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 Podcast: The Road To Week 1- Skyline and Warren County previews

With the high school football season just weeks away, The Sports Dogs will be highlighting our area teams in the next few podcasts, starting with previews of Warren County and Skyline.

The Duke interviewed Warren County AD Matt Waddas to discuss the football team and the other fall sports at WCHS and then headed over to Skyline for their practice and interviewed Brently Grindle, Ryan Held, Brady Lupton, Lane Kenney, Adrian Schmitz and All State Running Back Zayden Burks.

The Dogs also discussed the recent VHSL classification recommendations.

Click HERE to listen on The River 95.3 online, iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon Music.

Brought to you by Energy Windows, LLC. Visit them at https://energywindowsllc.com

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(The Duke with Skyline RB Zayden Burks and WCHS AD Matt Waddas)

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

Sports Dogs Podcast: Skyline Region 3B Championship highlights ft. Coach Chunn

Listen back to highlights of Skyline boys basketball’s Region 3B Championship win over Meridian and Coach Harold Chunn’s postgame interview with Ryan Rutherford.

The Duke’s Championship Preview: Skyline vs Meridian

2/26/26, Falls Church, VA- Skyline heads up 66 to Meridian for the Region 3B Boys Basketball Championship tonight with coverage starting at 6:45 pm for the 7 pm tip-off on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com and The River 95.3 app brought to you by the Hike Kidz Foundation c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill.

It’s fitting that the two most consistent powers in Region 3B hoops will decide the Region 3B title and have already earned trips to the State Tournament.

Meridian reloaded from the winningest season in school history to another #1 seed in the Region Tournament.

Last year’s squad went undefeated in the regular season before falling to Hopewell in the State playoffs.

Davis is an elite scorer and averages over 19 points per game while shooting 37.3% from long range.

Junior forward Mason Plye (11.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.5 blk) and senior guard Marques Myles (12.1 ppg, 4.9 ast, 3.1 stl) joined Davis on the All District teams.

Plye’s 6’3″ frame could cause issues for a Skyline roster that does not have a consistent contributor listed over 6’2″.

What the Hawks lack in size, they make up for with a team effort crashing the glass and a few former football players who play bigger than listed.

All Region Linebacker Andre Ford is coming off back to back double-doubles in the playoffs with 27 points and 11 rebounds against Kettle Run and 22 points with 10 rebounds vs Fauquier while All State Running Back Zayden Burks has played lock down defense and often draws a matchup listed a few inches taller.

Senior Cameron Kerns has been reliable on the boards and has grabbed 22 rebounds through the two games.

Burks, Kerns, and Ford were all 1st Team Northwestern District selections and Day’Shawn Haley joined them on the 2nd team.

The Hawks also unleashed an “ace up the sleeve” in Bentley Frye against Fauquier.

The freshman guard has been a consistent starter this season but hit another level in the Regional Semifinal with 15 points and four rebounds including a huge three to extend a Skyline run in the 2nd quarter.

As many playoff matchups do, it could come down to which stars shine or are contained.

Skyline and Meridian split the regular season series 1-1 with both teams winning on their home floor.

In Meridian’s win, the Mustangs led throughout and put game away with a 3rd quarter run and led by 11 entering the 4th quarter.

Davis led the way with 24 points in the win, but the Hawks limited him to just 12 points (including a buzzer-beating three to force overtime) when they pulled out the OT victory.

Ford and Kerns both had 19 points while Mark Jefferies stepped up late with a huge layup and solid free throw shooting to finish with 9 points.

Skyline dominated the turnover department in the win by forcing 18 and only committing 4.

This game feels like it has all the makings of an instant classic and will come down to the final possession, but I will give the edge to the Hawks who seem to be playing their best basketball at the right time.

Skyline enters Falls Church as winners of 10 of the last 11 since the loss to Meridian while the Mustangs have lost four games in the time frame.

I’ll take the Hawks to regain the Region Championship for the first time since the magical 2023 season, Skyline 71- Meridian 69.

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

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: Skyline vs Handley

2/6/26, Winchester, VA- Handley (14-5) hosts Skyline (14-4) for a Northwestern District grudge match in tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week c/o of Brickhouse Bar and Grill with coverage starting at 7:15 pm for the estimated 7:30 pm tip-off on Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

Skyline held on for a 67-64 victory at home less than a month ago after jumping out to 22-10 1st quarter lead thanks to six JHHS turnovers.

The Hawks lead reached 20 in the second quarter before Handley started to chip away and bring the lead to 11 at halftime then 9 entering the 4th quarter.

Handley eventually brought the deficit to just 2 points with 1:12 left, but some clutch free throw shooting by Cameron Kerns following a Zayden Burks offensive rebound helped secure the win.

Burks and Kerns led the way all night with 19 points and 17 points and it was only fitting they shut the door on the comeback bid.

Skyline has carried the momentum from that win into victories in five of their last six and seem to be playing their best basketball as the playoffs approach.

Handley has made some changes since the first matchup and seem to be adjusting well to life without the injured superstar Will Braun-Duin.

Christian Dinges has emerged as a top player in the District…Region State and Asher Mattison appears to be the heir to Braun-Duin’s three-point throne.

Earlier this week, Dinges put on a clinic against James Wood with 36 points (20 in the 1st quarter), 10 rebounds, and some highlight reel dunks to lead the way for a 77-32 road win.

Mattison followed with a 37 point and 10 three pointer performance against Veritas Collegiate Academy on Wednesday.

The freshman sharpshooter was just one made three away from tying Braun-Duin’s single game record while taking only 12 shots from long range.

Mattison has only made four varsity starts entering Friday night, but Handley is 4-0 in those games with an average margin of victory of 49.5 ppg.

The 6’4″ athlete has shown he is ready for the varsity level and could provide the spacing that Handley needs to make a deep playoff run which many thought was impossible following the second Braun-Duin injury.

While Skyline jumped on Handley early in the first matchup, I look for the Judges to turn the tides and come out hot with the home crowd behind them and a chip on their shoulder following the first loss to the Hawks.

The addition of Mattison and the rest of Coach Harrell-Zook’s lineup feeling more comfortable in their roles post-Braun Duin will be enough to make up the difference from Game 1, Judges 75 – Hawks 68.

For more local sports coverage along with a Super Bowl preview, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast. 

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: 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: 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 River Rivalry Preview: Skyline vs Warren County

The River Rivalry resumes tonight when Warren County hosts Skyline 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 with the Tana Hoffman Pregame Show starting at 6:30 pm for the 7 pm kick-off.

Skyline has claimed the first two River Rivalry trophies and leads the All-Time series vs Warren County 14-7.

The Wildcats last win came in 2018 and was the final of four game winning streak.

Just like any other great rivalry, you can throw out the record books when these teams take the field and upsets can emerge when least expected.

Warren County has shown improvement over last year’s squad and displayed great perseverance when bouncing back from a five game losing streak to start the season to win there next two in a row to get back in play-off positioning.

While equaling last year’s win total, the Wildcats have already out scored the 2024 iteration and allowed 161 less points.

Injuries have started to accumulate for Warren County in the later stages of this season and former leading rusher Blaise Skube is no longer on the roster.

Junior QB Bryce Bergmann has looked solid and recently eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark on the season with over half of those going to SR WR Nick Harlow (45 rec 552 yds 7 TDs).

Warren County’s offense must string together drives and prepare to answer Skyline, which has averaged 43.2 points per game during its six-game win streak.

The Hawks AND THE STATE OF VIRGINIA are led by Jr Running Back Zayden Burks.

Burks currently sits at 1,894 yards rushing and should easily surpass the current leading rusher for The Commonwealth, Anton Carter.

Carter currently sits at 1,932 yards but Nottoway High School’s regular season is over.

With the single season school record behind him, the next milestone for Burks is the 2,000 yard mark which was last seen in Warren County by Wildcat Alum H.B. Banjoman.

Like Burks, Banjoman’s squad was also led by Heath Gilbert, Skyline’s current head coach.

Reaching the 2,000 yard threshold would be another feather in the cap for the future All-State back but an even bigger source of pride for one of the best offensive lines in Skyline history led by seniors Barrett Stephens and Isaiah Caton.

Injuries have pushed Warren County’s LB Frank Nelson to take more snaps at running back, so fatigue for the team’s leading tackler could lead to an even bigger day for Burks.

Skyline’s defense is also led by the linebacker position in the duo of Andre Ford and Marques Lockhart-Wright.

Both basketball standouts fly around the field forcing turnovers, tackles for loss, and delivering punishing blows while eliminating offensive mismatches due to their size and speed.

In addition to The River Rivalry Trophy, these teams are playing for crucial playoff positioning.

Skyline is clinging to the #2 seed which would provide a couple home playoff games and keep them away from reigning State Runner-Ups Kettle Run a little longer.

Warren County is fighting for the chance to play Kettle Run as the #8 seed and gain valuable playoff experience for a young roster.

When these teams take the field, don’t be surprised to see some early trick plays as both coaches dig a little deeper in the playbook for the final week of the regular season.

As the dust settles, I anticipate the Hawks will pull away thanks to a few huge runs from Zayden Burks as he eclipses 2,000 yards and leads the way for his third straight River Rivalry win, 46-12.

For a preview of all of the regular season finale matchups, listen to the latest Sports Dogs Podcast here.Â