High school football report: Dinwiddie visits Highland Springs for highly anticipated matchup

Two titanic battles that came down to the wire, a Game of The Week settled by a walk-off field goal, and surprising 2-0 starts dotted the Week 2 landscape. Oh, and there was the game that started, got suspended, was allegedly forfeited by the team in the lead, then rescheduled, and finally finished Monday night. All of that in a moment. But first….

For the first time, the ladies conquered the gridiron in the fall season as Varina joined the Richmond Public School teams that competed last spring to officially plant the flag on what undoubtedly will be a Virginia High School League (VHSL) sport before this decade is out: girls flag football.

The Blue Devils became the first Henrico County school to field a team, defeating RHSA at home 31-0. Defending spring champion John Marshall began strong with a 24-6 win over Thomas Jefferson, while Huguenot shut out Richmond Community 26-0.

Now, as for the gentlemen….

Varina fell a point short 14-13 at home to Maury, while Hough (NC) escaped Highland Springs with a 17-14 triumph. But it was Marvin Nolasco Hernandez who kicked the field goal heard around the region as time expired to give Manchester a 25-22 thriller over Glen Allen as we learned both the Lancers and Jaguars have what it takes to make deep runs come postseason time. 

With all four private schools again victorious, how does our latest poll shake out?

Super 12 poll

1) BENEDICTINE (2-0, was #3, at Blue Ridge Friday, 3pm): We need to take a moment and give huge props to the area private school teams, who begin 2025 a combined 8-0.

2) DINWIDDIE (2-0, was #4, at #4 Highland Springs Friday, 7pm): Zion Boisseau has ten touchdowns in two games. He'll be hard pressed to get five in Kreiter 2.0 Friday night, as the Springers have no interest in a 1-2 start.

3) VARINA (1-1, was #1, at I.C. Norcom Friday, 7pm): The Blue Devils came sooooo close to the win against Maury. They'll head east to regroup against a Norcom team playing their third consecutive 804 school, losing to both Thomas Jefferson and Petersburg. Expect a big win for the Blue Devils.

4) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (1-1, was #2, vs. #2 Dinwiddie Friday, 7pm): The Springers had their chances against North Carolina powerhouse Hough (by the way, they are in the "8" classification, the largest in the Tar Heel state. And people complain we have too many state champions with just six classes.....).

5) MANCHESTER (2-0, was #5, at James River Friday, 7pm): They'll be the favorites in their next three games (James River, Clover Hill, Cosby), then it's all eyes on a home date with 2-0 Midlothian on October 3rd.

6) THOMAS DALE (2-0, was #6, BYE): The Knights post a Saturday shutout in the Battle of Chester, and now get a week to break things down and get ready for the gauntlet that is the 2025 Central District.

7) LOUISA (2-0, was #9, BYE): Remember a week ago when the Lions dropped two spots through no fault of their own? They definitely earned them back in their Jungle debut Friday, as Savion Hiter ran wild, 328 yards, in his return as the Lions throttled a Courtland team that expected to give Louisa all they could handle.

8) TRINITY EPISCOPAL (2-0, was #7, vs. Woodberry Forest Saturday, 2pm): The Titans roll in week two, taking care of Fork Union 48-0. Woodberry Forest opened their season Saturday with a big win over Flint Hill.

9) ST. CHRISTOPHER'S (2-0, was #10, vs. Bullis Friday, 6:30pm): A 30-19 win over Episcopal shows no hangover from the Saints' opening victory at Huguenot. They are attempting to wrest the top of VISAA Division I away from the two rivals who have dominated the 2020s.

10) GLEN ALLEN (1-1, was #8, at Patrick Henry Friday, 7pm): A heartbreaking, but certainly not a backbreaking, loss at the horn Friday to Manchester is only seeming to galvanize this Jaguar team.

11) HUGUENOT (0-1, was #11, at Clover Hill Thursday, 7pm): The bye week complete, the Falcons can't wait for Thursday. It may be a very long night for a Cavalier team in rebuilding mode.

12) MIDLOTHIAN (2-0, NEW, vs. Powhatan Friday, 7pm): With last week's #12 team, Thomas Jefferson, in a suspended game with rival Armstrong when the poll was released Sunday, we give love to a Trojan team who has staked their claim early as an excellent defensive squad.

Week 2 standouts

Zion Boisseau, Dinwiddie: 266 all-purpose yards, three rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns. Boisseau is 34-of-38 passing after two games heading to the showdown Friday at Highland Springs.

Jackson Myles and Justin Popielarz, Goochland: Myles had 21 carries for 201 yards and three touchdowns while Popielarz added 24 carries for 134 yards and two scores as the Bulldogs defeated Mechanicsville.

The Midlothian Defense: After shutting out L.C. Bird in their opener, they hold traditional power Douglas Freeman to nine rushing yards, and less than 200 yards total, in a 21-3 win. The Trojans have yet to allow an opponent touchdown as they prep to battle Powhatan at Poates Stadium Friday.

The Benedictine Defense: How about 29 carries for -44 yards for Matoaca against the Cadets on Friday? They also held the Warriors to 2 of 14 on third down and sacked Matoaca quarterbacks nine times.

Unsung heroes

Dinwiddie’s newest quarterback sensation doesn’t do it alone. Boisseau sends a shout out to his offensive line, who plow the holes open to run, or protect the pocket giving Zion the time to be so accurate so far this season.

Alex Vaughn, Austin Wells, Myles Bracey, Jordan Harris and Marky Rosso take care of business in the trenches, yet another quality line developing down in “cannon country.”

Anyone outside Goochland heard of Myles or Popielarz? 335 combined rushing yards later, and they are not a secret anymore. The Bulldogs have a bye week, then host 2-0 Armstrong, and they’ll need another field churning performance from their duo.

Game of the week

#2 Dinwiddie (2-0) at #4 Highland Springs (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

There is a clear-cut top showdown as several teams take a bye this week. The Generals come to Kreiter Stadium knowing that in the last 45 years they’ve faced Highland Springs four times, and are 0-4 in those encounters. With teams like Phoebus and Varina still to come, the Springers can ill afford a second straight home defeat, though their strength of schedule certainly gives them some wiggle room in the fight for the top seed in Class 5, Region C.

And, for all the talk about Boisseau, and rightfully so, Antoine Richardson is entering the chat for Highland Springs, and not just at quarterback. His pick six helped position the Springers for victory Friday before they ultimately fell late to Hough.

Games we're watching

Powhatan (2-0) at #12 Midlothian (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

There have been some recent classics in this Route 60 rivalry, and Friday promises more of the same. The Indians will have to crack the Trojan defensive code. Without trips to the end zone, it’s a long night at Poates. Just ask L.C. Bird and Douglas Freeman. The victor will, at 3-0, be positioned well in its respective region — Powhatan in Region 4B, Midlothian in Region 5C.

Douglas Freeman (1-1) at Hanover (1-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

The Mavericks look to shake off their loss last Friday, but will have to do so on the road again at another place where it’s tricky to get a win. Sam Rogers and his Hawks began their season with a beatdown of 0-2 Monacan last Friday, so Hanover is fully aware they’re taking a step up in competition. And, with the Hawks annually opting to play ten straight weeks rather than schedule a bye along the way, they’ll always be looking “up” in the points battle that is the Region 4B standings.

Game under the radar

King William (2-0) at Essex (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

It’s all good for the Trojans, the defending Class 1 state champions, so far. They’ll get a test from a Cavalier squad who had to wait to play their Week 2 game to this past Monday due to a social media threat that led to school lockdowns in King William on Friday.

For King William, it’s a critical two-week stretch. Armstrong defeated Thomas Jefferson to stake a claim to top dog status in Class 2, Region A. But if King William can knock off the champs, then defeat 2-0 Caroline next Friday, the Cavs may rule the roost as September winds down.

Early risers of 2025

One thing that excites us the most in the opening weeks of a season are teams with good starts, looking either to start or continue a rebuild, or to shed that status and cement themselves as contenders. 

Two Central District teams certainly lead the way. Meadowbrook, stuck on three wins the last couple of years, is 2-0 and has yet to allow a point this year, winning 60-0 and 41-0. Petersburg, led by first year head coach Jerome Mathis, has wins of 48-6 and 30-6 under its belt. Key to that is Mathis’ familiarity with the program, as he was promoted from within.

The Crimson Wave go to Southampton Friday, which won its opener over John Marshall last Friday 48-0. Meadowbrook has a bye, then faces another 2-0 early riser in Deep Run, which began 2-0 for the first time since 2021 with a 21-17 win over Atlee.

The Wildcats welcome Lake Taylor this Friday night. The Titans are 1-1 after a tough 40-34 loss to rival Hampton.

Add Midlothian, Powhatan, James River, Armstrong and Caroline to this list, and we have plenty of teams to keep eyes on as the season progresses.

The Hiter hype is back

After missing Louisa’s opening win at Mills Godwin, Michigan commit Savion Hiter, the nation’s top rated running back in the Class of 2026, returned for the Lions’ home opener in “The Jungle” Friday against Courtland, and proved himself again, as if he needed to.

328 yards later, which included a 94-yard touchdown run, Hiter and the Lions were 2-0, blanking a good Courtland team that entered the season with high hopes in Class 4, Region B 36-0.

Fans of Varina, Dinwiddie, Huguenot, Powhatan, Hanover, Caroline and others in Region 4B take note. 

They said it

“The biggest area of improvement I’ve seen from Landen this season is in his poise under pressure and his ability to extend plays with his legs. He has always been a very accurate passer, but now he’s added another dimension to his game by becoming a threat as a runner. In our last game, he made two critical plays with his legs that kept drives alive and ultimately helped us come out with the victory.” – Manchester head coach Jason Harrell discussing the biggest progression of his quarterback Landen Abernethy from 2024 to 2025.

A bot update

We were happy to see fewer social media posts from teams promoting supposed “video links” to their own games that were actually scams.

Teams, coaches and social media managers must keep vigilant and not give these “lookalike” social media account “handles” any life.

The VHSL is found on X as @VHSL_ , on Instagram as vhsl.official, and is at facebook.com/virginiahighschoolleague .

NFHSNetwork.com is where you’ll find actual video links. You’ll need a subscription to watch.

Our final play

It was a good weekend for Central Region alumni on the gridiron.

Dinwiddie grad Harry Dalton’s first touch for Southern California went for 22 yards in a win over Georgia Southern. Atlee’s Tyler Warren caught seven passes for 76 yards in the Colts’ rout over Miami.

And Treveyon Henderson gained 27 yards on the ground and 24 in the air in his Patriots’ debut. Tuesday, he announced his engagement. 

Week 3 schedule

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11:

Huguenot at Clover Hill, 7pm

Colonial Heights at Nottoway, 7pm

West Point at Lancaster, 7pm

Randolph-Henry at Cumberland, 7pm

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12:

Benedictine at Blue Ridge, 3pm

Nansemond Suffolk Academy at Collegiate, 4:30pm

Bullis at St. Christopher's, 6:30pm

Varina at I.C. Norcom, 7pm

Mills Godwin at Atlee, 7pm

Douglas Freeman at Hanover, 7pm

Dinwiddie at Highland Springs, 7pm

J.R. Tucker at Mechanicsville, 7pm

Glen Allen at Patrick Henry, 7pm

Armstrong at Hertford County (NC), 7pm

Thomas Jefferson at Amelia, 7pm

John Marshall at Charlottesville, 7pm

Lake Taylor at Deep Run, 7pm

RSFA at Cosby, 7pm

Manchester at James River, 7pm

Monacan at L.C. Bird, 7pm

Powhatan at Midlothian, 7pm

Petersburg at Southampton, 7pm

King William at Essex, 7pm

Lafayette vs. New Kent, 7pm, NOW at Bruton High School 

Charles City at Northumberland, 7pm

Sussex Central at Mathews, 7pm

Windsor at Middlesex, 7pm

Central-Lunenburg at Brunswick, 7pm

Franklin at Colonial Beach, 7pm

Westmoreland at Rappahannock, 7pm

Fluvanna at Chancellor, 7pm

Orange at Courtland, 7pm

Riverbend at King George, 7pm

Massaponax at James Monroe, 7pm

Eastern View at Woodgrove, 7pm

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13:

Woodberry Forest at Trinity Episcopal, 2pm