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

THE WEEK 6 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

WEEK SIX:

Start the week with the latest in high school football Thursday at 5pm when Rob Witham joins Bob Black and Sean Robertson on The Sports Huddle LIVE only on 106.1 FM ESPN Richmond!

THURSDAY OCTOBER 3:

Hermitage 75, Deep Run 0

Huguenot 61, James River 20
Lafayette 58, Grafton 20

FRIDAY OCTOBER 4:

St. Christopher's 44, Fork Union 8
Gonzaga 23, Benedictine 16
Hanover 31, Patrick Henry 6

Armstrong 14, Henrico 8
Thomas Jefferson 77, John Marshall 6
Glen Allen 34, Douglas Freeman 13
Mills Godwin 42, J.R. Tucker 9
Dinwiddie 21, Thomas Dale 14

L.C. Bird 41, Powhatan 20

Manchester 33, Monacan 16

Midlothian 45, Clover Hill 0

Cosby 32, Richmond School For The Arts 6
Matoaca d. Meadowbrook via forfeit

Hopewell 49, Colonial Heights 13
Prince George 21, Petersburg 14
Goochland 41, Charlottesville 18

Louisa 45, Monticello 6
Caroline 26, Culpeper 21

King George 41, Courtland 20

Chancellor 21, James Monroe 12

North Stafford 38, Eastern View 21
Amelia 25, Nandua 14
New Kent 29, Tabb 21
Central-Woodstock 19, King William 10

Brunswick Academy 55, Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot 14
Essex 70, Charles City 0
Poquoson 31, Jamestown 0
Smithfield 20, York 0
West Point 21, Colonial Beach 0
Northampton 42, Middlesex 18
Buckingham 52, Randolph-Henry 6

Central-Lunenburg 57, Prince Edward 0

Fluvanna 15, Albemarle 7
Franklin 38, Arcadia 0
Brunswick 19, Windsor 6
Southampton 56, Sussex Central 8

Colonel Richardson (MD) 56, Westmoreland 0
Greensville 30, Surry 6
Maury 49, I.C. Norcom 13
Nansemond River 21, Western Branch 0
William Fleming 49, Halifax 0
Patrick Henry-Roanoke 24, Pulaski 7
Grassfield 29, Great Bridge 15
James Wood 22, Meridian 19
Sherando 51, Warren County 0

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RVA SPORTS NETWORK SUPER 12 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POLL: WEEK SIX

1) Matoaca (4-0, was #1, at Meadowbrook)

2) Huguenot (4-0, was #2, vs. James River Thursday)

3) Glen Allen (4-0, was #3, at Douglas Freeman)

4) Varina (3-1, was #4, BYE)

5) Highland Springs (3-2, was #5, BYE)

6) Dinwiddie (3-1, was #6, at #8 Thomas Dale)

7) Benedictine (4-1, was #7, vs Gonzaga, 4pm Friday)

8) Thomas Dale (3-1, was #8, vs. #6 Dinwiddie)

9) L.C. Bird (4-1, was #9, vs. #12 Powhatan)

10) Thomas Jefferson (4-0, was #10, at John Marshall (game at VUU)

11) Armstrong (4-0, NEW, at Henrico)

12) Powhatan (2-2, was #12, at #9 L.C. Bird)

*****

DROPPING OUT: Hanover (was #11)

*****

PIVOTAL GAMES THIS WEEK:

Glen Allen at Douglas Freeman, 7pm

Dinwiddie at Thomas Dale, 7pm

Hopewell at Colonial Heights, 7pm

Patrick Henry at Hanover, 7pm

Powhatan at L.C. Bird, 7pm

Monacan at Manchester, 7pm

Armstrong at Henrico, 7pm

Monticello at Louisa, 7:30pm

King George at Courtland, 7pm

THE WEEK FIVE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

WEEK FIVE:

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26:

Thomas Dale 35, Prince George 6
Dinwiddie 22, Hopewell 7
Manchester 37, James River 13

Meadowbrook 14, Petersburg 7
L.C. Bird 57, Richmond School For The Arts 0
Monticello 34, Goochland 14

Louisa 40, Western Albemarle 0
Eastern View 42, Caroline 21
Strasburg 28, King William 17
Brunswick 35, Surry 20
Fluvanna 52, Charlottesville 13

Southampton 59, Lakeland 0
Franklin 18, Windsor 8
Salem 41, PH-Roanoke 24
Oscar Smith 49, Grassfield 0
Spotswood 46, William Monroe 0

Greensville 36, Sussex Central 28
Altavista 64, William Campbell 13

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27:

TOMATO BOWL 66: Patrick Henry 33, Mechanicsville 16
Atlee 17, Hanover 7

Varina 40, Henrico 7

Highland Springs 28, Riverbend 7

Douglas Freeman 42, Deep Run 0
Hermitage 31, Mills Godwin 0
Cosby 32, Clover Hill 0

Essex d. King & Queen Central via forfeit
Spotsylvania 39, Chancellor 14
King George 50, James Monroe 0
Northampton at West Point, 7pm

Rappahannock 72, Middlesex 16
Bruton 35, Grafton 6
Lafayette 47, Smithfield 0

Warren Co. 14, Fauquier 7
Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot 18, Broadwater Academy 16

Brentsville District 28, Meridian 14

Bayside 21, Landstown 6

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28:

Warhill 34, New Kent 24

Huguenot 36, Powhatan 17

Trinity Episcopal 22, Flint Hill 20
Matoaca 34, Colonial Heights 0
Benedictine 14, St. Christopher's 7
Paul VI 20, Collegiate 7
Arcadia at Lancaster 64, Arcadia 62 (F/4 OT)

Armstrong 90, Manassas Park 0
Courtland 34, Culpeper 0

Woodside 36, Heritage (Newport News) 7

Jamestown at York

Maury 62, Lake Taylor 0

Orange 43, Albemarle 20

Kettle Run 62, Skyline 0

Granby 77, Booker T. Washington 0

Poquoson 28, Tabb 21

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30:

J.R. Tucker 45, John Marshall 30

Nottoway at Amelia, POSTPONED to Monday 10/14

Central-Lunenburg at Buckingham, POSTPONED to Tuesday 10/22

Prince Edward at Northumberland, POSTPONED

I.C. Norcom 47, Manor 0

RVA SPORTS NETWORK SUPER 12 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POLL: WEEK FIVE

More topsy-turvy changes as this wild 2024 high school football season continues as we check the new Super 12 Poll!

********

1) MATOACA (3-0, was #2, vs. Colonial Heights): For the first time ever, the Warriors climb to the top of our poll thanks in big part to a quality win at Massaponax Friday. That trip to Spotsylvania County is never easy, and now the Warriors set their sights on the rugged Central District, beginning with hosting Colonial Heights this week.

2) HUGUENOT (3-0, was #4, at Powhatan): The Falcons have already scored 200 points. In three games. They will be a handful to stop for everyone on their schedule. They can really solidify their suddenly high profile in the region, and stake their claim as a big Class 4, Region B favorite, with a win at Powhatan on Friday.

3) GLEN ALLEN (4-0, was #8, BYE): Speaking of teams that are for real. A lot of people thought Thomas Dale would hand the Jaguars their first loss. As Lee Corso so famously says, not so fast my friend! Glen Allen's win over the Knights was the most impressive result in Week 4. But October is a monster, with all four games on the road, beginning with a trip to Douglas Freeman October 4th.

4) VARINA (2-1, was #5, at Henrico): The Blue Devils put up a quality win Friday over Forest Park, and now get ready for a rivalry trip to Henrico on Friday. Varina needs to grab as many wins as possible as the race to the top eight in Class 4, Region B really revs up beginning this week.

5) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (2-2, was #6, at Riverbend): The Springers head back north to Riverbend Friday. Their last trip there, on October 3, 2022, was a big success. Their opponents are coming off a bye week after wins over King George and Chancellor and a loss to Varina's last opponent, Forest Park.

6) DINWIDDIE (2-1, was #1, at Hopewell): We will get a good barometer of how far these Generals can go this season as they shake off the loss at powerhouse Maury and turn their attention to Central District play with an always tough trip to Merner Field to face the Hopewell Blue Devils who, at 1-2, are in need of some victories to keep their Class 3, Region A hopes high.

7) BENEDICTINE (3-1, was #7, at St. Christopher's Saturday): The Cadets are looking to position themselves to take over the top of VISAA Division I should St. Michael the Archangel falter. They gave Benedictine their lone loss back in Week 1. The Cadets are also mindful that nothing will be simple when they travel to rival St. Christopher's, who have postseason aspirations of their own, on Saturday afternoon.

8) THOMAS DALE (2-1, was #3, at Prince George Thursday): The Knights regroup after their first loss with a short week of preparation before facing the Royals to open Central District play on Thursday night. After that? Consecutive home games with Dinwiddie and Matoaca. They're grateful that both opponents will have to come to Chester.

9) L.C. BIRD (3-1, was #11, vs. Richmond School For The Arts): It's Homecoming Week for the Skyhawks, who can hit the turn at 4-1 with a win Friday over the Bulldogs. The October schedule is very interesting, as the Skyhawks will face Powhatan at home next Friday October 4, then get a bye week to prepare for the high-powered Huguenot offense, also in Chester, on October 18.

10) THOMAS JEFFERSON (4-0, NEW, BYE): The Vikings are led by legitimate Player of The Year candidate Rashaud Cherry, who is putting up insane numbers for the unbeaten Vikings. Can Thomas Jefferson run the table? They have John Marshall off the bye October 4, then a big trip to Mills Godwin.

11) HANOVER (3-0, NEW, vs. Atlee): The Hawks are built in the image of their coach, Sam Rogers. They are scrappy, make you earn every yard, and absolutely has no quit. Their 42-7 win at Mills Godwin Thursday was eye-opening. But now they are in the middle of preparation for the arrival of their archrival, the Atlee Raiders, for a Friday night showdown live on the RVA Sports Network.

12) POWHATAN (2-1, was #12, vs. #2 Huguenot): A comfortable win over James River in hand, the Indians now get to try and slow down the hot Huguenot offense, who come in averaging over 65 points per game. Don't get into a shootout with the Falcons. Powhatan needs stops, and likely a forced turnover or two, to create shorter fields and chew time off the clock. They can't score if they're on the sidelines.

DROPPING OUT: Manchester (was #9), Trinity Episcopal (was #10):

OTHER GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK:

Hermitage at Mills Godwin, 7pm
Paul VI at Collegiate, 4pm

Eastern View at Caroline, 7pm

Manassas Park at Armstrong, 7pm

Trinity Episcopal at Flint Hill, Saturday, 12:30pm

WATCH LIVE: Berry at #9/#10 Randolph-Macon

CLICK HERE to watch a big Division III football battle as #9/#10 Randolph-Macon (2-0) takes on the Vikings of Berry College (1-1) of Georgia on Hall of Fame Weekend in Ashland!

Coverage begins at 12 noon with pregame, including The Final Word before kick with head coach Pedro Arruza, with kickoff set at 12:30pm!