RVA SPORTS NETWORK SUPER 12 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POLL--WEEK TWO

We already have some questions answered with just one week down in the 2024 high school football season. Let's check out the new RVA Sports Network Super 12 Poll to see how things are shaking out, with a look at each team's record and next opponent.

1) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (1-0, was #1, vs. Phoebus): The Springers score 28 unanswered to blow out Manchester on the road. Credit the coaching staff for a game plan which helped Highland Springs look like they were in Week 7, not Week 1.

2) DINWIDDIE (1-0, was #2, vs. North Stafford): The Harry Dalton Show provided a big first act in his senior season against GW-Danville. The Generals have a big advantage over this week's opponent, who did not play in Week 1, thus, this is their season opener, on the road in Cannon Country.

3) TRINITY EPISCOPAL (1-0, was #3, at Fork Union Saturday): A good opening win last week in what was a sideways week for local VISAA schools. A trip to Fork Union is never easy, and weather could play a factor with rain in the forecast.

4) MATOACA (0-0, was #6, at Warhill): Now the reverse, as the Warriors begin their season in Williamsburg against a Warhill team coming off a 68-0 win over Manor in their season opener. It's the first of three road trips to begin the 2024 season (at Henrico, at Massaponax) before finally playing in front of the faithful September 27th against Colonial Heights. In a related note, 2024 graduate QB Riley Justis, is second on the depth chart for #10 Randolph-Macon as they begin their season Friday night at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

5) VARINA (0-1, was #4, BYE): We discussed last week with Bob Black on ESPN Richmond how the Blue Devils' opener with Indian River could be closer than many thought. How about a double overtime thriller that saw Indian River, behind most of the night, escape with a huge victory. Now, the weirdest storyline of the week. This was supposed to be the night Varina traveled to defending Class 6 state champion Freedom (Woodbridge), until Freedom announced they would only play a district schedule of six games due to, frankly, the decimating loss of players due to head coach Darryl Overton's move over the winter to Hayfield High School. Add graduated players, and they're down to, according to InsideNova.com, 45 players total, many with no or limited experience. So, Varina scrambled, and found Bishop McNamara. Then, THAT game got canceled. So, no football on Route 5 this week.

6) THOMAS DALE (1-0, was #8, at #11 L.C. Bird): After a first half beatdown of Cosby, the Knights cruised to victory. Now they make the familiar trip down Route 10 to battle their archrivals, who shut out James River last week. We'll know a lot more about both programs around 10pm Friday.

7) BENEDICTINE (0-1, was #5, at Western Branch): The Cadets lost a shootout to new VISAA Division I threat St. Michael the Archangel from near Fredericksburg 41-32. Now they face VHSL member Western Branch, 28-0 winners at Menchville in the opener last week.

8) MANCHESTER (0-1, was #7, BYE): This may turn out to be one of the most important bye weeks for any team in the area this year. With two weeks to study and learn from the Highland Springs opener, the Lancers will be a hungry bunch when they open Dominion District play at Powhatan on September 13th.

9) HUGUENOT (0-0, was #9, vs. Eastern View Saturday): In a game that was on, then briefly canceled due to weather issues with Eastern View's opener last week, then on again but moved back to Saturday, the Falcons can make a huge statement in Region 4B early on with a win over the Cyclones, a program that seemed to get back in their usual winning groove in 2023, and coming off a 45-12 opening win on Tuesday against rival Culpeper, their 17th straight win in that series. So the Cyclones have the "game already played" advantage, but also have to overcome playing their second game in just under five days.

10) POWHATAN (0-0, was #10, vs. Mechanicsville): The Indians begin their quest for another postseason berth in Region 4B against a Mustangs squad coming off a physical 20-13 loss to Deep Run in their opener. It's important that Powhatan open strong, with the aforementioned battle with Manchester looming next week.

11) L.C. BIRD (1-0, was #11, vs. #6 Thomas Dale): So, see #6 above for information on the Battle of Chester (which can be heard Friday night at 7 on WRVA, 1140 AM).

12) GLEN ALLEN (1-0, was #12, vs. Massaponax): The Jaguars easily handled Prince George last Thursday, but now take a big step up in competition with the always-talented Panthers coming in, having won 35-12 over Independence in their opener. It's the second of four straight home games for Nana Utsey and the Jags, who want to pile up as many wins early as they can to improve their chances for the playoffs in rugged Region 6A.

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OTHER GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK:

Thomas Jefferson (1-0) at Meadowbrook (1-0), Thursday, 6pm

Louisa (0-1) at Courtland (1-0), Friday, 7pm

Petersburg (1-0) at Armstrong (1-0), Friday, 7pm

Patrick Henry (1-0) at Mills Godwin (1-0), Friday, 7pm
Hanover (0-0) at Monacan (1-0), Friday, 7pm