For most Central Virginia teams, the season begins this week, and many are hoping these games will be the first of many wins.

The Barons finished 9-2 and will play in the VISAA Division II state championship game in 2023.

Clint Alexander is in his third year as Blue Ridge’s head coach and is very pleased with the rapid development of the program under his leadership.

“I think we got there faster than I ever thought possible — in our second season, but that sets the bar pretty high,” Alexander said. “And that’s what I told them. I said, ‘Look, whether you like it or not, that’s the way you are, so we have to be that way, too.'”

The success has helped the players become even more committed to the Barons’ approach and goals.

“Culturally, we’ve really made great progress,” Alexander said. “All of our returning kids have been excellent teachers and mentors to the new kids. I think we’re moving forward faster because there’s no internal friction and no one sees the new kid as a threat – they see him as an asset.”

Much of the environment was created by those on the fringes of the movement.

“We’ve put together an incredible team,” Alexander said. “I’ve found great men with character. They know football, but they’re great guys. The kids can’t wait to see them every day.”

Four first-team All-State players return to the Barons: Darius Stafford, D’Myo Hunter, Luca Vervloet and Demetrius Allen.

Stafford had 1,773 all-purpose yards and 23 touchdowns as a running back, and Hunter collected 544 receiving yards and six touchdowns as Blue Ridge’s primary wide receiver. Vervloet and Allen led their position groups at right guard and middle linebacker, respectively.

Additionally, Tristian Fitzpatrick and Cory Shorts are second-team All-State selections. Fitzpatrick collected 405 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, while Shorts led the team in tackles for loss (19), sacks (six), hurries (27), forced fumbles (three) and fumble recoveries (two).

After the successful 2023 season, the Barons have a challenging schedule ahead of them this fall.

“Our first five (opponents) are killers, and then we’ll see where we stand after that,” Alexander said.

After facing Flint Hill, Life Christian, Smith Mountain Lake Christian and North Cross, Blue Ridge will now play against local rival St. Anne’s-Belfield.

The Saints are coming off a 6-3 season and are under new but top-class leadership.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers and UVa star Heath Miller has taken over the program and aims to create an environment that breeds success.

“(I wanted to) just take it day by day and try to build our team and create a culture for the type of team we want to be,” Miller said. “We’re moving in that direction.”

Woodberry Forest finished 5-4 last fall and has a number of talented players returning for 2024.

Savion Hiter will play in the backfield his junior season after rushing for 1,060 yards and 10 touchdowns his sophomore year. He is one of the top running back recruits in the country and recently announced the final five schools he is interested in: Tennessee, Michigan, Georgia, Penn State and Ohio State.

His teammate and fellow Louisa County native Dyzier Carter has already committed to Rutgers. The wide receiver collected 273 receiving yards, 298 rushing yards and 301 passing yards last season.

Sheldon Robinson will be on the other side of the ball after catching six interceptions for the Tigers last fall. He has committed to Virginia Tech.

Carsen Murray is a returning second-team all-state offensive lineman who will play at William & Mary next season, and Lukas Sanker has received Division I offers following his second-team all-state season last year.

Woodberry Forest opens its season on September 7th in Flint Hill.

The Lions have won the Jefferson District championship every year for the past eight seasons and are ready to stay at the top.

Seventeen starters return after their 9-2 season, including first- and second-team All-District players Braden McIntire, Jayden Seaberry, Isaiah Holland, Jahmere Ragland, Jaylen Jackson, Donovan Nelson and Lawton Rowan.

Louisa County has beaten everyone in the district in 2023, but many teams are trying to get in their way this fall.

The Mustangs improved their record in the 2022 regular season from 1-9 to 8-2 last year. The standard of the program has increased and the players are responding.

“Whenever we’ve talked to our seniors – and we have quite a few seniors this year – they’ve set some, I think, really reasonable but very ambitious goals for what they hope to accomplish this season,” Monticello head coach Matt Hicks said.

The Mustangs have 19 seniors on their roster, including 2023 first- and second-team All-District players Oziel Jara, Ezekiel Pour, Tre Early, Brayden Rettig and D’rhon Jackson. Owen Engel will also be in his second year as starting quarterback after earning honorable mention.

Due to the talent of the team, the group trained more efficiently.

“There’s a high level of competitive energy,” Hicks said. “This is a really, really great group of players. I think right now we have some depth at some positions that we haven’t had in a long time, which allows us to be a little more focused in our preparation.”

After winning eight games last fall, Monticello is aware of the different approach its opponents will take against the Mustangs in 2024.

“I think we know we’re getting the best of everyone every week,” Hicks said. “The idea of ​​sneaking up on anyone doesn’t exist right now.”

Each team on the schedule faces a new challenge and no duel is taken lightly.

“This district is great,” Hicks said. “If you look at teams that were mid-table in our district last year, you still see teams that were playoff-worthy. So you have to be incredibly prepared every week in this district, I would say.”

The Mustangs played hard-fought games against Albemarle, Orange County and Fluvanna County, defeating each by one possession. Their only loss in the district came against Louisa County.

The Fighting Hornets are coming off a 5-5 season, while the Flucos are 5-6 and the Patriots are 5-5.

Fluvanna returns first-team All-District tight end and William & Mary freshman Benny Denby for his final season. FCHS will also have second-team All-District quarterback Will Lambert back at quarterback.