Sherando senior selected as semifinalist for National Merit Scholarship

james wood girls' basketball coach

Sherando High School Senior Callyn Henry was selected as a semifinalist in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship program.

Henry is one of just 16,000 semifinalists selected from the pool of over 1.2 million juniors from 20,000 high schools that entered the program.

If she advances from the pool of 6,700 finalists, she will receive a share of scholarships worth $24 million offered next Spring.

Initial screening for semifinalists is based on PSAT scores and each state sets it’s own cut-off scores.

Students who advance to finalist status will be evaluated on their academic record, essay submission, and recommendations.

Sherando High School Principal Logan Sheppard said, “Callynn’s achievement is a wonderful reflection of her dedication, hard work and academic passion. Our entire school community is incredibly proud of her, and we look forward to supporting her as she advances through the National Merit Scholarship process.”

With the scholarship money, Henry hopes to study environmental or conservation science with the goal of working as a conservationist.

To view the full announcement from FCPS, click here.

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

Rohrbaugh named Coordinator of Student Activities at Sherando

The Frederick County School Board announced the appointment of Taylor “TJ” Rohrbaugh as Coordinator of Student Activities at Sherando High School during the June 14th School Board meeting.

Rohrbaugh will continue to serve as Head Varsity Football Coach in addition to his role as CSA.

He is the only combination football coach and CSA in FCPS (Casey Childs serves in both roles at Clarke County High School).

The Sherando Alum has dedicated his entire career to FCPS with 17 years at Sherando and one year as a teacher and CSA at Millbrook High School.

As the head football coach, Rohrbaugh took the reigns in 2023 and has a record of 24-13.

The Warriors best season under his leadership came in 2024 when Sherando went 12-2 and advanced to the State Semifinals.

Rohrbaugh is just the second CSA in SHS history, and he will follow Jason Barbe who served in the role for 27 years.

FCPS announced in June that Barbe was selected as the new director of planning and construction.

Rohrbaugh holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from James Madison University, a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from West Virginia University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from James Madison University.

Story cover photo c/o Kirby on Sports Podcast.

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

Brian Kibler named AD at Central

The Shenandoah County School Board announced the appointment of Brian Kibler as the new Athletic Director at Central High School, effective July 1st.

Kibler joins Central after working in Frederick County Public Schools since 2007.

He brings with him experience as a Physical and Health Education Teacher, wrestling coach, and football coach and most recently served as the Assistant Coordinator of Student Activities at Sherando High School.

Before his time in Frederick County, Kibler worked for SCPS as an Alternative Education Teacher and earned his bachelors and masters degrees in kinesiology from James Madison University.

In the announcement, Kibler said, “I am truly honored and excited to have been appointed as the Central High School Athletic Director… I hope to enhance the overall student-athlete experience by promoting championship-level performance where success is driven by focusing on the day-to-day process both on and off the field.”

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

FCPS announces three administrators, Sherando principal

james wood girls' basketball coach

Frederick County Public Schools announced the appointment of three new administrators during Tuesday’s School Board Meeting.

Logan Sheppard is returning to Sherando as principal after serving as assistant principal at the school from 2015-2022.

Since 2022, he has held a variety of roles in the school division including Assistant Director of Student Support Services, Director of Transportation and most recently, Director of Planning and Construction.

He also began his career in education in Frederick County as a teacher at Stonewall Elementary.

Dr. Michael Mele joins FCPS as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

Dr. Mele brings with him 19 years of experience in education and currently serves as the Curriculum Director for Tuscarora School District in Pennsylvania.

He also has experience as a teacher, principal and program coordinator.

Franklin Harris was selected as the new Supervisor of Facility services.

Harris has spent the last two years as a maintenance technician for the school district and has nearly 30 years of experience as a technician, supervisor, and foreman.

For more information on the appointments, click here.

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

The Duke’s Bull Run District Championship Preview: Clarke County vs Strasburg

2/18/26, Berryville VA- Clarke County hosts Strasburg in the Bull Run District Girls Basketball Championship Game with coverage starting around 7:30 pm on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, The River 95.3 app and TheRiver953.com for the first of two Hike Kidz Foundation Games of the Week c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill (Boys Championship game will take place on Thursday).

Clarke County was pinned as the early favorites to repeat as Bull Run District Champions this season, but Strasburg made sure no one forgot about them after a 21-3 record and splitting with Clarke County in the regular season.

Strasburg upset Clarke County just 7 days ago at home 48-47 after a late Jayden Stinnette lay-up, but stumbled in their final regular season 56-51 to Central before a rematch three days later in the Bull Run District Semifinals where the Rams won 54-51.

In the win vs Clarke County, Strasburg snapped a 12 game Eagles win streak and limited All State Forward Alainah McKavaish to just 3 points in the first 3 quarters.

Limiting McKavish will be key to another chance at knocking off the Eagles.

In the first matchup between the schools in early January, McKavish dominated with a 21 point and 10 rebound performance and was one of five Eagles to knock down at least two 3-pointers.

McKavish leads Clarke in nearly every statistical category but has a strong and experienced supporting cast with 8/9 players returning from last years State Semifinal squad.

Paige McKavish (15.9 ppg) and Kendall Harman (10.5 ppg) join Alainah (20.6 ppg) in double digits while Savannah McCaw leads the Eagles with 4.1 assists per game and Paige Stemberger’s lock-down defense leads to 3.6 steals per game.

The Rams are led by seniors Emily Gorrell and Jayden Stinnette.

When Clarke County zeroed in on Gorrell last week, Stinnette made them pay with the game winner.

Gorrell leads the Rams in scoring with 17.8 per game and assists with 3.2 while Stinnette is just behind at 11.9 points per game and is the leading rebounder with 8.3 per game.

The duo is playing their best as the Rams enter the playoffs with both earning a double-double in the BRD semifinals.

Individually, Gorrell is on a tear with three straight games over 20 points.

Strasburg will have an advantage in coaching experience with Kelly Stinnette leading the bench for her third season while Coach Shadd McCaw is still in his first year as head coach.

While a loss tonight wouldn’t end either teams season, Clarke County should be in playoff mode and will look for revenge against the only team in Virginia to beat them this season.

I look for the Eagles to come out very aggressive and Alainah McKavish to be a little more “selfish” early to build a Clarke County lead then pull away for a 60-45 win.

For a regular season recap and playoff preview, check out last week’s Sports Dogs podcast here. 

Color commentator Josh Kirby spoke with Clarke County’s Shadd McCaw here. 

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

Skyline’s Follett honored with Outstanding Theatre Educator Award

Skyline High School Theatre Coach Richard Follett was selected as the recipient for Section 2 of the 2025-2026 NFHS Outstanding Theatre Educator Award.

Follett received the award for all of Section 2 which includes Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky.

He was first nominated by Virginia for exemplifying the highest standards of ethical conduct and carrying the endorsement of the VHSL. Follett has dedicated over 25 years of his life to theatre education between Powhatan School, Peter Muhlenberg Middle, and Skyline.

Students under his guidance have earned district and state titles in forensics and theatre while outside the classroom he serves as the VHSL Theatre Rules Interpreter, contributes to various advisory committees, provides leadership to state festivals, and mentors other educators.

The announcement from the VHSL concluded, “Through his passion for theatre and advocacy for student success, Follett exemplifies excellence and innovation in arts education.”

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

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Skyline vs Warren County

1/22/26, Front Royal- Skyline hosts cross-town rival Warren County in tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week courtesy of Brickhouse Bar and Grill with varsity boys basketball coverage starting around 7:15 pm for the estimated 7:30 pm tip-off on Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

The schools faced-off in our first broadcast of the season which saw Skyline win 73-60, but both teams have grown tremendously since the opening matchup.

Following the loss, Warren County has won seven of their last ten and are on pace for the program’s best season in over 10 years.

Coach Mario Gil has helped build up the Cats from a team that had won 8 games over the previous two years and a 6-17 season in year 1 to their current record of 9-6.

The next step to prove the tides are shifting for Warren County would be to knock-off Skyline which has maintained a decisive the edge on the hardwood through the entirety of Coach Harold Chunn’s tenure and years prior.

Warren County is led by the trio of Bryce Bergmann (6’3″), Adrian Craig (6’2″), and Ethan Bare (6’4″) and their length could cause problems for a smaller Skyline team.

While lacking a Marlon Jackson or Dwayne Tucker in the post, Skyline still holds all of the talent needed to make another run at the Region 3B Championship and beyond.

The Hawks are coming off a road loss to Region 3B favorite Meridian but had previously won four of the last five.

Skyline has a deep roster with scorers at all levels and athletes who play bigger than listed like Zayden Burks, Andre Ford, and Cameron Kerns.

Led by Ford with 18, all three reached double figures in the first matchup with Warren County, but it took a third quarter surge to separate from the Cats.

While Warren County may have been happy to hang with Skyline early in the first matchup, the newly confident Wildcats will want to finish the job this time.

Seniors Kerns, Ford, and Day-Shawn Haley will refuse to leave the court against Warren County for (most likely) the final time as losers, and I look for the Hawks to feed off the home crowd and find a way to win in the closest matchup in recent years, Skyline 54-Warren County 52.

For more local sports coverage, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast here.

For Josh Kirby’s interviews with coaches Mario Gill and Harold Chunn, click here.

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Luray vs Strasburg

1/13/26, Strasburg, VA- Strasburg hosts Luray in a boys basketball Bull Run bash for tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week courtesy of Brickhouse Bar and Grill with coverage starting around 7:15 pm on Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

Luray will take the court as the reigning back-to-back Region 2B champions but are unable to defend that title after dropping down to Class 1 this year.

Still competing in the Bull Run District, the Bulldogs are off to a strong start at 8-2 overall and are coming off a big win against fellow Class 1 front runner, Rappahannock County.

Luray led throughout and sprung to an early 25-9 lead with just one turnover in the first quarter.

Eighth year Head Coach Mat Huff’s squad continued to play clean basketball and dominate in turnovers 22-14 to secure the 69-48 win.

Luray is led by one of the best backcourts in Class 1 with Matthew Owens and Connor Hilliard.

Both JMU commits, Owens for basketball and Hilliard for baseball, fill up the stat sheet and can takeover a game.

Owens leads the way with 21.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.3 steals while Hilliard is just behind at 14 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.6 steals.

The seniors feed off each other and when teams focus their defense on Owens, Hilliard always seems to take advantage.

Strasburg’s defense will need to limit that duo and keep the game low scoring to defend homecourt.

In Strasburg’s 6 wins, the defense held the opposition to just 34 points per game.

The Rams defense feeds off the crowd and have been incredible at home this year going 5-2, compared to just 1-3 away from Millson French Court.

Junior guard Gavin Dellinger will need a big night to continue that trend.

Following up a strong sophomore campaign and a 1st Team All Bull Run selection, Dellinger leads the Rams in scoring and is one of the best three point shooters in the area.

Jasiah Warner also looks to have taken another step forward.

The junior provides great length at 6’4″ and can play inside or outside the perimeter.

If Strasburg can limit possessions and keep Owens and Hilliard in check, the Rams could pull off the upset.

Fatigue could be an issue for Strasburg.

The Rams will play their fourth game in seven days and are on the second night of a back-to-back after last night’s loss to Sherando while Luray has not played since Friday.

I look for that to play a role in the second half, allowing Owens and Hilliard some separation and they don’t need much; Luray pulls away late 62-49.

For more local sports coverage, check out the Sports Dogs Podcast.

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

Laurel Ridge student’s success recognized by VCCS

Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions student Zachary Caudle was presented with the 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Workforce Development in the category of Outstanding Student Success Story at the Virginia Community College System’s Hire Ed Conference on November 14th.

Caudle was recognized for embodying the transformative power of education and demonstrating personal and professional growth through the achievement of a credential.

Caudle bounced around warehouse jobs and trucking before applying to change his career with Laurel Ridge Work Force Solutions.

He has since earned numerous certificates and began working as a systems administrator for VDOT’s operation technology while pursuing his bachelor’s degree.

The Sherando High School Grad and current Elkton resident said, “ It’s crazy to see if you just put your head down and really want something, how quickly you can attain your goals at Laurel Ridge. It wouldn’t have been possible without this place.”

Thanks to the FastForward career training programs and G3 tuition assistance, all of Caudle’s tuition costs were covered.

Once earning his bachelors degree, Caudle will pursue a career as a cloud solutions architect.

To view the full announcement, click here.

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