Oscar Smith is the defending Class 6 state champion and Southeastern District champion, and the Tigers have dominated the league over the past two decades.
Oscar Smith, winner of four of the last five district titles and 18 of the past 20, will be favored again as they return plenty of talent from a team that celebrated a 15-0 season on JMU’s field.
The most likely contenders this year are King’s Fork, which won it 2023, and Nansemond River, which has never won it.
The district welcomes three new coaches in Grassfield’s Mike Biehl, Great Bridge’s Joey Wood and Lakeland’s Reynaldo Pena.
1. Oscar Smith Tigers
Classification: Class 6 Region A
Coach: Chris Scott, 67-9 in six seasons with Oscar Smith, 153-19 in 17 seasons overall
Last season: 15-0 overall, 8-0 district
On the field: Scott guided the Tigers to a thrilling win over James Madison to win the Class 6 state title last season. It was his third state title with Oscar Smith (2020, 2021, 2024) and fourth overall, as he also won a state title with Ocean Lakes in 2014. This season the Tigers have plenty of talent, led by WR Travis Johnson (Michigan commit), DB Jayden Covil (Virginia commit), QB Lonnie Andrews III (2,740 yards, 29 TDs with 7 INTs), LB Malachi White (121 tackles, 39 for loss), LB Na’Rod Jarvis (Buffalo commit) and OL Dory Wilson. Other key players are WR/DB Donte Dent, WR Charles McGlown, OL Drean Wallace (6-2, 280), Keymonta Bynum, ATH Treshaun Bradley and RB Tyjae Curtis. “This team is focused, motivated and ready to go out with yet another bang,” Scott said. “Anything less than another state championship will be considered a bust. We are not trying to repeat, but we are rather just trying to win another championship.”
2. King’s Fork Bulldogs
King’s Fork running back Zy’Dar’eyus Wynn runs for a touchdown as the sideline celebrates during the first half of a game against Indian River at King’s Fork High School on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Suffolk, Va. (Mike Caudill for The Virginian-Pilot)
Classification: Class 5 Region B
Coach: Anthony Joffrion, 43-8 in four seasons
Last season: 11-2 overall, 8-1 district
On the field: The Bulldogs lost to Maury in the Class 5 Region B championship game, but have had four consecutive seasons of 10 or more wins under Joffrion. King’s Fork, which won its first district title in 2023, looks to contend for the title this season. They are led by LB Joshua Pittman (Virginia Tech commit), ATH Deandre Artis-Boone (N.C. Central commit), WR Zy’Dar’Eyus Wynn (N.C. Central commit), DE Dere’on Knight, DB Karl Arline Jr., LB Ernest Jones Jr. and LB Joey Applewhite. Other key players are DB Reginald Davis, DT Tyler Williams (6-4, 315) and T Alvin Holland (6-4, 265). Anthony Henderson Jr., a Bruton transfer, finished third last season in area receiving during the regular season with 42 receptions for 903 yards and 10 touchdowns, and freshman ATH Kevin Knight already has offers from Virginia Tech, Syracuse, James Madison, Marshall, Old Dominion and Hampton. “In my time at King’s Fork High, this has been the most talented team I have coached,” Joffrion said. “We have depth at every position on the field, which has been an issue in past years.”
3. Nansemond River Warriors
Nansemond River quarterback Tyrell Grant (1) delivers a pass downfield. Oscar Smith defeated Nansemond River 35-0 at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Sept. 19, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
Classification: Class 5 Region B
Coach: Alonzo Ricks Jr., 13-10 in two seasons
Last season: 9-3 overall, 7-2 district
On the field: The Warriors are led by quarterback and Syracuse commit Tyrell Grant Jr., who threw for 1,310 yards and 13 touchdowns with just four interceptions during the regular season last year. Ricks calls him “one of the best signal-callers in the entire state.” He’ll get plenty of help from several weapons, including Taivon Douglas, who had 30 receptions for 440 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season. Two other key offensive players are WR Calvin Holloway and sophomore Quincy Gilmer — “an explosive, dynamic playmaker when he gets the ball in his hands,” Ricks said. Defensively, they have Western Branch transfer Jaemarree Parker (5 interceptions, 2 for TDs) — “one of the best defensive backs in the area flat-out,” according to Ricks. Other key players are LB J’Kari Colden, LB Nigel Grier, LB Travis Freeman and OL Joey McGowan (6-4, 270).
4. Indian River Braves
Indian River wide receiver Jason Preston leaps over King’s Fork defender Reginald Davis during the first half of a game at King’s Fork High School on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Suffolk, Va. (Mike Caudill for The Virginian-Pilot)
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Brandon Carr, 26-12 in three seasons
Last season: 8-4 overall, 7-3 district
On the field: Excitement is high for the Braves as they welcome freshman QB Malik Heru (6-0, 190), who is rated one of the top players in the state for the Class of 2029. Other key players are All-Tidewater lineman Corey Sanderlin (6-2, 300), DE Kayce Jordan (12 sacks), WR Jason Preston, LB Cameron Brooks, lineman Raymond Pusey, LB Malik Avery (81 tackles) and Granby transfer Travis Wiggins, who plays running back and linebacker.
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5. Deep Creek Hornets
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Andre Twine, 55-36 in eight seasons
Last season: 6-6 overall, 4-5 district
On the field: The Hornets are going to be tough up front on both sides of the ball, led by linemen Trevon Litton, Ricardo Foreman, Ethan Patrick, Sadek Mitchell, Christopher Garrett, Shawn Scott and Delshawn Matthews. Other key players are ATH Michael Jones, RB/DB Najee James, RB/DB Devyn Dulaney, RB/LB Troyvell Philpott and QB Deijon Everette. The “team has great experience on the offensive and defensive front,” Twine said. “Skill positions are young, but very talented.”
6. Western Branch Bruins
Western Branch receiver CJ Frasier is tackled after a short gain by Grassfield defender Javon Turner during the second half of a game Friday in Chesapeake. MIKE CAUDILL/FREELANCE
Classification: Class 6 Region A
Coach: Rashad Cook, 32-24 in five seasons
Last season: 4-7 overall, 3-5 district
On the field: The Bruins are led defensively by seniors Adin Waters (74 tackles) and Navy commit Christopher “CJ” Frasier Jr. (73 tackles). Other key players to watch are QB/CB Timothy Pierce, WR/DB Sage Green-Sessoms, WR/DB Trey Miller, QB David Ortell, OL Jaylen Davis and transfers Craigory McNeil (Great Bridge) and Amari Harmon (Tallwood). Lineman Q’Mari Hudson, 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, is rated a four-star recruit and the No. 6 athlete in the state for the Class of 2027. “We have an exciting blend of talent on our team,” Cook said. “While we may be younger in some key areas, we are fortunate to have seasoned veterans guiding our growth and development. The leadership from (our seniors) is crucial to our success.”
8. Grassfield Grizzlies
Grassfield head coach Mike Biehl directs players through a drill on the first day of football practice at Grassfield High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, on July 31, 2025. Biehl is starting his first year as head coach at Grassfield. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
Classification: Class 6 Region A
Coach: Mike Biehl, first season
Last season: 2-9 overall, 2-6 district
On the field: Biehl takes over a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2016. He had been coaching at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy since 2016, and served as an assistant coach at Tallwood and Kellam. He’s excited about the staff he’s brought in and the enthusiasm and commitment of the players, as more than 100 showed up for the first day of practice. The players to watch are WR/DB Antonio Johnson, DB Noah Bohling and Zion Jackson, who will play running back, wide receiver and linebacker. Others are QB Colin Sparrow, DB Aviair Burgess, OL Adam Chaudhry, RB/LB Robert Buttery and sophomore Elijah Cherry, who Biehl said will play a significant role on offense in the running and passing game. “We have a young, but talented team that has the ability to compete at a high level on both sides of the ball,” Biehl said. “It is a unique blend of players that have played a lot of snaps at the varsity level, mixed with some names and faces that will be stepping into significant roles for the first time. But the more snaps those players get together, the better and more in sync they have become. More than anything, we are looking to establish the culture necessary for us to put our best foot forward in every aspect of our program.”
8. Hickory Hawks
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Donnell Brown, 15-41 in seven seasons
Last season: 4-6 overall, 3-6 district
On the field: For the first time in three seasons, the Hawks will have a new quarterback as Hunter Gee and Jayden Littlefield compete for the spot. They also have running backs Brady Matthews and Javaun Walker. Carson Schuyler returns at wide receiver. Last season, he had 32 receptions for 575 yards and eight touchdowns. The key on offense will be a big and experienced offensive line anchored by Drew Mansfield (6-1, 270) and Anderson Bloomquist (6-5, 300). Hickory also added Jackson Powers and Wyatt Williamson. Defensively, the Hawks are led by Ikaika Leao (86 tackles — 25 for loss — and 13 sacks) and Grayson Midgette (84 tackles, 11 for loss). Evan White and Jacoby Heath lead the secondary.
9. Great Bridge Wildcats
Great Bridge quarterback William Englert (7) sprints downfield with the ball. Hickory defeated Great Bridge 21-20 at Hickory High School in Chesapeake, Virginia on Sept. 26, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Joey Wood, first season
Last season: 2-8 overall, 1-8 district
On the field: Wood returns to his alma mater, where the Wildcats went 9-3 in 2010 and 10-2 in 2011 when he played. The last time Great Bridge had a winning record was 2014, and Wood hopes to change that. The Wildcats return plenty of talent, including senior quarterback Will Englert (6-1, 195), who last season completed 142 of 269 passes for 2,221 yards and 20 touchdowns. “Will is an all-around leader. With a 4.36 GPA, he does everything on and off the field,” Wood said. “Will has great mechanics, power and accuracy at the QB position. I’m expecting a great senior year for him.” Other key players are two-way linemen Trenton Yakich and Lukas Arola, WR/DB Alonzo Dunkentell, LB Rylan Stewart, LB/RB Courtney Jackson, TE/DE Chase Blachford and speedy wide receiver Qwanterius Tillman, who won the 100 meters (10.71 seconds) and finished runner-up in the 200 at the Class 5 state outdoor track and field championships.
10. Lakeland Cavaliers
Classification: Class 3 Region A
Coach: Reynaldo Pena, first season
Last season: 2-8 overall, 0-6 district
On the field: The Cavaliers haven’t had a winning season since 2016. They did snap a 19-game losing streak last season with back-to-back wins, which hadn’t happened since 2017. But they haven’t won a district game since 2021. Pena will lean on senior TE/DE Nick Thompson, senior DB/WR Lorenzo Lee, senior LB/TD Tucker March, junior RB/LB Deshaun Wright and sophomore OL/DL Michael Mercer. “I am super-excited for our season,” Pena said. “We are a young team with some great leaders on our team. We are focused on working hard to compete in our district and in Class 3A as well.”
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
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