NEW RVA SPORTS NETWORK SUPER 12 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POLL

Some changes in the bottom half of this week's poll, including a new, well-deserving member. Let's break it down:

1) Highland Springs (7-0, was #1): The Springers keep rolling, this time taking care of a young but talented Patrick Henry squad. On Twitter Saturday, we noted that, since their 26-20 nail biting win in their opening game at Julius Chambers in Charlotte, North Carolina, Highland Springs has won their last six contests by a combined score of 310-13. That's one touchdown (Manchester) and two field goals (Martinsburg, Patrick Henry). Every win has been by 31 points or more. Tenth-ranked Hanover comes in for Highland Springs' Homecoming on Friday.

2) Varina (6-0, was #2): The Blue Devils stayed perfect by defeating Armstrong, the second of four road trips over a five-game period. Their lone home game in the span comes this Friday, hosting an Atlee Raider team in desperation mode coming off their bye week at 2-4 in the rugged Region 4B. Then it's off to rival Henrico, and Patrick Henry, before the big one at home November 3rd (that's a Thursday!) hosting #1 Highland Springs.

3) Trinity Episcopal (6-0, was #3): We've been very high on the Titans all season. They are loaded with talent, and it's not easy going back to back in VISAA. They rolled Saturday at Homecoming, next they must take care of Fork Union, who fell Saturday at home to St. Christopher's. We are very impressed by the work of head coach Sam Mickens and his staff down on the banks of the James River.

4) Thomas Dale (6-0, was #4): The Knights took care of business at Henrico as expected on Friday night. They now enter a most interesting part of their season, first Friday night with a trip to Merner Field as Knights quarterback Ethan Minter duels with Hopewell's Mason Cumbie. Hopewell, coming off a home loss to Dinwiddie that got away from them in the final quarter, needs a signature win to try to climb back into the race for a first round home game in Region 3A, so expect them to give Thomas Dale everything and more. Then, the Knights host Petersburg, who have struggled with Thomas Dale lately but took them to the last play in Chester back in 2018. Trips to L.C. Bird and Dinwiddie follow to wrap up the season as the Knights battle Oscar Smith for the top spot in Region 6A.

5) Dinwiddie (6-0, was #5): The Generals enter a weaker portion of their schedule through the end of October with Petersburg this Friday, then trips to Prince George and Meadowbrook, two teams struggling in Region 5C. Will it be 9-0 Dinwiddie hosting 9-0 Thomas Dale on Friday November 4th? Only time will tell, but Harry Dalton and company will do everything they can to hold up their end of the bargain.

6) Douglas Freeman (6-0, was #6): It can be argued that the Mavericks haven't played the toughest schedule in town, but, as the old adage goes, you play who is on your schedule. And let's give head coach George Bland and his crew proper credit. They have become an incredibly consistent winner in a West End group of six teams that see to play an in-season round robin tournament to determine which teams are in the Region 5C playoffs, and which are not. Their biggest game so far is Friday with a trip to Hermitage on "High School Football Friday Night" on Rejoice 101.3 FM and 990 AM and here on the RVA Sports Network. The good news for the Mavericks is their last three games are home, including what could be a great game hosting surging Glen Allen in the regular season finale November 4th. Douglas Freeman will look for revenge at Chester Fritz for a 28-20 Hermitage road win at William E. Long Stadium 52 weeks ago.

7) Midlothian (6-0, was #8): Hey, guess who has given up only thirteen points all season? That's right, the Trojans. However, we will be surprised if they hold Manchester to less than ten points this Friday on the road. The Lancers are coming off a last minute heartstopping comeback 23-22 win over L.C. Bird. This will be the Trojans' biggest test so far, and, with a win, it would be another statement victory as they try to build a wall of consistent winning after decades of futility.

8) Louisa (7-0, was #9): After rolling over Region 4D leader Orange last Friday to stay unbeaten, the Lions are in position for a big finish, all at home. Western Albemarle comes in Friday, then, two weeks later, it's the Albemarle Patriots. The Lions close the regular season with struggling Goochland. 10-0, and a #1 seed on the other side of the bracket from other Richmond area schools is definitely attainable. And it's very hard to win in "The Jungle". 

9) Manchester (6-0, was #10): At one time Friday against L.C. Bird, freshmen quarterback Landen Abernethy was five-of-fourteen through the air. Then, with the game on the line, he showed nerves of steel, firing the Lancers down the field, capping it off with a 15-yard touchdown pass with 32 seconds left. Now, Manchester gets ready to host #7 Midlothian in one of two games featuring two ranked teams this week (Hanover at Highland Springs). A win here will help Manchester stay alive in the race for the top four seeds in Region 6A, battling Thomas Dale, Oscar Smith, Western Branch, and, just behind the Lancers, Franklin County and Kellam. This is also their best chance for a quality win, as Cosby, Huguenot and Monacan, all with under .500 records, finish their regular season schedule.

10) Hanover (5-1, was #12): So, the Hawks with Heart have to make the trip to the new Kreiter Stadium and try to put a dent in the Highland Springs armor. Having seen Sam Rogers' Hawks three times this year, they'll bring in a good game plan, and they will play hard for 48 minutes. But the Springers are so fast on the corners, and so deep at the skilled positions. Win or lose, playing Highland Springs will only improve Hanover as they next head to a huge rivalry game against Patrick Henry with major Region 4B playoff implications.

11) Benedictine (4-2, was #7): After falling behind 14-0 at Georgetown Prep Friday, the Cadets battled to tie it at 14-14 at halftime, but couldn't find the end zone after that, falling 20-14. Now Benedictine returns home Friday afternoon to battle rival Collegiate, coming off a brutal last-minute home loss to Woodberry Forest. The Cougars will be in desperate mode for their postseason hopes. This game, which kicks at 4pm, will be a great one.

12) Thomas Jefferson (6-0, NEW): It's time to give credit to where credit is due. We know that their schedule is not as strong as others in the Super 12. However, they've won six games straight to begin a season for the first time since, well, a lot of us were born. Some people may argue that this team only defeated Deep Run last Monday 14-9. But they've easily handled the teams that matter most on their schedule, fellow members of Class 2, Region A. A trip to J.R. Tucker will test the Vikings again this Friday, then, a critical home game Saturday 10/22 against a Glen Allen team that bears no resemblance to the team that lost at Matoaca on opening night. The Vikings are playing for the #1 seed in Region 2A, and we'll find out early this week if Poquoson was able to pull closer to them from the #2 position.

Dropping Out: Patrick Henry (was #11)

On The Cusp: Patrick Henry, St. Christopher's, L.C. Bird, Hermitage, Glen Allen