2023 Champion: Honaker
HONAKER TIGERS
Region 1D
2023 Record: 13-1 overall; 5-0 Hogoheegee
Playoffs: Lost in the Class-1 semifinals to Galax
Head Coach: Shane Wicks - 1st season overall; 1st season at Honaker
Career Record: 0-0; Record at Honaker: 0-0
2024 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Lebanon (Thursday)
September 6 - at Castlewood
September 13 - vs. Rye Cove
September 20 - at Holston*
September 27 - at Grundy
October 4 - at Chilhowie*
October 11 - Open date
October 18 - vs. Narrows
October 25 - vs. Patrick Henry-Glade Spring*
November 1 - at Northwood*
November 8 - vs. Rural Retreat*
*Hogoheegee District game
NOTES: Wicks moves up to head coach from an assistant position. He's a late replacement for former coach Todd Tiller who was fired after being charged with DUI, destruction of property and assault and battery. Wicks is a 2008 graduate of Richlands High School where he played for coach Greg Mance. Honaker's offense is in excellent hands. Starting Quarterback Peyton is a returning all-state quarterback who was second in the state in passing in 2023 with 3,343 yards and 48 Touchdowns. Also returning is second team all-state running back Avery Musick
PATRICK HENRY-GLADE SPRING REBELS
Region 1D
2023 Record: 8-4 overall; 3-2 Hogoheegee District
Playoffs: Lost in the semi-finals of the Region 1D playoffs
Head Coach: Seth Padgett - 5th season overall; 5th season at Patrick Henry.
Career Record: 31-14; Record at Patrick Henry: 31-14
2024 Schedule:
August 30 - vs. Virginia
September 6 - at Lebanon
September 13 - vs. J.I. Burton
September 20 - vs. Grundy
September 27 - at John Battle
October 4 - vs. Rural Retreat*
October 11 - at Holston*
October 18 - Open date
October 25 - at Honaker*
November 1 - at Chilhowie*
November 8 - vs. Northwood*
*Hogoheegee District game
NOTES: For a program that no so long ago was bad to mediocre, the Rebels have two Region 1D final appearances and 1 in the region semi-finals over the past three years. Returnees include first team all-state offensive lineman Tyler Barree and first team place kicker Grant Buchanan.
RURAL RETREAT INDIANS
Region 1D
2023 record: 5-6 overall; 3-2 Hogoheegee District
Playoffs: Lost in the first round of the Region 1D playoffs
Head Coach: Jamey Hughes - 6th season overall; 6th season at Rural Retreat
Career Record: 21-25; Record at Rural Retreat: 21-25
2024 Schedule:
August 30 - at Fort Chiswell
September 6 - vs. Eastern Montgomery
September 13 - at Grayson County
September 20 - Open date
September 27 - vs. George Wythe
October 4 - at Patrick Henry-Glade Spring*
October 11 - vs. Lebanon
October 18 - vs. Chilhowie*
October 24 - at Northwood* (Thursday)
November 1 - vs. Holston*
November 8 - at Honaker*
*Hogoheegee District game
NOTES: It remains amazing that the Indians field a competitive team year in, year out at one of the smallest schools in the state and in a small town tucked off Interstate 81 in Wythe County. Incorporated on July 24, 1911, Rural Retreat considers itself in the heart of Virginia's Dairy Farm area and claims to produce some of the highest quality milk in the United States.
CHILHOWIE WARRIORS
Region 1D
2023 Record: 5-6 overall; 2-3 Hogoheegee District
Playoffs: Lost in the first round of the Region 1D playoffs
Head Coach: Reid Sturgill - 2nd season overall; 2nd season at Chilhowie
Career Record: 5-6 overall; 5-6 at Chilhowie
2024 Schedule:
August 30 - at Marion
September 6 - vs. J.I. Burton
September 13 - vs. Narrows
September 20 - at Eastside
September 27 - vs. Northwood*
October 4 - vs. Honaker*
October 11 - Open date
October 18 - at Rural Retreat*
October 25 - at Rye Cove
November 1 - vs. Patrick Henry-Glade Spring*
November 8 - at Holston*
*Hogoheegee District game
NOTES: Sturgill improved the Warriors from winless to 5 wins and the playoffs in 2023. Chilhowie finished as Class 1 state runner-up in 2017 and 2018.
HOLSTON CAVALIERS
Region 1D
2023 Record: 5-5 overall; 2-3 Hogoheegee District
Playoffs: None
Head Coach: Chris Akers - 3rd season at Holston
Career Record: 33-43 overall; 13-9 at Holston
2024 Schedule:
August 30 - at Eastern Montgomery
September 6 - at Narrows
September 13 - vs. John Battle
September 20 - vs. Honaker*
September 27 - at Hurley
October 4 - Open date
October 11 - vs. Patrick Henry-Glade Spring*
October 17 - at Northwood*
October 24 - vs. Johnson County, TN.
November 1 - at Rural Retreat*
November 8 - vs. Chilhowie*
*Hogoheegee District game
NOTES: Akers is well traveled having been an assistant coach at George Washington High School in Danville and William Fleming in Roanoke as well as head coaching stops at Rural Retreat and Gate City. He played at Graham High School in Bluefield, Va. for legendary hall of fame coach Glynn Carlock.
NORTHWOOD WILDCATS
Region 1D
2023 Record: 1-9 overall; 0-5 Hogoheegee District
Playoffs: None
Head Coach: Greg Prater - 3rd season overall; 3rd season at Northwood
Career Record: 4-16; Record at Northwood: 4-16
2024 Schedule:
August 30 - at Twin Springs
September 6 - at Rye Cove
September 13 - vs. Eastern Montgomery
September 20 - at Twin Valley
September 27 - at Chilhowie*
October 4 - vs. Castlewood
October 11 - Open date
October 17 - vs. Holston*
October 24 - vs. Rural Retreat*
November 1 - vs. Honaker*
November 8 - at Patrick Henry-Glade Spring*
*Hogoheegee District game
NOTES: The Wildcats fell from 3 wins in 2022 to just 1 last year.