Bassett (8-3) at #1 Lord Botetourt (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Lord Botetourt 42-21
Coach Ed Young – Lord Botetourt 28-12
#7 Staunton River (6-5) at #3 Christiansburg (8-3)
Matt Hatfield – Christiansburg 33-20
Coach Ed Young – Christiansburg 24-0
CLASS 2
Region A
#4 Greensville (9-2) at #1 King William (8-3)
Matt Hatfield – King William 26-6
Coach Ed Young – King William 27-20
#3 Poquoson (7-4) at #2 Thomas Jefferson-Richmond (8-3)
Matt Hatfield – TJ-Richmond 14-7
Coach Ed Young – TJ-Richmond 21-18
Region B
#5 Stuarts Draft (8-3) at #1 Strasburg (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Strasburg 30-21
Coach Ed Young – Strasburg 24-18
#3 Central-Woodstock (9-2) at #2 Luray (9-2)
Note - Back on October 7th, a pair of outside kicks triggered a jolt for Luray in its 41-25 win over Central-Woodstock, the reigning Region 2B Champs who’ll have to be better against the run this time around to reverse the outcome.
Matt Hatfield – Central-Woodstock 28-24
Coach Ed Young – Luray 23-18
Region C
#4 Appomattox (8-3) at #1 Radford (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Appomattox 36-34
Coach Ed Young – Appomattox 26-24
#3 Glenvar (8-3) at #2 Martinsville (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Glenvar 26-19
Coach Ed Young – Martinsville 26-24
Region D
#4 Gate City (8-3) at #1 Graham (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Graham 40-15
Coach Ed Young – Graham 33-12
#3 Virginia High (9-2) at #2 Ridgeview (10-1)
Matt Hatfield – Ridgeview 27-14
Coach Ed Young – Ridgeview 20-18
CLASS 1
Region A
#5 Westmoreland (5-5) at #1 Essex (11-0)
Matt Hatfield – Essex 48-16
Coach Ed Young – Essex 45-0
#3 Northumberland (8-2) at #2 King & Queen (9-2)
Matt Hatfield – King & Queen 39-28
Coach Ed Young – King & Queen 28-20
Region B
#4 Sussex Central (7-4) at #1 Riverheads (8-1)
Matt Hatfield – Riverheads 56-18
Coach Ed Young – Riverheads 44-14
#3 Buffalo Gap (7-4) at Central-Lunenburg (10-0)
Matt Hatfield – Central-Lunenburg 32-27
Coach Ed Young – Central-Lunenburg 30-20
Region C
#4 Grayson County (9-2) at #1 Galax (7-3)
Note - Since 2010, Galax has 36 playoff victories, one of which came by a 42-7 margin over Grayson County last year. Grayson opened 8-0 before dropping its last two regular season contests, including 31-14 to this very same Maroon Tide outfit.
Matt Hatfield – Galax 35-13
Coach Ed Young – Galax 21-20
#3 Narrows (9-1) at #2 George Wythe (7-3)
Matt Hatfield – George Wythe 26-24
Coach Ed Young – George Wythe 21-20
Region D
#5 Holston (8-3) at #1 Patrick Henry-Glade Spring (8-3)
Matt Hatfield – Patrick Henry-GS 29-20
Coach Ed Young – Patrick Henry-GS 25-21
#7 Lebanon (7-4) at #2 Grundy (6-4)
Matt Hatfield – Grundy 56-41
Coach Ed Young – Grundy 30-21
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