FOOTBALL: Week Seven Super 12 High School Poll

Another week of little change in our "now halfway through the regular season" poll......

1) DINWIDDIE (6-0, was #1, vs. Petersburg Friday, 7pm): This one is intriguing. Had the game been set for Petersburg, it would be even more so. But a trip down to Dinwiddie is always difficult, and especially so thus far in 2025.

2) BENEDICTINE (6-0, was #2, at Collegiate Friday, 3:45pm): Championship teams find different ways to win. That's exactly what unfolded inside the Beltway Friday night as the Cadets erased a 14-0 deficit to escape with a victory over Gonzaga Prep. Now they head to Grover Jones Field where the Cougars, in order to keep legitimate playoff hopes alive, need to pull the upset.

3) VARINA (4-2, was #3, BYE): The Blue Devils should not spend their bye week thinking about what might have been in their losses to Maury and Grimsley (NC). They need to heal up, and look ahead. Undefeated Hanover comes to them next Friday, the 17th. The Hawks are tied for first in Class 4, Region B. The Blue Devils are eighth. Win this game, and everything in those regional rankings gets turned on its head.

4) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (3-2, vs. Henrico, Friday, 7pm): The Springers celebrate Homecoming and look to build on their best win of the season, shutting down Phoebus last Thursday. Friendship Christian Academy and a trip to Hermitage loom on the horizon, and, then, oh, a Thursday night game with a certain archrival.....

5) MANCHESTER (6-0, was #5, at L.C. Bird Friday, 7pm): The Lancers handed Midlothian a thrashing last week to stay unbeaten and keenly in the race for the top seed in Class 6, Region A with the team just below them here, and, of course, Oscar Smith. Now a tricky trip over to Skyhawk country. This seems like a game where L.C. Bird can take a major step forward in securing one of just six spots in the Class 6, Region A playoff race. 

6) THOMAS DALE (5-0, was #6, vs. Matoaca Friday, 7pm): This was a marquee game the past few seasons. But with Matoaca's precipitous decline, this season's matchup becomes a game where the Knights need not look over this contest. Get your business done, then you can turn your attention to the trip to #1 Dinwiddie next Friday.

7) LOUISA (4-0, was #7, vs. Goochland Friday, 7:30pm): Goochland comes to the Jungle this Friday, and we don't know that they have enough horses to slow down this devastatingly fast Lions offense. 

8) TRINITY EPISCOPAL (6-0, was #8, BYE): The Titans roll again Saturday, and pitch another shutout defensively. Now a week to rest and get ready for the showdown at St. Christopher's next Friday night.

9) HUGUENOT (4-1, was #9, at Monacan Friday, 7pm): The Falcon defense holds L.C. Bird to three points Friday night, and now continue their march through the Dominion. They are taking it one game at a time, especially because of what happened opening night. But fans everywhere have their date with Manchester November 7th circled on their calendar.

10) ARMSTRONG (6-0, was #10, vs. Greensville Friday, 7pm): Greensville comes in at 3-2, having defeated Nottoway, Mecklenburg and Surry, and scoring 34 points on James River. Another good test for Coach Pruitt and company as they try to take another step in clinching the top seed in Class 2, Region A.

11) ST. CHRISTOPHER'S (5-1, was #11, vs. Woodberry Forest Friday, 6:30pm): The win over FUMA in their pocket, the Saints prepare for a critical two-game stretch, both games taking place in the friendly confines, beginning with always dangerous Woodberry Forest this week, then Trinity Episcopal on 10/17.

12) HANOVER (5-0, NEW, vs. Mechanicsville Friday, 7pm): It's time to put some respect on a Hanover Hawks team that, once again, exhibits the qualities of their head coach, Sam Rogers. Competitive, gutsy, believing. And they have several studs making impact plays on both sides of the ball. Their strength of schedule is much tougher on the back end. Varina and Highland Springs are both ahead of them. But one thing's for sure. No one will ever force Hanover to tap out.

DROPPING OUT: Meadowbrook (was #12)

ON THE CUSP: Caroline (5-0), Meadowbrook (4-1), Hermitage (4-1), Glen Allen (4-2), James River (4-2), Thomas Jefferson (4-2)