The Duke’s Preview: Skyline vs Meridian

11/14/25, Front Royal, VA- The high school football playoffs begin tonight with Skyline hosting Meridian in the Region 3B Quarterfinals for 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 with the Tana Hoffman Pregame Show starting at 6:30 pm for the 7 pm kick-off.

The Hawks fly into this matchup on a seven game win streak and outscoring opponents in the stretch 301-127.

Skyline’s offensive production is based on the ground game led by Virginia’s top running back in rushing yards, Zayden Burks.

Burks eclipsed the 2,000 yard mark after 11 straight carries to start the game vs Warren County and went on to finish the night with 331 yards and a third River Rivalry win.

Burks has rushed for over 250 yards in six straight games and was only under the mark against Manassas Park.

Due to the lopsided score, he carried the ball just three times for 130 yards and 2 TDs.

He also ran all over Meridian in their previous matchup just two weeks ago and accounted for 345 rushing yards and an 86 yard kick-off return for a touchdown.

After their season finale against Manassas Park was cancelled, the Mustangs have spent a long time thinking about Skyline.

Meridian limped into the playoffs winning just two of the last six games and those wins came against Fauquier and Warren County who have combined for just three wins this season.

While struggling in the W/L column, Meridian still possesses an offense that can give you nightmares led by their tandem of 1st Team All District running backs Duke Dawson and Oumar Thompson.

The duo combined for three touchdowns in the first matchup against Skyline and will not want their high school careers to end Friday night.

Defensively, Meridian is led by JR LB Keaton Grace.

Grace is a two-sport standout in lacrosse and football and already claimed 1st Team All District at linebacker.

Skyline’s defense has benefitted from a deep line led by Jonathan Leach which opens up space for linebackers Andre Ford and Marques Lockhart-Wright to fly around and make plays.

Burks has also stepped up defensively this year and joined Leach, Ford, and Lockhart-Wright as 1st Team All District selections.

When these teams take the field, I look for Skyline to use there momentum entering the playoffs to come out of the gates firing.

QB Day’Shawn Haley will attack over the top if the defense keys in on Burks.

Haley has benefitted from defenses focusing on the run game and against Meridian two weeks ago he put up a stat line of 11/14, 174 yds, and 3TDs.

His early success followed by the ground attack of Burks will push the Hawks to the Region Semifinals, Skyline wins 43-24.

For a preview of all the local playoff matchups, a look back at the final week of the regular season, Player of the Year acknowledgements, and more, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast.

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Skyline vs Warren County

Skyline (10-2) heads across Front Royal to take on Warren County (3-10) in tonight’s Van Metre Homes High School Basketball Game of the Week on Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

Skyline defeated Warren County in their first matchup this season, 75-46.

Dwayne Tucker dominated in that game, leading all scorers with 18 points including a tone setting dunk in the first quarter.

The Hawks tough defense allowed their season average of just 46 points, the 5th best scoring defense in Virginia, and the offense produced just above their season average of 72 ppg, the 6th best in Virginia (Rankings according to novahoops.com).

Skyline entered the previous matchup after their first loss of the season and will come out motivated once again after their second loss this year to undefeated Meridian on a buzzer beater three pointer, 57-54.

Warren County has a young roster with no seniors and has struggled under first year coach Mario Gill, but are laying the ground work for a strong future.

In the previous matchup vs Skyline, 6’4″ junior Ethan Bare led the game with 13 rebounds to go with 13 points and freshman Jaycob Robinson stepped up with 11 points in just his 3rd varsity start, but turnovers piled up quickly for the Cats leading to a 16 point deficit through the first period.

The Wildcats have to do a better job maintaining possession against the Hawks defensive pressure to hang in this rivalry game tonight.

That is easier said than done and I predict Skyline will extend their winning streak over Warren County in boys basketball to #13 with a few more electric dunks along the way, 75-55.

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Warren County vs Skyline

The high school boys basketball regular season concludes tonight with Skyline hosting Warren County on 1450 WFTR, theriver953.com, and the Tune In Radio App at 7:20 pm.

It will be Senior Night at Skyline High School and two of those seniors have stepped up their game of late.

Colby Wood played one of his best games of the season against Meridian to lead all scorers with 23 points, helping the Hawks knock off the top team in the region.

Caden Thorne has shot the three-ball more efficiently lately which has helped keep defenses honest, allowing more space inside for junior forward Dwayne Tucker.

While Skyline’s offense starts with their senior guards, Warren County’s offense has been led by a freshman down the stretch.

Bryce Bergmann has been filling up the scoring column, reaching over 20 points in the Wildcat’s last two games.

Warren County has already improved their record from last season, as well as raising their scoring average and lowering their points allowed, and with the emergence of Bergmann, should be very excited about the future of the program under head coach TJ Atlee.

Skyline started off the season rockier than previous years but have seem to find their stride as the season progressed to maintain aspirations for another playoff run.

The Hawks will look to put away their cross-town rivals early to provide some rest for their key players before the playoffs begin next week, but Warren County kept the game competitive early in the last matchup before fading.

Skyline’s depth and experience on Senior Night in front of a packed gym will give them the edge to continue their win streak against Warren County, 79-54.

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