NORTHERN VIRGINIA (DC News Now) — We have three high school football teams left in our coverage area, as Madison, Briar Woods and Kettle Run look to bring home state championships in their respective classifications.
Class 6 Preview: Madison vs. Oscar Smith
The Madison Warhawks are 14-0 for the first time in their program history. They get set to take on undefeated Oscar Smith in the VHSL Class 6 state final on Saturday at 5 p.m. at JMU, a rematch of the Class 6 state final in 2021, where Madison lost 42-17.
This is the third state final appearance in Madison’s program history, and they have all been in the last four years (2021, 2022, 2024). However, the Warhawks are still in search of their first state championship.
“It’s something I always wanted to accomplish,” said senior linebacker Charlie Backman. “I’ve been there twice before. I’ve lost twice. This is our legacy game. I want to be the first people that have done something that hasn’t been done here.”
Class 5 Preview: Briar Woods vs. Maury
For the first time since 2013, Briar Woods is back in the state championship game. After posting a 10-3 record on the season, the Falcons are tasked with knocking off the defending Class 5 champs Maury, a team that many people have crowned as the best team in the state.
“We’re not going to be scared,” said senior quarterback Brady Carmical. “We’re going to go in thinking we are the underdogs and we got a lot to prove. Everybody has already written us off four weeks ago, so we got nothing to lose.”
Briar Woods will look to capture their fourth state championship in program history, and first since 2012. They will play at 11:30 a.m. at JMU Saturday.
Class 3 Preview: Kettle Run vs. Liberty Christian Academy
For the second time in their program history, Kettle Run is in the state final, taking on the defending champs Liberty Christian at 11:30 a.m. at Liberty University.
For the Cougars, it’s about having the experience this time around, as most of the players were apart of the team in 2022 that made it to the final and lost.
“Having never gone to one before that 2022 year, I will take credit, we weren’t prepared for the task at hand,” said Kettle Run head coach Charlie Porterfield. “So I think that’s going to pay off. It will be a tall task, but we’re excited for the opportunity.”
