The start of the 2026 Virginia high school football season is fast approaching. Now, it’s time to unveil the High School On SI Virginia preseason Top 25.Varina is No. 1 to start the season. The Richmond school captured the Virginia Class 4 state championship last December and returns star dual-threat quarterback Kaleb Wyche, who’s committed to East Tennessee State University, as well as Power 4 recruits Raymond Hudson (Clemson) and Sair Rex (Virginia).After an impressive debut season, The Saint James Performance Academy is No. 2. Reigning public-school state champions Maury (Class 5) and Oscar Smith (Class 6), along with three-time defending Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I champion Benedictine College Prep, complete the preseason Top 5.Here’s the High School On SI Virginia football preseason Top 25:1. VARINA BLUE DEVILSLast season: 13-2No. 3 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsAfter winning their first Virginia state championship (Class 4) last season, the Blue Devils are primed for a monster encore with senior quarterback Kaleb Wyche (committed to East Tennessee State University) anchoring offense and Power.4 commits Sair Rex (defensive back; Virginia) and R.J. Hudson (defensive end; Clemson) leading the defense.2. THE SAINT JAMES PERFORMANCE ACADEMY STRIVERSLast season: 8-1No. 6 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Strivers, who enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in 2025, have senior quarterback Kash Carter, wide receiver Jakari Graham (Temple), safety Kenaz Sullivan and linebacker Tyson Washington (Virginia Tech) as part of an Uber-talented roster that’ll play a daunting national schedule including IMG Academy (Fla.) and Saint Frances Academy (Md.).3. MAURY COMMODORESLast season: 14-1No. 2 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Commodores look to make it four straight Virginia Class 5 state championship with senior defensive back Matt Williams, senior running Tayshawn Blanche (James Madison) and junior quarterback Domo Everette leading the charge.4. OSCAR SMITH TIGERSLast season: 13-1No. 1 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Tigers lost senior quarterback Lonnie Andrews (Virginia) to an undisclosed injury during the offseason, but the Chesapeake, Va. school return running back Ty’jae Curtis and wide receiver Donte Dent (James Madison) for a run at a third straight Virginia Class 6 state title.5. BENEDICTINE COLLEGE PREP CADETSLast season: 11-1No. 5 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Cadets have designs on a fourth straight Virginia Independent Schools State Association Division I title as senior quarterback Ralphie Puccinelli (Richmond) returns (played for Glen Allen in 2025) to anchor an offense featuring Virginia Tech commit Sam Faniel (tight end). 6. HUGUENOT FALCONSLast season: 11-2No. 11 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Falcons will likely be Varina’s biggest obstacle in Class 4 with junior quarterback Charles Scott and senior wide receiver Iveon Lewis (South Carolina on offense and a stout defense featuring seniors Jayce Bigelow (defensive end) and Zayvon Miller (safety; Virginia) and highly touted freshman Hayden Anderson (defensive tackle).7. HIGHLAND SPRINGS SPRINGERSLast season: 11-4No. 7 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Springers will try to break Maury’s hold in Virginia’s Class 5 with senior running back John Carter and juniors Dashaun Chisem (quarterback), Patrick Cheatham (offensive line) and Delvin Davis (Wie receiver) as the anchors.8. STONE BRIDGE BULLDOGSLast season: 11-2No. 4 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsArguably Northern Virginia’s best, the Bulldogs should be a factor in the Virginia Class 5 state title with senior quarterback Amir Anglin and talented juniors Keith Nolan (wide receiver/defensive back) and Kaden Golston (defensive back).9. INDIAN RIVER BRAVESLast season: 11-3No. 8 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Braves could be in position to supplant Oscar Smith atop the Southeastern District standings with junior quarterback Lord Mailk Heru.10. GREEN RUN STALLIONSLast season: 11-1No. 10 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsAfter winning two Class 4 titles at Phoebus, quarterback Mauritius Banks (Hampton) looks to take the Stallions on a run at the Virginia Class 5 state championship. 11. THOMAS DALE KNIGHTSLast season: 10-2No. 11 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Knights have the pieces for a run at the Virginia Class 6 state title with an experienced offensive unit featuring junior quarterback Wyatt Jessup and senior Avazion Brown (defensive end) guiding the defense.12. DINWIDDLE GENERALSLast season: 11-1No. 16 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Generals will rely on their running game, featuring senior Trevion Mills and sophomore Derrikus Nelson, to challenge Varina and Huguenot in the Virginia Class 6 region postseason.13. TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL TITANSLast season: 9-2No. 14 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThough standout Davion Brown graduated to Virginia Tech, the Titans return a veteran cast and will again loom large in the Virginia Prep League (Tri-champ last season) and Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I championship (finalist last season) picture.14. WOODBERRY FOREST SCHOOL TIGERSLast season: 14-1No. 2 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Tigers look to claim a third straight Virginia Prep League with Virginia’s top senior linemen in Junior Saunders (Virginia Tech) along with senior running back Keondre Hugdens and senior linebacker CJ Rissmiller (Old Dominion).15. RIVERBEND BEARSLast season: 11-1No. 15 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School on SI Football State RankingsThe Bears look to stay atop the Commonwealth District standings with dynamic senior backfield duo of Landon Irby and Joshua Laulenschlager and two-way senior James Sharon leading the trenches.16. JAMES MADISON WARHAWKSLast season: 9-4Not ranked in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Warhawks, who’ve given Oscar Smith fits in the Virginia Class 6 playoffs the past two years - lost in semifinals last year and in finals in 2024 - will try to capture their elusive first championship this season with seniors Jazzy Ashkar (offensive/defensive line) Kellen Counts (wide receiver/defensive back), Owen Elling (wide receiver), William Helvey (running back), Lucas Vacaflor (quarterback) and Cooper Vaudo (offensive line).17. LAFAYETTE RAMSLast season: 14-1Not ranked in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Rams will rely on 16 seniors, led by Old Dominion commit Baum Hogge (quarterback/linebacker), to take the next step after losing in last year’s Virgina Class 4 semifinals.18. HAMPTON CRABBERSLast season: 10-2Not ranked in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsAfter their first Peninsula District title last season, the Crabbers think a Virginia Class 4 title run Is possible in 2026 with senior quarterback Marcus Chapman.19. LAKE TAYLOR TITANSLast season: 14-1Not ranked in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Titans look to prove their improbable run to the Virginia Class 3 state crown last season wasn’t a fluke with senior quarterback/safety Kevin Adams 20. PETERSBURG CRIMSON WAVELast season: 9-4Not ranked in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Crimson Wave look to build on last season’s momentum with 17 returning starters, including seniors Jaevion HIll-Jackson (running back), Demerrion Ross (wide receiver), and Jaylen Ray (tight end/linebacker), 21. HERMITAGE PANTHERSLast season: 10-3Not ranked in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Panthers are banking several new offensive playmakers like senior qurterback Myles Brooks compliment their veteran defense, led by junior defensive Darryl Woodson, a sure-fire Power 4 talent. 22. KING’S FORK BULLDOGSLast season: 11-2No. 12 in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsThe Bulldogs will depend on Myles Satchell and wide receiver Anthony Henderson (Maryland) in finding a way to get past defending champ Maury in the Virginia Class 5 region playoffs.23. MANCHESTER LANCERSLast season: 10-2Not ranked in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsWith senior defensive linemen Cam Chalkley (Virginia) headlining a cast of solid veterans and promising underclassmen, the Lancers should be in the mix for the Virginia Class 6 state championship.24. LOUDON COUNTY SPORTS ACADEMY TIMBERWOLVESLast season: 6-5Not ranked in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsWith a host of talented transfers, including senior wideout Cam Wade (Virginia Tech( and a tough national schedule, the Timberwolves should be an intriguing watch this season. 25. ROANOKE CATHOLIC SCHOOL CELTICSLast season: 5-5Not ranked in the Final 2025 Virginia High School On SI Football State RankingsWith a new coach and several Power 4 transfers including senior offensive linemen Elijah Hutcheson (Florida) from North Cross School, the Celtics have their sights on the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II crown this season.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow