Sitting in the far Western portion of Roanoke County is Glenvar High School. Despite its small size and its remote location, Glenvar has always had athletes and excelled at athletics.
Girls basketball won State Championships in 1997 and 2001; Boys Basketball won a state title in 1999; Boys Soccer is on a roll of three titles in a row from 2023 – 2025; Girls Soccer won championships in 2022 and 2024; Softball won titles in 1985, 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1997; and the Girls’ and Boys’ Swimming Programs have become some of the best in the state with the Girls winning back to back titles in in 2020 and 2021, and the Boys back to back in 2024 and 2025.
For the longest time, Football was the outlier. At one point back in the late 1970s Glenvar was shuttered as a high school with the students shipped to the brand new Salem High School. Salem was part of the Roanoke County school system, but much like a lot of things for Salem, that wasn’t good enough.
Salem doesn’t do things half-assed. That’s clear by the athletic facilities and the pride its citizens take in the City. So Salem made the decision to form its own school system. When it did so, the Glenvar area needed a place for its high school kids and Glenvar High School was re-born. When it was, its football program struggled to find success.
Modest success did come at points, but it wasn’t until Kevin Clifford took over that the football program achieved new heights. In 2014, that rise reached its zenith when Glenvar won a 2014 State 2A championship just a year after Three Rivers District rival Giles did so.
It was logical to assume that Glenvar was here to stay as a State Championship contender. And they have been, but since the State title season, Glenvar couldn’t find its way out of the regional for 9 seasons. They had the misfortune of being the victim of Appomattox High School while the Raiders won 5 Class 2C regional titles and 5 Class 2 championships. The other two times, District Rival Radford won the Regional championship and added a Class 2 state title in 2023.
But then came 2024. Glenvar’s glass ceiling finally came crashing down. Glenvar won the Region 2C championship and came within 4 points in a State Semi-final loss to Graham from returning to the State Championship game. This year, Glenvar is the clear cut favorite to win Region 2C. The Highlanders return quarterback Brody Dowyat, who has committed to play college football at Charlotte, although that’s subject to change with a recent offer from the University of Virginia. With Graham somewhat rebuilding in Region 2D and Union High School always seemingly unable to get out of the regionals, Glenvar is a solid favorite to represent the Western half of the State in the Class 2 state championship game making 2025 a season of High Hopes for the Highlanders.
Glenvar Highlanders
Three Rivers District
2024 Record: 12-2 overall; 5-1 Three Rivers District
Playoffs: Lost to Graham in the Class 2 semi-finals to Graham 28-24
Points Scored/Average: 578 (41.3)
Points Allowed/Average: 138 (9.9)
Head Coach: Kevin Clifford - 22nd season overall; 19th season at Glenvar
Career Record: 155-76
Record at Glenvar: 148-63
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Galax
September 5 - at Liberty
September 12 - vs. Cave Spring
September 19 - at Northside
September 26 - at Martinsville*
October 3 - vs. Carroll County*
October 10 - at James River*
October 17 - vs. Radford*
October 24 - vs. Patrick County*
October 31 - Open date
November 7 - at Floyd County*
*Three Rivers District game
Notable: Will play Northside for the first time since the 1970s when Glenvar was a AA school in the then three classification system. Scored at least 30 points in all 12 wins
Floyd County Buffaloes
Three Rivers District
2024 Record: 6-6 overall; 3-3 Three Rivers District
Playoffs: Lost in the Region 2C semi-finals to Glenvar 42-21
Points Scored/Average: 313 (26.1)
Points Allowed/Average: 287 (23.8)
Head Coach: Tim Cromer - 17th season overall; 2nd season at Floyd County
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Narrows
September 5 - Open date
September 15 - vs. Blacksburg (Monday)
September 19 - at Grayson County
September 26 - at Fort Chiswell
October 3 - at Patrick County*
October 10 - at Martinsville*
October 17 - vs. Carroll County*
October 24 - at James River*
October 31 - vs. Radford*
November 7 - vs. Glenvar*
*Three Rivers District game
James River Knights
Three Rivers District
2024 Record: 1-9 overall; 0-6 Three Rivers District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 91 (9.1)
Point Allowed/Average: 393 (39.3)
Head Coach: Jack Baker - 24th season overall; 1st season at James River
Career Record: 98-104
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Auburn
September 5 - at Blacksburg
September 12 - vs. Parry McCluer
September 19 - vs. Hidden Valley
September 26 - at Radford*
October 3 - vs. Martinsville*
October 10 - vs. Glenvar*
October 17 - Open date
October 24 - vs. Floyd County*
October 31 - at Patrick County*
November 7 - at Carroll County*
*Three Rivers District game
Notable: The well traveled Baker comes back to where his father was once the head coach. James River holds onto a dubious distinction of having never won a playoff game.
Martinsville Bulldogs
Three Rivers District
2024 Record: 3-8 overall; 1-5 Piedmont District
Playoffs: Lost in first round of Region 2C playoffs to Glenvar 69-7
Points Scored/Average: 178 (16.2)
Points Allowed/Average: 320 (29.1)
Head Coach: Joe Fielder - 4th season overall; 3rd season at Martinsville
Career Record: 8-23
Record at Martinsville: 3-18
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Patrick County*
September 5 - at Magna Vista
September 12 - Open date
September 19 - at Dan River
September 26 - vs. Glenvar*
October 3 - at James River*
October 10 - vs. Floyd County*
October 17 - at Tunstall
October 24 - vs. Bassett
October 31 - at Carroll County*
November 7 - vs. Radford*
*Three Rivers District game
*Notable: One of the long time schools in the Piedmont District moves to the Three Rivers where all but Carroll County are Class 2 schools
Patrick County Cougars
Three Rivers District
2024 Record: 4-7 overall; 1-5 Three Rivers District
Playoffs: Lost in first round of Region 2C playoffs Radford 34-14
Points Scored/Average: 183 (17.5)
Points Allowed/Average: 309 (28.0)
Head Coach: David Morrison - 8th season
Career Record: 20-46
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Martinsville*
September 5 - vs. North Surry, NC
September 12 - at North Stokes, NC
September 19 - vs. Chatham
September 26 - at Carroll County*
October 3 - vs. Floyd County*
October 10 - at Radford*
October 17 - vs. Nelson County
October 24 - at Glenvar*
October 31 - vs. James River*
November 7 - Open date
*Three Rivers District game
Radford Bobcats
Three Rivers District
2024 Record: 8-4 overall; 4-2 Three Rivers District
Playoffs: Lost in the Region 2C semi-finals to Gretna 14-7
Points Scored/Average: 301 (25.1)
Points Allowed/Average: 209 (17.4)
Head Coach: Michael Crist - 13th season overall; 5th season at Radford
Career Record: 74-59
Record at Radford: 41-10
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. George Wythe
September 5 - vs. Giles
September 12 - Open date
September 19 - vs. Galax
September 26 - vs. James River*
October 3 - at William Byrd
October 10 - vs. Patrick County*
October 17 - at Glenvar*
October 23 - vs. Carroll County* (Thursday)
October 31 - at Floyd County*
November 7 - at Martinsville*
*Three Rivers District game
Appomattox Raiders
Dogwood District
2024 Record: 4-7 overall; 4-2 Dogwood District
Playoffs: Lost in the first round of the Region 2C playoffs to Floyd County 20-15
Points Scored/Average: 253 (23.0)
Points Allowed/Average: 323 (29.3)
Head Coach: Stephen Costello - 2nd year overall
Career Record: 4-7
Record at Appomattox: 4-7
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Brookville
September 5 - vs. Rustburg
September 12 - at Heritage
September 19 - at Buckingham County
September 26 - vs. Dan River*
October 3 - at Chatham*
October 10 - Open date
October 17 - vs. Altavista*
October 24 - at William Campbell*
October 31 - vs. Gretna*
November 7 - at Nelson County*
*Dogwood District game
Chatham Cavaliers
Dogwood District
2024 Record: 3-6 overall; 1-4 Dogwood District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 196 (21.7)
Points Allowed/Average: 319 (35.4)
Head Coach: Josh Brumfield - 1st season at Chatham
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Prince Edward County
September 5 - vs. Tunstall
September 12 - vs. Smith Mountain Lake Christian*
September 19 - at Patrick County
September 26 - Open date
October 3 - vs. Appomattox*
October 10 - at Altavista*
October 17 - vs. William Campbell*
October 24 - at Gretna*
October 31 - vs. Nelson County*
November 7 - at Dan River*
*Dogwood District game
Dan River Wildcats
Dogwood District
2024 Record: 3-7 overall; 2-4 Dogwood District
Points Scored/Average: 220 (22.0)
Point Allowed/Average: 451 (45.1)
Head Coach: Micah Knight - 2nd season
Career Record: 3-7
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Tunstall
September 5 - at Halifax County
September 12 - vs. Bassett
September 19 - vs. Martinsville
September 26 - at Appomattox*
October 3 - vs. Altavista*
October 10 - at William Campbell*
October 17 - vs. Gretna*
October 24 - at Nelson County*
October 31 - Open date
November 7 - vs. Chatham*
*Dogwood District game
Gretna Hawks
Dogwood District
2024 Record: 9-4 overall; 5-1 Dogwood District
Playoffs: Lost in the Region 2C Championship game to Glenvar 30-8
Points Scored/Average: 385 (29.5)
Points Allowed/Average: 268 (20.5)
Head Coach: Shaun Miller - 5th season overall
Career Record: 27-19
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Jefferson Forest
September 5 - vs. Bassett
September 12 - at Tunstall
September 19 - vs. Halifax County
September 26 - at William Campbell*
October 3 - Open date
October 10 - vs. Nelson County*
October 17 - at Dan River*
October 24 - vs. Chatham*
October 31 - at Appomattox*
November 7 - vs. Altavista*
*Dogwood District game
Nelson County Governors
Dogwood District
2024 Record: 5-5 overall; 3-3 Dogwood District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 279 (27.9)
Points Allowed/Average: 306 (30.6)
Head Coach: Ben Butler - 1st year
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Randolph Henry
September 5 - vs. Stonewall Jacksoon
September 12 - Open date
September 19 - at Cumberland
September 26 - at Altavista*
October 3 - vs. William Campbell*
October 10 - at Gretna*
October 17 - at Patrick County
October 24 - vs. Dan River*
October 31 - at Chatham*
November 7 - vs. Appomattox*
*Dogwood District game
Liberty Minutemen
Seminole District
2024 Record: 0-10 overall; 0-8 Seminole District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 54 (5.4)
Points Allowed/Average: 518 (51.8)
Head Coach: Brian Womack (Interim)
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. William Campbell
September 5 - vs. Glenvar
September 12 - at Staunton River
September 19 - vs. Jefferson Forest*
September 26 - at E.C. Glass*
October 3 - Open date
October 10 - vs. Rustburg*
October 17 - at Brockville*
October 24 - vs. Heritage*
October 31 - at Amherst County*
November 7 - at Liberty Christian*
*Seminole District game
Notable: As the only Class 2 school in the Seminole District, Liberty needs to give serious consideration to moving to another District. The Minutemen enter 2025 on a 37-game losing streak having not won a game since 2021. They will go with an interim coach this year after Coach Darrell Robertson left this summer to take an assistant coaching job at Roanoke College having never won a game at Liberty going 0-30. Liberty scored 54 points last year after having scored just 6 in 2023. They'll meet William Campbell on opening night in their first meeting since 2000.