‘It can’t be a rivalry if we haven’t won yet.’ Maury, Highland Springs meet a final time for Class 5 state title before Springers move up.
Since 2015, Maury, Highland Springs and Stone Bridge have been consistent participants in the Class 5 state football playoffs.
But after this season, Highland Springs will move up to Class 6.
That means Saturday is the last time the Commodores (10-1) will get a chance to beat the Springers (14-0) when they meet for the Class 5 title at noon at Old Dominion’s S.B. Ballard Stadium.
The Commodores have appeared in the state semifinals the past five seasons, winning a title in 2019 and losing to Stone Bridge last season on the final play of the championship game.
The Springers have played in the state championship game five times during that span, winning titles in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
There’s a mutual respect between the two programs, though the Springers have won both recent meetings.
“It’s been a lot of battles with this team, this coach and this staff. There’s a lot of respect for them and for what [Highland Springs coach] Loren [Johnson] has done,” Maury coach Dyrri McCain said. “I know they’re going to do great things in Class 6, but we look to handle our business on Saturday on their way out. It should be a great matchup. We have to come to play our best.”
Highland Springs beat Maury 71-28 in a 2018 semifinal and 13-0 in a 2021 semifinal.
Maury defensive coordinator Mike Privott said he feels the Commodores have “closed the gap,” but would like nothing more than to beat the Springers in their final Class 5 playoff game.
“As a staff, they have one of the best staffs in the state. We respect those guys,” he said. “Playing them is definitely like an extra boost because we want to beat them and they want to beat us. That’s why it’s kind of a rivalry. But it can’t be a rivalry if we haven’t won yet. So, we have to get this one.”
Highland Springs, ranked No. 75 nationally in the High School Football America 300, is coming off a 19-14 win over Stone Bridge in last week’s state semifinal. The Springers were led by quarterback Khristian Martin, who rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another. Other key players are wide receiver and Virginia Tech commit Takye Heath, running back Aziz Foster Powell, defensive back and Virginia Tech commit Braylon Johnson, and defensive end and Virginia commit Miles Greene.
The Commodores beat Green Run 21-14 in the other state semifinal. They did it despite losing star running back Peyton Jones in the first quarter.
Maury coach Dyrri McCain said Jones, a Duke commit, will be a game-time decision for the state title game. If he’s unable to go, the Commodores will rely on junior Melvin Lowe, who rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown in last week’s win.
The Commodores also have quarterback Mario Miller and wide receivers Fred Johnson, LeBron Bond and Davontae Floyd. The defense is led by linebackers Isaiah Simmons and Dylan Goad.
“We gotta finish the job,” Privott said. “The job ain’t done yet. We got there last year and lost on a Hail Mary play. It still stings to this day. We had nine months to think about it. Hopefully we bring it home.”
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com Follow @LHRubama on Twitter.
State championship games
All games are Saturday.
Tickets: Available only online at gofan.co and through VHSL.org and cost $10, plus a $1.50 service fee. Children ages 6 and under are free with a paying adult. Note: There is no ‘m’ in gofan.co. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.
On the air: Games will be broadcast on nfhsnetwork.com and available through a subscription — $11.99 monthly; $79.99 annually.
At Old Dominion’s S.B. Ballard Stadium
Class 5: Highland Springs (14-0) vs. Maury (10-1), noon
Class 6: Freedom (14-0) vs. James Madison (11-3), 4:30 p.m.
At Liberty University’s Williams Stadium
Class 3: Phoebus (14-0) vs. Heritage of Lynchburg (12-2), noon
Class 4: Kettle Run (14-0) vs. Dinwiddie (14-0), 4:30 p.m.
At Salem City Stadium
Class 1: Riverheads (11-1) vs. George Wythe of Wytheville (10-3), noon
Class 2: Woodstock Central (12-2) vs. Graham (14-0), 4:30 p.m.
