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Virginia strength coach Adam Smotherman discusses the Cavaliers’ weight room inside their new Football Operations Center, which opened earlier this month.
Given the current heat wave, football may be the furthest thing from many sports fans’ minds at the moment.
But the Virginia High School League released its master 2024 football schedule on Thursday. It came without the pomp that accompanies the NFL’s schedule rollout, but it starts people thinking about and debating the season ahead.
If you don’t have a particular school to follow, here are games to circle on your calendar for each week of the upcoming season:
Thursday, Aug. 29: King George at Brooke Point
The Foxes haven’t lost a regular-season game since 2019. But neither have they suited up without star receivers Mekhai White and Chanz Wiggins, both now with Power 5 Conference schools. Coach Dwight Hazelwood’s Black-Hawks figure to provide an early challenge to King George’s 39-game regular-season win streak in this nondistrict opener.
Friday, Sept. 6: Louisa at Courtland
The Lions have won the last eight meetings in this annual nondistrict series, but they had to hold on for a 30-27 win at home last year. Coming off their first playoff appearance since 2018, the Cougars will look to stop Louisa standout Jayden Seaberry (1,408 rushing yards in 2023).
Friday, Sept. 13: Riverbend at King George
The Foxes’ early tests continue, this time against the Bears and their new head coach, Ed Webb. He inherits the speedy Camden Simmons, an All-Area pick as a freshman last season. He’ll test a King George defense that features Division I prospects Charles Johnson and Alex Rolocut.
Friday, Sept. 20: Patriot at Colonial Forge
These two Region 6B playoff teams met last fall in Nokesville, with the Eagles pulling out a hard-earned 20-13 victory. Junior quarterback Brock Brimhall struggled with injuries last season, but if healthy, he has a wealth of athletic receivers in Colonial Forge’s spread offense.
Friday, Sept. 27: Mountain View at Massaponax
Shane Ludden has succeeded his father Eric, the only head coach the Panthers had ever known. He gets a tough first Commonwealth District test against the Wildcats, who went unbeaten in district play last season and return Torie Martin, a 1,000-yard rusher as a sophomore last fall.
Friday, Oct. 4: King George at Courtland
The Cougars gave the Foxes their toughest Battlefield District test last year, holding the ball for almost the entire first quarter before losing a contentious 21-14 decision. They’ll look for running backs Christian Olivella and Marcus LaRue to repeat that game plan at home.
Friday, Oct. 11: Colonial Forge at Mountain View
The Wildcats scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams in last season’s 31-13 victory over the Eagles that propelled them to the outright Commonwealth District title. Expect another fierce battle from their neighboring schools.
Friday, Oct. 18: Spotsylvania at Eastern View
The Knights’ junior varsity squad went 8-2 last fall, and many of those alumni are ready to join new head coach Conway Reid on the varsity. They’ll be tested by a talented Cyclone team featuring Virginia Tech-bound senior linebacker Brett Clatterbaugh and sophomore receiver William Butler.
Friday, Oct. 25: Eastern View at King George
These teams have combined to win at least a share of the past seven Battlefield District titles, and this one may decide who finishes on top this year. Cyclones quarterback Aaron Hull threw two TD passes in last year’s 28-16 loss to the Foxes and will try to reverse that outcome this year.
Saturday, Nov. 2: Blue Ridge at Fredericksburg Christian
A 49-24 loss to Blue Ridge in last season’s finale denied the Eagles a VISAA playoff berth. They’re reloading their spread offense after the graduation of prolific quarterback Drake Morris but still have 1,000-yard rusher Christian Ray and TE/DE Camden Scott returning.
Friday, Nov. 8: Riverbend at Massaponax
Last year’s 34-14 victory over the Panthers earned the Bears a first-round home game in the Region 5D playoffs. The stakes could be similar when the squads meet again in the regular-season finale.
Steve DeShazo: 540/374-5443
sdeshazo@freelancestar.com
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Virginia strength coach Adam Smotherman discusses the Cavaliers’ weight room inside their new Football Operations Center, which opened earlier…
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