The Virginia High School League crowns football champions on Saturday in six classifications. Here’s who’s playing:
CLASS 6
OSCAR SMITH (14-0) vs. JAMES MADISON (14-0)
At James Madison University, Harrisonburg
Saturday, 5 p.m.
OSCAR SMITH TIGERS
Location: Chesapeake
Coach: Chris Scott (6th season)
District: Southeastern
All-time playoff record: 63-17
State championships: 4 (2021, 2020, 2011, 2008)
State runners-up: 5 (2019, 2017, 2016, 2016, 2013)
Last four-years record: 44-7
Oscar Smith 2024 results
W — Hermitage, 44-6
W — I.C. Norcom, 54-16
W — Great Bridge, 62-0
W — Nansemond River, 35-0
W — Grassfield, 49-0
W — Indian River, 22-6
W — Deep Creek, 41-0
W — King’s Fork, 27-12
W — Hickory, 49-21
W — Western Branch, 42-0
Region 6A playoffs
W — Grassfield, 41-0
W — Manchester, 35-0
W — Highland Springs, 28-7
Class 6 semifinal
W — Colonial Forge, 42-7
JAMES MADISON WARHAWKS
Location: Vienna
Coach: Justin Counts (8th season)
District: Concorde
All-time playoff record: 33-26
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 2 (2022, 2021)
Last four-years record: 49-8
James Madison 2024 results
W — Stone Bridge, 17-0
W — Lake Braddock, 36-15
W — James Robinson, 37-7
W — George Marshall, 35-7
W — Chantilly, 43-13
W — South County, 42-0
W — Westfield, 26-21
W — South Lakes, 35-7
W — Oakton, 28-6
W — Centreville, 41-0
Region 6D playoffs
W — Chantilly, 44-0
W — Westfield, 35-28
W — Washington-Liberty, 48-21
Class 6 semifinal
W — Lake Braddock, 42-19
Notes: This is the first Class 6 championship game between two undefeated teams in a non-COVID year since 2013 when Centreville defeated Oscar Smith in the final. … Teams have met just once with Oscar Smith winning 42-17 in 2021 state final. … Oscar Smith has either won the title or been state runner-up eight times since 2013. … A 27-12 win over King’s Fork and a 22-6 victory over Indian River are Oscar Smith’s only games closer than 21 points. … Tigers have outscored four playoff opponents 146-14. … Smith cornerback Jahmari DeLoatch is a Virginia Tech signee. … Is this James Madison’s year? Warhawks have made state final three times in four years, losing 48-14 to Freedom-Woodbridge in 2022. … Madison topped previously unbeaten Washington-Liberty of Arlington in semifinal but had to sweat out a 35-28 region semifinal victory over Westfield after defeating the same team 26-21 in the regular season. … No other Warhawks game was closer than a 17-point margin. … Madison RB Dominic Nicely has signed with East Carolina.
CLASS 5
MAURY (14-0) vs. BRIAR WOODS (10-3)
At James Madison University, Harrisonburg
Saturday, 11:30 a.m.
MAURY COMMODORES
Location: Norfolk
Coach: Dyrii McCain (8th season)
District: Eastern
All-time playoff record: 29-19
State championships: 2 (2023, 2019)
State runners-up: 3 (2022, 2021, 1972)
Last four-years record: 47-4
Maury 2024 results
W — H.D. Wise, Md., 20-14
W — Highland Springs, 38-7
W — Dinwiddie, 47-7
W — Lake Taylor, 62-0
W — I.C. Norcom, 49-13
W — Manor, 97-0
W — Booker T. Washington, 82-0
W — Norview, 84-6
W — Churchland, 49-7
W — Granby, 55-0
Region 5B playoffs
W — Woodside, 57-0
W — Warwick, 41-7
W — King’s Fork, 38-14
Class 5 semifinal
W — Green Run, 20-14
BRIAR WOODS FALCONS
Location: Ashburn
Coach: Mike Burnett (4th season)
District: Potomac
All-time playoff record: 26-10
State championships: 3 (2012, 2011, 2010)
State runners-up: 1 (2013)
Last four-years record: 26-20
Briar Woods 2024 results
L — John Champe, 7-6
W — Loudoun County, 20-7
W — Broad Run, 35-0
L — North Stafford, 26-14
W — Fort Hill, Md., 28-7
W — Riverside, 31-21
W — Potomac Falls, 32-0
W — Lightridge, 32-12
L — Stone Bridge, 14-12
W — Independence, 27-13
Region 5D playoffs
W — Massaponax, 39-27
W — Riverbend, 32-15
Class 6 semifinal
W — L.C. Bird, 28-14
Notes: First meeting between the two finalists. … Maury has outscored its VHSL competition 739-89. … FBS signees will dot the field. … Maury has no fewer than four of the top recruits in the state: DE Ari Watford (Clemson), LB Carlton Smith (Maryland), WR LeBron Bond (Indiana) and DB Kendall Daniels (South Carolina). Maury lost to Annandale 17-8 in the second Group AAA championship playoff game in 1972 … Before coming to Briar Woods, Burnett started the football program at Tuscarora and led Broad Run to back-to-back Class 4 titles in 2008-09. … Briar Woods won successive titles from 2010-12 including 28-26 over Christiansburg in the 2011 Class 4 championship. … Briar Woods QB Brady Carmical has signed with Navy while RB Trey Dudley is headed to Syracuse.
CLASS 4
PHOEBUS (13-0) vs. VARINA (12-1)
At Liberty University, Lynchburg
Saturday, 5 p.m.
PHOEBUS PHANTOMS
Location: Hampton
Coach: Jeremy Blunt (13th season)
District: Peninsula
All-time playoff record: 79-20
State championships: 10 (2023, 2022, 2021, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2002, 2001)
State runners-up: 1 (2018)
Last four-years record: 55-1
Phoebus 2024 results
W — Highland Springs, 23-7
W — Woodside, 42-3
W — Heritage-Newport News, 45-0
W — Bethel, 56-21
W — Hampton, 37-3
W — Kecoughtan, 63-0
W — Gloucester, 57-0
W — Menchville, 49-0
W — Warwick, 27-17
W — Denbigh, 66-7
Region 4A playoffs
W — Churchland, 41-0
W — Hampton, 42-0
Class 4 semifinal
W — Sherando, 34-0
VARINA BLUE DEVILS
Location: Chesterfield County
Coach: Marcus Lewis (5th season)
District: Capital
All-time playoff record: 38-26
State championships: 1 (2021)
State runners-up: 0
Last four-years record: 45-7
Varina 2024 results
L — Indian River, 37-31, 2 OT
W — Hermitage, 18-10
W — Forest Park, 34-11
W — Henrico, 40-7
W — Glen Allen, 38-3
W — Hanover, 28-13
W — Atlee, 47-13
W — Highland Springs, 28-19
W — Patrick Henry-Ashland, 40-0
Region 4B playoffs
W — Hanover, 42-14
W — Huguenot, 26-0
W — Dinwiddie, 41-27
Class 4 semifinal
W — Tuscarora, 28-0
Notes: Both schools have bounced around in different classifications and have never faced each other on the football field. … Phoebus has won 48 games in a row and is creeping up on the VHSL-record win streak of 52 it shares with Riverheads. … Phoebus is aiming for a fourth successive state title, which would match the Phantoms’ feat from 2008-11. … Phoebus makes the most of state finals appearances, winning 10 of the 11 appearances. … Phoebus defeated Salem 21-14 in the 2023 final on an 86-yard TD pass with one second to play. … The Phantoms are seeking to complete a playoff sweep by shutting out all of its opponents. … Phoebus lineman Markus Hopson is headed to Howard University. … Varina has spent much of its prior playoff time in the Class 5 ranks, finally breaking through in 2021 with a 28-21 win over Broad Run in the Class 4 championship game. … Varina ousted previously unbeaten Huguenot in the regional semifinals and owns a victory over Region 6A finalist Highland Springs.
CLASS 3
KETTLE RUN (14-0) vs. LIBERTY CHRISTIAN (13-0)
At Liberty University, Lynchburg
Saturday, 11:30 a.m.
KETTLE RUN COUGARS
Location: Nokesville
Coach: Charles Porterfield (9th season)
District: Northwestern
All-time playoff record: 18-10
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 1 (2022)
Last four-years record: 47-5
Kettle Run 2024 results
W — Liberty-Bealeton, 39-7
W — John Handley, 34-28
W — James Wood, 54-14
W — Skyline, 62-0
W — Millbrook, 31-14
W — Meridian, 47-7
W — Sherando, 45-20
W — Warren County, 47-0
W — Fauquier, 62-14
W — Brentsville, 47-13
Region 3B playoffs
W — Warren County, 56-3
W — Armstrong, 36-34
W — Thomas Jefferson-Richmond, 35-32
Class 3 semifinal
W — Lafayette, 27-7
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN BULLDOGS
Location: Lynchburg
Coach: Frank Rocco (19th season, two stints)
District: Seminole
All-time VHSL playoff record: 18-5
VHSL championships: 1 (2023)
VHSL runners-up: 1 (2021)
Last four-years record: 51-3
Liberty Christian 2024 results
W — Salem, 35-21
W — Franklin County, 41-14
W — Amherst County, 42-20
W — Heritage-Lynchburg, 34-27
W — Rustburg, 28-7
W — Liberty-Bedford, 55-6
W — E.C. Glass, 45-6
W — Brookville, 61-0
W — Jefferson Forest, 50-6
Region 3C playoffs
W — Broadway, 42-14
W — Heritage-Lynchburg, 35-14
W — Turner Ashby, 56-23
Class 3 semifinal
W — William Byrd, 49-14
Notes: First Class 3 championship game between two undefeated teams in non-COVID year since Brookville defeated James Monroe in 2011. … Kettle Run opened in 2008 with an 0-10 season, and three years later the Cougars made back-to-back Class 3 semifinals, losing on both occasions to James Monroe. … Kettle Run held Lafayette to two second-half possessions in its semifinal win, burning the final 7:26 off the clock with its ball-control offense. … Liberty Christian won seven VISAA championships as an independent school including a 6-0 win over North Cross in Roanoke’s Victory Stadium in 1992 before gaining admission to the VHSL in 2015. … LCA never trailed in a game in 2023, winning its first VHSL football title with a 28-14 win over Lafayette. … Senior running back Gideon Davidson is the consensus No. 1 overall recruit in Virginia and no lower than the No. 3-rated running back nationally. … Davidson has 7,503 career rushing yards with 2,075 and 34 rushing TDs this year. … Davidson and two-way lineman Easton Ware are Clemson signees. … LCA has a 17-game win streak.
See also: He was adopted from Ghana. Now he’s led Liberty Christian to a state title game.
CLASS 2
STRASBURG (13-1) vs. GRAHAM (14-0)
At Salem Stadium, Salem
Saturday, 5 p.m.
STRASBURG RAMS
Location: Strasburg
Coach: Tripp Lamb (1st season)
District: Bull Run
All-time playoff record: 35-30
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 4 (1995, 1992, 1988, 1987)
Last four-years record: 41-8
Strasburg 2024 results
W — Skyline, 38-12
W — Broadway, 22-0
W — Rock Ridge, 61-21
W — Moorefield, W.Va., 42-21
W — King William, 28-17
W — Page County, 50-7
W — Luray, 42-0
L — Clarke County, 7-6
W — Madison County, 28-7
W — Central-Woodstock, 20-19
Region 2B playoffs
W — Fort Defiance, 44-6
W — Riverheads, 35-7
W — Buckingham County, 54-7
Class 2 semifinal
W — Poquoson, 14-13
GRAHAM G-MEN
Location: Bluefield
Coach: Tony Palmer (10th season)
District: Southwest
All-time playoff record: 58-34
State championships: 4 (2022, 2018, 1995, 1989)
State runners-up: 2 (2021, 2001)
Last four-years record: 54-3
Graham 2024 results
W — Bluefield, W.Va., 10-0
W — Galax, 52-0
W — George Wythe, 31-0
W — Union, 7-6
W — Virginia High, 27-14
W — Marion, 58-14
W — Lebanon, 27-14
W — Pulaski County, 35-3
W — Tazewell, 46-0
W — Richlands, 56-10
Region 2D playoffs
W — Lee, 49-14
W — Virginia High, 34-0
W — Union, 21-0
Class 2 semifinal
W — Glenvar, 28-24
Notes: Strasburg has lost to Parry McCluer in the 1987 Division 1 final and fell to Jonesville in the 1988 championship game. … Rams also dropped state finals to Appalachia (1992) and Bath County (1995) in a game that was postponed by snow to a Sunday. … Strasburg’s Lamb, a graduate of Staunton River High School, is the only first-year head coach among the 12 finalists. … Strasburg is led by senior running back Takhi Coates, the Region 2B offensive player of the year. … Strasburg finished behind unbeaten Clarke County in the Bull Run District and knocked off defending region champ Riverheads in the region semifinals. … Graham has produced FBS running backs Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw and Ty’Drez Clements, but the calling card this year is a defense that has six shutouts and is allowing 7.1 points per game. … Graham lost 22-10 to Radford in the 2023 semifinals after Glenvar fell 29-24 to the Bobcats in the Region 2C final. … Graham is the alma mater of Pro Football Hall of Famer “Bullet Bill” Dudley. … According to Wikipedia, Dudley received a $500 scholarship from the University of Virginia in 1938 at age 16, “out of which he paid for room, board, and books.”
See also: Tony Palmer has turned Graham High School into a powerhouse.
CLASS 1
ESSEX (13-1) vs. GRAYSON COUNTY (10-3)
At Salem Stadium, Salem
Saturday, 11:30 a.m.
ESSEX TROJANS
Location: Tappahannock
Coach: Todd Jones (22nd season, two stints)
District: Northern Neck
All-time playoff record: 56-27
State championships: 1 (2009)
State runners-up: 5 (2023, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2003)
Last four-years record: 46-5
Essex 2024 results
W — Sussex Central, 58-6
W — Jamestown, 48-6
W — Franklin, 64-0
W — King & Queen, forfeit
W — Charles City, 70-0
L — Rappahannock, 13-8
W — Northumberland, 40-8
W — Colonial Beach, 65-0
W — Lancaster, 57-8
W — Westmoreland, 20-14
Region 1A playoffs
W — West Point, 64-0
W — Middlesex 72-0
W — Rappahannock 41-0
Class 1 semifinal
W — Altavista, 30-8
GRAYSON COUNTY BLUE DEVILS
Location: Independence
Coach: Stephen James (4th season)
District: Mountain Empire
All-time playoff record: 12-25
State championships: 0
State runners-up: 0
Last four-years record: 35-14
Grayson County 2024 results
L — Alleghany, N.C., 21-20
L — Carroll County, 22-18
W — Rural Retreat, 29-12
W — Floyd County, 42-15
W — Giles, 34-6
W — Fort Chiswell, 40-3
L — Bluefield, W.Va., 21-18
W — George Wythe, 35-28
W — Galax, 47-3
Region 1C playoffs
W — Craig County, 42-0
W — George Wythe, 18-16
W — Bath County, 20-0
Class 1 semifinal
W — Rye Cove, 40-34
Notes: Jones and James are former head coaches at Pulaski County High, Jones for four years from 2010-13 and James from 2014-19. … Essex has outscored its four playoff opponents 207-8 avenging its lone loss this year to Rappahannock with a 41-0 win and defeating Altavista in the semifinals for the second year in a row.. … Jones coached Essex for 15 seasons from 1995-2009 before becoming the head coach for four seasons at Pulaski County, his alma mater. … He returned to Essex in 2017. … Jones has 230 career victories including a state title at Essex in 2009 with a 30-0 win over Radford. … Jones’ replacement at Essex, John Fulks, led Trojans to three successive state finals. … Grayson, which began playing football in 1988 after the consolidation of Independence and Fries high schools, is in its first state championship game. … Brothers Mac Goad, Maverik Goad and Makray Goad combined to score all the Blue Devils’ points in the 40-34 semifinal win over Rye Cove, the second road win in as many weeks. … Maverik Goad threw four TD passes and scored on two runs. … Aaron Peterson ran for three TDs in Grayson’s 20-0 win over previously unbeaten Bath County and has 1,179 yards this season. … James coached Fort Chiswell to a 2013 state semifinal, losing 8-0 to Essex.
