HARRISONBURG — Since 2015, Highland Springs has been one of the premier high school football programs in Virginia.
The Springers have won five state titles and, from 2015-18, won four in a row.
That was something Maury’s coaches have watched and marveled at from afar, including when Highland Springs beat them by 43 points en route to a state title in 2018.
But now the Commodores can say they have a dynasty program as they beat Highland Springs 25-7 Saturday at James Madison’s Bridgeforth Stadium for their third consecutive state title.
What made it even sweeter is the Commodores beat Highland Springs for the first time in the playoffs to avenge the 2022 state championship loss and a 71-28 playoff defeat in 2018.
“Man, it feels good. Three in a row, it puts us in the dynasty conversation,” Maury coach Dyrri McCain said as he held his 9-month-old son, Dyrri Jr. “(Highland Springs) has been one of the most consistent programs in the state of Virginia. Again, in order to be the man, you got to beat the man. And those guys have been champions for a long time. They had their run, and they’re still making their run.
“That’s a great program, a great staff, and a great coach (Loren Johnson),” McCain added. “In order for us to take that next step to be a dynasty, we wouldn’t have wanted anybody else in this game if we want to talk about dynasty (than) Highland Springs.”
Back to back to back
Maury 25, Highland Springs 7 pic.twitter.com/07Naa5n4Kw
— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) December 14, 2025
The Commodores (14-1) didn’t waste any time as junior Matthew Williams took the opening kickoff 74 yards for a touchdown.
“I saw my guys blocking for me. I’d seen the lane open,” Williams said. “And it was my guys blocking for me. It meant everything. It was the first play of the game.”
Matt Williams runs back opening kickoff. Maury 7, Highland Springs 0 pic.twitter.com/6XKwZ4eY6w
— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) December 13, 2025
Less than three minutes later, sophomore quarterback Domo Everette called his number and went 42 yards for another touchdown, but the extra point failed.
Before the quarter was over, Williams scored again on a 64-yard touchdown pass from Everette, and the Commodores led 19-0 after the extra-point kick was blocked.
“I can’t take no credit for that,” Williams said. “The line was blocking up front. My quarterback saw me open. I had to make a play.”
Matthew Williams 64 pass from Domo Everette. Maury 19, Highland Springs 0 pic.twitter.com/tNd770BNZB
— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) December 13, 2025
The Commodores took a 19-0 lead into halftime and didn’t show any signs of letting up as they stopped the Springers many times deep inside the red zone.
Leading the way was junior linebacker Elijah King, who replaced star Isaiah “Ike” Simmons, who had a season-ending knee injury in the region final. King answered the call as he finished with a game-high 14 tackles, including seven solo tackles.
“He was Ike’s backup and he did an excellent job of being able to grasp the starting role,” Maury defensive coordinator Mike Privott said. “I’m proud of that kid.”
Senior defensive back Jacoby Marshall also had a huge game as he finished with 11 tackles for the Commodores.
Privott, like McCain, said being able to beat Highland Springs in the postseason was big for the program.
“To know where we came from since 2018 when they beat us down 71-28 is amazing,” he said. “We saw they were a premier program, so we saw what it looked like. So now we had an image of what it was supposed to look like, and we put our heads together and coached our butts off.
“Now to be where they are, and beat them like this, it means a lot to our program because they showed us what it looked like,” he added. “Every year you could see us getting closer and closer and closer to a top-tier program. And to win it the last three years, I feel ecstatic.”
A Maury coach shows off his previous championship rings after defeating Highland Springs 25-7 and securing the VHSL Class 5 championship title during a game at James Madison University in Harrisonburg on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
Highland Springs tried to make the game interesting when the Springers scored in the fourth quarter.
But the Commodores answered, thanks to three big runs by running back Tayshawn Branche of 8, 47 and 17 yards. Javonti Hughes capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run from the Wildcat formation to put the game away.
“We created a dynasty, and now our team is going to be remembered,” said Hughes, who also finished with eight tackles. “It also feels good to do it for my guy (Simmons). It feels great to know that we all went out with a bang.”
Maury became just the second program to win three consecutive state titles in South Hampton Roads as the Commodores equaled Granby, which did it from 1944-46. The only other programs in Hampton Roads to do better are Phoebus (2008-11, 2021-24) and Hampton (1995-98), which both won four in a row.
Branche, a junior, said the Commodores aren’t done yet.
“It feels good to create a dynasty to go back-to-back-to-back. It took a lot of hard work and dedication. It sounds amazing, and feels amazing,” said Branche, who finished with 164 yards. “But I’m coming back next year to get a fourth one. I’m going to leave here with four rings. That’s a promise.”
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
