Mark your calendars
Clash of state champs, various coaching debuts and rivalry renewals highlight 757 schedule
The Virginia High School League’s official start of football practice for the 2022 season is still more than a month away.
But, after the VHSL this week released its master regular-season schedule for 2022, we’re already looking ahead to the most intriguing matchups.
Some highlights: Two defending state champions — Oscar Smith (Class 6) and Phoebus (Class 3) — will meet again to finish the regular season, Hampton’s new era begins after the departure of legendary coach Mike Smith and Landstown coach Robert Jackson returns to Virginia Beach after a six-year absence.
Some teams, including Oscar Smith, have not yet finalized their 10-game schedule.
Here’s a taste of some games to look forward to:
Aug. 26
Deep Creek at Oscar Smith: The defending Class 6 state champion
Tigers surely will have the Tiger Cage rocking for a home opener with a Southeastern District rival.
Nansemond River at Bethel: Both look to rebound from losing seasons as former Bethel assistant David Porter debuts as the Bruins’ head coach.
Kempsville at Green Run: The Chiefs were the surprise of the Beach District last season, and Green Run went through the district unbeaten. The Stallions won their playoff matchup 21-17 in the Class 5 Region A championship game.
King’s Fork at Smithfield: After a stint as defensive coordinator at Class 3 state champion Phoebus,
Tracey Parker’s first game as new coach at Smithfield against the Class 4 Region A titlists will be a tough one.
Aug. 27
Gloucester at Hampton: Woodrow Wilson goes for victory No. 1 after Mike Smith won 506 times in 50 years as the Crabbers’ head coach.
Sept. 2
Grafton at Denbigh: New Grafton coach David Coccoli — in his first gig since leaving Nansemond
River — is known as a master rebuilder. All of his skills will be required at Grafton, which has four wins the past five seasons.
Indian River at J.R. Tucker: The Braves head to the Richmond area to take on a Tigers program coached by former Oscar Smith star quarterback Phillip Sims.
Sept. 9
New Bern at Maury: The Commodores lost this non-district matchup by two points last season, then rebounded to reach the Class 5 state championship game.
Sept. 23
Lake Taylor at Maury: The road to the Eastern District championship has long gone through the Titans or Commodores, or both. Since 2011, either Lake Taylor or Maury has won at least a share of the district title.
Sept. 30
Salem at Landstown: Jackson was Landstown’s first coach, then built Salem into a playoff contender before departing in 2016 for administration in Portsmouth Public Schools. Now, he’s back in Virginia Beach as Landstown’s coach.
York vs. Tabb: One of the area’s oldest and most intense rivalries should heat up again this season
as Tabb fields an improved team against defending co-Bay Rivers District champion York.
Oct. 7
Lake Taylor at Hermitage: The Titans, always willing to punch above their weight, will visit Richmond for a game against a Class 5 playoff qualifier last season.
Oct. 21
Poquoson at Bruton: The Panthers made strides under new coach Barrington Morrison last year and hope to challenge the Islanders, the other Class 2 school in the Bay Rivers, for regional playoff positioning.
Woodside at Phoebus: With Hampton rebuilding and under new management, Woodside should be the biggest threat to Phoebus’ Peninsula District
winning streak now at 38 games.
Nov. 4
Lafayette at Warhill: Warhill beat Lafayette for the first time in 17 meetings to tie the Rams and York for the Bay Rivers title last season. Lafayette will aim for revenge, but might enter the rivalry game as an underdog for the first time ever.
Nov. 5
Oscar Smith at Phoebus: A game featuring a pair of defending state champions will always be plenty hyped, but, as Oscar Smith showed a year ago, the gap between the programs is significant.