WEEK 1 WATCH:
While there is a lot of attention being paid to the opening games for Highland Springs (Hopewell) and Varina (William Fleming), plus the St. Christopher's/Huguenot showdown, and rightfully so, there are a few hidden gems in the first weekend of the 2025 season.
While there is a lot of attention being paid to the opening games for Highland Springs (Hopewell) and Varina (William Fleming), plus the St. Christopher's/Huguenot showdown, and rightfully so, there are a few hidden gems in the first weekend of the 2025 season.
Matoaca at Hermitage: We may be looking back to this very game on the night of November 7th when it comes to seeding in the Class 5, Region C brackets. Hermitage, a longtime power, welcomes a Matoaca program who has been consistently one of the best in the region post-COVID.
Louisa at Mills Godwin: A year ago, this would also be a Region 5C showdown. The Lions, however, returned to Class 4 this season in the mid-cycle alignment based on school enrollments. Thus, the first game for top 2026 running back recruit, and Michigan commit, Savion Hiter, will take place on Pump Road, where the Eagles are hoping to stay healthy this year, and take advantage of the experience gained by so many underclassmen pressed into duty a season ago.
L.C. Bird at Midlothian: A huge opening night opportunity for the Trojans. The Skyhawks, now in Class 6, Region A, returns few starters from their state semifinal team of 2024. Bird is always talented, but on-the-job training is the early goal this season. A victory would be an early feather in the Midlothian cap.
I.C. Norcom vs. Thomas Jefferson: The Vikings hope to continue their multi-season regular season game winning streak at Hovey Field against a quality opponent from the 757. Remember, the Vikings, along with rival Armstrong, have joined John Marshall in Class 2, Region A, and, TeeJay and the Wildcats renew their longstanding rivalry next Thursday afternoon, an early pivotal game in their new region home.
REALIGNMENT:
L.C. Bird and J.R. Tucker both move up to Class 6, Region A, who only has nine teams, including Manchester, Thomas Dale and Cosby.
Class 5, Region C members aren't too pleased that Highland Springs has returned to the fold, as has Glen Allen, who won a record ten games last season. The Skyhawks and Tigers departed, as did Louisa, who returned to Class 4, Region B, which is, for our money, the toughest region in the entire Commonwealth.
Think about it. Varina, Huguenot, Dinwiddie, Louisa, King George, Eastern View, Hanover, Atlee, Caroline, Courtland. All have legitimate postseason aspirations. Then there's Monacan, Patrick Henry, Spotsylvania, Chancellor, Mechanicsville all looking to return to glory, and the postseason. There could be regional semifinal games here that are better than state semifinal or even championship games in other classes.
And, as mentioned above, Thomas Jefferson and Armstrong join King William, John Marshall, Amelia, et al in Class 2, Region A.
BED'S-EYE VIEW:
I have spent a lot of time in recovery mode this summer after surgery in late May and the first round of treatments for my neuromuscular disease, which continue into September. So I've done a lot of researching and spelunking in the realm of not just high school sports, but sports in general, and how the trickle down effects are already impacting the scholastic level. We discussed some of this last week on ESPN Richmond with Bob Black.
Ten years ago, Teddy Bridgewater would have crucified for doing this as a high school football coach. In today's new world, he should have been applauded, and not suspended. He was also doing what thousands of coaches, nationwide, have always been doing, not out of want to gain a competitive advantage, but out of the basic human desire to make sure teenagers have things like shelter, food, and a sense of security and belonging.
Click here to read about Bridgewater, who bounced back nicely and is, for now, back in the NFL.
Did you catch the first game in the new home for Buford High School in Georgia last weekend on ESPNU? A stadium many Division 2 and 3 schools would die for. The cost? At taxpayer expense? Click here to see. The stadium is owned by the city itself, and leased to the high school for use.
Tweet (X) Of The Week: After the ridiculous saga of Hayfield High School last season, and their malfeasance that wrecked a portion of the Class 6 playoffs, and with news in the spring of another coach controversy brewing in Fairfax County, our eyes caught this message on Wednesday.
We could write a five-part series on the reality of how VHSL rules have been skirted, broken, or outright ignored for many years when it comes to players getting to certain schools to play football. But the flashlight of history is finally beginning to give us some focus, thanks to this "new frontier" of all sports, from the NFL down to your local youth league.
And for those of you who deem it unfathomable that a "coach" or "scout" would go to an 8U or 10U Saturday morning game? Welcome to reality.
The above post doesn't give any proof of anything, and isn't a new theory or observation, but it is a post that reminds us of, not the changing tide, but the fact the tide is becoming quite visible.
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT:
What's a new high school sports year without some good news?
What's a new high school sports year without some good news?
On top of our weekly appearances with Bob Black and Sean Robertson Thursdays at 5pm on ESPN Richmond, we'll be debuting a new feature weekly in collaboration with our wonderful partners at The Richmonder! We'll have the information on Instagram Reels and on X this weekend.
And, to close, the first RVA Sports Network Super 12 High School Football Poll will release Sunday afternoon, as it will do each week during the regular season through November 9th.
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Thoughts on today's notes? Feel free to contact Rob at robwitham1@gmail.com or DM us on "X" at @TheRVASportsNet or on Instagram at @rvasportsnetwork.
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