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Familiar faces dot the Virginia High School League football postseason landscape.
Teams like reigning VHSL champions Oscar Smith (Class 6), Maury (Class 5) and Liberty Christian (Class 3) made the cut along with returning state runners-up James Madison (Class 6), Varina (Class 4), Kettle Run (Class 3), Strasburg (Class 2) and Grayson County (Class 1).
Other teams more than familiar with the state semifinals such as Highland Springs, Stone Bridge, Lafayette, Lake Taylor, Poquoson and Glenvar also have punched their tickets.
However, despite the “repeat after me” crowd, Saturday’s 12 VHSL semifinals spanning the state include numerous matches where the two opposing teams have little or no history with each other.
Four semifinals — West Springfield vs. North Stafford (Class 6), Lafayette vs. Loudoun County (Class 4), Jefferson Forest vs. Varina (Class 4) and Buffalo Gap vs. Rappahannock — are first-time meetings. Another five semifinals pit teams who have played each other only once previously.
The two semifinal opponents with the most familiarity are Maury and Stone Bridge, who played each other in Class 5 state finals in 2019, 2021 and 2023, with Maury winning two of the three championship games.
Saturday’s winners will advance to the Dec. 13 VHSL championship games — Classes 5 and 6 at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Classes 3 and 4 at Liberty University in Lynchburg, and Classes 1 and 2 at Salem Stadium.
The Class 2, 4 and 6 finals are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. The Class 1, 3 and 5 finals are scheduled for 5 p.m.
Want to see a game? Tickets are $11.50 apiece and must be purchased electronically through the GoFan app.
While the semifinal sites span from Big Stone Gap and Gate City in the west to Norfolk in the east, there isn’t a game within a 2 1/2-hour drive of Roanoke.
Want to sit at home and watch on the NFHS streaming network? A subscription to VHSL events costs $13.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
CLASS 6
OSCAR SMITH (11-1) at JAMES MADISON (9-4)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
School locations: Oscar Smith (Chesapeake); James Madison (Vienna)
Nicknames: Oscar Smith (Tigers); James Madison (Warhawks)
Coaches: Oscar Smith (Chris Scott); James Madison (Justin Counts)
How they got here: Oscar Smith was seeded No. 1 in Region 6A. The Tigers received a first-round bye and defeated L.C. Bird 50-0 and Thomas Dale 48-7. James Madison was seeded No. 4 in Region 6D. The Warhawks defeated George Marshall 42-31, No. 1 Centreville 35-34 and Westfield 26-0.
Series history: Oscar Smith leads 2-0.
Last meeting: Oscar Smith won 21-20 in 2024 Class 6 state final.
Playoff won-lost records: Oscar Smith 66-17; James Madison 36-27
Playoff history: Oscar Smith owns five Class 6 state titles (2024, 2021, 2020, 2011, 2008) and the Tigers had five state runner-up finishes from 2013-2019. James Madison has made three of the last four Class 6 finals, including losses to Oscar Smith in 2021 and 2024. Westfield is the only school to win three consecutive state titles in the VHSL’s highest division (2015-17).
Quick kicks: Oscar Smith’s victory over Madison in the 2024 state final was secured when the Tigers thwarted a two-point conversion following a 15-yard penalty against the Warhawks following their touchdown. James Madison started the season 3-4 but recovered to win its sixth successive region championship.
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WEST SPRINGFIELD (11-2) at NORTH STAFFORD (10-3)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
School locations: West Springfield (Fairfax County); North Stafford (Stafford)
Nicknames: West Springfield (Spartans); North Stafford (Wolverines)
Coaches: West Springfield (Anthony Parker); North Stafford (Marquez Hall)
How they got here: West Springfield was seeded No. 1 in Region 6C. The Spartans defeated West Potomac 48-13, Fairfax 28-7 and Lake Braddock 28-14. North Stafford was seeded No. 3 in Region 6B. The Wolverines defeated Independence 52-14, No. 2 Battlefield 21-6 and Woodbridge 49-33.
Series history: First meeting.
Playoff won-lost records: West Springfield 14-14; North Stafford 26-18.
Playoff history: West Springfield made the Group AAA championship game in 1980, falling to Hampton. North Stafford placed second in Class 5 in 2004 and reached Class 5 state semifinals in 2015 and 2018.
Quick kicks: West Springfield’s Region 6D victory over Lake Braddock was one of 11 rematches of regular-season games in the 24 region finals across the state. North Stafford safety Kenaz Sullivan holds a number of Class of ’27 offers including Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.
CLASS 5
INDIAN RIVER (11-2) at HIGHLAND SPRINGS (10-3)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
School locations: Indian River (Chesapeake); Highland Springs (Henrico County)
Nicknames: Indian River (Braves); Highland Springs (Springers)
Coaches: Indian River (Glenwood Ferebee); Highland Springs (Loren Johnson)
How they got here: Indian River was seeded third in Region 5A. The Braves defeated Kempsville 47-14, Frank Cox 42-3 and No. 1 Green Run 20-14. Highland Springs was seeded No. 2 in Region 5C. The Springers defeated Glen Allen 28-9, William Fleming 37-7 and Hermitage 21-13
Series history: Highland Springs leads 1-0.
Last meeting: Highland Springs defeated Indian River 35-10 in 2015 Class 5 state semifinal.
Playoff won-lost records: Indian River 29-17; Highland Springs 61-35.
Playoff history: Indian River won Division 5 title in 1995 with state semifinal berths in 1993, 2015 and 2023. Green Run made state semifinals in 2021 and 2024, losing to Maury on both occasions. Highland Springs has played in eight state finals, winning Class 5 titles in 2015, ’16, ’17, ’18 and ’22. The Springers were the Class 6 runner-up in 2023 and Group AAA runner-up in 1978.
Quick kicks: Freshman quarterback Malik Heru has passed for more than 2,800 yards this season, and he engineered a 97-yard game-winning drive in the region final. Highland Springs coach Johnson was a defensive back at Virginia Tech from 1995-98. He has coached the Springers to 41 of their 61 career postseason victories.
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MAURY (12-1) at STONE BRIDGE (11-1)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
School locations: Maury (Norfolk); Stone Bridge (Ashburn)
Nicknames: Maury (Commodores); Stone Bridge (Bulldogs)
Coaches: Maury (Dyrri McCain); Stone Bridge (Kedric Golston)
How they got here: Maury was seeded No. 2 in Region 5B. The Commodores defeated Woodside 64-6, Warwick 42-10 and No. 1 seed King’s Fork 49-6; Stone Bridge was seeded No. 1 in Region 5D. The Bulldogs received a first-round bye and defeated John Champe 41-0 and Riverbend 20-10 (OT).
Series history: Maury leads 2-1.
Last meeting: Maury won 45-34 in 2023 Class 5 state final.
Playoff won-lost records: Maury 33-19; Stone Bridge 68-20.
Playoff history: Maury was the Group AAA runner-up in 1972, long before beginning a run of six Class 5 finals appearances from 2019-24 with championships in ’19, ’23 and ’24 capped by a 46-0 win over Briar Woods. Stone Bridge reached 11 Class 5 championship games from 2005-23 with state titles in 2020 (spring) and 2021. The Bulldogs have been a stare runner-up nine times, including a 28-21 loss to Maury in 2019.
Quick kicks: Maury likely will be without linebacker Ike Simmons, a Pittsburgh signee, following an injury last week. Stone Bridge has made the playoffs for each of the past 24 seasons after starting its program in 2000.
CLASS 4
LAFAYETTE (12-1) at LOUDOUN COUNTY (11-1)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
School locations: Lafayette (Williamsburg); Loudoun County (Leesburg)
Nicknames: Lafayette (Rams) and Loudoun County (Captains).
Coaches: Lafayette (Andy Linn); Loudoun County (Matt Reiedenbaugh)
How they got here: Lafayette was seeded No. 2 in Region 4A. The Rams defeated Denbigh 40-0, Smithfield 35-6 and Phoebus 23-17. Loudoun County was seeded No. 1 in Region 4B. The Captains received a first-round bye and defeated Heritage-Leesburg 14-13 and Loudoun Valley 28-14.
Series history: First meeting.
Playoff won-lost records: Lafayette 50-23; Loudoun County 14-19.
Playoff history: Lafayette has state titles in 2001 over Pulaski County and 2021 over Lord Botetourt (spring). The Rams also placed second in 1973 to Patrick Henry-Roanoke in Group AAA, to Salem in 1998 in Division 4, to Heritage-Lynchburg in 2002 in Division 4 and to Liberty Christian in 2023 in Class 3. Loudoun County made a Class 4 state semifinal in 2022 and region finals in 1985 and 2012.
Quick kicks: Lafayette has handed Phoebus its last two postseason losses, 29-13 in the spring of 2021 and last week’s 23-17 region final. Loudoun County’s offensive line is powered by Clemson recruit Carter Scruggs and Catoctin offensive player of the year Montez Dyson.
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JEFFERSON FOREST (11-2) at VARINA (11-2)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
School locations: Jefferson Forest (Forest); Varina (Henrico County)
Nicknames: Jefferson Forest (Cavaliers); Varina (Blue Devils)
Coaches: Jefferson Forest (J.T. Crews); Varina (Marcus Lewis)
How they got here: Jefferson Forest was seeded No. 2 in Region 4D. The Cavaliers defeated E.C. Glass 33-7, John Handley 14-10 and No. 1 George Washington 49-7. Varina was seeded No. 4 in Region 4B. The Blue Devils defeated Courtland 47-6, No. 1 Dinwiddie 34-0 and Huguenot 21-12.
Series history: First meeting.
Playoff won-lost records: Jefferson Forest 33-20; Varina 41-27.
Playoff history: Jefferson Forest won back-to-back Class 3 state titles in 1992 and 1993 after reaching the final in ’91. JF lost to Southampton in the 1979 Group AA final. Varina won the 2021 Class 4 title 28-21 over Broad Run. Varina was the Class 6 runner-up in 1998 and 1999, and lost 23-6 to Phoebus in the 2024 Class 4 final.
Quick kicks: Jefferson Forest’s two losses have been by a combined nine points to Region 3C finalists and Seminole District rivals Liberty Christian and Heritage. Varina’s lone losses are to Class 5 semifinalist Maury (14-13) and North Carolina Class 7 semifinalist Greensboro Grimsley (21-14).
CLASS 3
MAGNA VISTA (12-1) at LAKE TAYLOR (11-2)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
School locations: Magna Vista (Ridgeway); Lake Taylor (Norfolk)
Nicknames: Magna Vista (Warriors); Lake Taylor (Titans)
Coaches: Magna Vista (Joe Favero); Lake Taylor (Hank Sawyer)
How they got here: Magna Vista was seeded No. 1 in Region 3D. The Warriors defeated Abingdon 56-10, Carroll County 64-28 and Lord Botetourt 65-34; Lake Taylor was seeded No. 2 in Region 3A. The Titans defeated Colonial Heights 49-6, I.C. Norcom 20-7 and Petersburg 40-26.
Series history: First meeting.
Playoff won-lost records: Magna Vista 33-30; Lake Taylor 44-27.
Playoff history: Magna Vista won back-to-back Class 3 state titles over Lafayette (25-19) and Lord Botetourt (47-21) in 2014 and ’15. The Warriors lost 31-7 to William Byrd in the 2023 region final. Lake Taylor owns state titles in 2012 (Class 5), and 2014 and 2019 (Class 4) with runner-up finishes in 2015, 2018 and 2021 (spring). The Titans’ last state final was a 28-20 home loss to Salem.
Quick kicks: Magna Vista quarterback Simeon Moore set school records for single-season passing yardage and touchdown passes. Lake Taylor has a 7-0 all-time record in state semifinals.
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LIBERTY CHRISTIAN (10-2) at KETTLE RUN (12-1)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
School locations: Liberty Christian (Lynchburg); Kettle Run (Nokesville)
Nicknames: Liberty Christian (Bulldogs); Kettle Run (Cougars)
Coaches: Liberty Christian (Frank Rocco) Kettle Run (Delmar Christian)
How they got here: Kettle Run was seeded No. 1 in Region 3B. The Cougars defeated Warren County 63-0, Brentsville 35-12 and Skyline 35-14; Liberty Christian was seeded No. 6 in Region 3C. The Bulldogs defeated Broadway 14-12, Wilson Memorial 22-3 and Heritage-Lynchburg 14-7 (OT).
Series history: Liberty Christian leads 1-0.
Last meeting: Liberty Christian won 42-6 in 2024 Class 2 state final at Liberty University.
VHSL playoff won-lost records: Liberty Christian 15-6; Kettle Run 21-11.
Playoff history: Liberty Christian won seven VISAA state titles in the private-school ranks. Since joining the VHSL, LCA has a Class 3 state runner-up showing in 2021 before sweeping the last two Class 3 state titles including a 42-6 win over Kettle Run in 2024. Kettle Run reached a region final in its fourth year as a school in 2011. Kettle Run lost to Dinwiddie 65-20 in the Class 4 state final in 2022 and fell to Liberty Christian 42-6 in the Class 3 final in 2024.
Quick kicks: Liberty Christian is one of two private schools in the VHSL, joining in 2015. Kettle Run’s Christian is a first-year head coach following the departure of Charlie Porterfield after nine seasons.
CLASS 2
STRASBURG (11-1) at POQUOSON (12-1)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
School locations: Strasburg (Shenandoah County); Poquoson (Poquoson)
School nicknames: Strasburg (Rams); Poquoson (Islanders)
Coaches: Strasburg (Tripp Lamb); Poquoson (Elliott Duty)
How they got here: Strasburg received a first-round bye and defeated Central-Woodstock 35-6 and Stuarts Draft 54-7. Poquoson was seeded No. 2 in Region 2A. The Islanders defeated Greensville County 44-6, Southampton 42-6 and No. 1 Armstrong 19-14.
Series history: Strasburg leads 1-0.
Last meeting: Strasburg won 14-13 at Poquoson in a 2024 Class 2 state semifinal.
Playoff won-lost records: Strasburg 37-31; Poquoson 43-26.
Playoff history: Poquoson won a Division 3 state title in 2010, 23-17 over Richlands. Poquoson has lost in the state semifinals each of the past three years. Strasburg has lost all five of its state finals: to Parry McCluer (1987), Jonesville (1988), Appalachia (1992) and Bath County (1995) Division 1; and to Graham 31-8 in Class 2 in 2024.
Quick kicks: Strasburg has won nine games in a row since a 28-20 loss to Class 3 Broadway. Poquoson, which has lost in the semifinals each of the past three seasons, is led by Bay Rivers defensive player of the year Brendan Agnese, and junior lineman Carter Jones who is considered a top 10 2027 recruit in the state.
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GLENVAR (13-0) at UNION (13-0)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
School locations: Glenvar (Roanoke County); Union (Big Stone Gap)
Nicknames: Glenvar (Highlanders); Union (Bears)
Coaches: Glenvar (Kevin Clifford); Union (Jason Edwards, interim).
How they got here: Glenvar was seeded No. 1 in Region 2C. The Highlanders defeated Nelson County 50-0, Radford 27-3 and Gretna 41-6. Union was seeded No. 1 in Region 1D. The Bears defeated Lee 40-7, Graham 12-0 and Ridgeview 21-14.
Series history: Series tied 1-1.
Last meeting: Union won 28-27 in 2015 Class 2 state quarterfinal.
Playoff won-lost records: Glenvar 26-16; Union 23-14.
Playoff history: Glenvar lost at Graham 28-24 in a 2024 semifinal. The Highlanders’ crowning moment was a Class 2 championship in 2014 with a 20-14 overtime victory over Wilson Memorial. Union, formed in 2011 by the consolidation of Powell Valley and Appalachia high schools, has advanced to two state semifinals, against Clarke County in 2015 and Appomattox County in 2017.
Quick kicks: Glenvar senior quarterback Brody Dawyot, who as returned to the lineup after suffering a shoulder injury in late October, owns the VHSL record for the most career touchdown passes. Union has posted two postseason victories since the mysterious disappearance of head coach Travis Turner. (See more on that story here.)
CLASS 1
BUFFALO GAP (7-6) at RAPPAHANNOCK (11-2)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
School locations: Buffalo Gap (Swoope); Rappahannock (Warsaw)
Nicknames: Buffalo Gap (Bison); Rappahannock (Raiders)
Coaches: Buffalo Gap (Brad Wygant); Rappahannock (Fulmer Burks)
How they got here: Buffalo Gap was seeded No. 5 in Region 1B. The Bison ended defeated Luray 21-6, Altavista 52-29 and Riverheads 48-21. Rappahannock was seeded No. 3 in Region 1A. The Raiders received a forfeit from West Point and defeated Northampton 55-18 and Essex 19-16.
Series history: First meeting.
Playoff won-lost records: Buffalo Gap 24-27; Rappahannock 13-24.
Playoff history: Buffalo Gap has reached one state final, defeating Clintwood in Division 1 in 2007. Buffalo Gap lost to Appomattox County in a 2015 semifinal. Rappahannock reached state semifinals in 1988 and 1992.
Quick kicks: Buffalo Gap’s Isaac Goff scored all seven of his team’s TDs and ran for 254 yards on 37 carries in the region final victory over Riverheads. Rappahannock’s Kenneth Madison rushed for 372 yards in a Region 1A semifinal victory over Northumberland and is averaging 13.5 yards per carry this season.
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GRAYSON COUNTY (9-4) vs. RYE COVE (10-3)
At Gate City H.S.
Saturday, 2 p.m.
School locations: Grayson County (Independence); Rye Cove (Clinchport)
Nicknames: Grayson County (Blue Devils); Rye Cove (Eagles)
Coaches: Grayson County (Stephen James); Rye Cove (Gary Collier)
How they got here: Grayson County was seeded No. 3 in Region 1C. The Blue Devils defeated Parry McCluer 42-7, Craig County 35-14 and George Wythe 42-15. Rye Cove was seeded No. 3 in Region 1D. The Eagles defeated Holston 61-14, Chilhowie 21-13 and Eastside 32-12.
Series history: Grayson County 1-0.
Last meeting: Grayson County won 40-34 at Rye Cove in 2024 Class 1 state semifinal.
Playoff won-lost records: Grayson County 15-26; Rye Cove 13-17.
Playoff history: Grayson County made its only appearance in a state championship game, losing 22-0 to Essex at Salem Stadium in 2024. Rye Cove is 0-2 in state semifinals, losing 42-18 to Bath County in a 2000 in Division 1.
Quick kicks: Quick kicks: Grayson County sophomore Dazion Thompson (240) and junior Parker Dowell (171) combined for 411 rushing yards in the region final against George Wythe. Collier, a first-team Division III All-American quarterback at Emory & Henry, has a 41-9 record in four years at Rye Cove. All four Class 1 semifinalists avenged regular-season losses in their respective region finals.