There’s no denying that public school coaches loathe Liberty Christian Academy. The Lynchburg based school – founded by Liberty University founder Jerry Falwell – tried twice to obtain membership in the Virginia High School League and was denied. LCA was a powerhouse in the Virginia Independent School’s Athletic Association – the governing body for private and parochial schools in Virginia. The VHSL cited one reason and one reason only, they were an association of public high schools.
So, what’s the American way to get what you want when you are not getting what you want? You sue of course. And that’s what LCA did in 2014 retaining a high priced New York City law firm to sue the VHSL in Federal Court. The theory was that the VHSL – by denying admission to private schools – was an illegal monopoly under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and denied LCA the right to revenue available by playing schools closer to their campus. I don’t know what the VHSL’s finances are but to fight an antitrust lawsuit in Federal Court against a high priced New York City law firm with more attorneys that the VHSL has schools was going to be costly and as 47 other states already allowed the private schools to compete with the public schools, it was certain to be a losing proposition.
So, the VHSL and LCA settled. LCA – and any other private school could join – but they would be subject to all of the VHSL’s rules and regulations including a designated school zone from which they could draw players, and in LCA’s case, a enrollment 1.5 multiplier which forced Class 2 size LCA to play up in Class 3
The public school coaches still believe that LCA recruits. It doesn’t help LCA’s case that they haven’t lost a game since 2022. But lost in the argument is the fact that a parent has to pay for their kid to attend LCA. Coach Frank Rocco insists he doesn’t recruit and that he benefits from the fact that many people who come to work at Liberty University enroll their children at LCA for the christian education. All plausible arguments.
The Bulldogs are going to try and run the table again and win a third straight title. They’ll do it without all state running back Gideon Davidson who graduated and is threatening to play as a freshman at Clemson. The contempt public school coaches have against LCA carries over into scheduling. The Seminole District schools have to play them, but only Franklin County and Ironton, Ohio a Class-5 level school from Ohio agreed to play LCA outside of the district leaving them with just 9 games.
Liberty Christian Bulldogs
Seminole District
2024 Record: 14-0 overall; 7-0 Seminole District
Playoffs: Won second straight Class 3 State Championship over Kettle Run 42-6
Points Scored/Average: 615 (43.9)
Points Allowed/Average: 178 (12.7)
Head Coach: Frank Rocco - 19th season overall; 19th season at Liberty Christian
Career Record: 183-29
Record at Liberty Christian: 183-29
2025 Schedule:
August 30 - at Ironton, Ohio (Saturday)
September 5 - Open date
September 12 - Open date
September 19 - vs. Amherst County*
September 26 - at Jefferson Forest*
October 3 - vs. Franklin County
October 10 - vs. E.C. Glass*
October 17 - at Rustburg*
October 24 - vs. Brookville*
October 31 - at Heritage*
November 7 - vs. Liberty*
*Seminole District game
Notable: Average margin of victory in 2024 was a staggering 31.2 points per game.
Brookville Bees
Seminole District
2024 Record: 3-7 overall; 1-6 Seminole District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 180 (18.0)
Points Allowed/Average: 350 (35.0)
Head Coach: Dr. Mark Lineburg - 8th season overall; 8th season at Brookville
Career Record: 52-26
Record at Brookville: 52-26
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Appomattox
September 5 - at. Alleghany
September 12 - vs. Halifax County
September 19 - vs. Rustburg*
September 26 - at Amherst County*
October 3 - Open date
October 10 - at Heritage*
October 17 - vs. Liberty*
October 24 - at Liberty Christian*
October 31 - vs. Jefferson Forest*
November 7 - at E.C. Glass*
*Seminole District game
Notable: Ended 2024 on a 5-game losing streak. New assistant coach is former state champion QB, Virginia Tech QB and Washington Redskins TE Logan Thomas
Heritage Pioneers
Seminole District
2024 Record: 9-3 overall; 5-2 Seminole District
Playoffs: Lost in the Region 3C semi-finals to Liberty Christian 35-14
Points Scored/Average: 341 (28.4)
Points Allowed/Average: 165 (13.8)
Head Coach: Brad Bradley - 26th season overall; 15th season at Heritage
Career Record: 241-84
Record at Heritage: 126-39
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - Open date
September 5 - at Bridgeport, WV
September 12 - vs. Appomattox
September 19 - vs. E.C. Glass*
September 26 - at Rustburg*
October 3 - vs. Thomas Jefferson-Richmond
October 10 - vs. Brookville*
October 17 - at Amherst County*
October 24 - at Liberty*
October 31 - vs. Liberty Christian*
November 7 - at Jefferson Forest*
*Seminole District game
Notable: At a school where no coach ever seems to last very long, Bradley is entering his 15th season at Heritage and appears to have settled down after going from Gilmer County, WV, to Lord Botetourt as an assistant, to William Campbell, to Patrick Henry, to Amelia County and then to Heritage. Heritage plays one of the more interesting games of the season opening at defending WV AAA State Champion Bridgeport, which runs a single wing offense.
Rustburg Red Devils
Seminole District
2024 Record: 7-4 overall; 4-3 Seminole District
Playoffs: Lost in the first round of the Region 3C playoffs to Heritage 27-6
Points Scored/Average: 271 (24.6)
Points Allowed/Average: 184 (16.7)
Head Coach: Dustin Russell - 2nd season overall; 2nd season at Rustburg
Career Record: 7-4
Record at Rustburg: 7-4
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Lord Botetourt
September 5 - at Appomattox
September 12 - at Magna Vista
September 19 - at Brookville*
September 26 - vs. Heritage*
October 3 - Open date
October 10 - at Liberty*
October 17 - vs. Liberty Christian*
October 24 - at Jefferson Forest*
October 31 - vs. E.C. Glass*
November 7 - vs. Amherst County*
*Seminole District game
Fluvanna County Flying Flucos
Jefferson District
2024 Record: 4-6 overall; 3-4 Jefferson District
Points Scored/Average: 197 (19.7)
Points Allowed/Average: 267 (26.7)
Playoffs: None
Head Coach: Mitchell Pace - 3rd Season
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Spotsylvania
September 5 - vs. Buckingham County
September 12 - at Chancellor
September 19 - Open date
September 26 - at Louisa County*
October 3 - vs. Western Albemarle*
October 10 - at Monticello*
October 17 - vs. Orange County*
October 24 - vs. Charlottesville*
October 31 - at Goochland*
November 7 - vs. Albemarle*
*Jefferson District game
Monticello Mustangs
Jefferson District
2024 Record: 8-2 overall; 6-1 Jefferson District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 356 (35.6)
Points Scored/Allowed: 204 (20.4)
Head Coach: Jon Berlin - 1st year overall; 1st year at Monticello
Career Record: 0-0
Record at Monticello: 0-0
2025 Schedule:
August 26 - vs. William Monroe
September 5 - at Waynesboro
September 12 - vs. Rocktown
September 19 - at Western Albemarle*
September 26 - Open date
October 3 - vs. Orange County*
October 10 - vs. Fluvanna County*
October 17 - at Charlottesville*
October 24 - vs. Goochland*
October 31 - at Albemarle*
November 7 - vs. Louisa County*
*Jefferson District game
Staunton Storm
Shenandoah District
2024 Record: 7-4 overall; 5-1 Shenandoah District
Playoffs: Lost in the first round of the Region 3C playoffs to Turner Ashby
Points Scored/Average: 290 (26.4)
Points Allowed/Average: 230 (20.9)
Head Coach: Michael Bell - 4th season
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Harrisonburg
September 5 - at Rocktown
September 12 - vs. Rockbridge County*
September 19 - at Alleghany*
September 26 - Open date
October 3 - vs. Waynesboro*
October 10 - at Stuarts Draft*
October 17 - vs. Buffalo Gap*
October 24 - at Wilson Memorial*
October 31 - vs. Riverheads*
November 7 - at Fort Defiance*
*Shenandoah District game
Waynesboro Little Giants
Shenandoah District
2024 Record: 0-10 overall; 0-6 Shenandoah District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 133 (13.3)
Points Allowed/Average: 493 (49.3)
Head Coach: Nathan Bain - 1st season overall; 1st season at Waynesboro
Career Record: 0-0
Record at Waynesboro: 0-0
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Spotswood
September 5 - vs. Monticello
September 12 - vs. Fort Defiance*
September 19 - at Rockbridge County*
September 26 - vs. Alleghany*
October 3 - at Staunton*
October 10 - Open date
October 17 - vs. Stuarts Draft*
October 24 - at Buffalo Gap*
October 31 - vs. Wilson Memorial*
November 7 - at Riverheads*
*Shenandoah District game
Notable: Bain is the 4th coach in the last 8 seasons. Waynesboro is on a 23-game losing streak and has lost 30 of its last 31 games
Wilson Memorial Green Hornets
Shenandoah District
2024 Record: 7-4 overall; 4-2 Shenandoah District
Playoffs: Lost in first round of Region 3C playoffs to Alleghany 44-14
Points Scored/Average: 269 (24.5)
Points Allowed/Average: 200 (18.2)
Head Coach: Ryan Byrd - 3rd season
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - Open date
September 5 - vs. Spotswood
September 12 - at Buffalo Gap*
September 19 - at Turner Ashby
September 26 - vs. Riverheads*
October 3 - at Fort Defiance*
October 10 - vs. Rockbridge County*
October 17 - at Alleghany*
October 24 - vs. Staunton*
October 31 - at Waynesboro*
November 7 - vs. Stuarts Draft*
*Shenandoah District game
Alleghany Cougars
Shenandoah District
2024 Record: 11-1 overall; 6-0 Three Rivers District
Playoffs: Lost in Region 3C Semi-finals to Turner Ashby 44-20
Points Scored/Average: 501 (41.8)
Points Allowed/Average: 152 (12.7)
Head Coach: Will Fields - 20th season overall; 6th at Alleghany
Career Record: 116-97
Record at Alleghany: 29-21
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - Open date
September 5 - vs. Brookville
September 12 - at Greenbrier East, WV
September 19 - vs. Staunton
September 26 - at Waynesboro
October 3 - vs. Stuarts Draft
October 10 - at Buffalo Gap
October 17 - vs. Wilson Memorial
October 24 - at Riverheads
October 31 - vs. Fort Defiance
November 7 - at Rockbridge County
Notable: After winning a Three Rivers District title and going undefeated in the regular season, the Cougars move to the Shenandoah District to cut down on travel. Fields is proving that he was the right choice for the Alleghany coaching job when it combined with Covington.
Rockbridge County Wildcats
Shenandoah District
2024 Record: 2-8 overall; 2-4 Valley District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 145 (14.5)
Points Allowed/Average: 384 (38.4)
Head Coach: Zack Rhodenhizer - 1st year overall; 1st year at Rockbridge County
Career Record: 0-0
Record at Rockbridge County: 0-0
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Parry McCluer
September 5 - vs. Turner Ashby
September 12 - at Staunton
September 19 - vs. Waynesboro
September 26 - at Stuarts Draft
October 3 - vs. Buffalo Gap
October 10 - at Wilson Memorial
October 17 - vs. Riverheads
October 24 - at Fort Defiance
October 31 - Open date
November 7 - vs. Alleghany
Notable: Rhodenhizer comes to Rockbridge County from a job as a volunteer assistant coach at Division III Washington & Lee. He replaces Martin Cox whose first attempt as a head coach ended with a 6-24 record in 3 seasons.
Broadway Gobblers
Valley District
2024 Record: 7-3 overall; 5-1 Valley District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 278 (27.8)
Points Allowed/Average: 99 (9.9)
Head Coach: Danny Grogg - 7th Season overall; 7th season at Broadway
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Buffalo Gape
September 5 - at Strasburg
September 12 - at Central Woodstock
September 19 - at Spotswood
September 26 - at Rocktown
October 3 - vs. Spotswood
October 10 - at Turner Ashby
October 17 - vs. William Monroe
October 24 - Open date
October 31 - at East Rockingham
November 7 - vs. Harrisonburg
East Rockingham Eagles
Valley District
2024 Record: 5-5; 3-3 Valley District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 169 (16.9)
Points Allowed/Average: 212 (21.2)
Head Coach: Drew Spitzer - 4th season
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Luray
September 5 - at Central Woodstock
September 12 - vs. Page County
September 19 - vs. Clarke County
September 26 - at Harrisonburg*
October 3 - vs. Rocktown*
October 10 - at Spotswood*
October 17 - vs. Turner Ashby*
October 24 - at William Monroe*
October 31 - vs. Broadway*
November 7 - Open date
*Valley District game
Rocktown Raptors
Valley District
2024 Record: 2-7 overall; did not play a district schedule
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 194 (19.4)
Points Allowed/Average: 391 (39.1)
Head Coach: Curtis Cherebin - 2nd season overall; 2nd season at Rocktown
Career Record: 2-7
Record at Rocktown: 2-7
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Page County
September 5 - vs. Staunton
September 12 - at Monticello
September 19 - vs. Charlottesville
September 26 - vs. Broadway*
October 3 - at East Rockingham*
October 10 - vs. Harrisonburg*
October 17 - Open date
October 24 - at Spotswood*
October 31 - vs. Turner Ashby*
November 7 - at William Monroe*
*Valley District game
Spotswood Trail Blazers
Valley District
2024 Record: 6-4 overall; 4-2 Valley District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 300 (30.0)
Points Allowed/Average: 130 (13.0)
Head Coach: John Weeks - 1st season overall; 1st season at Spotswood
Career Record: 0-0
Record at Spotswood: 0-0
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - vs. Waynesboro
September 5 - at Wilson Memorial
September 12 - at Madison County
September 19 - vs. Broadway
September 26 - vs. William Monroe*
October 3 - at Broadway*
October 10 - vs. East Rockingham*
October 17 - at Harrisonburg*
October 24 - vs. Rocktown*
October 31 - Open date
November 7 - at Turner Ashby*
*Valley District game
Turner Ashby Knights
Valley District
2024 Record: 12-1 overall; 6-0 Valley District
Playoffs: Lost in Region 3C championship game to Liberty Christians 56-23
Points Scored/Average: 506 (50.6)
Points Allowed/Average: 136 (10.5)
Head Coach: Scott Turner - 5th season overall; 4th season at T.A.
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Fort Defiance
September 5 - at Rockbridge County
September 12 - Open date
September 19 - vs. Wilson Memorial
September 26 - vs. Strasburg
October 3 - at William Monroe*
October 10 - vs. Broadway*
October 17 - at East Rockingham*
October 24 - vs. Harrisonburg*
October 31 - at Rocktown*
November 7 - vs. Spotswood*
*Valley District game
Harrisonburg Blue Streaks
Valley District
2024 Record:n 0-10 overall; 0-6 Valley District
Playoffs: None
Points Scored/Average: 37 (3.7)
Points Allowed/Average: 420 (42.0)
Head Coach: Kyle Gillenwater - 5th season overall; 5th season at Harrisonburg
Career Record: 9-31
Record at Harrisonburg: 9-31
2025 Schedule:
August 29 - at Staunton
September 5 - Open date
September 12 - vs. Western Albemarle
September 19- at Page County
September 26 - vs. East Rockingham*
October 3 - vs. Madison County
October 10 - at Rocktown*
October 17 - vs. Spotswood*
October 24 - at Turner Ashby*
October 31 - vs. William Monroe*
November 7 - at Broadway*
*Valley District game
Notable: The school lost half of its enrollment last year when Rocktown High School opened, but because the school was in the middle of an enrollment cycle, they remained a Class 5 school. This year, they are back to Class 3 where they belong. Went winless in 2022 and 2024.