Sports Dogs Podcast: Duke meets The Royal Family? Commanders Draft, Skyline Signing Day

In this edition, The Dogs:

  • discuss the King and Queen coming to Front Royal and how The Duke plans to join in on the festivities
  • review and grade the recent Commanders’ NFL Draft picks
  • The Duke also chats with several Skyline HS athletes who are looking ahead to the next level including Day’Shawn Haley and Barrett Stephens.

Click HERE for the latest episode of the Sports Dogs Podcast on TheRiver953.com, Spotify, iTunes, or Amazon Music.

Brought to you by Energy Windows, LLC. Don’t monkey around with 5 different contractors. Dave does it ALL! Call him at 540-671-9243 or visit https://energywindowsllc.com

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Skyline vs Fauquier (Region 3B Semifinals)

2/24/26, Front Royal VA- Skyline hosts Fauquier tonight in the Region 3B boys basketball Semifinals with coverage on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app starting at 5:45 pm brought to you by the Hike Kidz Foundation c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill.

Both Hawks and Falcons soared through the Quarterfinals and will face off for the third time this season.

Skyline is 2-0 in the previous matchups including a 77-71 overtime victory back in December (Skyline’s first game of the season) and a 71-57 victory in January, but Fauquier has improved dramatically throughout the course of the season.

After off 1-4, the Falcons rallied to win 11 of their last 12 games following the January loss to Skyline.

After making a State Tournament trip last season, Coach Jordan Orndorff’s squad reloaded following the loss of top producers All-State guard Dylan Donner, now at Bridgewater College, and Nate Edwards.

This year’s iteration lacks the size of last year’s Falcons but make up for it in speed and guard play led by Junior Trey Thompson and Freshman sensation Trey Watson.

Thompson returns after an All Region campaign last season and Watson has dazzled the region with his speed and quick release from long range.

While a team comprised mainly of speedy guards would cause mismatches for most teams, it may play right into the strength of the Skyline defense.

Since the arrival of Coach Harold Chunn, Skyline has played devastating defense from baseline to baseline with a lineage of talented and athletic guards.

Skyline’s Zayden Burks is one of the most athletic guards in Virginia with speed, strength, and the leaping ability to send a gym into a frenzy.

Against Kettle Run last week, Burks dunk with under 5 minutes remaining brought the house down, sent an opposing coach to the locker room early, and ended Kettle Run’s hopes of a comeback bid.

Burks, Andre Ford, and Cameron Kerns were recently named 1st Team All District selections while Day’Shawn Haley joined them on the 2nd Team.

Ford and Kerns dominated Kettle Run, as Ford poured in 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while Kerns added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Skyline will need a similar team rebounding effort to capitalize on the undersized Fauquier lineup and advance.

They say it is hard to beat a team three times… but statistically that is untrue and the team with a 2-0 advantage wins the third game 65-72% of the time.

The law averages, one of the best student sections in Virginia, and experienced guard play will send Skyline to the State Playoffs and a Regional Championship game, Hawks 76 – Falcons 68.

For more local sports coverage, follow the Sports Dogs Podcast here. 

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Warren County vs Skyline

12/12/25, Front Royal, VA- Warren County boys basketball hosts Skyline in tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week courtesy of Brickhouse Bar and Grill on Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app with coverage starting at roughly 7 pm following the conclusion of the JV matchup.

The hardwood edition of the River Rivalry will feature two teams still looking to find their footing in the early stages of the season.

Skyline had a late start to the season due to the most successful football season in school history, but as Vince Lombardi said, “Winning is a habit”.

The Hawks basketball roster features many of the same stand-out athletes as the Region Runner-Up football team including the top running back in Virginia Zayden Burks, All Region Linebacker Andre Ford, All Region QB Day’Shawn Haley, and a few others.

After the long post season, the Hawks came out a bit rusty against Fauquier before surging past the Falcons in overtime.

Skyline needed to overcome a 12 point 4th quarter deficit to secure the win.

Andre Ford’s 11 point 4th quarter and Cameron Kerns 6 point overtime period led the way for a comeback in the Hawks lone game.

Warren County has already played four regular season games and look to have taken a step forward in their second year under Head Coach Mario Gill.

The Wildcats are 2-2 with wins over Kettle Run and Liberty, two teams they went a combined 1-3 against last year.

Warren County returns last year’s leader in scoring, rebounding, and steals in 6’4″ Ethan Bare, the leader in assists and 3p% Adrian Craig, and 6’3″ guard Bryce Bergmann.

Freshman Makari Robinson stood out as a wide receiver for Warren County.

His athleticism and 6’3″ frame should transition nicely to the hardwood.

Skyline has a few exciting additions as well including former JV standout Mark Jefferies.

While both teams are still coming together in the early stages of the season, Warren County’s four regular season games together and confidence found after a few wins should help them battle against a Skyline team that has had their number in recent years.

Skyline has already shown in their lone game, they know when it’s time to lock-in and play ball like they did in the 4th quarter and OT against Fauquier.

The Hawks won’t need the nudge of 12 point deficit to show some fire against a cross-town rival and I look for them to come out with their signature defensive pressure to force the Cats into some early mistakes.

Hawks will start to pull away late, but don’t be surprised to see this game tied-up at halftime, Skyline 55-Warren County 45.

For an interview with WCHS Coach Mario Gill from Josh Kirby, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

The Duke’s Preview: Strasburg @ Skyline

Skyline High School hosts Strasburg High School in the first Dave’s Diversified Services Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com, and The River 95.3 app with pregame coverage starting at 6:30 pm for the 7 pm kick-off.

Strasburg enters Front Royal off one of the best seasons in school history that ended in a State Championship game appearance in Salem.

The Rams started off in a big hole before settling in and eventually falling to State Championship game regulars, Graham.

Coach Lamb and Co. return a lot of talent from that team, especially along the trenches.

Strasburg’s offensive line has elite size for the Class 2 level and returns elite talent in First Team All-State selections Gage Gutierrez and Jacob Britton.

Benefitting from their blocking is returning QB Braden Hough (545 passing yards, 7 touchdowns) and RB Quincy Williams (933 yards, 12 touchdowns).

Defensively, the Rams return linebacker and tackling machine Nate Turner who combined with Williams for nearly 250 tackles last season.

Britton will also be a force on the defensive line again this season along with Hutson Conrad.

Conrad missed time with injury last season but is a game-wrecker for offenses trying to run the ball near his 6’4″ 250 lb frame.

Strasburg will certainly miss the speed of Takhi Coates and Riley Walker against a Skyline squad that also returns talent in the trenches and one of the top skill groups in the Valley.

Skyline’s offense looks dangerous this year with the backfield combination of athletic QB Day’Shawn Haley and dynamic running back Zayden Burks.

Burks is back for his junior season after running around defenses last season to the tune of 1,642 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.

The multi-sport athlete is finally getting D1 attention after contributing at the Varsity level since his freshman year.

Barrett Stephens (6’3″ 260 lb.) will lead the convoy to help open holes for Burks along a deep and experienced offensive line.

Playmakers Andre Ford and Marques Lockhart-Wright can line-up anywhere from TE, WR, H-Back, or take direct snaps in the Wildhawk.

Ford and Lockhart-Wright bring that same energy to the defensive side of the ball to lead the linebacking crew with physicality.

The duo combined for 13 touchdowns and 166 tackles last season for the Hawks.

Along the defensive line, Skyline returns area sack leaders Jonathan Leach (85 tackles and 6 sacks) and Tytus Drake (5.5 sacks).

Like Strasburg, the defensive backfield will have some new faces after the graduation of Isiah Maxwell and Donnell Turner.

When both teams take the field tonight, fans will see experienced teams that have played a lot of football together at this point in their careers and enter the season with high expectations.

Both teams elite line play is a relative push while Skyline appears to have the advantage at skill positions, but Strasburg will be playing for something bigger than themselves as Coach Lamb continues his battle with cancer and is anticipated to be on the sidelines tonight.

Skyline is 1-3 against Strasburg in season openers since 2021 with the lone win coming via forfeit after an off-field incident.

I look for the Rams to continue their hot streak against Skyline and come out with a tight win by controlling the clock, 27-24.

For a look at all of the Week 1 games, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast here.

The Duke’s Preview: Skyline vs James Wood ft Coach Heath Gilbert

Skyline hosts James Wood in their home opener for the High School Football Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, and streaming at theriver953.com and The River 95.3 app with coverage starting at 6:30 pm for a 7 pm kick off.

This will be James Wood’s second trip into Front Royal this year after knocking off Warren County 21-0 in week 1 thanks to some great defense and special teams.

Last week, the Colonels defeated Brentsville in a 16-15 thriller.

The defense once again held strong when it mattered most and senior defensive lineman Jordyn Sweetser secured his second fumble recovery of the season but this one he took to the house.

Special teams shine once again with a clutch kick by Aidan Bell to take the lead and then a host of Colonels bursting through the line to block Brentsville’s potential game winning kick.

James Wood sophomore quarterback Owen Neal has the ability to keep his team in any game and has shown tremendous arm talent in just his second year of high school action.

Against the Tigers, he connected with junior wide receiver Xander Manzo for two deep balls including a 91 yard touchdown strike.

Skyline has the team speed to contain players like Manzo and rip off a few big plays themselves.

Six different Hawks recorded explosive plays of over 20 yards in the week one battle against Strasburg.

Skyline fell behind two scores before halftime after two back-breaking personal foul penalties cleared the way for the Rams.

The Hawks made some adjustments after the half and first year varsity contributor Day’shawn Haley took the edge and scored from 32 yards out on the opening possession, but Strasburg squashed the rally with back-to-back touchdown drives.

After an early bye week, Skyline has had plenty of time to study James Wood’s film and work on the miscues of week 1, but James Wood’s defense combined with the talented arm of Neal make them a dangerous opponent for any team.

Both offenses have explosive potential, but James Wood’s defense appears to have an edge based on their performance over the first two weeks.

Linebacker Vincent Salvati already has 22 tackles and a sack through his first two games while Sweetser leads the area in sacks with five.

That defensive core will help the Colonels to improve to 3-0 for just the second time since 2009, 31-26.

To listen to my interview with Skyline Head Coach Heath Gilbert, click here.

To hear the latest Sports Dogs Podcast previewing all of the Week 3 matchups and looking back at week 2, click here. 

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Skyline vs Brentsville

Skyline (3-2) hosts Brentsville (0-4) at 7:30 tonight in the High School Basketball Game of the Week on Fox Sports Radio 1450 WFTR, theriver953.com, and the Tune In Radio App.

The Hawks are not off to the start that they had hoped, already accumulating more losses this season through five games than all of last season.

But the season is young, and Skyline’s losses have came against very strong competition.

The 55-53 opening night loss on the road to a Class 4 Sherando team expected to have a great year is nothing to hang your head about and the other loss in the Handley Showcase was to a powerhouse Spotswood program.

Tonight is a classic “get right game” opportunity for the Hawks as they have dominated Brentsville in recent history.

Skyline has graduated some key pieces to those teams like Zack Diggs and Elias Carter but return some star familiar faces in Colby Wood, Dwayne Tucker, Andre Ford, and Sebastian Banks.

Coach Chunn is also excited about some new additions like the ultra athletic Ahsan Abdul-Qasim, standout wide reciever Isiah Maxwell, and Day’Shawn Haley, who has already played key minutes this season.

They were both members of Skyline’s JV team that went undefeated last season.

In last year’s varsity matchups with Brentsville, the Hawks dominated both outings 80-48 and 91-53.

Dwayne Tucker had 14 points in the first of the two games and is off to a hot start again this season.

In Skyline’s season opener against Sherando, Tucker scored a game high 23 points and in their most recent win against Clarke County, he totaled 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Brentsville has struggled this season but is coming off their closest game of the season, falling by two to Culpepper.

The Tigers allowed a concerning performance to freshman guard Makel Minor of James Monroe as he reached 51 points, including eight-three pointers.

Colby Wood’s three point shooting or Dwayne Tucker’s inside dominance could provide an impressive stat line by the end of tonight.

I predict Skyline to roll to a convincing win and calm the concerns of some fans in the area, 87-53.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.