Two weeks to go, lots of games in flux, many teams looking at a nine or even eight-game season rather than ten, and much more. It's a Virginia High School League (VHSL) football playoff race unlike any other. Twenty-six teams are currently in, and plenty more still in the fight for the postseason. Here's the latest regional standings with a deep dive into what's ahead over the next twelve days.....
NOTE: The top eight teams make the postseason in each region.
CLASS 6, REGION A:
1) Oscar Smith (31.0, 6-1, at Western Branch, 8-1, Class 6)
2) Western Branch (29.778, 8-1, vs Oscar Smith, 6-1, Class 6)
3) Thomas Dale (29.125, 7-1, Bye)
4) Manchester (28.714, 5-2, at Huguenot, 1-5, Class 4)
5) Ocean Lakes (27.0, 5-3, Bye)
6) James River (25.667, 5-4, Bye)
7) Franklin County (25.625, 4-4, vs Lord Botetourt, 4-3, Class 3)
8) Floyd Kellam (22.75, 3-5, vs Tallwood, 2-6, Class 5)
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9) Cosby (22.375, 2-6, vs George Wythe, 1-6, Class 4)
10) Grassfield (20.0, 1-7, vs Nansemond River, 3-4, Class 5)
BREAKDOWN: If Western Branch wants to win the region title, they have their opportunity, as they host Oscar Smith this week. If the Tigers win, they will all but clinch the number one seed. Thomas Dale and Manchester actually need Western Branch to win any hopes of moving up to the top spot, but the Knights are at a disadvantage with a bye this week. The Lancers, with a win, will likely retake third with a week to go, but then it will be advantage Thomas Dale in Week 11, facing an unbeaten Dinwiddie team, while Manchester plays Monacan, who hovers around .500. James River moves up to sixth, and has a shot at the fifth seed should they knock off Midlothian next week while Ocean Lakes loses to Bayside. Cosby is still very much alive, but needs wins over George Wythe and Powhatan to be in position, while needing Kellam to lose at least one of their last two.
ELSEWHERE:
REGION 6B: 1) Battlefield 33.25, 2) Patriot 29.625, 3) Freedom-PW 29.222
REGION 6C: 1) Robinson 34.0, 2) South County 31.75, 3) Lake Braddock 30.625
REGION 6D: 1) James Madison 33.0, 2) Centreville 29.625, 3) Chantilly 27.25
CLASS 5, REGION C:
1) Midlothian (29.143, 7-0, vs Powhatan, 5-3, Class 4)
2) Highland Springs (28.75, 6-2, at Atlee, 5-3, Class 4)
3) Hermitage (27.5, 6-2, d. Henrico 35-6, game vs John Marshall forfeited to Hermitage)
4) Douglas Freeman (25.889, 7-2, Bye)
5) L.C. Bird (25.0, 3-3, vs Huguenot, 1-5, Class 4)
6) Glen Allen (23.286, 3-4, vs Deep Run, 0-8, Class 5)
7) Mills Godwin (22.0, 3-5, at J.R. Tucker, 3-4, Class 5)
8T) Prince George (20.286, 1-6, at Petersburg Thursday, 7pm, 3-4, Class 3)
J.R. Tucker (20.286, 3-4, vs Mills Godwin, 3-5, Class 5)
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10) Clover Hill (20.125, 2-6, at Monacan, 4-4, Class 4)
UPDATED BREAKDOWN: The lead for Midlothian over Highland Springs shrinks, and, this week, they both play Class 4 teams with identical records. If both win, games involving their opponents could determine who's on top in the final week. Hermitage's 35-6 win over Henrico Tuesday shook some things up. The Panthers moved up a bit to 27.5, while Douglas Freeman and Mills Godwin each earned one point while Glen Allen, who beat Hermitage, earned two to draw within 1.714 of L.C. Bird. When the Mavericks host Glen Allen November 5th, it will be their first game in 21 days. The Jaguars missed a golden opportunity to fight Douglas Freeman for the #4 seed due to their overtime loss to Lake Taylor, as L.C. Bird takes advantage with an upset over Powhatan. The Skyhawks don't play Friday, but play twice in Week 11, hosting Huguenot next Monday, then going to Clover Hill. The bad news there is both teams currently have a combined three wins. Strength of schedule finally rewards Prince George with the #8 seed, J.R. Tucker being in COVID protocol. However, the Tigers pulled into an eighth place tie Tuesday night thanks to the Hermitage win. The Royals finish with a trip to Petersburg, then a home game with Hopewell. Clover Hill goes to Monacan, then finishes hosting the Skyhawks. It's amazing that less than two-tenths of a point separate the teams in eighth through tenth. Mills Godwin isn't a sure thing, either. With those three teams looming, a head to head win over J.R. Tucker this week would likely eliminate one contender, and a home win over Thomas Jefferson November 5th would seal a postseason bid.
ELSEWHERE:
REGION 5A: 1) Green Run 31.5, 2) Kempsville 31.0, 3) Salem-VB 26.714
REGION 5B: 1) Maury 28.0, 2) Woodside 26.429, 3) Norview 24.143
REGION 5D: 1) Stone Bridge 33.75, 2) Mountain View 30.0, 3) Massaponax 28.0
CLASS 4, REGION B:
1) Dinwiddie (30.0, 6-0, vs Meadowbrook, 0-7, Class 5)
2) King George (28.857, 7-0, vs Spotsylvania, Thursday, 7pm, 5-3, Class 4)
3) Varina (28.571, 7-0, vs Patrick Henry, 6-2, Class 4)
4) Matoaca (27.75, 7-1, at Hopewell, Thursday, 7pm, 4-2, Class 3)
5) Patrick Henry (25.0, 6-2, at Varina, 7-0, Class 4)
6) Chancellor (23.8, 3-2, vs Culpeper County, 4-5, Class 3)
7) Powhatan (22.875, 5-3, at Midlothian, 7-0, Class 5)
8) Spotsylvania (22.625, 5-3, at King George, Thursday, 7pm, 7-0, Class 4)
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9) Atlee (22.5, 5-3, vs Highland Springs, 6-2, Class 5)
10) Monacan (21.75, 4-4, vs Clover Hill, 2-6, Class 5)
11) Hanover (21.714, 3-4, vs Henrico, 2-6, Class 4)
12) Courtland (20.714, 3-4, vs Eastern View, 4-4, Class 4)
13) Eastern View (19.5, 4-4, at Courtland, 3-4, Class 4)
BREAKDOWN: Lots to digest here. We start at the top, where Dinwiddie loses half a point to King George and Varina, and, if all three unbeatens prevail Friday, there will likely be a new #1, and it could be Varina by the narrowest of margins, thanks to facing a 6-2 Patrick Henry team, who wants to hand the Blue Devils their first loss and see if it will be enough to threaten Matoaca for the fourth seed. The Warriors, meanwhile, have a tough Central District battle at Hopewell, who is fighting for playoff position in Region 3A. Chancellor, despite only playing five games, jumps back into the top eight with a win last week, but the two teams below them, Powhatan and Spotsylvania, each have a chance to pull upsets of unbeatens and not only overtake Chancellor, but threaten Patrick Henry's #5 seed should they fall at Varina. Now, to the craziness at the bottom of the top eight. Hanover loses, falls from 7th to 11th, while Atlee won, and still fell from 8th to 9th. Five teams are within 1.161 points of each other. Monacan and Hanover will be favored this week, hoping that neither Powhatan, Spotsylvania, nor Atlee can pull off upsets. Longshots Courtland and Eastern View play, essentially, an elimination game Friday.
ELSEWHERE:
REGION 4A: 1) King's Fork 28.0, 2T) Warhill & Hampton 27.0
REGION 4C: 1) Heritage-LC 28.375, 2) Kettle Run 27.889, 3) Broad Run 27.25
REGION 4D: 1) GW-Danville 29.0, 2) Western Albemarle 28.625, 3) Salem 27.625, 5) Louisa 26.125
CLASS 3, REGION A:
1) Phoebus (30.75, 7-0, vs Gloucester Thursday, 1-6, Class 5)
2) Lafayette (24.857, 6-1, at Poquoson, 4-3, Class 2)
3) York (24.25, 7-1, at Warhill, 8-0, Class 3)
4) Booker T. Washington (22.714, 5-2, at Maury, 3-1, Class 5)
5) Lake Taylor (22.5, 4-4, at Granby, 0-7, Class 5)
6) Hopewell (22.167, 4-2, vs Matoaca, Thursday, 7pm, 7-1, Class 4)
7) Petersburg (19.0, 3-4, vs Prince George, Thursday, 7pm, 1-6, Class 5)
8) Tabb (18.875, 3-5, vs Bruton, 3-5, Class 3)
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9T) New Kent (18.0, 3-5, at Jamestown Saturday, 1-6, Class 4)
I.C. Norcom (18.0, 1-4, at Norview, 4-3, Class 5)
11) Southampton (17.833, 2-3, at Windsor, 0-7, Class 2)
12) Lakeland (17.0, 2-5, vs King's Fork, 6-1, Class 4)
13) Colonial Heights (15.75, 2-6, vs Thomas Jefferson Monday, 6-1, Class 2)
UPDATED BREAKDOWN: Phoebus' massive lead is cut into just a bit, but they still hold a nearly six point advantage over #2 Lafayette. The battle is still behind them. York, with a win over unbeaten Warhill, would overtake Lafayette for second, win or lose. Lafayette will not finish their suspended game with King George. It goes as a no-contest. The battle for the fourth seed, and with it, a home game in the region quarterfinals November 12th, is hot and heavy. Hopewell has the advantage this week to claim it with a win over 7-1 Matoaca. Then, similar to Region 4B, here, seeds seven to eleven are separated by only two points. I.C. Norcom, playing a Class 5 opponent with four wins, has the best chance of grabbing seventh with a win, should Petersburg, Tabb and New Kent fall for sure. They still could jump if some of the teams ahead of them win due to opponents with worse records, and, thus, less bonus points. Colonial Heights must win their last two games, and maybe get help, to climb into a playoff bid.
CLASS 3, REGION B:
1) Meridian (23.75, 6-2, at Manassas Park, 0-8, Class 3)
2) Brentsville District (23.25, 6-2, vs Skyline, 2-5, Class 3)
3) Goochland (20.625, 5-3, at Orange, Thursday, 7pm, 5-3, Class 4)
4) James Monroe (19.5, 3-5, at Caroline, Thursday, 7pm, 0-8, Class 3)
5) Culpeper County (18.889, 4-5, at Chancellor, Thursday, 7pm, 3-2, Class 4)
6) Skyline (16.429, 2-5, at Brentsville District, 6-2, Class 3)
7) Warren County (15.75, 2-6, Bye)
8) Armstrong (15.143, 1-6, at Mechanicsville, 1-7, Class 4)
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9) William Monroe (14.143, 2-5, at Central Woodstock, 6-1, Class 2)
10T) Caroline (13.625, 0-8, vs James Monroe, Thursday, 7pm, 3-5, Class 3)
Manassas Park (13.625, 0-8, vs Meridian, 6-2, Class 3)
BREAKDOWN: Goochland still has a shot at the top seed, but only if they win their final two games against Orange and Louisa. Meridian's last two opponents have a combined two wins, Brentsville's also two. The Bulldogs' opponents have a combined twelve. James Monroe will need wins to fend off Culpeper County in the race for home field with the #4 seed. Armstrong remains in eighth place, but all three teams below them have a shot to overtake them with wins should the Wildcats finish 1-8.
ELSEWHERE:
REGION 3C: 1) Liberty Christian 29.714, 2) Heritage-Lynchburg 25.625, 3) Brookville 24.714
REGION 3D: 1) Christiansburg 29.125, 2) Hidden Valley 24.778, 3) Abingdon 24.625
CLASS 2, REGION A:
1) Nottoway (25.429, 7-0, at Randolph-Henry, Thursday, 7pm, 4-4, Class 2)
2) King William (22.429, 6-1, at West Point, 5-2, Class 1)
3) Thomas Jefferson (22.286, 6-1, at Colonial Heights Monday 11/1, 2-6, Class 3)
4) Poquoson (20.714, 4-3, vs Lafayette, 6-1, Class 3)
5) Amelia (20.125, 6-2, at Prince Edward, 2-6, Class 2)
6T) Brunswick (19.5, 3-1, vs Sussex Central Thursday, 7pm, 4-1, Class 1)
Greensville (19.5, 4-2, at Franklin, 2-5, Class 1)
8) Randolph-Henry (15.75, 4-4, vs Nottoway, Thursday, 7pm, 7-0, Class 2)
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9) Bruton (14.875, 3-5, at Tabb, 3-5, Class 3)
10) Nandua (13.143, 2-5, at Northampton, 6-2, Class 1)
11) John Marshall (12.75, 0-4, season canceled)
12) Prince Edward (12.125, 2-6, vs Amelia, 6-2, Class 2)
BREAKDOWN: Nottoway, despite being three points ahead of surging King William, may win out and still finish second. The Cougars last two opponents have four combined wins, while the Cavaliers have 5-2 West Point, then unbeaten King and Queen Central. Thomas Jefferson's final two opponents have five combined wins, but they play a Class 3 opponent (two extra points) and a Class 5 opponent (six extra points). Poquoson can either draw closer to the Vikings by beating Lafayette Friday, or, with a loss, they are fighting Amelia County for a home game in the first round should the Raiders defeat Prince Edward. Prince Edward, meanwhile, must win out (Amelia, Randolph-Henry) and get some help, but Randolph-Henry can separate themselves from the three active teams behind them with an upset of the current top seed, Nottoway, on Friday.
ELSEWHERE:
REGION 2B: 1) Stuarts Draft 24.857, 2T) Central-Woodstock & Strasburg 22.714
REGION 2C: 1) Glenvar 23.875, 2) Appomattox 22.5, 3) Radford 21.0
REGION 2D: 1) Graham 27.143, 2) Virginia 23.125, 3) Union 21.714
CLASS 1, REGION A:
1) Essex (21.5, 4-0, vs Washington & Lee, 3-3, Class 1)
2) King & Queen Central (19.429, 7-0, vs Middlesex, 3-2, Class 1)
3) Northampton (18.5, 6-2, vs Nandua, 2-5, Class 2)
4) Northumberland (18.4, 5-0, vs Rappahannock, 3-4, Class 1)
5) West Point (18.143, 5-2, vs King William, 6-1, Class 2)
6) Washington & Lee (16.667, 3-3, at Essex, 4-0, Class 1)
7) Colonial Beach (14.667, 3-3, at Lancaster, 1-7, Class 1)
8) Middlesex (14.2, 3-2, at King & Queen Central, 7-0, Class 1)
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9) Rappahannock (12.286, 3-4, at Northumberland, 5-0, Class 1)
BREAKDOWN: It's nine teams and eight spots with two weeks remaining. Rappahannock can shake things up, and rocket into the top eight, by handing Northumberland their first defeat. The biggest question looming in this region is whether the suspended game between the top two seeds from late September will be finished. A West Point win over 6-1 King William would be a giant leap toward hosting a first round playoff game.
ELSEWHERE:
REGION 1B: 1) Riverheads 26.25, 2) Central-Lunenburg 19.857, 3) Buffalo Gap 18.75
REGION 1C: 1) Galax 21.143, 2) Giles 20.714, 3) Parry McCluer 18.375
REGION 1D: 1) Holston 22.5, 2) Twin Springs 20.571, 3) Chilhowie 19.875
