Throughout the month of August, VirginiaPreps.com will begin previewing the upcoming 2017 High School Football season. As part of our comprehensive coverage, we will be counting down the Top Ten rankings for each classification.
#6 - Heritage-Lynchburg Pioneers
What to Know: For the fourth time in five years under Head Coach Brad Bradley, the Pioneers reached the playoffs. Heritage even notched a pair of postseason victories, combining for 96 points in wins over Northside and Hidden Valley before falling to eventual State Champ Blacksburg, 24-17 in the third round. A total of 14 starters - eight offensively and six on defense - return for 2017, which should help tremendously with half of their schedule consisting of opponents in Class 4 or 5.
The pulse of Heritage's offense will be running back Elijah Davis, who rushed for a school-record 2726 yards and 40 touchdowns a year ago, plus tossed three more touchdowns, on his way to 1st Team All-State recognition. Northside transfer Jabari Blake, a 6'4" junior, will vie for the starting quarterback job with Carrington Anderson, a senior coming off an ACL injury that forced him to miss ten games last year. That allows previous QB Kevin Moss to move back to his more natural wide receiver position.
Liberty Christian transfer Niyheem Simms adds to a relatively deep receiving core. On the offensive line, the Pioneers like their makeup with three seniors, led by right tackle Javon Reed, and a pair of juniors. Defensively, it'll be the second year in a 4-3 scheme and they'll be looking for improved secondary play with three returnees on the back end in senior corner Kevin Moss, junior corner Chris Megginson and senior safety Adrian Watson.
#7 - James Monroe Yellow Jackets - Read More Here
#8 - Brookville Bees - Read More Here
#9 - Norcom Greyhounds - Read More Here
#10 - Abingdon Falcons - Read More Here
Final 3A Rankings for 2016:
#1 - Blacksburg (10-5)
#2 - Staunton River (13-2)
#3 - Phoebus (11-3)
#4 - Hopewell (10-4)
#5 - Rustburg (10-3)
#6 - Brentsville District (10-3)
#7 - Heritage-Lynchburg (8-5)
#8 - James Monroe (9-3)
#9 - Lakeland (7-6)
#10 - Brookville (9-3)
Matthew Hatfield serves as Publisher for VirginiaPreps.com, part of the Rivals.com Network, and is a regular contributor to the ACC Sports Journal. Check out Hatfield’s Twitter page for more sports related updates, and you can also read his work in the Suffolk News Herald. To contact Matthew, please e-mail hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com, and don’t forget to listen to him every Saturday at 10AM on ESPN Radio 94.1.
