The Duke’s Preview: Strasburg vs Warren County

9/11/26, Front Royal, VA- Warren County (1-0) welcomes Strasburg (2-0) to town for tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill with coverage starting at 6:30 pm on The River 95.3, Fox Sports 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

The Wildcats will enter the contest off a Bye Week and plenty of time to prepare for an angry Rams squad coming off a loss.

Warren County is 1-0 after a season opening thrashing of Rock Ridge, 58-12.

Senior QB Bryce Bergmann led the way with 4 TD passes, 3 of those to senior WR Troy DeHaven.

But now the Wildcat offense will face a much tougher opponent in Strasburg.

The Rams defense actually shutout Broadway in the 8-7 loss with the Gobblers only touchdown coming in the form of a late pick-six.

Strasburg will now look to rally this season like they did last year after an early loss to Broadway before turning things around and winning the school’s first State Championship.

In last year’s matchup vs Warren County, Quincy Williams was sidelined due to injury, but this go round he is expected to be at full strength.

Williams is coming off a 177 yard, 4 TD performance against Skyline followed by a 131 yard, 1 TD game last week.

With a healthy season and a few playoff games, the Strasburg career rushing record of 5,307 yards set by Frankie Shoemaker (stat via Until It Was Ours by Ryan Sonner) could be within reach.

Warren County’s defense led by the Texan Tackling Machine LB Frank Nelson and two-way standout Kaiden Clowser, scoop and score vs Rock Ridge, will need to contain Williams and read their keys against Strasburg’s T-Formation to keep this game within reach.

Strasburg has dominated this rivalry in recent years, but Warren County is hoping to have a turned a new leaf with Coach Breeden now establishing his culture and coming off what he claims is the program’s best offseason since his arrival.

We will see tonight how much ground the Wildcats have made up, but the Rams still seem to be a program farther along and they will be seeing red after experiencing another heartbreaking loss to Broadway.

Warren County will be able to connect on a few explosive plays, but Strasburg will dictate the pace of the game and win at the line of scrimmage.

Rams out pace the Cats, 34-22.

For a preview of all the Week 3 matchups and a look back at Week 2, listen to the latest Sports Dogs Podcast HERE.

Strasburg Football hosts Ring Ceremony for 2025 State Champions

Strasburg High School is hosting a Ring Ceremony for the 2025 football State Championship team on Thursday, August 27th at 6pm at Ram Stadium.

The celebration will acknowledge the school’s first football state champions and is open to the public.

Strasburg native Ryan Sonner, author of “Until It Was Ours”, a book released today highlighting the Rams title run, will also be in attendance with copies of his book available for purchase.

The Rams claimed the VHSL Class 2 Championship in December with a 49-27 victory over Glenvar from Salem Stadium.

Strasburg will begin their quest to defend their championship on Friday, August 28th at home against Skyline with coverage of the game available on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, The River 95.3 website, and app.

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

Strasburg State Championship game highlights

Strasburg High School defeated Glenvar in the VHSL Class 2 State Championship game Saturday, 49-27, at Salem Stadium.

The win marked the Rams first football state title in school history after going winless in the first 5 tries including last season.

Coach Tripp Lamb’s team was led all year by a ferocious offensive and defensive line.

The trenches helped Strasburg to a win by tallying over 300 yards rushing and pressuring Glenvar’s quarterback Brody Dawyot, the all time passing touchdown record holder in Virginia.

Listen back to the big win with highlights from the State Championship broadcast team AKA The Sports Dogs by clicking here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click 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 Preview: Clarke County @ Strasburg

Clarke County travels to Strasburg in tonight’s 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 coverage starting at 6:30 pm for the 7 pm kick-off.

Clarke County finally found their way into the win column on Homecoming with a classic performance by a squad coached by Casey Childs.

In the 34-8 victory, the Eagles did not punt or pass the entire game as Grady Ferrell led the way with 197 yards and 2 TDs.

The young Eagles had a long journey to the first win of 2025 and will look to carry that momentum into Strasburg to take on an experienced Rams squad.

After a one score loss to 7-1 Broadway, Strasburg has averaged 40.8 points per game and allowed just 8.8 points per game with a shutout.

The Rams are using the same combo that brought them to Salem last season: winning at the line of scrimmage, a strong running game, and swarming defense.

Leading the backfield is Quincy Williams, who is coming off nearly 200 total yards and 3 TDs against Luray last week.

Williams was one of the few offensive standouts in last year’s bash between unbeatens.

The game was ultimately decided by a Rams missed PAT, but Coach Lamb and Co. would rally from that loss for six straight wins and a trip to the State Championship game while Clarke County continued an undefeated regular season before falling in the first round of the playoffs.

Strasburg will look for revenge against their Bull Run rival after falling to the Eagles in Feltner Stadium and looking up to a Clarke County student section full of “I hate Strasburg” shirts.

Maybe the memory of that loss will prompt the Strasburg seniors to ask Coach Lamb for one more drive when up big in the second half.

This game appears to be all Rams on paper and I am predicting another big Strasburg win, 49-12.

For a preview of all the Week 9 matchups, a Week 8 recap, Power 5 rankings, and more, 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 Championship Preview: Strasburg vs Graham ft. Coach Lamb

Strasburg will travel to Salem Stadium for the VHSL Class 2 State Championship on Saturday at 5 pm to take on the Graham G-Men in the final High School Football Game of the Week for the 2024 season with coverage starting at 4:30 pm on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com and The River 95.3 app.

Strasburg steamrolled through the first three rounds of the playoffs until meeting Poquoson in the State Semifinals.

Last week’s game came down to the slimmest of margins and resulted in a 14-13 Strasburg win.

In a contest that was extremely even in most statistical categories, Strasburg held a +3 advantage in turnover margin and all three of those came in crucial moments.

The Rams defense rallied inside their own 10 yard line to force a turnover in the game’s opening possession, and then later in the first half with the game tied 7-7, Takhi Coates came up with one of the most athletic interceptions you will see after breaking on the throw and laying our for the catch.

Takhi capped off the following drive with his second touchdown of the day.

The second half was a true chess match between Poquoson Head Coach Elliot Duty and Strasburg’s Tripp Lamb with neither defense budging until Poquoson QB and VMI baseball commit Eli Tyndall scored a rushing touchdown.

Tyndall’s touchdown was one of many questionable calls that went against Strasburg as the runner appeared short of the goal line.

While men lie, women lie, and numbers may lie… The ball doesn’t.

That led to a missed Poquoson PAT thanks to some great pressure from Strasburg’s kick-block unit, and the score sat at 14-13 Rams.

Strasburg’s defense played lights out with the slimmest of leads in the 4th quarter and Zach Britton tallied two massive sacks.

On Poquoson’s final drive of the game, a phantom first-down called after the ball was placed short of the sticks gave Poquoson a new set of downs.

In another moment of instant karma, Strasburg forced an interception on the following play after Brady Knight deflected a pass that was caught by Hunter Williams.

Strasburg secured a first down and advanced to the State Championship game for the first time since 1995.

Graham advanced to the State Championship game after another thrilling matchup, a 28-24 win over Glenvar.

Glenvar caught fire through the air thanks to their 6’5″ QB who threw three first half touchdowns, but then Graham’s defense adjusted and did not allow a touchdown in the second half.

Graham scored the game winning touchdown late in the 4th quarter to secure their 8th state championship appearance in school history.

The G-Men are led by a massive offensive and defensive line with talented skill players

Graham does not have the top-end D-1 talent like they have had in previous years, but still have plenty of players who will play at the next level.

Ty’Drez Clements (Virginia Tech) dominated the backfield against Central two years ago, but they now rely on a more balanced offensive approach including quarterback Dalton Roberts, running back Gabe Lilly, wide receivers Chris Edwards and Blake Graham.

Lilly has been the most used weapon in the offense this season with averaging roughly 8 yards per carry for 1,323 yards and 17 touchdowns.

He is also featured in a Wildcat role as Graham approaches the redzone and threw for a touchdown pass against Glenvar.

Chris Edwards is the reigning offensive District Player of the Year while Blake Graham has shown big play potential this season with four of his ten catches this playoff run going for touchdowns as well as kick return for touchdown against Glenvar.

Defensively, you will hear a lot of those same names with their most dynamic athletes playing both ways, but manning the middle of the defensive line is last year’s defensive District Player of the Year Omarri Hill.

“Big O” earned that nickname with all 6′ 275 pounds of him, but the most impressive part is how quickly he moves at his size.

Hill led Graham in these playoffs with 10 tackles for loss and 3 sacks in four games.

He can be a true a game-wrecker and against Lebanon in Week 8, Hill tallied 6 sacks in a single game.

Graham’s entire defense showcases size and speed at all three levels including 6’2″ 225lb linebacker leading tackler Yubrenal Isabelle.

Hill along with the many other seniors on this team have already tasted a championship in the win over Central, and are looking to cap their high school season with one more.

Strasburg will look to do something they have never done before after making four appearances under legendary coach Glenn Proctor.

This game will be a defensive battle as both teams will lean on their strengths which will amplify field position and turnover margin once again.

If Strasburg can win in those categories and time of possession, the Rams can hoist the hardware for the first time in school history.

Graham will overlook these boys from the Valley and by the time they adjust, it will be too late.

Rams win, 20-14, and arrive home to Strasburg with a hero’s welcome Saturday night!

To listen to my interview with Strasburg Head Coach Tripp Lamb, click here.

To hear the Sports Dogs discuss last week’s Strasburg and Sherando State Semifinals and the State Championship game, click here. 

The Duke’s Preview: Strasburg Coach Tripp Lamb

Ryan and Coach Lamb look back at last week’s 14-13 win over Poquoson and ahead to the State Championship Game against Graham.

The Duke’s Preview: Strasburg vs Poquoson ft. Coach Lamb

Strasburg (12-1) travels to Poquoson (12-1) for the VHSL Class 2 State Semifinal in Saturday’s High School Football 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 1:30 pm for the 2 pm kick-off.

Strasburg has plowed through playoff competition winning each round by a combined score of 133-20 and claimed their first Regional Championship since 2001.

The Rams are coming off a dominating 54-7 win over a Buckingham team that actually had more total All-Region selections (12) than Strasburg (9).

Strasburg’s full-team approach has paid off throughout the playoff run and left opponents searching for answers.

Last week vs Buckingham, Strasburg opened up the playbook early with a touchdown passs from Brayden Hough to Brady Knight and then showed a wrinkle to their typical T-formation by sending one of the three running backs out as an H-back on the end of the formation to throw off Buckingham’s alignment.

Offensively, Strasburg was led by Region 2B Offensive Player of the Year Takhi Coates with two rushing touchdowns including a back-breaking 60+ yard run in the second quarter.

Coates also impacted the game defensively with two interceptions and a kick off return for a touchdown as the opposition attempted to avoid All-Region returner Riley Walker.

Strasburg’s defense dominated throughout and only allowed a touchdown once reserves entered the game in the fourth quarter.

The Rams defense forced Buckingham out of their personality after the first three possessions totaled just three yards and took the Knights out of their typical Wing-T formation into a shotgun style/wildcat look with their running backs taking direct snaps.

Strasburg’s defense will continue their battle against Wing-T formations this Saturday with Poquoson.

While Poquoson is a bit more comfortable putting the ball in the air thanks to experienced QB Eli Tyndall (VMI baseball commit), but will look to ground and pound with five different ball carriers who all eclipsed 350 yards this season.

It’s easy for anyone to run behind the Bull Islander offensive line which is anchored by 6’6″ 280 left tackle Carter Jones.

Jones was an All Region selection on both sides of the line of scrimmage and just came back from a visit to Clemson for their game against South Carolina.

The sophomore sensation has already received a four star rating from some recruiting databases and holds FBS offers from ODU, Liberty, and Delaware.

Another Poquoson offensive lineman who will play on Saturday’s in the future is Grady Insley, who will head to Shenandoah University next year.

Defensively, Jones helps open up space for two players who live behind the line of scrimmage, Austin Conley and Nathaniel Quinroz.

Conley, the Regional 2A Defensive Player of the Year, leads his team with 16.5 TFL to go with 8 sacks while Quinroz leads the Islanders with 10.5 sacks and another 15.5 TFL.

As all good playoff games do, this game will come down to who can win at the line of scrimmage, a strength for both teams, and minimize mistakes.

Both defenses have shown the ability to force turnovers in the playoffs but one thing that will benefit Strasburg is the playoff level competition they have seen all season long.

The Bull Run District has left the Rams battle tested after facing seven playoff teams in the regular season compared to just three winning teams in that time frame for Poquoson.

While both teams appear to be playing their best ball of the season, Strasburg’s ceiling appears to be higher thanks to a more balanced, battle-tested roster that does not let their opponent linger around.

Strasburg will keep their foot on the gas from kick-off till 0:00s on the clock and continue their hunt for the first state title in school history, 35-22.

To listen to my interview with Strasburg Head Coach Tripp Lamb, click here.

For a recap of last week’s Strasburg and Sherando Regional Championships and both state semifinals with the latest Sports Dogs Podcast.