Something different happened last year in Region 1C. Grayson County, in a region often dominated by the likes of George Wythe, Giles and Galax won the Regional championship and advanced all the way to the State Championship Game.
For a small school in the town of Independence, Grayson County has always fielded competitive athletic teams in their various sports, but football never advanced out of the regionals. Enter Stephen James. James is well traveled as a coach spending time at Fort Chiswell and Pulaski County. He took a team at Fort Chiswell that featured future Tennessee lineman Coleman Thomas to the Class 1 semi-finals. He had modest success at Pulaski County, and spent a couple of years as an assistant before taking the job at Grayson County. Grayson had an opening when the school dismissed its coach when his assistant coaches all threatened to quit if they had to work for him.
In 20 seasons as a head coach, James career record is 143-75. Entering his fifth season at Grayson County his record is 34-15 with back-to-back 10 win seasons. In a region that includes powerhouse small school programs like George Wythe, Giles, Galax and Bath County who have all won multiple state titles, Grayson County announced its arrival last year. With James in control, the Blue Devils aren’t going anywhere.
Grayson is just one of many story lines in this region. There’s the mystery of Galax. Just one year after wining a state championship, the Maroon Tide failed to win a game and start this year with a new coach. Longtime coach Jeff Williams retired at Giles, leaving a new coach in charge at a school that’s only had 2 head coaches is over 40 years. There’s a new boss at Fort Chiswell and god bless Bland County and Craig County who despite their size and small enrollment continue to put teams on the field. And welcome back Auburn. One year after cancelling the season before it started, the Eagles will be back on the field. They may not win many games, but they are back and that’s all that matters.
Grayson County Blue Devils
Mountain Empire District
2024 Record: 10-4 overall; 4-0 Mountain Empire District
Playoffs: Lost in the Class 1 State Championship game to Essex 20-0
Points Scored/Average: 387 (22.6)
Points Allowed/Average: 204 (14.6)
Head Coach: Stephen James - 20th season overall; 5th at Grayson County
Career Record: 143-75
Record at Grayson County: 34-15
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Alleghany, NC
September 5 - at Carroll County
September 12 - at Tazewell
September 19 - vs. Floyd County
September 26 - vs. Virginia
October 3 - Open date
October 10 - vs. George Wythe*
October 17 - at Galax*
October 24 - vs. Giles*
October 31 - at Auburn*
November 7 - vs. Fort Chiswell*
*Mountain Empire District game
Notable: Grayson County advanced to its first state championship game last year by beating Rye Cove after trailing 22-7 at halftime. The Blue Devils scored with 22 seconds left and they stopped Rye Cove at the goalline on the final play of the game. Blue Devils were shut out just once last year, to Essex in the State Championship game 22-0. Grayson isn't ducking competition. They'll play Tazewell, Floyd County and Virginia in addition to district rivals George Wythe, Galax and Giles
George Wythe Maroons
Mountain Empire District
2024 Record: 8-4 overall; 3-1 Mountain Empire District
Playoffs: Lost in the Region 1C semi-finals to Grayson County 18-16
Points Scored/Average: 375 (31.3)
Points Allowed/Average: 196 (16.3)
Head Coach: Brandon Harner - 12th season overall; 12th season at George Wythe
Career Record: 91-40
Record at George Wythe: 91-40
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Radford
September 5 - vs. Fort Chiswell*
September 12 - at Virginia
September 19 - vs. PH-Glade Spring
September 26 - vs. Rural Retreat
October 3 - vs. Bluefield, WV
October 10 - at Grayson County*
October 17 - at Auburn*
October 24 - vs. Galax*
October 31 - Open date
November 7 - at Giles*
*Mountain Empire District game
Notable: Like Grayson County, the Maroons are ducking competition. Graham cycles off and is replaced by Bluefield, WV, and they open with their traditional match-up with Radford
Galax Maroon Tide
Mountain Empire District
2024 Record: 0-9 overall; 0-4 Mountain Empire District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 72 (8.0)
Points Allowed/Average: 311 (28.6)
Head Coach: Travis Reed - 2nd season overall; 1st year at Galax
Record at Galax: 0-0
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Glenvar
September 5 - vs. Graham
September 12 - vs. Carroll County
September 19 - at Radford
September 26 - at Northside
October 3 - Open date
October 10 - vs. Fort Chiswell*
October 17 - vs. Grayson County*
October 24 - at George Wythe*
October 31 - at Giles*
November 7 - vs. Auburn*
*Mountain Empire District game
Notable: A season of epic disaster just one year after winning a state championship. Highest point output was 40 points in a loss to Giles. Shane Allen resigned after 5 seasons at 37-18 record, 3 state championship games, and a 2023 Class 1 state title. Reed spent one year as the coach at Bland County. Front half of the schedule provides little opportunities for wins as they go to Glenvar, host Graham and Carroll County, and back-to-back trips to Radford and Northside.
Giles Spartans
Mountain Empire District
2024 Record: 4-7 overall; 2-2 Mountain Empire District
Playoffs: Lost in the first round of the Region 1C playoffs to George Wythe 48-6
Points Scored/Average: 276 (25.1)
Points Allowed/Average: 318 (28.9)
Head Coach: Sam Wright - 1st year
Career Record: 0-0
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Blacksburg
September 5 - at Radford
September 12 - at Grundy
September 19 - vs. Narrows
September 26 - at Tazewell
October 3 - vs. Auburn*
October 10 - Open date
October 17 - at Fort Chiswell*
October 24 - at Grayson County*
October 31 - vs. Galax*
November 7 - vs. George Wythe*
*Mountain Empire District game
Notable: Jeff Williams retired after 17 seasons and a 119-72 record at a 2A state championship in 2013. Started 2024 0-4 and finished with 4 wins in their final 5 games. Giles is just 7-15 the last two seasons. Wright was an assistant for Williams for 14 seasons and as part of the Giles coaching tree, the single wing lives on.
Fort Chiswell Pioneers
Mountain Empire District
2024 Record: 2-9 overall; 1-3 Mountain Empire District
Playoffs: Lost in first round of Region 1C playoffs to Bath County 42-6
Points Scored/Average:
Points Allowed/Average:
Head Coach: Cory Mabry - 1st year
Career Record: 0-0
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Rural Retreat
September 5 - at George Wythe*
September 12 - vs. Auburn*
September 19 - vs. Carroll County
September 26 - vs. Floyd County
October 3 - vs. Holston
October 10 - at Galax*
October 17 - vs. Giles*
October 24 - at Marion
October 31 - Open date
November 7 - at Grayson County*
*Mountain Empire District game
Notable: Former coach Zane Quesenberry resigned to take a job as an assistant at North Brunswick High School in Wilmington, NC. He left Max Meadows with a 7-16 record in two seasons. Pioneers won only one game on the field in 2024 beating Eastern Montgomery 36-14. The other win was a forfeit over Galax.
Bath County Chargers
Pioneer District
2024 Record: 11-1 overall; 4-0 Pioneer District
Playoffs: Lost in the Region 1C Final to Grayson County 20-0
Points Scored/Average: 610 (50.8)
Points Allowed/Average: 89 (7.4)
Head Coach: Jacob Phillips - 4th season at Bath County
Career Record: 53-50
Record at Bath County: 24-10
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Stonewall Jackson
September 5 - at Buffalo Gap
September 12 - Open date
September 19 - at Tygarts Valley, WV.
September 26 - vs. Hancock, MD.
October 3 - Open date
October 10 - vs. Pendleton County, WV
October 17 - at Eastern Montgomery*
October 24 - vs. Craig County*
October 31 - at Parry McCluer*
November 7 - vs. Narrows*
*Pioneer District game
Notable: Bath is 20-3 the past two seasons after Phillips went 4-7 in his first year. Phillips quarterbacked the school to three state championship games and one championship in 2001 in his 4 years as a starting quarterback.
Craig County Rockets:
Pioneer District
2024 Record: 6-5 overall; 1-3 Pioneer District
Playoffs: Lost in the first round of the Region 1C playoffs to Grayson County 42-0
Points Scored/Average: 292 (29.2)
Points Allowed/Average: 211 (21.1)
Head Coach: Jimmy Fisher - 5th season overall; 5th season at Craig County
Career Record: 13-26
Record at Craig County: 13-26
2025 Schedule
August 29 - vs. Montcalm, WV
September 5 - at Bland County
September 12 - Open date
September 19 - at Van, WV
September 26 - vs. Twin Springs
October 3 - vs. Stonewall Jackson
October 10 - vs. Eastern Montgomery*
October 17 - at Parry McCluer*
October 24 - at Bath County*
October 31 - vs. Narrows*
November 7 - at Meadow Bridge, WV
*Pioneer District game
Notable: The school has done an excellent job in the non-district with finding schools they can compete against. Three opponents from West Virginia are among the smallest schools in that state and perfect for Craig County to play. Last year the Rockets played 3 games in 8 days (Twin Valley, Phelps, Kentucky, and Eastern Montgomery) winning all 3 and outscoring their opponents 164-8. Return running back Carter Calfee who ran for 450 yards and 8 touchdowns in those three games in leading Craig to the playoffs.
Eastern Montgomery Mustangs
Pioneer District
2024 Record: 1-9 overall; 0-4 Pioneer District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 76 (7.6)
Points Allowed/Average: 445 (44.5)
Head Coach: Jordan Stewart - 13th season overall; 13th season at Eastern Montgomery
Career Record: 27-80
Record at Eastern Montgomery: 27-80
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Holston
September 5 - vs. Rural Retreat
September 12 - vs. Northwood
September 19 - at Montcalm, WV
September 26 - at Auburn
October 3 - Vs. Bland County
October 10 - at Craig County*
October 17 - vs. Bath County*
October 24 - at Narrows*
October 31 - Open date
November 7 - vs. Parry McCluer*
*Pioneer District
Notable: Mustangs failed to score in 5 of their games last season. Of the 76 points they scored, 38 came in their one win over Twin Valley. Defense gave up 30 points in 9 games, at least 40 points in 7 games and over 50 points once.
Narrows Green Wave:
Pioneer District
2024 Record: 6-5 overall; 3-1 Pioneer District
Playoffs: Lost in Regin 1D semi-finals to Bath County 49-14
Points Scored/Average: 286 (23.8)
Points Allowed/Average: 287 (23.8)
Head Coach: Kelly Lowe - 22nd season overall; 22nd season at Narrows
Career Record: 115 - 110
Record at Narrows: 115-110
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Floyd County
September 5 - at Holston
September 12 - vs. Chilhowie
September 19 - at Giles
September 26 - vs. James Monroe, WV
October 3 - Open date
October 10 - vs. Parry McCluer*
October 17 - vs. Honaker
October 24 - vs. Eastern Montgomery*
October 31 - at Craig County*
November 7 - at Eastern Montgomery*
*Pioneer District game
Notable: Last year was a challenge as Narrows was flooded by the remnants of Hurricane Helene forcing them to alter their schedule to accommodate the conditions and still made the regional semi-finals. Dropped opening game against Auburn to pick up a bigger challenge in Floyd County. Still have their neighbor rival games with Giles and James Monroe from bordering Monroe County West Virginia in back-to-back weeks.
Parry McCluer Fighting Blues
Pioneer District
2024 Record: 6-5 overall; 2-2 Pioneer District
Playoffs: Lost in the first round of the Region 1C playoffs to Narrows.
Points Scored/Average: 303 (27.5)
Points Allowed/Average: 296. (26.9)
Head Coach: Jeremiah Brockenbrough - 3rd season overall; 3rd season at Parry McCluer
Career Record: 12-10
Record at Parry McCluer: 12-10
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Rockbridge County
September 5 - vs. Page County
September 12 - at James River
September 19 - at Stonewall Jackson
September 26 - at Luray
October 3 - vs. Smith Mountain Lake Christian
October 10 - at Narrows*
October 17 - vs. Craig County*
October 24 - Open date
October 31 - vs. Bath County*
November 7 - at Eastern Montgomery*
*Pioneer District game
Notable: Back-to-back 6-5 seasons with playoff appearances is a nice start to a program that was a traditional small school powerhouse looking for stability.
Auburn Eagles
Mountain Empire District
2024 Record: Season Cancelled
Playoffs: None
Head Coach: Scott
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. James River
September 5 - at Smith Mountain Lake Christian
September 12 - at Fort Chiswell*
September 19 - vs. Castlewood
September 26 - vs. Eastern Montgomery
October 3 - at Giles*
October 10 - at Northwood
October 17 - vs. George Wythe*
October 24 - Open date
October 31 - vs. Grayson County*
November 7 - at Galax*
*Mountain. Empire District game
Notable: Cancelled the season before it started due to a lack of players with experience. School cited safety reasons. They played a JV schedule and declare themselves ready to go and will play a full district schedule.
Bland County Bears
Mountain Empire District
2024 Record: 1-7 overall; 0-0 Mountain Empire District
Playoffs: Not eligible
Points Scored/Average: 58 (7.3)
Points Allowed/Average: 293 (36.6)
Head Coach: John Hays - 4th season overall; 4th season at Bland County
Career Record: 4-15
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Hurley
September 5 - vs. Craig County
September 12 - at Twin Valley
September 19 - at Northwood
September 26 - at Eastside
October 3 - at Eastern Montgomery
October 10 - vs. Meadow Bridge, WV
October 17 - vs. J.I. Burton
October 24 - Open date
October 31 - vs. Twin Valley
November 7 - at Montcalm, WV
Notable: Again will play an independent schedule for the 4th year.