The Duke’s Preview: Skyline @ Strasburg

8/28/26 Strasburg, VA– Skyline makes the short trip to Strasburg for the first High School Football Game of the Week brought to you by the Hike Kidz Foundation c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill with coverage starting at 6:30 for the Tana Hoffman Pregame Show then the 7 pm kick-off on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

Strasburg ended a program long State Championship drought last season and will now look to prove this is the start of a dynasty, not the book after a Cinderella story.

The Rams return Class 2 Offensive Player of the Year RB Quincy Williams (2,000+ yards, 27 Touchdowns) and 2x All State selection Gage Gutierrez along the offensive line but will look to replace some key players including QB Brayden Hough, RBs Brady Knight and Linkyn Bosworth, and other key pieces along the offensive line.

OT Cooper Miller filled in during the playoff run due to injury and played will during crucial games for the Rams while many other younger players like Brady Knight’s brother Tyler Knight were able to get varsity playing time thanks to lopsided scores down the stretch.

TEs Carson Duckworth and Alexander Mudd love to block and will provide senior leadership on the ends of the OL.

The defensive side of the ball contains more question marks as the Rams will graduate four Class 2 All State Defensive selections including Brady Knight, Nathaniel Turner, Jacob Britton, and Defensive Player of the Year Hutson Conrad.

Quincy Williams will make impact plays on the defense as well and provides good versatility thanks to his speed and physicality.

James Trainor and Pablo Mora Hernandez will be looked to on the backend after strong junior campaigns and playoff runs.

Skyline is still searching for the school’s first football State Title but did claim the program’s first Region Runner-Up after falling short to Kettle Run in last year’s playoffs.

The Hawks also bring back an All-State level running back in Zayden Burks.

Burks led  Virginia with an astounding 2,897 yards and 28 touchdowns and could realistically surpass those numbers this season.

If Burks can reach that total this year, he would have the second most career rushing yards in VHSL history and he is just 1,236 yards away from 6,000 career yards and ranking in the top 27 in state history.

Skyline returns a strong offensive line including four seniors Tytus Drake, Ryan Held, Adrian Schmitz, and Christian Boone who take pride in opening lanes for their RB and protecting first year starter QB Brentley Grindle.

Grindle’s raw talent, athleticism, and performance as JV QB last year made the decision easy for the Hawks coaching staff and the sophomore has impressed his teammates with his play and leadership in 7-on-7 tournaments and training camp.

Grindle has already formed a good connection with Jr TE Brady Lupton (6’4″ 230 lb) and WRs Caydin Jenkins and Lane Kenney.

Defensively, the Hawks will have many of those OL playing both ways with Lupton and Drake ready to wreak havoc again along the defensive line.

Skyline will need to figure out life without All State LB Andre Ford and the Hawks other leading tackler, Marques Lockhart-Wright (TE at Virginia University of Lynchburg).

With that duo now graduated, Burks could enter the rarified air of 100-plus tackles to go with 2,000-plus rushing yards this season.

Skyline’s defensive backfield of Kenney, Jenkins, and Isiah Grady should be a strong unit again this season.

Now to the matchups, Skyline’s new LB unit without Ford and Lockhart-Wright will be tested in Game 1 against Strasburg’s unique T-Formation.

The Hawks have started the last few season against the Rams so it is not an entirely new concept, but it is still difficult to prepare for, especially at the game speed of the Rams.

Skyline’s new QB Brently Grindle will also get to experience a Varsity defense for the first time and it as a Rams unit that allowed just 12.5 ppg last season.

The Hawks rebuttal to these perceived disadvantages can be pretty simple… we have a hulk… or Zayden Burks.

Burks has game breaking potential every time he touches the ball, even when he is a defenses #1 priority.

Skyline would have an advantage in the defensive backfield against a new starter at QB for Strasburg but the Rams would be completely fine without passing the entire game which would negate that potential edge.

Both team’s offensive and defensive lines should dominate all year long and I would say that category is a push in this matchup.

With two teams who enter the season with high expectations, it may truly come down to who can minimize mistakes and based on the youth at key positions for the Hawks, that could be an issue.

Look for the Rams to come out with some extra energy early as it will be their first time back on Glenn Proctor Field since hoisting the State Title, but this is a motivated Skyline team that would take pride in raining on the Rams return to their homefield.

This game will come down to the final possession, but based on recent history of the Rams undefeated record on the field vs the Hawks since COVID and the momentum from the hometown crowd behind them, it will be tough to unseat the champions in Week 1.

Williams and Burks put on a show with ZB2K slightly outgaining QW1 in yardage, but with the Rams taking the edge on the scoreboard, Strasburg 28-Skyline 22.

For a preview of all the Week 1 matchups, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast HERE.

Sports Dogs: Strasburg State Championship game highlights

Look back at Strasburg’s Class 2 State Championship win over Glenvar with the Sports Dogs highlights! Coach Tripp Lamb leads the Rams to the first state title in program history, 49-27.

The Duke’s Championship Preview: Strasburg vs Glenvar

12/13/25, Salem, VA- Strasburg heads back to Salem to take on Glenvar in the VHSL Class 2 State Championship for the final Dave’s Diversified Service Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app with coverage starting at 10:45 am for the Tana Hoffman-Sager Realty pregame show, 11:30 am kick-off.

The Rams earned the school’s sixth shot at their first title after another great season led by a stellar offensive and defensive line.

Strasburg’s running backs Quincy Williams, Linkyn Bosworth, and Brady Knight have seen massive holes all season long behind an offensive line that returns nearly every piece from last year’s State Championship Runner-Up squad.

Hutson Conrad, Jacob Stickley, Gage Gutierrez, and Jacob Britton have been incredible all year, and after Tadeo Bunch was sidelined due to injury, Cooper Miller has filled the role seamlessly.

Like nearly every game this season, the Rams will have a distinct size advantage in the trenches.

Poquoson attempted to match Strasburg’s strength with 4-Star 6’6″ 280 lb tackle Carter Jones and a few other larger lineman, but the Rams still dominated and seemed to use their opponent’s accolades as fuel to the fire.

Jones made little impact in the stat sheet and Strasburg often used his own aggression against him to force him out of position.

Strasburg’s starting unit averages 6’2″ 257 lbs while Glenvar’s defensive line usually features just three down lineman with the most utilized players averaging 6’0″ 236 lbs.

For comparison, Division-III Shenandoah University’s OL last year averaged 6’0″ 254 lbs.

The Highlanders also only have one player listed over 235 lb (Ryan Harris 6’3″ 300 lb sophomore) while the Rams bring nine players over the same threshold.

Size isn’t everything though and what the Highlanders lack in brute force, they make up for with one of the best passing attacks in Virginia led by the VHSL record holder for passing touchdowns in a career.

Brody Dawyot will be the most talented passer Strasburg has seen this season or the last few combined.

The 6’5″ 225 lb 3-star athlete tallied 2,557 yards and 37 passing touchdowns this season to go with 754 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns.

Believe it or not, those numbers are actually a step-back from his junior season which totaled 2,964 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 701 rushing yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns.

Dawyot’s play on the other hand did not take a step-back as the decrease in stats is due to hardly having to play in the second half this season thanks to some huge leads for the Highlanders.

In a stark contrast from the Strasburg T-formation, Glenvar spreads out the opposition and boasts a talented receiving corps including Brody’s brother Tre, the school’s receptions record holder Cooper Mullins, and multisport stand out Cale Vaughan (Roanoke College baseball commit).

According to WR Jace Forster’s X account, the Highlanders will be without one of their top weapons as he self-reported his injury sustained in the win over Union.

Defensively, Brody Dawyot is a menace setting the edge where he racked up over 30 sacks and 30 TFL the last two seasons.

Joining him along the DL is Nick Wilson, the reigning Regional Defensive Player of the Year and a 1st Team All State selection in 2024.

The Highlanders linebacking corps boasts 1st Team All State LB Vaughan and highlight reel Rawlin Hanks.

Strasburg will need to account for Hanks every play after he racked up 91 tackles, 5 INTs (2 pick sixes), and 8 TFL in the regular season.

While a passing offense is considered a must at the collegiate and professional levels, running the ball and winning at the line of scrimmage is still the recipe in high school football.

Strasburg should be able to do both of those things against Glenvar and the Rams defensive line has the ability to get pressure on Dawyot.

The UNC-Charlotte commit hasn’t lost since the 2024 State Semifinals after Graham’s heavy pressure led to 3 interceptions before their matchup with Strasburg.

I look for the Rams to replicate that gameplan defensively to force some turnovers, win time of possession with the running game, and celebrate the first State Championship in Strasburg history, Rams 28 – Glenvar 20.

Check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast for more on the State Championship game, JMU’s CFP birth, and Regional Players of the Year selection.

The Duke’s Region 2B Championship Preview: Strasburg vs Stuarts Draft

11/28/25, Strasburg, VA- The Region 2B Championship provides the stage as Strasburg hosts Stuarts Draft in the 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 starting with the Tana Hoffman-Sager Realty Pregame Show at 6:30 pm, 7 pm kick-off.

Strasburg will look to defend last year’s Region Title and go back to the State Tournament while Stuarts Draft will try for another upset after knocking out the #2 seed last week.

This year’s Rams include many contributors from last year including the offensive and defensive lines which should be a huge difference maker today.

Stuarts Draft does not post the height and weight of their athletes on the roster, but based on the “eye test”, Strasburg should have a massive size advantage.

The Rams have one of the largest lines in Class 2 and they match that size with talent which helped secure a First or Second Team All District selection for every single offensive lineman this year.

In the Regional Semifinal win over Central, the interior of the o-line led by Center Gage Gutierrez and Guards Jacob Britton and Jacob Stickley wore down the Falcons and helped Linkyn Bosworth to one of his best outings of the season with 23 carries for 137 yards.

Defensively, the Rams will need to shift their focus from a balanced attack with big play wide receivers to a running game that can produce explosive plays without putting the ball in the air.

Stuarts Draft is led by the ground attack of quarterback Derrick Moore and running back Baylor Graber.

Operating primarily out of the shotgun, the Cougars use a lot of pre-snap motion to try to force the defense out of position and open up lanes for Moore and Graber.

The duo has similar rushing stats with both adding 16 touchdowns each and Moore totaling 1,177 yards on 125 carries while Graber followed with 1,165 yards on 156 carries.

Moore can also pass when he needs to and is 39/69 with 719 yards and 3 TDs on the year.

The Rams will need to be prepared for a fake punt at any point as the senior QB is also their punter.

Defensively, Moore and Graber are also 1st Team All District selections at DB and LB.

Senior DL Landon Shifflett can also be a game-wrecker for the Cougars and has 69 tackles.

Three of the last four years, Stuarts Draft’s season has come to an end at the hands of a Bull Run District / Shenandoah County team and that trend should continue tonight.

Strasburg’s massive advantage upfront should help the Rams control the line of scrimmage and time of possession while an early lead will take the Cougars away from their run oriented gameplan.

Strasburg pulls away in the second half and heads back to the State Tournament, final score: 34-6.

For a look back at last week’s playoff matchup and a preview of both Strasburg and Skyline Regional Championship Games, 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.