Talk about a shakeup! As of Sept. 30, 12 teams had switched places in the Virginia On3 Massey Ratings Top 25 list. Of that number, five Virginia high school football teams improved their ranking. Here’s how the state’s best squads fare after the games during the last weekend of September.

The On3 Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

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1. Maury

Can anyone stop the Commodores? They dominate the waves of Virginia high school football, as proven by their 62-0 shutout victory over Lake Taylor. That game alone has their offense ranked second-best while their defense takes the top spot in the state. Even if they’ve played only four games (so far), Maury may finish the season undefeated, granted they won’t take any opponent lightly. In that case, I.C. Norcom, their next opponent, could be in trouble.

2. Phoebus

The Phantoms defense surrendered a season-high 21 points to Bethel, the most they’ve given to an opponent this year. That game is also the first time they’ve allowed double-digit points this season. However, it’s not a problem because Phoebus remained undefeated after scoring a season-high 56 points. If the Phantoms can sustain this momentum, their Oct. 5 opponents, Hampton, have no chance of winning.

3. Liberty Christian Academy

The Bulldogs improved to 4-0 after surviving the fierce challenge put up by Heritage. The 34-27 scoreline marks the first time they’ve won by one possession this season. In a game that close, Gideon Davidson’s 227 rushing yards and three touchdowns mattered much. After defeating the Pioneers, Liberty Christian will enjoy a bye on Oct. 4 before returning to action a week later against the Rustburg Red Devils.

4. Oscar Smith

The Tigers continue to roar loud in the first half of their 2024 season. They’ve completed their third consecutive shutout victory against winless Grassfield, a result that nearly copied the Massey Ratings prediction. Through five games, they’ve allowed an average of 4.4 points per game to opponents. While it would be challenging for Oscar Smith to maintain that number when they face Indian River on Oct. 11, the Tigers should scratch another victory over the Braves.

5. Madison

The Warhawks faced Chantilly and won 43-13. That result ranks the Madison defense fourth among Virginia high school football teams. It wasn’t a one-dimensional victory, though, as Dominic Knicely paced the Warhawks with 196 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Matthew Weiler added 145 rushing yards and a touchdown. Madison’s great groove to start the season will only continue on Oct. 4 when they face the 2-3 South County.

6. Highland Springs

After losing to top-ranked teams Phoebus and Maury, the Springers rediscovered their winning ways via consecutive victories over Freeman and Riverbend. In those two games, they’ve outscored their opponents 78-21. Highland Springs’s defense also did their work, limiting the Bears to zero passing yards and forcing two turnovers. The Springers can run off the remainder of their 2024 schedule, starting with their Oct. 10 clash with Henrico.

7. Battlefield

Woodbridge didn’t put up much of a battle against the Bobcats in a one-sided affair. In addition to limiting the Eagles to seven points, Battlefield tallied 63 points, led by Calum O’Shea’s four touchdown passes and one rushing score. Cole Woodson joined the scoring fray with two receiving and one rushing touchdown out of 90 total yards. Battlefield can improve to 5-0 when they defeat Unity Reed on Oct. 4.

8. Matoaca (+1)

The Warriors have shut down their opponents in three of their first four victories. That was the case in their latest game against Colonial Heights, where they scored 34 points. Bryce Yates and Dillon Newton-Short connected on two passing touchdowns, while Trevion Mills and Montino Williams Jr. each had a rushing touchdown. Meanwhile, Matoaca’s defense smothered the Colonials with seven sacks (four courtesy of Victor Afolabi) and 11 tackles for negative yardage. Matoaca will carry their undefeated record when they visit Meadowbrook on Oct. 4.

9. Woodberry Forest (-1)

Despite not playing a game last week, the Tigers remain in the top ten Virginia high school football teams. Their last assignment was a 31-7 triumph over St. Mary’s Ryken, wherein Mark Wamhoff was the undisputed player of the game. In addition to his 128 passing yards, Wamhoff added 131 rushing yards and a touchdown. Woodberry Forest returns to action on Oct. 12, hosting 28^th-ranked St. Christopher’s School.

10. Benedictine (+4)

The Cadets marched up by four spots after their 14-7 victory against St. Christopher’s School. That’s the third consecutive game they’ve allowed single-digit scores to opponents and their fourth win this season. Benedictine’s 15.2 points per game rank their defense third behind Maury and Highland Springs. Their defense will be tested when they face the Gonzaga Eagles, District of Columbia’s top-ranked squad, in an Oct. 4 showdown.

Teams 11-25 in the latest Virginia High School Football Rankings

11. Dinwiddie (-1)
12. Freedom
13. King’s Fork
14. William Fleming (-3)
15. Warwick
16. Indian River (+2)
17. St. Michael (+3)
18. Glen Allen (-2)
19. Varina
20. Mountain View (-3)
21. Salem
22. Patriot
23. Green Run (+4)
24. Lafayette (-1)
25. Heritage (-1)

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