Matoaca Warriors 2025 Preview
The Warriors of Matoaca cruised to 9-0 last season behind 4 shutouts and outscoring opponents by an average of 38-6 points a game. Then came the final three games of their campaign… a heartbreaking 39-45 loss at Dinwiddie and a 3-point loss to LC Bird two weeks later in the 5C region semifinals. A season the Warriors felt would finish with another deep run in the playoffs, cut short.
Fact Check
Since 1963 Matoaca has built a record of 376-268-11 and played in two state finals.
In 3 of the last 4 seasons the Warriors have post 9 wins with an overall record over the last three seasons 26-11 with a region title in 2023.
Coach Fred Stoots enters his fourth season at the helm of the Warriors where he has guided Matoaca to a 26-11 mark but just 4-3 in the playoffs.
Matoaca Gamers
Trevion Mills (2027 RB – 5’11/210 lbs) without question will be the leader on offense for the Warriors this season. The All-Metro & All-Region running back had a modest 841 yards & 9 TD’s off 154 carries last season. That offense was stocked with an explosive passing game & dual threat QB that overshadowed Mills. That offense is gone and as 1 of 5 starters back, he is not only looked at for production and offense but leadership.
Jaelson Penson (2026 Ath/LB – 5’7/195 lbs.) Is a 2-way player and one of a handful of starters back. No set position on offense, Penson could be used in a variety of ways but on defense he will be counted on to “anchor the defense”.
Sean Goodwyn (2026 OL – 6’1/275 lbs.) happens to be just 1 of 2 starters back on the O-Line.
Kemari Cherry (2027 WR – 6’0/175 lbs.) is part of the ‘next class’ of Warriors that will gain experience this season and pave the way for a brighter 2026. Cherry will be a first-year starter on varsity but his promise has already caught the attention of Norfolk State who he has an offer from.
Warriors of 2025
More questions than answers surround this Matoaca team. How does Stephen Ankiel fare taking over the QB position? Can Kemari Cherry deliver? Can Joshua Beasley step up as the lone returning receiver? Not a household name for fans of the Central Region compared to what we have seen come through Matoaca over the last few years. Can Sean Goodwyn and Malik Fulton get the rest of the offensive line up to speed? Will this be Trevion Mills time to shine? So many questions that can only be answered come the first few weeks of the season. For Coach Stoots it is simply “next man up” but as any fan of football knows, it can be as simple as that but not always. Coach Stoots views this offense with “explosive potential” but it all hinders on the new crop of Warriors.
The defense is in the same boat as the offense. Just four starters back and two of them are on the line with Jonah Louden and Kamari Walker returning to provide leadership and experience. Coach Stoots likes the guys up front “we have aggressive players who like to fly around the field and make plays”. The same warning label that applies to the offense applies the defense, potential but does that potential deliver?
Matoaca Warriors 2025 Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Site | Series History |
| Thursday, Aug. 28th | Hermitage | Away | 0-6 |
| Friday, Sept. 5th | Benedictine | Home | 3-5 |
| Friday, Sept. 19th | Louisa | Home | 6-0 |
| Friday, Sept. 26th | Dinwiddie | Away | 16-19-1 |
| Friday, Oct. 3rd | Petersburg | Home | 24-9-1 |
| Friday, Oct. 10th | Thomas Dale | Away | 12-20 |
| Friday, Oct. 17th | Colonial Heights | Home | 45-12-1 |
| Friday, Oct. 24th | Prince George | Away | 23-1 |
| Friday, Oct. 31st | Hopewell | Away | 12-17 |
| Thursday, Nov. 6th | Meadowbrook | Home | 10-15-1 |
The Warriors have one of the toughest starts to any season. Hermitage is expected to be a contender in Region 5C. Benedictine is the 2-time defending VISAA Division 1 State Champion. Louisa has not just the best running back in the state but one of the most recruited players statewide as well. Get through those three and then you have to go on the road to Dinwiddie. Not ideal for a team that has so many key positions lacking returning returning starters.
2025 Outlook
Massey Ratings has the Warriors completing an 8-2 campaign entering the playoffs. I myself am a bit more bullish. In fact, I feel the Warriors could finish anywhere between 4-6 to 7-3. A lot is dependent on this potential that Coach Stoots is banking on. Top-notch competition will help ratings wise but in a crowded Region 5C the margin for error is thin to say the least.