Playoffs race
Thanks to our friends at harpcrate.com, here’s the region standings of local interest with just a game to play in the Virginia High School League.Region 6A:
1. Thomas Dale 34.22; 2. Oscar Smith 31.28; 3. Manchester 30.89; 4. L.C. Bird 26.22; 5. Landstown 25.89; 6. Cosby 25.22; 7. Grassfield 24.28
The Knights cannot be overtaken. The second bye will go either to Oscar Smith or Manchester. The Skyhawks need to beat James River to host a game next week as the fourth seed. A Cosby win seals a bid, and they’re in the driver’s seat over Grassfield, who are mathematically, and barely, still alive.
Region 5C:
1. Midlothian 31.56; 2. Highland Springs 31.50; 3. Patrick Henry-Roanoke 28.89; 4. Douglas Freeman 28.44; 5. Hermitage 27.50; 6. Glen Allen 26.44; 7. Meadowbrook 25.78; 8. James River 25.33; 9. William Fleming 25.28
Unfortunately for Trojans fans, this scant lead on Highland Springs likely will evaporate. Both teams play Class 4 schools Friday. Midlothian has 3-6 Monacan, while the Springers host 5-4 Hanover. Plus, the Trojans’ availability of bonus points are limited due to the Dominion District schedule. They can’t get more than 10, while Highland Springs could garner as many as 12. We’ve discussed the stakes for Douglas Freeman and Glen Allen. Meadowbrook was eliminated by Matoaca in the final game last year, and the Lancers need to exact some revenge to ensure an 11th game this season. James River likely must win.
Region 4B:
1. Varina 31.5; 2. Louisa 30.44; 3. Huguenot 29.11; 4. Courtland 26.67; 5. Mechanicsville 24.67; 6. Spotsylvania 24.44; 7. King George 23.67; 8. Hanover 23.33
Most years, this region has anywhere from 10 to 13 teams vying for a postseason bid in the final week. Not in 2026. The field is set. Varina will clinch the top seed by beating Patrick Henry, and Louisa will try to stave off Huguenot for the No. 2 spot. Courtland is locked into the four seed, meaning Mechanicsville or Spotsylvania will travel to play the Cougars in a quarterfinal. Hanover’s loss to Armstrong hurt the Hawks as they head to Highland Springs on Friday. Hanover fell to Varina 55-14 on Oct. 16, and the Hawks may have to face the Super 12 Poll’s top-ranked team again.
Region 3A:
1. Petersburg 27.67; 2. Hopewell 26.56; 3. Booker T. Washington 25.33; 4. Tabb 24.67; 5. New Kent 23.89; 6. I.C. Norcom 20.25; 7. Lake Taylor 20.22; 8. Colonial Heights 20.11; 9. Heritage-Newport News 18.56
The top seed isn’t settled yet, as discussed earlier. A Petersburg win Friday over Prince George will remove all doubt. Hopewell, which faces Thomas Dale, can finish no lower than second. New Kent has won five straight games. Its last loss? To possible quarterfinal opponent Tabb. Colonial Heights clings to the final bid, and, regardless of Friday’s result with King William, should qualify.
In Region 3B,
Goochland (3-6) is in sixth, and, with a win over Charlottesville and a Warren County win over Skyline, could land in fifth. Culpeper and Kettle Run are neck and neck for the region’s top seed.
Region 2A:
1. Central-Lunenburg 27.11; 2. King William 25.44; 3. Poquoson 25.12; 4. Thomas Jefferson 23.89; 5. Armstrong 22.89; 6. Southampton 21.56; 7. Randolph-Henry 20.11; 8. Nottoway 19.9
This region’s road will run through Victoria. Most of this season, fans thought Thomas Jefferson, Armstrong, Poquoson or even King William could top the standings. Central-Lunenburg can finish 10-0 by beating Amelia on Friday. A Poquoson win over Smithfield will give the Islanders the second seed over King William, which finishes against Colonial Heights. Are we destined for an Armstrong/TeeJay rematch next week? It’s trending that way.
Region 1A
Essex and Rappahannock will be one-two in . Northumberland has clinched third.
