Strong winds have been blowing, but are they really winds of change?
Only three 2023 VHSL state football champions remain in contention to retain their titles, but can any of the three be stopped?
Class 5 Maury, Class 4 Phoebus and Class 3 Liberty Christian have been mostly untouchable this fall as the VHSL readies for its 12 semifinal games Saturday across six classifications.
Maury, Phoebus and LCA are among 10 undefeated teams pursuing a state championship in a line that stretches from Chesapeake all the way out to Scott County. The three defending champs join Oscar Smith and James Madison in Class 6, Lafayette and Kettle Run in Class 3, Graham in Class 2 and Rye Cove with unblemished 2024 records.
The 24 remaining teams represent 22 districts with the Bay Rivers and Northwestern districts each having two semifinalists. Fifteen of the state contenders won their respective district titles.
How will the winds blow this weekend?
You won’t need a weatherman to know.
CLASS 6 SEMIFINALS
COLONIAL FORGE (10-3) at OSCAR SMITH (13-0)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
COLONIAL FORGE EAGLES
Location: Stafford
Coach: John Brown (7th season)
District: Commonwealth
All-time playoff record: 24-18
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 0
Last four-years record: 29-18
Colonial Forge 2024 results
W — Woodbridge, 22-21
W — Alexandria City, 35-14
W — Potomac, 48-12
W — Patriot, 35-27
L — Stafford, 35-31
W — Massaponax, 49-16
W — Mountain View, 23-13
L — Riverbend, 34-17
W — Brooke Point, 21-12
L — North Stafford, 27-17
Region 6B playoffs
W — Stafford, 45-24
W — North Stafford, 17-6
W — Patriot, 42-14
OSCAR SMITH TIGERS
Location: Chesapeake
Coach: Chris Scott (6th season)
District: Southeastern
All-time playoff record: 62-17
State championships: 4 (2021, 2020, 2011, 2008)
State runners-up: 5 (2019, 2017, 2016, 2016, 2013)
Last four-years record: 43-7
Oscar Smith 2024 results
W — Hermitage, 44-6
W — I.C. Norcom, 54-16
W — Great Bridge, 62-0
W — Nansemond River, 35-0
W — Grassfield, 49-0
W — Indian River, 22-6
W — Deep Creek, 41-0
W — King’s Fork, 27-12
W — Hickory, 49-21
W — Western Branch, 42-0
Region 6A playoffs
W — Grassfield, 41-0
W — Manchester, 35-0
W — Highland Springs, 28-7
Colonial Forge-Oscar Smith notes: Colonial Forge has made the Class 6 semifinal as a No. 6 seed out of Region 6B where the top two seeds fell in the semifinals. … Brown took over the Colonial Forge program in 2018 from his father, VHSL coaching legend Bill Brown, who won 108 games in 11 seasons at Forge and also coached C.D. Hylton to a pair of VHSL championships. … Might as well pencil Oscar Smith into the Class 6 bracket each year in August. … The Tigers have either won the title or been state runner-up eight times since 2013. … A 27-12 win over King’s Fork and a 22-6 victory over Indian River are Oscar Smith’s only games closer than 21 points. … Smith cornerback Jahmari DeLoatch is a Virginia Tech signee.
—–
LAKE BRADDOCK (11-2) at JAMES MADISON (13-0)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
LAKE BRADDOCK BRUINS
Location: Burke
Coach: Mike Dougherty (8th season)
District: Patriot
All-time playoff record: 31-26
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 1 (2009)
Last four-years record: 40-11
Lake Braddock 2024 results
W — Charles Colgan, 64-20
L — James Madison, 36-15
L — Westfield, 24-17
W — West Potomac, 49-28
W — Fairfax, 35-21
W — C.G. Woodson, 55-14
W — Alexandria City, 41-13
W — West Springfield, 23-12
W — South County, 22-14
W — James Robinson, 35-28
Region 6C playoffs
W — Mount Vernon, 56-6
W — Hayfield, forfeit
W — Fairfax, 40-25
JAMES MADISON WARHAWKS
Location: Vienna
Coach: Justin Counts (8th season)
District: Concorde
All-time playoff record: 32-26
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 2 (2022, 2021)
Last four-years record: 48-8
James Madison 2024 results
W — Stone Bridge, 17-0
W — Lake Braddock, 36-15
W — James Robinson, 37-7
W — George Marshall, 35-7
W — Chantilly, 43-13
W — South County, 42-0
W — Westfield, 26-21
W — South Lakes, 35-7
W — Oakton, 28-6
W — Centreville, 41-0
Region 6D playoffs
W — Chantilly, 44-0
W — Westfield, 35-28
W — Washington-Liberty, 48-21
Lake Braddock-James Madison notes: With the conspicuous absence of No. 1 Region 6C seed Hayfield from the field because of a forfeit, Braddock and unbeaten Madison are contending here with the Warhawks already owning a 36-15 victory over the Bruins in Week 2. … Madison had to sweat our a 35-28 region semifinal victory over Westfield after defeating the same team 26-21 in the regular season. … No other Warhawks game was closer than a 17-point margin. … Madison RB Dominic Nicely has signed with East Carolina. … Lake Braddock holds a 6-3 edge in the series, but Madison has won three of the last four including two in a row.
Next week: Class 6 championship Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. at James Madison University in Harrisonburg.
*************************************
CLASS 5 SEMIFINALS
GREEN RUN (13-0) at MAURY (13-0)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
GREEN RUN STALLIONS
Location: Virginia Beach
Coach: Brandon Williams (8th season)
District: Beach
All-time playoff record: 17-13
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 0
Last four-years record: 50-3
Green Run 2024 results
W — Tallwood, 54-0
W — Floyd Kellam, 49-0
W — Princess Anne, forfeit
W — Frank Cox, 34-0
W — Kempsville, 24-7
W — Salem-Virginia Beach, 40-18
W — Landstown, 41-7
W — Bayside, 43-0
W — First Colonial, 56-0
W — Ocean Lakes, 35-10
Region 5A playoffs
W — Ocean Lakes, 35-0
W — Indian River, 22-19
W — Salem-Virginia Beach, 21-14
MAURY COMMODORES
Location: Norfolk
Coach: Dyrii McCain (8th season)
District: Eastern
All-time playoff record: 28-19
State championships: 2 (2023, 2019)
State runners-up: 3 (2022, 2021, 1972)
Last four-years record: 46-4
Maury 2024 results
W — H.D. Wise, Md., 20-14
W — Highland Springs, 38-7
W — Dinwiddie, 47-7
W — Lake Taylor, 62-0
W — I.C. Norcom, 49-13
W — Manor, 97-0
W — Booker T. Washington, 82-0
W — Norview, 84-6
W — Churchland, 49-7
W — Granby, 55-0
Region 5B playoffs
W — Woodside, 57-0
W — Warwick, 41-7
W — King’s Fork, 38-14
Green Run-Maury notes: Green Run takes a third crack at Maury in the last four seasons after dropping region finals to the Commodores in 2021 (35-7) and 2022 (21-14). … Green Run’s only game outside Beach District opposition was a 22-19 semifinal win over Indian River. … The Stallions’ win over Salem-Virginia Beach upped their win streak against Beach teams to 50 games. … Maury opened with a 20-14 win over H.D. Wise, which is playing for the Maryland Class 4A state title this weekend. … Maury has outscored its VHSL competition 719-75. … FBS signees will dot the field. … For Green Run, they include WR Jayden Anderson (Virginia Tech), QB Ksaan Farrar (Connecticut), LB Emmanuel Taylor (Pittsburgh), CB Knahli Harrell (Virginia Tech) and DE Zeke Chinweke (Virginia Tech). … For Maury, it’s DE Ari Watford (Clemson), LB Carlton Smith (Maryland), WR LeBron Bond (Indiana) and DB Kendall Daniels (South Carolina).
—–
L.C. BIRD (10-3) at BRIAR WOODS (9-3)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
L.C. BIRD SKYHAWKS
Location: Chesterfield
Coach: Matt Bland (7th season)
District: Dominion
All-time playoff record: 43-33
State championships: 3 (2014, 2013, 2012)
State runners-up: 1 (1991)
Last four-years record: 30-16
L.C. Bird 2024 results
W — James River-Chesterfield, 31-0
L — Thomas Dale, 27-16
W — Monacan, 25-0
W — Clover Hill, 79-0
W — Richmond City School of the Arts, 55-0
W — Powhatan, 41-20
L — Huguenot, 41-14
L — Manchester, 16-7
W — Cosby, 42-27
W — Midlothian, 30-22
Region 5C playoffs
W — Hermitage, 21-11
W — Matoaca, 17-6
W — William Fleming, 10-7
BRIAR WOODS FALCONS
Location: Ashburn
Coach: Mike Burnett (4th season)
District: Potomac
All-time playoff record: 25-10
State championships: 3 (2012, 2011, 2010)
State runners-up: 1 (2013)
Last four-years record: 25-20
Briar Woods 2024 results
L — John Champe, 7-6
W — Loudoun County, 20-7
W — Broad Run, 35-0
L — North Stafford, 26-14
W — Fort Hill, Md., 28-7
W — Riverside, 31-21
W — Potomac Falls, 32-0
W — Lightridge, 32-12
L — Stone Bridge, 14-12
W — Independence, 27-13
Region 5D playoffs
W — Massaponax, 39-27
W — Riverbend, 32-15
L.C. Bird-Briar Woods notes: This is one of only two state semifinals that does not involve a team that was seeded No. 1 in its region. … L.C. Bird won road games against Matoaca and William Fleming to take Region 5C as a No. 4 seed. … Bird has allowed just 24 points in three playoff games. … Bird edge rusher Chris Whitehead has offers from Penn State and Tennessee. … Bird found UVa’s Scott Stadium to its liking from 2012-14, winning three straight Class 5 state titles over Ocean Lakes, Briar Woods and Tuscarora under former coach David Bedwell when the Skyhawks were a combined 43-2. … Before coming to Briar Woods, Burnett started the football program at Tuscarora and led Broad Run to back-to-back Class 4 titles in 2008-09. … Briar Woods QB Brady Carmical has signed with Navy while RB Trey Dudley is headed to Syracuse.
Next week: Class 5 championship Dec. 14 at 11:30 at James Madison University in Harrisonburg.
*****************************************
CLASS 4 SEMIFINALS
SHERANDO (12-1) vs. PHOEBUS (12-0)
Saturday, 1 p.m., at Darling Stadium, Hampton
SHERANDO WARRIORS
Location: Stephens City
Coach: T.J. Rohrbaugh (2nd season)
District: Northwestern
All-time playoff record: 28-20
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 4 (2013, 2007, 1996, 1995)
Last four-years record: 29-18
Sherando 2024 results
W — Brentsville, 42-0
W — Jefferson, W.Va., 42-14
W — Lightridge, 23-10
W — Fauquier, 47-10
W — Liberty-Bealeton, 58-7
W — Warren County, 51-0
W — James Wood, 35-0
L — Kettle Run, 45-20
W — Millbrook, 42-0
W — John Handley, 28-14
Region 4D playoffs
W — James Wood, 48-7
W — Jefferson Forest, 20-14
W — Salem, 29-26
PHOEBUS PHANTOMS
Location: Hampton
Coach: Jeremy Blunt (13th season)
District: Peninsula
All-time playoff record: 78-20
State championships: 10 (2023, 2022, 2021, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2002, 2001)
State runners-up: 1 (2018)
Last four-years record: 53-1
Phoebus 2024 results
W — Highland Springs, 23-7
W — Woodside, 42-3
W — Heritage-Newport News, 45-0
W — Bethel, 56-21
W — Hampton, 37-3
W — Kecoughtan, 63-0
W — Gloucester, 57-0
W — Menchville, 49-0
W — Warwick, 27-17
W — Denbigh, 66-7
Region 4A playoffs
W — Churchland, 41-0
W — Hampton, 42-0
Sherando-Phoebus notes: Sherando overcame a 20-0 deficit against Salem to score a 29-26 win in last week’s Region 4D final. … Quarterback Micah Carlson, who left early in the region semifinal against Jefferson Forest because of injury, passed for 130 yards and two TDs while rushing for 111 yards and a score against Salem. … Sherando’s lone loss is to unbeaten Class 3 semifinalist Kettle Run. … Phoebus has won 46 games in a row and is creeping up on the VHSL-record win streak of 52 it shares with Riverheads. … Phoebus is aiming for a fourth successive state title, which would match the Phantoms’ feat from 2008-11. … Phoebus makes the most of state finals appearances, winning 10 of the 11 appearances. … Phoebus defeated Salem 21-14 in the 2023 final on an 86-yard TD pass with one second to play. … Phoebus lineman Markus Hopson is headed to Howard University.
—–
TUSCARORA (12-1) at VARINA (11-1)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
TUSCARORA HUSKIES
Location: Leesburg
Coach: Jared Toler (3rd season)
District: Dulles
All-time playoff record: 27-13
State championships: 0
State runners-up: (2019, 2017)
Last four-years record: 42-7
Tuscarora 2024 results
W — Heritage-Leesburg, 42-7
L — Independence, 21-20
W — Loudoun County, 42-7
W — Lightridge, 14-7
W — Potomac Falls, 30-0
W — Loudoun Valley, 33-0
W — Rock Ridge, 49-0
W — Dominion, 54-0
W — Woodgrove, 34-7
W — Broad Run, 42-0
Region 4C playoffs
W — Loudoun County, 34-7
W — John Champe, 41-16
VARINA BLUE DEVILS
Location: Chesterfield County
Coach: Marcus Lewis (5th season)
District: Capital
All-time playoff record: 37-26
State championships: 1 (2021)
State runners-up: 0
Last four-years record: 44-7
Varina 2024 results
L — Indian River, 37-31, 2 OT
W — Hermitage, 18-10
W — Forest Park, 34-11
W — Henrico, 40-7
W — Glen Allen, 38-3
W — Hanover, 28-13
W — Atlee, 47-13
W — Highland Springs, 28-19
W — Patrick Henry-Ashland, 40-0
Region 4B playoffs
W — Hanover, 42-14
W — Huguenot, 26-0
W — Dinwiddie, 41-27
Tuscarora-Varina notes: Varina has spent much of its prior playoff time in the Class 5 ranks, but finally breaking through in 2021 with a 28-21 win over Broad Run in the Class 4 championship game. … Varina ousted previously unbeaten Huguenot in the regional semifinals and owns a victory over Region 6A finalist Highland Springs. … Carl Richards, who preceded Willis White as the head coach at Salem, was Varina’s coach from 1975-81. … Tuscarora also has rebounded from an early-season loss, a 21-20 setback at the hands of Independence. … All 12 of Tuscarora’s opponents this year have been fellow Loudoun County schools. … Two-way Tuscarora athlete Dawson Pough (5-11, 190) is a Boston College signee. … Tuscarora reached the Class 4 semifinals in 2023, losing 31-21 at home to Salem.
Next week: Class 4 championship Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. at Liberty University in Lynchburg.
******************************************
CLASS 3 SEMIFINALS
LAFAYETTE (13-0) at KETTLE RUN (13-0)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
LAFAYETTE RAMS
Location: Williamsburg
Coach: Andy Linn (14th season)
District: Bay Rivers
All-time playoff record: 47-22
State championships: 2 (2020, 2001)
State runners-up: 4 (2023, 2014, 2002, 1973)
Last four-years record: 40-8
Lafayette 2024 results
W — Spotsylvania, 37-6
W — Booker T. Washington, 68-0
W — New Kent, 45-0
W — Smithfield, 47-0
W — Grafton, 58-20
W — Warhill, 33-6
W — Tabb, 48-9
W — Jamestown, 58-0
W — York, 56-6
W — Poquoson, 14-6
Region 3A playoffs
W — Petersburg, 42-6
W — Colonial Heights, 56-7
W — I.C. Norcom, 33-6
KETTLE RUN COUGARS
Location: Nokesville
Coach: Charles Porterfield (9th season)
District: Northwestern
All-time playoff record: 17-10
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 1 (2022)
Last four-years record: 46-5
Kettle Run 2024 results
W — Liberty-Bealeton, 39-7
W — John Handley, 34-28
W — James Wood, 54-14
W — Skyline, 62-0
W — Millbrook, 31-14
W — Meridian, 47-7
W — Sherando, 45-20
W — Warren County, 47-0
W — Fauquier, 62-14
W — Brentsville, 47-13
Region 3B playoffs
W — Warren County, 56-3
W — Armstrong, 36-34
W — Thomas Jefferson-Richmond, 35-32
Lafayette-Kettle Run notes: How about a semifinal matchup between two recent state runners-up? Kettle Run lost to Dinwiddie 65-20 in the 2022 Class 4 championship game before Lafayette came up short 28-14 against Liberty Christian in last year’s Class 3 final. … Kettle Run opened in 2008 with an 0-10 season, and three years later the Cougars made back-to-back Class 3 semifinals, losing on both occasions to James Monroe. … The first meeting between these two schools is one of two semifinals Saturday between unbeaten teams. … Lafayette running back Brayden Smalls, a William and Mary commit, is the 2024 Bay Rivers offensive player of the year. … Rams lineman Daniel Jackson was named the district’s defensive player of the year.
—–
WILLIAM BYRD (11-2) at LIBERTY CHRISTIAN (12-0)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
WILLIAM BYRD TERRIERS
Location: Vinton
Coach: Brad Lutz (6th season)
District: Blue Ridge
All-time playoff record: 10-15
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 0
Last four-years record: 26-20
William Byrd 2024 results
W — Liberty-Bedford, 51-6
W — Hidden Valley, 65-0
W — Christiansburg, 33-0
W — Bassett, 33-0
W — Cave Spring, 47-3
L — William Fleming, 28-14
L — Lord Botetourt, 21-13
W — Franklin County, 17-10
W — Staunton River, 21-20, OT
W — Northside, 28-13
Region 3D playoffs
W — Staunton River, 20-0
W — Abingdon, 28-23
W — Lord Botetourt, 46-44, 2 OT
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN BULLDOGS
Location: Lynchburg
Coach: Frank Rocco (19th season, two stints)
District: Seminole
All-time VHSL playoff record: 17-5
VHSL championships: 1 (2023)
VHSL runners-up: 1 (2021)
Last four-years record: 50-3
Liberty Christian 2024 results
W — Salem, 35-21
W — Franklin County, 41-14
W — Amherst County, 42-20
W — Heritage-Lynchburg, 34-27
W — Rustburg, 28-7
W — Liberty-Bedford, 55-6
W — E.C. Glass, 45-6
W — Brookville, 61-0
W — Jefferson Forest, 50-6
Region 3C playoffs
W — Broadway, 42-14
W — Heritage-Lynchburg, 35-14
W — Turner Ashby, 56-23
William Byrd-Liberty Christian notes: Liberty Christian never trailed in a game in 2023, winning its first VHSL football title with a 28-14 win over Lafayette. … Senior running back Gideon Davidson is the consensus No. 1 overall recruit in Virginia and no lower than the No. 3-rated running back nationally. … Davidson has 7,503 career rushing yards with 2,075 and 34 rushing TDs this year. … In 2024, he piled up 289 yards and three TDs vs. Salem, 245 yards and five TDs vs. Jefferson Forest and 227 yards vs. Heritage-Lynchburg. … Davidson and two-way lineman Easton Ware are Clemson signees. … William Byrd saw plenty of Davidson in last year’s 49-6 state semifinal loss to LCA. … Byrd’s senior class has gone from an 0-9 season three years ago to back-to-back region championships. … Freshman Gray Matthews had a big game in last week’s region final vs. Lord Botetourt with 264 total yards and four TDs. … Byrd quarterback Cannin Lutz, the son of the head coach, has run for the winning points in the Terriers’ last two playoff wins.
Next week: Class 3 championship Dec. 14 at 11:30 a.m. at Liberty University in Lynchburg.
************************************
CLASS 2 SEMIFINALS
STRASBURG (12-1) at POQUOSON (12-1)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
STRASBURG RAMS
Location: Strasburg
Coach: Tripp Lamb (1st season)
District: Bull Run
All-time playoff record: 34-30
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 3 (1995, 1988, 1987)
Last four-years record: 40-8
Strasburg 2024 results
W — Skyline, 38-12
W — Broadway, 22-0
W — Rock Ridge, 61-21
W — Moorefield, W.Va., 42-21
W — King William, 28-17
W — Page County, 50-7
W — Luray, 42-0
L — Clarke County, 7-6
W — Madison County, 28-7
W — Central-Woodstock, 20-19
Region 2B playoffs
W — Fort Defiance, 44-6
W — Riverheads, 35-7
W — Buckingham County, 54-7
POQUOSON BULL ISLANDERS
Location: Poquoson
Coach: Elliott Duty (19th season)
District: Bay Rivers
All-time playoff record: 40-25
State championships: 1 (2010)
State runners-up: 1 (2004)
Last four-years record: 37-15
Poquoson 2024 results
W — Lake Taylor, 21-6
W — Grafton, 28-8
W — Warhill, 21-14
W — Tabb, 28-21
W — Jamestown, 31-0
W — York, 33-7
W — Smithfield, 34-31, 4 OT
W — New Kent, 28-0
W — Bruton, 42-6
L — Lafayette, 14-6
Region 2A playoffs
W — John Marshall, 67-0
W — Central-Lunenburg, 22-8
W — King William, 40-0
Strasburg-Poquoson notes: This is the first game between these two semifinalists. … Strasburg’s Lamb, a graduate of Staunton River High School, is the only first-year head coach among the 24 semifinalists. … Strasburg is led by senior running back Takhi Coates, the Region 2B offensive player of the year. … Strasburg finished behind unbeaten Clarke County in the Bull Run District and knocked off defending region champ Riverheads in the region semifinals. … Poquoson senior quarterback Eli Tyndall was the starting pitcher in Poquoson’s victory over Lebanon in the Class 2 baseball championship game at Kiwanis Field in Salem. … Tyndall is headed to VMI to play baseball. … Keep an eye on Poquoson sophomore lineman Carter Jones (6-6, 280).
—–
GLENVAR (12-1) at GRAHAM (13-0)
Saturday, 2 p.m., at Mitchell Stadium, Bluefield, W.Va.
GLENVAR HIGHLANDERS
Location: Roanoke County
Coach: Kevin Clifford (18th season)
District: Three Rivers
All-time playoff record: 23-15
State championships: 1 (2014)
State runners-up: 0
Last four-years record: 42-10
Glenvar 2024 results
W — Galax, 34-0
W — Liberty-Bedford, 50-8
W — Cave Spring, 40-0
W — Hidden Valley, 63-0
W — Radford, 37-12
W — Patrick County, 49-7
L — Alleghany, 34-7
W — James River-Buchanan, 40-7
W — Floyd County, 45-13
W — Carroll County, 48-0
Region 2C playoffs
W — Martinsville, 69-7
W — Floyd County, 42-14
W — Gretna, 30-8
GRAHAM G-MEN
Location: Bluefield
Coach: Tony Palmer (10th season)
District: Southwest
All-time playoff record: 57-34
State championships: 4 (2022, 2018, 1995, 1989)
State runners-up: 2 (2021, 2001)
Last four-years record: 53-3
Graham 2024 results
W — Bluefield, W.Va., 10-0
W — Galax, 52-0
W — George Wythe, 31-0
W — Union, 7-6
W — Virginia High, 27-14
W — Marion, 58-14
W — Lebanon, 27-14
W — Pulaski County, 35-3
W — Tazewell, 46-0
W — Richlands, 56-10
Region 2D playoffs
W — Lee, 49-14
W — Virginia High, 34-0
W — Union, 21-0
Graham-Glenvar notes: This is the first meeting of the two programs. … Glenvar quarterback Brody Dawyot has accounted for 17 TDs in three playoff victories. … The 6-foot-5 junior has passed for 46 TDs and more than 2,700 yards this season. … Glenvar ended a string of four consecutive losses in region finals with its 30-8 win over Gretna. … Glenvar placed second behind Alleghany in the Three Rivers following a 34-7 road loss. … Graham has produced FBS running backs Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw and Ty’Drez Clements, but the calling card this year is a defense that has six shutouts and is allowing 5.8 points per game. … Graham lost 22-10 to Radford in the 2023 semifinals after Glenvar fell 29-24 to the Bobcats in the Region 2C final.
Next week: Class 2 championship Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. at Salem Stadium in Salem.
***********************************
CLASS 1 SEMIFINALS
ESSEX (12-1) at ALTAVISTA (12-0)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
ESSEX TROJANS
Location: Tappahannock
Coach: Todd Jones (22nd season, two stints)
District: Northern Neck
All-time playoff record: 55-27
State championships: 1 (2009)
State runners-up: 5 (2023, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2003)
Last four-years record: 45-5
Essex 2024 results
W — Sussex Central, 58-6
W — Jamestown, 48-6
W — Franklin, 64-0
W — King & Queen, forfeit
W — Charles City, 70-0
L — Rappahannock, 13-8
W — Northumberland, 40-8
W — Colonial Beach, 65-0
W — Lancaster, 57-8
W — Westmoreland, 20-14
Region 1A playoffs
W — West Point, 64-0
W — Middlesex 72-0
W — Rappahannock 41-0
ALTAVISTA COLONELS
Location: Altavista
Coach: Matt Deloatch (2nd season)
District: Dogwood
All-time playoff record: 31-14
State championships: 3 (2014, 2013, 2009)
State runners-up: 0
Last four-years record: 26-20
Altavista 2024 results
W — Central-Lunenburg, 28-21
W — George Wythe, 24-0
W — Prince Edward County, 58-0
W — William Campbell, 64-13
W — Appomattox County, 29-8
W — Dan River, 74-7
W — Gretna, 28-14
W — Parry McCluer, 57-0
W — Nelson County, 50-12
W — Chatham, 73-18
Region 1B playoffs
W — Sussex Central, 64-8
W — Buffalo Gap, 32-20
Essex-Altavista notes: Essex shut down Altavista’s offense for a 16-8 victory in the 2013 semifinal in Tappahannock. … This year the game is in Campbell County. … Essex comes in rolling, outscoring its three playoff opponents 217-0, avenging its lone loss this year to Rappahannock with a 41-0 win. … Jones coached Essex for 15 seasons from 1995-2009 before becoming the head coach for four seasons at Pulaski County, his alma mater. … He returned to Essex in 2017. … Altavista averaged 48.5 points in the regular season but trailed at different junctures in last week’s region final vs. Buffalo Gap. … Altavista senior running back Ladanian Stone has eclipsed the 4,000-yard mark for his career. … Altavista’s worksheet this year includes a 28-14 win over Gretna, ending an eight-game losing streak against its Dogwood rival.
—–
GRAYSON COUNTY (9-3) at RYE COVE (13-0)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
GRAYSON COUNTY BLUE DEVILS
Location: Independence
Coach: Stephen James (4th season)
District: Mountain Empire
All-time playoff record: 11-25
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 0
Last four-years record: 34-14
Grayson County 2024 results
L — Alleghany, N.C., 21-20
L — Carroll County, 22-18
W — Rural Retreat, 29-12
W — Floyd County, 42-15
W — Giles, 34-6
W — Fort Chiswell, 40-3
L — Bluefield, W.Va., 21-18
W — George Wythe, 35-28
W — Galax, 47-3
Region 1C playoffs
W — Craig County, 42-0
W — George Wythe, 18-16
W — Bath County, 20-0
RYE COVE EAGLES
Location: Clinchport
Coach: Gary Collier (3rd season)
District: Cumberland
All-time playoff record: 10-16
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 0
Last four-years record: 31-11
Rye Cove 2024 results
W — Hancock County, Tenn., 62-6
W — Northwood, 62-0
W — Honaker, 52-32
W — Thomas Walker, 56-6
W — Castlewood, 55-14
W — Lee, 14-6
W — Eastside, 40-8
W — Chilhowie, 40-39
W — J.I. Burton, 54-14
W — Twin Springs, 61-6
Region 1D playoffs
W — Rural Retreat, 55-12
W — Grundy, 61-28
W — Eastside, 26-20
Grayson County-Rye Cove notes: This the only region final guaranteed to produce a team that has never before played in a state championship game. … Grayson, which began playing football in 1988 after the consolidation of Independence and Fries high schools, won its first region title last week. … Aaron Peterson ran for three TDs in Grayson’s 20-0 win at No. 1 seed and previously unbeaten Bath County. … Grayson has been bolstered by the return from injury of two-way senior star Mac Goad. … Rye Cove scored 15 seconds into the Region 1D final Blake Goins returned the opening kickoff for a TD, and the Eagles wrapped up their 26-20 win over Eastside on Landon Lane’s 20-yard TD pass to Luke Jessee with 25 seconds to play. .. The Eagles’ only close regular-season game was a 14-6 win over Class 2 Lee in its only venture outside Class 1.
Next week: Class 1 state championship Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m. at Salem Stadium in Salem.
