Prediction: Varina (Va.) wins state title No. 2 in 2025

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in just a few short weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way to over to the Old Dominion State and check on one of Virginia’s top teams in the Varina Blue Devils. The last time the Blue Devils came away with a state championship was back in 2021 when they won it all in Class 4A. With a roster littered with Power Four level talent across the board, Varina has a chance to do something special in 2025. Can they figure it out and bring home the hardware?

Player Spotlight: RB SirPaul Cheeks

Probably the most unique and interesting name in all of high school football resides over with Varina. Now we’re not here to just talk about Cheeks‘ name because he can ball with the best of ’em, as the senior is a West Virginia commitment. Last season at L.C. Bird, Cheeks ended up carrying the rock only 38 times for an astounding 900 yards, 23 per carry for you math majors, and scoring 18 total touchdowns. Cheeks also contributes on defense and intercepted six passes.

Others to watch: ATH DaMari Carter, DL JaySean Richardson, RB Michael Farley, RB Darren Williams, LB Braylon Hood

Season Prediction: 7-3

After the kind of season the Blue Devils had a year ago, we’d love to say they’ve made a significant jump this fall. With the opponents they have on their schedule this fall, however, there’s three games that really stand out: Highland Springs, Grimsley and Maury. All three of these adversaries are clubs we think Varina is not going to get by, but they’ll get back into the VHSL playoff mix in Class 4A. We see a rematch with Phoebus at the end in the state championship game and in the redux, the Blue Devils will bring home only the program’s second title.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 29 – at William Fleming (Va.) Colonels – W
No better way to start off the season than with a dominating victory. That’s how it goes for the Blue Devils at the get go.

Sep. 5 – Maury (Va.) Commodores – L
Home opener doesn’t go as planned as the Blue Devils fall to the Commodores, 30-17.

Sept. 12 – at I.C. Norcom (Va.) Greyhounds – W
Needing to take their frustrations out, Varina takes ’em out on Norcom in a running clock rout.

Sept. 19 – at Hermitage (Va.) Panthers – W
The Blue Devils make it two in a row as they cruise to win No. 3 on the season.

Sept. 26 – Henrico (Va.) Warriors – W
Back at the friendly confines of home and Varina wins big ahead of showdown in North Carolina against national power Grimsley.

Oct. 3 – at Grimsley (N.C.) Whirlies – L
Testing themselves on a national stage, Varina just doesn’t have the horses in a 43-13 loss.

Oct. 17 – Hanover (Va.) Hawks – W
Returning back home, the Blue Devils get back on track with a blowout win over the Hawks.

Oct. 23 – Atlee (Va.) Raiders – W
Second 2-game winning streak of the season as Varina looks to finish the season off strong ahead of the VHSL playoffs.

Oct. 30 – at Highland Springs (Va.) Springs – L
The Blue Devils drop a third game as they lose a tight one in the fourth quarter, 27-21.

Nov. 7 – Patrick Henry (Va.) Patriots – W
After a third loss of the season, Varina closes out the home finale with a strong showing heading into the postseason.