One week into the season and two teams join the party after impressive opening statements, while the top seven are holding strong. We have three ranked vs ranked matchups this week, and, if you can believe it, none of them are our Game Of The Week in our Deep Dive weekly column at The Richmonder....
1) VARINA (1-0, was #1, at Maury Friday): This is our Game of The Week! Two defending state champions collide as the Blue Devils head down I-64 for first of back-to-back trips to battle a defending titlist. Next week, it's Class 6 crown holder Oscar Smith. This week, a Varina squad coming off a 54-0 squashing of a good William Fleming team will get an angry Commodore team whose fourteen game winning streak was ended Friday 31-30 by Mallard Creek of North Carolina.
2) HUGUENOT (0-0, was #2, at #4 Highland Springs Friday): After tons of publicity with high profile offers and commitments going down on Forest Hill Avenue, it's time for the Falcons to begin their quest in Class 4. It begins with a doozy, heading out to face 1-0 Highland Springs, who looked good in their opener against Hopewell. Let the Charles Scott, Jr. Watch begin.
3) BENEDICTINE (1-0, was #3, vs. Trinity Episcopal Friday): The Cadets began the year with a 46-0 drubbing Saturday, and now turn to their rivals, the Titans, who come off a heartbreaking 43-37 loss to Roanoke Catholic in overtime, and have no interest in beginning the season at 0-2. But avoiding that will be a tough task against Benedictine.
4) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (1-0, was #4, vs. #2 Huguenot Friday): Various polls in the area had the Springers anywhere from #2 to #4 before the season. They certainly stake their claim to at least #2 with a win in their home opener. Huge advantage for the Springers in that they've played a game, while Huguenot has not. The Springer defense is the key in this one.
5) THOMAS DALE (1-0, was #5, vs. #9 L.C. Bird Thursday): The Knights haven't lost The Battle of Chester since the 2018 season. But based on the Skyhawks' dominant performance over Midlothian, Thomas Dale will have their hands full. They'll definitely need a more consistent offensive performance than in the week one win over Cosby, and they have the capability to make it happen.
6) HERMITAGE (1-0, was #6, vs. Henrico Thursday): Step one complete with a 35-7 win at Matoaca, now the focus for the Panthers is a home opener with Henrico. The new look offense gets another 48 minutes under their belt before hosting Trinity Episcopal, then heading to Varina on September 18th.
7) DINWIDDIE (1-0, was #7, vs. Granby Friday): It was a slow start for the young Dinwiddie offense, but they fired on all cylinders when it mattered most, scoring the final 21 points in their 36-12 win over an improved Colonial Heights team. Granby was pummeled by Indian River in their opener last week, so the Generals are not only likely favored, but will do as Hermitage does, get another 48 minutes of experience before the road gets tougher. Freshman quarterback Jailen Cox has the tools. He just needs experience.
8) MANCHESTER (1-0, was #9, vs. Glen Allen Thursday): The Lancers didn't skip a beat in their 36-0 win at Monacan to open 2026. But now a much tougher test arrives in the Jaguars, who won a track meet at Prince George 48-36. On a week where one of their Class 6, Region A county rivals will lose (Thomas Dale or L.C. Bird), a statement can be made here with a 2-0 start.
9) L.C. BIRD (1-0, was #10, at #5 Thomas Dale Thursday): What a start! A 32-8 win over a Midlothian team who shut them out a year ago is impressive. Gerard Johnson has the Skyhawks believing, and could really be onto something if they could defeat the Knights for the first time since 2018. Remember the name of running back Larry Cherry.
10) ARMSTRONG (1-0, was #11, vs. #12 Thomas Jefferson Thursday): Well, here we go! Another week two showdown between two of the area's top three Class 2 teams, and, of course, a city rivalry for the ages. Armstrong won both meetings last year, including the Class 2, Region A semifinal. Can the Vikings get revenge and the early advantage in the region standings?
11) PETERSBURG (1-0, NEW, at I.C. Norcom Friday): The Wave came to Henrico and left victors by a 34-6 count. Enthusiasm is rampant around this program, and they'll look to continue it on another road trip, this time to the 757 to face an I.C. Norcom team that fell to Thomas Jefferson Saturday 36-10.
12) THOMAS JEFFERSON (1-0, NEW, at #10 Armstrong Thursday): See above at #10!
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Dropping Out:
Trinity Episcopal (was #8)
Midlothian (was #12)
Chasing The Dozen:
Caroline (1-0)
Hanover (0-0)
Glen Allen (1-0)
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