Green Run is riding a 43-game Beach District regular-season winning streak, and the Stallions have won four consecutive district titles.
On the field last season, the Stallions outscored district opponents 376-42, with five shutouts, and got a forfeit against Princess Anne.
They should have another successful run for a district title as they return plenty of talent, including Virginia Tech commits Thomas Wilder, Kamren Johnson and Zaevion Cleveland.
The district welcomes two new coaches in Tallwood’s Glenwood Ferebee and Princess Anne’s Casey Turner.
Sign up now for our 757Teamz Extra newsletter
1. Green Run Stallions
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Brandon Williams, 61-29 in eight seasons
Last season: 13-1 overall, 10-0 district
On the field: Williams feels this team has a chance to not only repeat, but go far in the postseason. Offensively, the Stallions replace Ksaan Farrar at quarterback with Kellam transfer Luke Ashcraft. He’ll have many weapons, including Old Dominion commit Charles Jackson III, Tristan Williams, Kempsville transfer Xavier Clark, Landstown transfer Zaevion Cleveland, Tayjon Palmer and Rashaun Savage. Defensively, they will be fast and physical, led by Virginia Tech commit Kamren Johnson, De’Zhawn Smith, Darion Spence, Shawn Church, Corvin Watson, Kason Dockins, Tayron Whitehead and Cleveland.
2. Salem SunDevils
Kempsville wide receiver James Releford V (8) prepares to receive the ball and score a touchdown during a game against Salem at Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Mark Hall III, 25-12 in three seasons
Last season: 10-3 overall, 8-2 district
On the field: This should be another exciting season for the SunDevils, who return several key players. Linebacker Markus McCoy led Hampton Roads in sacks during the regular season and had nearly 100 tackles. Junior wide receiver Kasir Patterson was second in Hampton Roads in receiving during the regular season with 40 receptions and 905 yards, with 10 touchdowns. Other key players are QB Landen Curles, WR/DB Jack Strother, WR/DB Kaeden Drenning and WR/DB Asaiah Brown.
3. Kempsville Chiefs
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Daryl Cherry, 35-25 in six seasons
Last season: 7-4 overall, 7-3 district
On the field: Cherry said this year’s team enters the season with a “relentless work ethic and a hunger to improve.” He has been pleased with the Chiefs’ development during camp. Leading the way are all-region players in LB Elijah McDaniel, LB Jason Galloway, DB Jalen Batty and DE Lahai Massaquoi. Cherry predicts Massaquoi will be one of the best defensive players in the area. Also back are QB and Hampton commit Joshua Hawley and RB Robert Hughes, who last season rushed for nearly 800 yards with 10 touchdowns.
4. Cox Falcons
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Tyler Noe, 17-5 in two seasons
Last season: 9-2 overall, 9-1 district
On the field: The Falcons have the ability to be more balanced on offense this season, according to Noe: “We have some depth that we have lacked in the past years and players that, if they have the ball in their hands, can make unbelievable plays.” One of those players is QB MJ Lemke, a versatile athlete who has committed to play baseball for Richmond. Running back AJ Hudson, who was born with one hand, rushed for more than 1,000 yards on the junior-varsity team last season. Others to watch include RB Tyre Jefferies and wide receivers Rex Miller, Jacob Palmerton, Kai Reighard and sophomore Grady Swango, who already has eight Division I offers. The Falcons also will be looking to linemen Jordan Vann, Patrick Robertson and Izaque Tomaz.
5. Bayside Marlins
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Jon White, 72-57 in 11 seasons
Last season: 6-5 overall, 6-4 district
On the field: The Marlins look to improve on last season’s 6-5 record, which included losing to Salem in a region quarterfinal. White said the Marlins “have experience and maturity in the spots that matter most. This group has grown together and they understand the benefit of patient development.” Quarterback Kam Kirby returns to Bayside after transferring to Indian River last season. The Marlins also have WR/DB Breon Hardnett, RB/DB Kyron Brown, WR/DB Seven Washington, RB/LB Hector Ortiz and linemen Will Johnson and Aiden Hampton.
6. Tallwood Lions
Tallwood head coach Glenwood Ferebee guides players through the playbook on the first day of football practice at Tallwood High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 31, 2025. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Glenwood Ferebee, first season
Last season: 2-8 overall and district
On the field: The Lions have had only two winning seasons since 2017, but Ferebee arrives after resurrecting several programs, including Lakeland High. When he took over in 2008, the Cavaliers had not had a winning season since 2001, but they had three under Ferebee. He helped Lakeland become the first Suffolk school to win a postseason game in Group AAA. At Indian River, he guided the Braves to a 47-16 record over five seasons, including a Southeastern District title in 2018. “We have a lot of returning players who saw significant action last year in a season with many close games,” Ferebee said. “These returners are hungry this season to flip the results of those close games.” Some of those key players include a group of seniors: OL/DL Joseph McFarland, WR/DB Jayden Burse, WR/DB Tyquan Baker and RB/LB Chase Johnson.
7. Landstown Eagles
Landstown head coach Robert Jackson is seen during a game against Bayside at Bayside High School in Virginia Beach on Thursday, September 14, 2023. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
Classification: Class 6 Region A
Coach: Robert Jackson, 151-69 in 20 total seasons (also coached at Bayside, Salem and Norcom)
Last season: 4-6 overall and district
On the field: Jackson posted on social media before the first day of practice that it would be the “last first day of my coaching career after 41 years of coaching high school football.” And what a career it has been. He guided Bayside to back-to-back Beach District titles in 1999 and 2000 and led Salem back-to-back region titles in 2013 and 2014. This season’s team will be led by all-region LB Zakier Simmons, QB Anthony Tucker, WR Aiden Ross, WR/LB Drayce Drakeford, DB Tahjir Simmons, OT Devin Barker, C Chase Nilo and lineman Desmon Foreman. “This team will be competitive,” Jackson said. “We started eight freshmen last year. Hopefully the game has slowed down.”
8. Ocean Lakes Dolphins
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: James Yeager, 16-24 in four seasons
Last season: 5-5 overall and district
On the field: The Dolphins will be very young this season with just eight seniors. But Yeager has great experience at the skill positions with players who have been starting for the past two seasons. Taylor Vogel, a four-year starter who plays linebacker and running back, will be key to the Dolphins’ success this season. Last year, he finished with 88 tackles — 24 for loss — 18 sacks and five fumble recoveries. Junior lineman Cole Defendi (6-3, 280) will be the anchor as a three-year starter. They’ll also lean on K/P Austin Cox, who was third-team All-Tidewater. Two new players to watch will be freshmen QB Kye English and DB/WR Marcus Moore.
9. Kellam Knights
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Brian Neas, 14-27 in four seasons
Last season: 3-7 overall and district
On the field: “This will be a young, exciting team with the ability to play fast and aggressive,” Neas said. The Knights will be led by QB Mason Roach, RB Dawson Fisher, WR Brody McLennon and WR Aaron Smith (39 receptions, 760 yards, six TDs). Defensively, Sully Dziekan led the team in tackles last season. They also have linemen Carstyn Gibson (6-2, 280), Elijah Gates (6-4, 205), Max Galbraith (6-4, 265) and Brady Morill (6-2, 190). “We will take advantage of the versatility on defense and attack the offense with multiple fronts, stunts and coverages,” Neas said. Another weapon will be K/P Brandon Prater.
10. First Colonial Patriots
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Lemort “Smitty” Smith, 3-17 in two seasons
Last season: 1-9 overall and district
On the field: This is Smith’s sixth season with the program and third as head coach. He said the one word that describes this year’s team is “together.” The Patriots will depend on seniors, including WR Shayne Schneider, DB Cormac Hildum, RB/LB Mich Hathaway, WR RJ Smith and K Luck Jones. They also have juniors who will contribute: OL/DL Markel Outlaw, WR/DB Gabe Backham, RB Donta Wilds and LB Aljayden Edwards. QB Parker Duncan and WR/DB Dallas Tyler, both sophomores, also are expected to make an impact.
11. Princess Anne Cavaliers
Princess Anne head coach Casey Turner watches as his players run drills on the first day of football practice at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 31, 2025. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Casey Turner, first season
Last season: 0-10 overall and district
On the field: Turner knows he has an uphill battle ahead of him, but he’s ready for the challenge. He inherits a program that has lost 27 games in a row since 2021. At the end of last season, the Cavaliers had just 23 players. But he begins this season with more than 60. “We have focused on recruiting the school and keeping eighth-graders from transferring, which has paid substantial dividends,” he said. “We have created a blend of assistant coaches who have had success in building programs into championship contenders.” Key players include senior RB/LB RJ Allen (120 tackles), QB Gabe Cragg (586 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs), WR/DB Zaon Hill, WR/DB Da’Cory Graves and OL Jacob Franks. Cragg transferred from King’s Fork to Princess Anne because of Turner. “He can make connections with anybody. And he makes everybody feel wanted,” Cragg said of Turner. “What’s going to make him great is the amount of effort everyone wants to put in for him. Everybody wants to win for him.”
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
