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The question has been hanging over Region 4D for almost the entire 2025 football season: Will Salem make the playoffs?
Whether Salem, which hasn’t missed the VHSL postseason since 2003, would extend its 21-year streak was a legitimate concern when the Spartans started the season with five losses in their first six games.
Now on the final night of the season the outlook for Salem is … positive?
Salem (4-5) currently sits No. 9 in the hunt for one of the eight available playoff berths with E.C. Glass (4-5) in 10th. That duo trails No. 7 Blacksburg (5-4) and No. 8 Millbrook (3-6).
However, Blacksburg and Millbrook have huge challenges this weekend. The Bruins play unbeaten Patrick Henry-Roanoke, and Millbrook has a road game at an 8-1 John Handley team.
E.C. Glass plays Brookville, and the Hilltoppers have a higher ceiling than Salem. A win by Glass almost certainly would elevate the Lynchburg team over the Spartans. A loss to Brookville would not necessarily eliminate Glass, but the ‘Toppers would be sweating bullets.
Salem and Glass basically need Blacksburg and Millbrook to lose their games to extend their seasons. Both will have to wait until Saturday afternoon for the Millbrook-Handley game.
Blacksburg could outpoint Salem with a loss, but it is very unlikely.
The race for the No. 1 spot between George Washington (8-1), Handley (8-1) and Jefferson Forest (8-1) largely depends on the outcome of GW’s Piedmont District showdown against unbeaten Magna Vista.
A win by GW likely gives the Eagles the No. 1 spot. A loss opens the door for Handley and JF.
Jefferson Forest needs a victory over Heritage-Lynchburg to stay in contention for the No. 1 seed. A win by JF likely would allow the Cavaliers to finish ahead of John Handley regardless of the Judges’ result against Millbrook.
The winner of tonight’s game between Sherando (6-3) and Liberty-Bealeton is a virtual lock to finish No. 4. Sherando likely would stay ahead of James Wood (6-3) even with a loss. James Wood will be No. 5 or No. 6 depending on the Sherando-Bealeton game.
REGION 5C
Patrick Henry-Roanoke can wrap up the No. 1 spot and its first unbeaten regular season since 1985 with a victory over Blacksburg.
The Patriots (9-0) will be joined in the Class 5 playoffs by William Fleming (6-3), and both will get first-round home games.
New region member Highland Springs (6-3) has the inside track at the No. 2 spot, while Fleming can nail down the No. 3 seed with a win at current No. 8 Franklin County (4-5).
A victory by Franklin County over Fleming would all but lock up a spot, and the Eagles might have a decent shot at a berth even if the Eagles lose to the Colonels.
Franklin County and current No. 7 Meadowbrook (6-3) would benefit greatly from losses by Douglas Freeman (5-4) to current No. 6 Glen Allen (5-4) and by James River-Midlothian (5-4) to Class 6 L.C. Bird. Meadowbrook faces a two-win Matoaca team in its finale.
REGION 3C
Heritage-Lynchburg and Liberty Christian might be the top two favorites to win the VHSL Class 3 championship.
But get this, there is a scenario that could leave them as the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds, respectively, in this region. That is how competitive it is at the top of the standings.
For that to happen, Heritage-Lynchburg (8-1) would have to lose tonight to Jefferson Forest. Then, Broadway (8-1), Alleghany (8-1), Wilson Memorial (8-1) and Turner Ashby (8-1) all would need to win their games.
A victory by Heritage over JF, however, would clinch the No. 1 seed for the Pioneers. In descending order, the best bets for the next five spots would be Wilson Memorial, Broadway, Turner Ashby, Alleghany and Liberty Christian. Those spots would be contingent on a number of outcomes in other regions.
The final two spots are up for grabs between Fluvanna County, Western Albemarle and Spotswood.
Fluvanna can clinch one of the berths with a victory over Class 5 Albemarle.
Spotswood is in a must-win situation against rival Turner Ashby to have a chance to continue its season.
A win by the Trailblazers would push them past Western Albemarle.
REGION 3D
The difference in relative strength of schedule is telling in that Magna Vista (9-0) has barely clinched the No. 1 seed over a group of three-loss challengers led by current No. 2 Lord Botetourt.
The winner of tonight’s game between Botetourt (6-3) and Northside (6-3) will take the No. 2 playoff seeding with the loser likely dropping to No. 5.
William Byrd (6-3) and Carroll County (7-2) are poised to move up as the Terriers face Staunton River, and Carroll plays James River-Buchanan. If both teams win, Byrd might hold a very narrow edge over the Cavaliers.
Bassett (5-4) currently sits in the No. 6 spot, but the Bengals could jump up as many as three spots. A loss by Northside, Byrd or Carroll could elevate Bassett.
Abingdon (4-5), Cave Spring (4-6) and Staunton River (3-6) are contending for the last two positions.
If Abingdon closes with a victory at Lee, the Falcons are all but assured of a spot. However, Staunton River could pass Cave Spring and Abingdon and jump up to No. 7 with a victory over William Byrd. A loss by the Golden Eagles probably keeps them out.
Cave Spring needs a loss by either Abingdon or Staunton River to have a shot at a berth.
REGION 2C
The eight teams have all but been determined, and a fearless forecaster might be able to correctly predict the first-round pairings.
Glenvar (9-0) can wrap up the No. 1 seed with its first perfect regular season since 2015 with a victory Friday at Floyd County. A loss by Glenvar would open the door for Gretna (8-1) to claim the top spot.
Floyd (7-2) would move up to No. 2 with an upset of Glenvar and a loss by Gretna to Altavista. The Buffaloes could finish in a tie with Glenvar and earn the No. 1 seed by virtue of a head-to-head win if they can upset the Highlanders, but it would take a combination of other outcomes including a Blacksburg victory over unbeaten Patrick Henry-Roanoke.
Radford (5-4) can clinch the No. 4 spot with a victory at Martinsville.
If Radford wins Friday, then Appomattox County (5-4) and James River-Buchanan (5-4) will battle for the No. 5 spot. James River could pass the Raiders, but it would take a victory over Carroll County.
Appomattox would stay ahead of James River if the Raiders defeat Nelson County and the Knights lose to Carroll. Appomattox could move up to No. 4 if Radford stumbles.
If Appomattox and James River both lose Friday, the Knights would have a slight edge at the No. 5 spot.
Dan River (4-5) and Nelson County (5-4) are the best bets for the last two spots, but Patrick County (3-7) and even Liberty-Bedford (2-7) still have a chance.
Nelson would get the No. 7 spot with an upset of Appomattox. Dan River would clinch a playoff by defeating Chatham. The Wildcats would be No. 7 if they win and Nelson County loses.
Patrick County likely would slide into the No. 8 spot if Dan River loses. The Cougars could overtake Nelson County, but it would require winless Prince Edward County defeating Randolph-Henry.
Liberty’s only path to a playoff berth would require a massive upset of Liberty Christian.
So the best guess at first-round pairings is Nelson County at Glenvar, Dan River at Gretna, James River at Floyd County, and Appomattox County at Radford.
REGION 2D
Union (10-0) has clinched the No. 1 seed as the Bears from Big Stone Gap completed the regular season as one of 13 currently undefeated VHSL teams.
The winner of Friday’s game between Ridgeview (8-1) and Gate City (7-2) will claim the No. 2 spot.
Virginia High’s status likely will be decided by the Ridgeview-Gate City outcome. If the Bearcats (7-2) close with a win over Marion, and Ridgeview defeats Gate City then VHS would be the No. 3 seed. If Gate City defeats Ridgeview, then both teams would pass Virginia High and drop VHS to No. 4.
Defending Class 2 state champion Graham (6-3) can earn the No. 5 seed with a victory Friday over Richlands.
Lebanon (6-3) could rise to No. 5 with a victory over Tazewell and a Graham loss. If Graham and Lebanon both win, then the Pioneers would be No. 6.
Richlands (6-3) is positioned to be the No. 7 seed, barring an upset win over Graham. There is a slight possibility Richlands could rise all the way to No. 5, but it also would take a loss by Lebanon and other outcomes to go the Blue Tornadoes’ way.
Lee (3-6) figures to be the No. 8 seed unless Tazewell manages to defeat Lebanon, even if the Generals lose Friday to Abingdon. There is an extremely remote chance that John Battle (2-8) could outpoint Lee, but it is very, very unlikely.
REGION 1C
Craig County’s school-record eight victories have the Rockets in line for a No. 1 seed if they can finish with a victory over Meadow Bridge (W.Va.).
If Craig falters, Giles (7-2) is poised to grab the No. 2 spot if the Spartans can defeat George Wythe (6-3), which also has designs on the No. 2 seeding.
Defending champion Grayson County needs a victory over Fort Chiswell (2-7) to maintain a high seed. The Blue Devils should eclipse the George Wythe-Giles loser and grab at least the No. 3 spot.
Narrows (4-5) can win the Pioneer District title against Bath County (4-4). The Green Wave can grab the No. 4 spot if Giles beats George Wythe. Otherwise, the Green Wave might have to settle for No. 5.
Pencil in Parry McCluer (5-4) for the No. 6 spot with Bath County No. 7. Auburn (4-5), which did not play varsity football in 2024 is close to completing a comeback story with a No. 8 seeding. Fort Chiswell (2-7) would have to upset Grayson County in order to have even a slim chance of surpassing Auburn.
REGION 1D
Eastside (9-0), the lone Class 1 unbeaten team other than defending state champion Essex, can all but wrap up the No. 1 seed by defeating winless Castlewood.
Chilhowie (8-1) has made a strong run at the top spot with designs on a rematch with Eastside for its lone loss, a 28-14 setback in Week 4.
Rye Cove (6-3) and Honaker (5-4) are battling for the next two spots with an inside track at first-round home games. The Eagles have a slight mathematical edge over the Tigers for the No. 3 spot. Rye Cove faces rival Twin Springs, while Honaker faces Rural Retreat.
Three 6-3 teams — Holston, Twin Springs and Northwood — line up next, perhaps in that order when the smoke clears.
Rural Retreat (4-5) has the inside track on the No. 8 spot over Grundy (3-6). A loss by Rural Retreat to Honaker, and a victory by Grundy over Central-Wise could tighten the gap dramatically.
THE POINTS
REGION 5C
………………………………………..G…Pts…Avg
1. PH-Roanoke (9-0)…………9…282…31.33
2. Highland Springs (6-3)…..9…269…29.89
3. William Fleming (6-3)…….9…262…29.11
4. Midlothian (7-2)……………..9…259…28.78
5. Hermitage (7-2)…………….9…243…27.00
6. Glen Allen (5-4)…………….9…242…26.89
7. Meadowbrook (6-3)……….9…234…26.00
8. Franklin County (4-5)……..9…228…25.33
9. Douglas Freeman (5-4)….9…226…25.11
10. J.River-Midlothian (5-4)….9…222…24.67
11. Albemarle (4-5)……………..9…208…23.11
12. Deep Run (3-6)…………….9…198…22.00
13. Prince George (3-6)………9…197…21.89
14. Matoaca (2-7)……………….9…195…21.67
15. Mills Godwin (2-7)…………9…185…20.56
16. Clover Hill (0-9)…………….9…164…18.22
REGION 4D
……………………………………………G…Pts…Avg
1. John Handley (8-1)……………9…262…29.11
2. George Washington (8-1)…..9…256…28.44
2. Jefferson Forest (8-1)………..9…256…28.44
4. Sherando (6-3)…………………9…230…25.56
5. James Wood (6-3)…………….9…216…24.00
6. Liberty-Bealeton (6-3)……….9…213…23.67
7. Blacksburg (5-4)……………….9…203…22.56
8. Millbrook (3-6)…………………..9…202…22.44
9. Salem (4-5)………………………9…199…22.11
10. E.C. Glass (4-5)……………….9…197…21.89
11. Amherst County (3-6)……….9…180…20.00
12. Halifax County (3-6)…………9…179…19.89
13. Charlottesville (3-6)………….9…173…19.22
14. Orange County (3-6)………..9…170…18.89
15. Mecklenburg County (1-8)…9…149…16.56
REGION 3C
……………………………………………G…Pts…Avg
1. Broadway (8-1)…………………9…256…28.44
2. Alleghany (8-1)…………………9…248…27.56
3. Heritage-Lynchburg (8-1)……9…242…26.89
3. Wilson Memorial (8-1)……….9…242…26.89
5. Liberty Christian (6-2)………..8…212…26.50
6. Turner Ashby (8-1)…………….9…236…26.22
7. Fluvanna County (6-3)………9…209…23.22
8. Western Albemarle (7-2)…….9…201…22.33
9. Spotswood (6-3)………………..9…200…22.22
10. East Rockingham (6-4)……10…204…20.40
11. Brookville (4-5)…………………9…179…19.89
12. Waynesboro (3-6)…………….9…155…17.22
13. Rocktown (3-6)………………..9…153…17.00
14. Staunton (3-6)…………………9…149…16.56
15. Monticello (2-7)……………….9…139…15.44
16. Rustburg (0-9)…………………9…128…14.22
17. Rockbridge County (0-9)…..9…119…13.22
18. Harrisonburg (0-9)……………9…110…12.22
REGION 3D
………………………………………..G…Pts…Avg
1. Magna Vista (9-0)………….9…236…26.22
2. Lord Botetourt (6-3)……….9…216…24.00
3. Northside (6-3)………………9…213…23.67
3. William Byrd (6-3)……….,,,9…213…23.67
5. Carroll County (7-2)……….9…210…23.33
6. Bassett (5-4)…………………9…197…21.89
7. Abingdon (4-5)………………9…172…19.11
8. Cave Spring (4-6)………..10…190…19.00
9. Staunton River (3-6)………9…165…18.33
10. Pulaski County (2-7)……..9…151…16.78
11. Tunstall (2-7)………………..9…149…16.56
12. Christiansburg (2-7)………9…147…16.33
13. Hidden Valley (0-9)……….9…124…13.78
REGION 2C
……………………………………………….G…Pts…Avg
1. Glenvar (9-0)………………………..9…234…26.00
2. Gretna (8-1)………………………….9…224…24.89
3. Floyd County (7-2)………………..9…206…22.89
4. Radford (5-4)………………………..9…189…21.00
5. Appomattox County (5-4)……….9…174…19.33
6. James River-Buchanan (5-4)….9…172…19.11
7. Nelson County (5-4)………………9…157…17.44
8. Dan River (4-5)……………………..9…153…17.00
9. Patrick County (3-7)…………….10…164…16.40
10. Liberty-Bedford (2-7)…………….9…137…15.22
11. Martinsville (1-8)…………………..9…128…14.22
12. Chatham (3-6)……………………..9…123…13.67
REGION 2D
……………………………………….G…Pts…Avg
1. Union (9-0)…………………..9…244…27.11
2. Ridgeview (8-1)……………9…215…23.89
4. Virginia High (7-2)…………9…210…23.33
3. Gate City (7-2)……………..9…208…23.11
5. Graham (6-3)……………….9…190…21.11
6. Lebanon (6-3)………………9…186…20.67
7. Richlands (6-3)…………….9…174…19.33
8. Lee (3-6)……………………..9…136…15.11
9. John Battle (2-7)…………..9…128…14.22
9. Tazewell (2-7)………………9…128…14.22
11. Central-Wise (1-8)……….9…116…12.89
12. Marion (0-9)………………..9….95…10.56
REGION 1C
…………………………………………….G…Pts…Avg
1. Craig County (8-1)……………..9…186…20.67
2. Giles (7-2)…………………………9…180…20.00
3. Grayson County (5-4)…………9…174…19.33
4. George Wythe (6-3)……………9…168…18.67
5. Narrows (4-5)…………………….9…161…17.89
6. Parry McCluer (5-4)……………9…142…15.78
7. Bath County (4-4)………………8…114…14.25
8. Auburn (4-5)………………………9…121…13.44
9. Fort Chiswell (2-7)………………9…109…12.11
10. Galax (0-8)……………………….8….89…11.13
11. Eastern Montgomery (1-8)….9….92…10.22
*Bland County (2-8)……………10…111…11.10
* ineligible for playoffs
REGION 1D
………………………………………….G…Pts…Avg
1. Eastside (9-0)…………………9…220…24.44
2. Chilhowie (8-1)……………….9…203…22.56
3. Rye Cove (6-3)……………….9…171…19.00
4. Honaker (5-4)…………………9…170…18.89
5. Northwood (6-3)………………9…161…17.89
6. Holston (6-3)…………………..9…157…17.44
7. Twin Springs (6-3)…………..9…155…17.22
8. Rural Retreat (4-5)…………..9…143…15.89
9. Grundy (3-6)……………………9…128…14.22
10. Thomas Walker (3-6)………9…125…13.89
11. Hurley (4-5)…………………….9…121…13.44
12. PH-Glade Spring (2-7)…….9…118…13.11
13. J.I. Burton (3-6)………………9…111…12.33
14. Twin Valley (1-7)……………..8….66….8.25
15. Castlewood (0-9)…………….9….75….8.33