RVA SPORTS NETWORK SUPER 12 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POLL

[EPJr]

RVA SPORTS NETWORK SUPER 12 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POLL​

We already have some questions answered with just one week down in the 2024 high school football season.
Let's check out the new RVA Sports Network Super 12 Poll to see how things are shaking out, with a look at each team's record and next opponent.

1) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (1-0, was #1, vs. Phoebus): The Springers score 28 unanswered to blow out Manchester on the road. Credit the coaching staff for a game plan which helped Highland Springs look like they were in Week 7, not Week 1.

2) DINWIDDIE (1-0, was #2, vs. North Stafford): The Harry Dalton Show provided a big first act in his senior season against GW-Danville. The Generals have a big advantage over this week's opponent, who did not play in Week 1, thus, this is their season opener, on the road in Cannon Country.

3) TRINITY EPISCOPAL (1-0, was #3, at Fork Union Saturday): A good opening win last week in what was a sideways week for local VISAA schools. A trip to Fork Union is never easy, and weather could play a factor with rain in the forecast.

4) MATOACA (0-0, was #6, at Warhill): Now the reverse, as the Warriors begin their season in Williamsburg against a Warhill team coming off a 68-0 win over Manor in their season opener. It's the first of three road trips to begin the 2024 season (at Henrico, at Massaponax) before finally playing in front of the faithful September 27th against Colonial Heights. In a related note, 2024 graduate QB Riley Justis, is second on the depth chart for #10 Randolph-Macon as they begin their season Friday night at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

5) VARINA (0-1, was #4, BYE): We discussed last week with Bob Black on ESPN Richmond how the Blue Devils' opener with Indian River could be closer than many thought. How about a double overtime thriller that saw Indian River, behind most of the night, escape with a huge victory. Now, the weirdest storyline of the week. This was supposed to be the night Varina traveled to defending Class 6 state champion Freedom (Woodbridge), until Freedom announced they would only play a district schedule of six games due to, frankly, the decimating loss of players due to head coach Darryl Overton's move over the winter to Hayfield High School. Add graduated players, and they're down to, according to InsideNova.com, 45 players total, many with no or limited experience. So, Varina scrambled, and found Bishop McNamara. Then, THAT game got canceled. So, no football on Route 5 this week.

6) THOMAS DALE (1-0, was #8, at #11 L.C. Bird): After a first half beatdown of Cosby, the Knights cruised to victory. Now they make the familiar trip down Route 10 to battle their archrivals, who shut out James River last week. We'll know a lot more about both programs around 10pm Friday.

7) BENEDICTINE (0-1, was #5, at Western Branch): The Cadets lost a shootout to new VISAA Division I threat St. Michael the Archangel from near Fredericksburg 41-32. Now they face VHSL member Western Branch, 28-0 winners at Menchville in the opener last week.

8) MANCHESTER (0-1, was #7, BYE): This may turn out to be one of the most important bye weeks for any team in the area this year. With two weeks to study and learn from the Highland Springs opener, the Lancers will be a hungry bunch when they open Dominion District play at Powhatan on September 13th.

9) HUGUENOT (0-0, was #9, vs. Eastern View Saturday): In a game that was on, then briefly canceled due to weather issues with Eastern View's opener last week, then on again but moved back to Saturday, the Falcons can make a huge statement in Region 4B early on with a win over the Cyclones, a program that seemed to get back in their usual winning groove in 2023, and coming off a 45-12 opening win on Tuesday against rival Culpeper, their 17th straight win in that series. So the Cyclones have the "game already played" advantage, but also have to overcome playing their second game in just under five days.

10) POWHATAN (0-0, was #10, vs. Mechanicsville): The Indians begin their quest for another postseason berth in Region 4B against a Mustangs squad coming off a physical 20-13 loss to Deep Run in their opener. It's important that Powhatan open strong, with the aforementioned battle with Manchester looming next week.

11) L.C. BIRD (1-0, was #11, vs. #6 Thomas Dale): So, see #6 above for information on the Battle of Chester (which can be heard Friday night at 7 on WRVA, 1140 AM).

12) GLEN ALLEN (1-0, was #12, vs. Massaponax): The Jaguars easily handled Prince George last Thursday, but now take a big step up in competition with the always-talented Panthers coming in, having won 35-12 over Independence in their opener. It's the second of four straight home games for Nana Utsey and the Jags, who want to pile up as many wins early as they can to improve their chances for the playoffs in rugged Region 6A.

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OTHER GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK:

Thomas Jefferson (1-0) at Meadowbrook (1-0), Thursday, 6pm
Louisa (0-1) at Courtland (1-0), Friday, 7pm
Petersburg (1-0) at Armstrong (1-0), Friday, 7pm
Patrick Henry (1-0) at Mills Godwin (1-0), Friday, 7pm
Hanover (0-0) at Monacan (1-0), Friday, 7pm

Posted by robwitham at 3:40 PM

 

[EPJr]

RVA SPORTS NETWORK SUPER 12 HIGH SCHOOL ​

FOOTBALL POLL: WEEK THREE​

After, arguably, the deepest week when it came to quality matchups in the 2024 regular season schedule, what more have we learned? Let's look at the latest RVA Sports Network Super 12 High School Football Poll as mid-September approaches and some district games begin!

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1) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (1-1, was #1, vs. Maury): There is no shame losing to a team that has now won 36 consecutive games in Phoebus. But after a 42-point performance on opening night, the Springers could only muster seven points. Were parts of their offense exposed by the Phantoms? Can the Commodores, one of several Highland Springs rivals collected over the past decade, find the secret sauce in game film to lead them to victory? And when was the last time the Springers lost back to back home games? Huge intrigue, again, at Kreiter 2.0 this Friday.
2) DINWIDDIE (2-0, was #2, BYE): A ten-point win over North Stafford is a quality win, but not enough to vault the Generals over the Cavaliers. This week? Expect to see some Generals fans at Highland Springs Friday because Dinwiddie begins a five-game (FIVE!) road stretch on September 20th at Maury. Followed by trips to Hopewell, Thomas Dale, Colonial Heights and Petersburg, the cannon in the county won't fire again before October 25th.
3) TRINITY EPISCOPAL (2-0, was #3, at Woodberry Forest Saturday): The Titans' offense rolled again with a 42-29 win at Fork Union. The defense was likely unhappy with their overall performance, and now must get ready for another Saturday road trip west, this time to a Woodberry Forest team who lost two top players in Dyzier Carter and Savion Hiter, who joined from Louisa in 2023. Both have transferred back to their home school as juniors, and suited up for the Lions' loss at Courtland last Friday. Congratulations to QB Taegan Logan, breaking the 4,000 yard career passing mark, as well as accounting for 70 total touchdowns in his career, per Malcolm Bell.
4) MATOACA (1-0, was #4, at Henrico): A quality 35-0 win at a good Warhill squad is how the Warriors began 2024 on Friday night. The best news is pitching a shutout on the road. Matoaca's defense will need to be very stout this season, with the likes of Thomas Dale, Dinwiddie and Hopewell in the Central District. And, don't know if you've heard, but in Region 5C, William Fleming is off to a 2-0 start, defeating their opponents (Albemarle, Hidden Valley) by a combined score of 145-0. The Colonels' first big test is their game Friday at powerhouse Salem.
5) VARINA (0-1, was #5, vs. Hermitage): After two canceled games led to an unexpected bye week, the Blue Devils return, still with the taste of their double overtime loss to Indian River in their mouth. Remember, they led most of that game. Now comes the annual cross-county rivalry against a Hermitage team that was easily handled by Oscar Smith in their opener, before bouncing back with a win over Henrico at home last Friday.
6) THOMAS DALE (2-0, was #6, BYE): How about that Knights' defense! They almost outscored their opponent on their own, with two touchdowns in the second half of their 27-16 victory at archrival L.C. Bird Friday. That includes the dagger on a fumble return when the Skyhawks were driving for the go-ahead score in the final two minutes. Thomas Dale gets their bye week to heal the bruises of that battle, then they head to undefeated Glen Allen on September 20th in a suddenly very interesting game in Region 6A.
7) HUGUENOT (1-0, was #9, at Clover Hill): Few could have foreseen the Falcons' absolute romp, 53-13, over Region 4B rival Eastern View in their season opener. The Cyclones are almost always in the playoff mix in this region. This was as big of a statement win that you can make in early September. Dinwiddie, Varina, King George, take notice! Huguenot will be the heavy favorite this Friday, then face Richmond School For The Arts on September 21st before going to Powhatan in what is going to be a huge Region 4B game on September 27th.
8) BENEDICTINE (1-1, was #7, vs. Flint Hill): A great bounce back win on the road on Friday at Western Branch for the Cadets. They finally get a home game this week before trips to Georgetown Prep, then St. Christopher's, to finish off the September portion of their schedule.
9) POWHATAN (1-0, was #10, vs. #10 Manchester): The Indians handled Mechanicsville easily, as expected, to get 2024 underway with a victory. Now, an early test in the Dominion, with #10 Manchester, who haven't played since their season opening loss at home to Highland Springs August 29th, come out Route 60 West, inevitably looking to erase the pain of that disappointment and make a statement to rivals in Region 6A. Thus, Powhatan needs to be ready, especially the defensive front seven, to not allow Manchester quarterback Landen Abernethy to get into his familiar rhythm.
10) MANCHESTER (0-1, was #8, at #9 Powhatan): Head Coach Jason Harrell's biggest task this week may be tampering down the emotions of his Lancers come Friday night. Undoubtedly, they will take to the Powhatan gridiron hungry to show the world they are much better than their Highland Springs performance showed. But they'll want to be level headed about it, because, even in Week 3, both teams have a lot on the line here.
11) GLEN ALLEN (2-0, was #12, vs. Patrick Henry): It turned into a slugfest, but the Jaguars survived a last minute field goal miss that would have forced overtime for a 17-14 win Friday over one of the better, more consistent programs of the 21st century in Massaponax. Expect a very similar type game Friday for their third of four straight home games when Glen Allen battles Patrick Henry. Similar styles between the Jaguars and Patriots, along with a healthy dose of recent history with these schools, which are only separated by the Hanover/Henrico County line.
12) L.C. BIRD (1-1, was #11, at Monacan Thursday): The Skyhawks were achingly close to finally vanquishing their archrival last Friday. Now, with a short week, they hit the road at Dominion District rival Monacan, who blew a 14-point lead in a loss to Hanover last week. The thing to watch here is how Jason Wright and company bounce back here, knowing they have to collect as many wins as possible to likely keep pace with Matoaca and William Fleming in Region 5C.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Thomas Jefferson (2-0), Mills Godwin (2-0), Armstrong (2-0), Douglas Freeman (2-0), St. Christopher's (2-0), Hanover (1-0)

OUT OF THE AREA/INSIDE THE REGION: Watch out for Courtland, who handled Louisa Friday to move to 2-0. With an explosive offense, they look to be the next breakout team in Region 4B, a la King George in 2021 and Huguenot a season ago.

OTHER GAMES TO WATCH:
Atlee (1-1) at Mills Godwin (2-0), Friday, 7pm
Amelia (2-0) vs. Thomas Jefferson (2-0), Friday, 7pm, Hovey Field, VUU
Hopewell (0-1) at Lake Taylor (0-1), Friday, 7pm

 

[EPJr]

Monday, October 7, 2024​

RVA SPORTS NETWORK SUPER 12 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POLL: WEEK 7​

1) MATOACA (5-0, was #1, at #9 Thomas Dale): The Warriors earn a forfeit win, not exactly a gift being that you want to keep playing, keep getting better. Now, after an unexpected bye, a trip to Chester to battle a Knights team coming off a tough loss to Dinwiddie.

2) HUGUENOT (5-0, was #2, vs. Manchester): The Falcons keep on rolling, but will get a test from a Manchester team getting back on track after a 33-16 win over Monacan last week. Can the Lancers do what Powhatan did for a half? Slow down the Huguenot offense via time of possession? Can they force a couple of turnovers?

3) GLEN ALLEN (5-0, was #3, at #4 Varina): No doubt that the biggest game on the Week 7 calendar sees these Jaguars hitting 295 to go to Route 5, where it's Homecoming Week. The Blue Devils know there's a matchup with Highland Springs on the horizon November 2nd, so a win here, should they run the table, puts them at 8-1 and in great playoff position in Region 4B. Meanwhile, Glen Allen knows they must rack up quality wins, having already defeated Thomas Dale and Douglas Freeman. A win over Varina would be huge in their race in Region 6A for playoff position.

4) VARINA (3-1, was #4, vs. #3 Glen Allen): See above!

5) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (3-2, was #5, at Henrico Thursday): We're still looking for a complete performance from the Springers like the one they dished out opening night at Manchester. A Henrico team that lost a last-minute heartbreaker to Armstrong Friday night could come in hungry, or deflated.

6) DINWIDDIE (4-1, was #6, at Colonial Heights): After surviving Thomas Dale, the Generals will be favored in every game going forward until their huge November 8th regular season showdown with #1 Matoaca.

7) L.C. BIRD (5-1, was #9, BYE): After a record setting performance in their win over Powhatan Friday, quarterback Jason Wright and the Skyhawks get two full weeks to get ready for the showdown with Huguenot October 18th. Quietly, the Skyhawks are positioning themselves to be a very tough out in the Region 5C playoffs, especially sporting something you rarely see from L.C. Bird: a huge passing attack.

8) THOMAS JEFFERSON (5-0, was #10, at Mills Godwin): The Vikings rolled up 77 points last Friday, and now have allowed just eighteen points defensively in their first five games. Their last regular season loss? November 4, 2022 at Mills Godwin. The Vikings did win on Pump Road 24-14 last season, and the Eagles are struggling. But the bottom line is you get extra VHSL points for defeating a Class 5 team as a Class 3, and that's the assignment for each of the next three weeks (Godwin, Deep Run, J.R. Tucker).

9) THOMAS DALE (3-2, was #8, vs. #1 Matoaca): It's hard to fault the Knights, who gave it all but fell just short to Harry Dalton and the Dinwiddie Generals. Now, they get a chance to make a season-changing statement with the top-ranked and unbeaten Warriors coming in.

10) ARMSTRONG (5-0, was #11, at Greensville County Thursday): They did it! The Wildcats vanquish the hold Henrico had on them, scoring the winning touchdown in the final minute of their 14-8 victory over the Warriors. This week's trip south, on Thursday, should be a case of keeping improving your performance, don't have any injuries, and return north at 6-0, with eight days to prepare for an Atlee team who will be in the midst of a dogfight in the Region 4B playoff race.

11) BENEDICTINE (4-2, was #7, vs. Collegiate Thursday, 4pm): Rivalry Week returns to the Cadets schedule after a 23-16 loss to Gonzaga last week. The Cougars need a big win to solidify VISAA Division I playoff hopes, but the margin for error for Benedictine isn't much bigger. A very important game, for both teams, so the Cadets are happy to be home.

12) LOUISA (3-2, NEW, at Orange): Don't look now, Region 5C, but here comes a transformed Lions team. Their future looked so bright late in 2022 watching freshman sensations Savion Hiter and Dyzier Carter power Louisa to the postseason. Then, both left for Woodberry Forest, where they played in 2023 and looked to spend their junior seasons there. But within the first two weeks of regular season play, first Carter (a verbal commit to Rutgers), then Hiter (who is collecting Power 4 Conference offers), decided to return to the Lions. After an 0-2 start, Louisa has rolled off three straight wins. Now Jayden Seaberry has help offensively, and a lot of it, but will be tested when they head to Orange (4-1) Friday in what still may be called "The Tastee-Freez Bowl", even though the restaurant that stood in Gordonsville near the Louisa/Orange County border, closed five years ago. For those of us who love a Big Tee burger, we are still in mourning.

DROPPING OUT: Powhatan (was #12)


OTHER GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK:

Petersburg at Hopewell, Thursday, 7pm
Atlee at Patrick Henry, Friday, 7pm
Douglas Freeman at Hermitage, Friday, 7pm
Cosby at Powhatan, Friday, 7pm
St. Christopher's at Woodberry Forest, Saturday, 2pm

robwitham at 4:51 PM

 

[EPJr]

Sunday, October 13, 2024​

RVA SPORTS NETWORK SUPER 12 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POLL: WEEK 8​

1) MATOACA (6-0, was #1, vs. Hopewell): In a defensive slugfest, the Warriors stayed unbeaten with a huge road win over Thomas Dale. Don't look ahead if you're Matoaca, as the Blue Devils will come in Friday fighting for playoff position in Class 3, Region A after a first half of the season that has not been to the usual Hopewell standard.

2) HUGUENOT (6-0, was #2, at #6 L.C. Bird): On "X" (Twitter), our weekly poll this weekend had Huguenot playing the best football right now out of four undefeated teams. After easily handling Manchester on Friday, they get set to ride to Chester to take on Their former starting quarterback, Jason Wright, and the rested Skyhawks, coming off a bye week, and for Wright, coming off a school-record 355 yards of passing in their last game. While unbeaten, the Falcons find themselves just in fourth place in Class 4, Region B at the time of this writing. That's due to strength of schedule when compared to Dinwiddie, Varina, and a team Huguenot defeated in Eastern View.

3) VARINA (4-1, was #4, at Hanover Thursday): Easily the best performance of the season so far by the Route 5 crew handing Glen Allen their first loss and holding the Jaguars to just three points. Hanover is a pesky bunch, however, and will look to win time of possession to grind this game out. The Hawks have to hold Varina under 21 points. A shootout favors the Blue Devils. Varina is second in Region 4B, .8 behind Dinwiddie.

4) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (4-2, was #5, at Potomac (MD): The Springers got the job done in shutout fashion at Henrico last Thursday, and now prep for one more trip out of town in the regular season, crossing the border into Maryland to face the Wolverines, who will enter the game at 2-4.

5) DINWIDDIE (5-1, was #6, at Petersburg): The Generals will be favored big in their next three contests, beginning with the Crimson Wave Friday. We don't expect a Billy Mills-coached team to overlook anyone, as the Generals want to hold on to the top spot in Region 4B as the showdown with Matoaca looms November 8th on "Playoff Projection Friday". The Generals may need Varina to fall at least once should Dinwiddie run the table, since strength of schedule remaining looks to favor the Blue Devils.

6) L.C. BIRD (5-1, was #7, vs. #2 Huguenot): Don't look now, but the playoff race in Class 5, Region C is getting extremely interesting. Off their bye, the Skyhawks now face the unbeaten Falcons, and, with a win, could make noise near the top of the region standings. Unbeatens Matoaca and William Fleming are battling at the top, surprising Midlothian in third at the time of this writing, and Hermitage will take flight, too, after their comeback win over Douglas Freeman. Jason Wright should seek success, not revenge.

7) GLEN ALLEN (5-1, was #3, at Hermitage): It doesn't get any easier for the Jaguars. Coming off the trip to Varina, now they make their shortest road trip of the season at 3.1 miles to Chester Fritz Stadium to face the Panthers, who, just like L.C. Bird, can use a win this week to really solidify not only playoff position in Region 5C, but a spot in the top four to ensure they are home November 15th. Glen Allen will lose their share of the top spot in Region 6A, but a road win Friday could keep them chasing Oscar Smith.

8) THOMAS JEFFERSON (6-0, was #8, at Deep Run): The Wildcats are improved, and played TJ tough at home two years ago (14-9) before falling big a year ago (53-15), and Deep Run is in the playoff race in 6A. Their defense will be sorely tested by Rashaud Cherry and company, and their offense will have their hands full with a Vikings defense who have already pitched four shutouts.

9) ARMSTRONG (6-0, was #10, vs. Atlee): A game flying under the radar this week is the Wildcats' home date with the Raiders in Capital District play. Atlee is in a dogfight for fifth place in Region 4B, knowing Courtland will be heavily favored against James Monroe and hoping a win here would separate them more from their archrival Hanover, whom they defeated two weeks ago. Armstrong is third in Region 3B behind Thomas Jefferson and Kettle Run, so a win here could help close the gap. Atlee also wants revenge for a 30-26 home loss to Armstrong last year which severely hurt their playoff hopes.

10) BENEDICTINE (5-2, was #11, vs. Life Christian Saturday): The Cadets rolled over Collegiate, look to take care of their opponents from across the river, then it's a trip to Woodberry Forest, who shut out St. Christopher's last week, before the showdown November 2nd with Trinity Episcopal.

11) LOUISA (4-2, was #12, vs. Charlottesville): The Lions may be the most talented 4-2 team in the Commonwealth. They put up 52 points at rival Orange, handing them their second loss of the season. The bad news is they gave up 32 points. For the Lions to solidify a playoff berth, then seek to make a run with Hiter, Seaberry, Carter and company, they need to get more defensive stops. The Jungle will be rocking this Friday night.

12) HERMITAGE (5-2, NEW, vs. #7 Glen Allen): There are two games between ranked teams this week, and it's the Battle of Staples Mill Road between a Panther squad coming off an emotional comeback win over Douglas Freeman and the Jaguars, smarting after their 38-3 loss at Varina. In their four-game winning streak, Hermitage has averaged just over 44 points per game on offense.

DROPPING OUT: Thomas Dale (3-3)

Posted by robwitham at 5:49 PM