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You blinked, didn\u2019t you?
The highschool soccer common season is, certainly, full. Strap in for a five-week dash that\u2019s been 14 weeks within the making. From January lifts earlier than faculty to seven-on-sevens in Could and scrimmages in mid-August, the whole lot culminates into the final word motivator: win or go residence.
This week is a deep dive into the area quarterfinal matchups, and a preview of the title recreation in Virginia Unbiased Colleges Athletic Affiliation (VISAA) Division I.
Hezekiah Anderson, Richmond Excessive College For The Arts:<\/strong> In his closing recreation as a Bulldog, Anderson led a tenacious protection with twelve tackles, 4 of them for loss, choosing up their first win 14-12 over Clover Hill, ending an 18-game shedding skid.
Stephen Ankiel, Matoaca: <\/strong>Put this younger man in your 2026 season radar. 335 yards and 4 passing touchdowns helped the Warriors stun rival Meadowbrook, knocking them out of the Class 5, Area C playoffs. Matoaca gained three of their final 4 video games after an 0-6 begin.
Ben Whitver, Powhatan: <\/strong>The brand new king of receiving yards in Virginia Excessive College League (VHSL), Whitver racked up a 257-yard efficiency in his highschool finale Friday, breaking the three,500 yard profession mark, 1,004 of them in 2025. Subsequent cease: James Madison.
Anthony Hansom, Armstrong: <\/strong>We watched this younger man overcome a gradual begin, passing for 2 touchdowns and dashing for 2 extra with 209 yards of complete offense because the Wildcats blanked Mechanicsville 37-0.
Armstrong QB Anthony Hansom utilizing the bootleg for one in all his 4 touchdowns to assist the Wildcats earn their first-ever unbeaten common season through a 37-0 win at Mechanicsville Thursday.<\/span>
Patrick Liptrap, Hanover:<\/strong> Although he actually shouldn\u2019t be \u201cunsung\u201d by now, this senior should seem on anybody\u2019s first-team all-defense within the Metro Richmond area this 12 months. An absolute ball hawk, the senior compelled a fumble together with seven tackles, two for loss and a sack towards Highland Springs.
The Hanover Playbook: <\/strong>Regardless of realizing they have been within the playoffs, head coach Sam Rogers and his workers pulled out all of the stops, together with a profitable faux punt inside their very own 15, a landing cross on a fourth and eighteen, and a halfback choice rating in an effort that fell simply quick 30-27 to Highland Springs.
Hanover’s faux punt<\/span>
The Douglas Freeman Playbook: <\/strong>Their season on the road, and down 15-0, the Mavericks rating on a 90-yard bomb, a flea flicker, power extra time, then punch their ticket into the Class 5, Area C playoff discipline when lineman Hank Seaside scores in extra time to stun Glen Allen 21-18.
VISAA Division I Championship: #2 Benedictine (10-1) at #1 Trinity Episcopal (9-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.<\/strong>
For the fourth time in 5 years, the Cadets and Titans will determine the state champion within the highest division of Virginia personal faculty soccer. The Titans gained all of it in 2021 and 2022, whereas the Cadets are two-time defending state champs, exacting some revenge in 2023 by defeating Trinity Episcopal, then besting St. Michael the Archangel final 12 months.
The Titans handed the Cadets their solely loss two weeks in the past within the common season finale, which additionally occurred two years in the past, solely to see Benedictine win the championship recreation. Can they do it once more on Trinity\u2019s residence discipline?
All of them! So, let\u2019s undergo the regional quarterfinal schedule by class and area and have a look at the matchups. All video games are scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m.
Class 6, Area A:<\/strong>
#5 Western Department at #4 L.C. Hen:<\/strong> The Skyhawks expertise their first postseason in Class 6 and, because of final week\u2019s win over James River, they make the Bruins hit the bus from Chesapeake to Chester. Ball management, no turnovers and limiting penalties are key to getting L.C. Hen to Oscar Smith subsequent week.
#6 Landstown at #3 Manchester: <\/strong>There\u2019s no disgrace in shedding to Huguenot. And, if the Lancers couldn\u2019t seize that second bye (which went to Thomas Dale), a minimum of Manchester stayed out of the Oscar Smith aspect of the bracket. A high quality efficiency, which begins with no hangover from final week, will ship the Lancers to Chester subsequent Friday.
By the way in which, 18-7, 40-21, 38-35. These are the ultimate scores of the final three Thomas Dale postseason losses, all of them to Manchester, all within the final three years.
Class 5, Area C:<\/strong>
#8 Franklin County at #1 Patrick Henry-Roanoke:<\/strong> The highest-seeded Patriots, the one unbeaten on this area, defeated the Eagles 36-14 on September 12. It might be a shock in the event that they don\u2019t repeat that efficiency.
#5 Hermitage at #4 Midlothian: <\/strong>Arguably one of the intriguing quarterfinals within the Commonwealth. Two groups that just about by no means see one another. A Midlothian protection that started robust, then obtained stung by Huguenot and Manchester in Dominion District play, should discover a solution to defend Andre Clarke within the Panther passing recreation and decelerate Avery Curtis, the star Hermitage working again.
A method to do this? Hold your individual offense on the sphere. Time-consuming drives and no turnovers, particularly in your individual territory. They’re important for a Midlothian squad enjoying at residence whereas many take into account them the underdog right here.
#6 Douglas Freeman at #3 William Fleming: <\/strong>With the way in which the Mavericks have performed the second half of the season, nobody ought to depend them out of this one. Nevertheless, they will\u2019t get down massive early. The Colonels have gained 5 straight, giving up simply 28 factors throughout that stretch. If Douglas Freeman could make this recreation a grinder, with minimal possessions and a closing rating very similar to final week\u2019s at Glen Allen, they will pull the upset.
#7 Glen Allen at #2 Highland Springs: <\/strong>The Springers enter the postseason in an uncommon place. They regressed a bit final week, needing a 99-yard kickoff return for a landing within the closing two minutes to outlive Hanover 30-27. 4 fumbles given away, an interception, and play that was to not Highland Springs requirements.
It is going to be beautiful in the event that they don\u2019t elevate their recreation, massive time, as they welcome the Jaguars, a crew that put a scare in them a 12 months in the past earlier than falling 23-20 within the Class 6, Area A semis. Each groups got here all the way down to Class 5, and, voila, the rematch.
Class 4, Area B:<\/strong>
#8 Hanover at #1 Dinwiddie: <\/strong>This matchup has a wealthy playoff historical past, with the previous Group AAA, Division 5 Central Area title street going via these groups within the late 2000\u2019s and early 2010\u2019s. The final outing, in 2022, Dinwiddie bested the Hawks 49-12 en path to their second state championship.
Joel Nicholson threw three landing passes within the Highland Springs recreation every week in the past, and now should go toe-to-toe with the Generals\u2019 basic, Zion Boisseau. It\u2019s by no means straightforward to win at Dinwiddie, however Coach Rogers is aware of the historical past, and is aware of how Billy Mills works. However Mills is aware of Rogers, too. This might transform an interesting chess match.
#5 Courtland at #4 Varina:<\/strong> The Blue Devils are enjoying at a championship stage proper now. They\u2019re arguably two or three performs away from being 10-0. The Cougars have had a terrific season, solely shedding to Louisa within the common season again in early September. Courtland will want Varina to commit unforced errors and take full benefit of them if they’ve a hope on the upset.
#6 Spotsylvania at #3 Huguenot: <\/strong>Factors allowed by the Falcons to St. Christopher\u2019s of their season opener: 20.
Factors allowed by the Falcons of their final 9 video games: 21.
Whereas Charles Scott, Iveon Lewis and the Huguenot offense is buzzing on all cylinders, for the Falcons to chase the Class 4 crown, and attempt to get out of Virginia\u2019s hardest area, it’s going to relaxation on their protection. And it\u2019s laborious to argue that anybody is enjoying higher protection proper now. The Knights should discover a solution to create quick fields, and reap the benefits of any Falcon turnovers.
#7 Caroline at #2 Louisa: <\/strong>The Cavaliers have a number of expertise, and many velocity. Caroline is an attention-grabbing matchup towards the 10-0 Lions and might be able to go toe-to-toe with them for some time.
However Louisa averages 10.5 yards per dashing try, because of not solely the nation\u2019s high working again recruit, Savion Hiter, but additionally Lavatrell Creasy, who quietly has scored ten touchdowns, dashing for 616 yards in 67 makes an attempt. Caroline might not need this one to show right into a observe meet, however it might be their finest probability to stun the area, and the Lions.
Class 3, Area A:<\/strong>
#8 Colonial Heights at #1 Lake Taylor: <\/strong>That is exhibit A for individuals who don’t like the present VHSL playoff format, as mentioned final week. The Titans will probably overwhelm the Colonials, who enter this recreation at 1-9. It\u2019s a down season for a often stronger area. Colonial Heights can nonetheless, although, reap the benefits of an additional week of apply, and start constructing for 2026.
#5 Tabb at #4 I.C. Norcom: <\/strong>A 757 battle that might go both means, with the winner probably heading to Lake Taylor.
#6 Hopewell at #3 New Kent: <\/strong>It\u2019s been one other disappointing season by Hopewell requirements. Nevertheless, they gained\u2019t need to face Highland Springs, Thomas Dale or Dinwiddie within the area playoffs.
What they must do is cease a gritty, gutsy Trojan squad that started the 12 months 1-2 earlier than ripping off six wins of their final seven. Solely a 13-12 heartbreaker to Warhill stored them from being 8-2. First-year head coach Scott Girolmo has molded this group of younger males shortly, and there gained\u2019t be any motivation vital for a crew enjoying at residence after their first seven-win common season since 2003.
#7 York at #2 Petersburg: <\/strong>Perhaps the largest really feel good story this season comes from the south. Whereas Meadowbrook took all of the early headlines on this class, the Crimson Wave\u2019s 36-0 pasting of the Monarchs down the stretch was crucial in Petersburg incomes the quantity two seed.
Nevertheless, the Wave will want extra consistency from their offense to make a deep playoff run, breaking the 30-point mark solely as soon as (Meadowbrook) over their final eight video games, averaging slightly below 20 per contest throughout that point.
Class 3, Area B:<\/strong>
#7 Goochland at #2 Culpeper: <\/strong>The lone space crew on this eight-team area discipline, the Bulldogs are in rebuild mode, however picked up a giant win of their finale 34-14 over Charlottesville. Culpeper has gained two of their final three, each over playoff groups in James Monroe and Caroline.
Class 2, Area A:<\/strong>
#8 Nottoway at #1 Armstrong: <\/strong>The Wildcats are contemporary off their first-ever 10-0 common season. Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt obtained again to Cool Lane final Thursday night time, went to the white board, and wrote \u201c0-0\u201d throughout it, for certain. Armstrong wants a faster begin on offense than they’d at Mechanicsville, and ought to be prepared for a Cougar squad that can present physicality from each strains. Nottoway is aware of that they will\u2019t permit Hansom and firm to crank issues up. That\u2019s why the Wildcats have to crank it up early.
#5 King William vs. #4 Thomas Jefferson: <\/strong>This contest can be held at Hovey Discipline at Virginia Union. The Vikings\u2019 primary precedence is to discover a solution to decelerate the Cavalier working again sensation Ok\u2019Sean Hill. Hill completed the common season with 133 carries for 1,437 yards and 21 touchdowns, together with a 417-yard efficiency towards Mecklenburg.
The Cavaliers have put up 48 factors or extra of their final 5 video games, all victories. The Vikings, nevertheless, does have a protection that, when enjoying nicely, can stymie opponents. Regardless of their loss at Hermitage final week, individuals have been shocked on the 9-7 closing rating.
The Vikings can’t (neither can Armstrong) overlook this week\u2019s opponent, pining for a rematch between rivals. Retaining Hill in verify will go a great distance towards doing so.
NOTE: The opposite half of the Area 2A bracket sees #7 Greensville at #2 Poquoson, whereas #6 Southampton journey to #3 Central-Lunenburg.
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\u201cI imagine we now have the perfect protection within the state,\u201d Huguenot head coach Charles Scott to the media following their 27-7 win over Manchester.
\u201c10-0 is an efficient feeling, nevertheless it means nothing. It\u2019s simply apply for the subsequent 5,\u201d Armstrong head coach Jeremy Pruitt on the sphere after a 37-0 win at Mechanicsville.
\u201cThe largest factor I noticed tonight was communication on the defensive aspect, and grit on the offensive aspect. We went into an influence set and we punched it, we pounded it,\u201d Pruitt when requested what he noticed out of his Armstrong crew within the victory.
For a lot of groups, their hopes of a championship run got here to an finish final Friday night time. Instagram was crammed over the previous week with pictures of senior soccer gamers waxing poetic over how shortly their profession had come, and immediately gone.
I used to be a theatre child in highschool. My sports activities profession was as a public handle announcer. I\u2019ll always remember as we approached the efficiency week of my first main manufacturing, our director warned us of a post-production melancholy that may happen.
After weeks of 4, typically 5 nights of rehearsal, adopted by the euphoric excessive of precise performances, the week after the curtain closed felt just like the world had led to my then 15-year outdated mind.
Please remember the fact that for nearly each participant who heard their closing whistle final week, that they gained\u2019t don that uniform that meant a lot to them ever once more, and sure gained\u2019t play soccer at an organized stage once more, both.
For these particularly who’ve been enjoying since youth league, it\u2019s a jarring actuality. Soccer teaches so many classes about life, about succeeding in society, as an individual, a partner, a dad or mum, a group member.
It\u2019s about sacrifice, going to battle, doing issues for others that you simply wouldn\u2019t do even for your self. And, perhaps greater than something, soccer reminds us that what we do, our work ethic, when nobody is watching, is simply as necessary as what we do on third down.
So, to a senior whose gridiron days simply ended, I recommend a hug, a congratulations for a job nicely performed, and, if they’re fighting navigating life with out it, nicely, simply sit down, and hear.
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