Tim Hayes
It's go time for high school football teams in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.
The TSSAA regular season begins in full force this week, while there are two VHSL games on the docket involving local teams.
As the arduous march to the playoffs gets underway, here are some games you might want to check out this season:
Aug. 21: Virginia High at Richlands
The importance of this game is three-fold: it's the season-opener, it's a Southwest District game and valuable VHSL playoff power points are on the line.
Aug. 22: Tennessee High at West Ridge
Tennessee High hasn't begun the season with a win since 2018, even though last year's opening loss to Greeneville later turned into a victory when the Greene Devils had to forfeit the triumph after using an ineligible player.
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Aug. 23: Rye Cove vs. Lord Botetourt (at Emory & Henry)
This is Lord Botetourt's first foray into far Southwest Virginia since a playoff loss at Abingdon in the fall of 2021. The Cavaliers of coach Jamie Harless also played a regular-season game at Richlands in 2014.
Aug. 28: Honaker at Lebanon
The Coal Bowl will feature two of the area's top players in Lebanon quarterback Michael Reece and Honaker wide receiver Avery Musick.
Aug. 29: Graham at Bluefield (W.Va.)
This annual rivalry game will also mark Graham's only contest at historic Mitchell Stadium in 2025 as the G-Men will play three regular-season home games at their new on-campus facility, one at Tazewell and one at Richlands.
Sept. 5: Science Hill at Tennessee High
This is the first gridiron meeting between these schools since 2014. The Vikings hold a 50-43-4 edge in the all-time series according to Bluefield historian Rick Baker's database at fourseasonsfootball.com
Sept. 5: Gate City at Dobyns-Bennett
These schools face off on the football field for the first time since 1970 when Phil Rogers scored four touchdowns in the Blue Devils' 44-16 victory over the Indians at Legion Field in Gate City.
Sept. 11: Graham vs. Union (at Tazewell High School)
This is a marquee game every season as these teams have combined to win the last eight Region 2D championships. Graham beat Union twice last season.
Sept. 12: Abingdon at Gate City
This Mountain 7 District battle will probably be a physical affair and could have major implications in playoff seeding.
Sept. 19: Tennessee High at Virginia High
The V-T Rivalry - which dates back to 1911 - is back on the schedule for the first time since 2019.
Sept. 26: Rural Retreat at George Wythe
Rural Retreat hasn't beaten GW since 2006, which occurred during Quinton Hensley's first go-round as the Indians' head coach. Back as the man calling the shots at Rural Retreat, Hensley is a former assistant at George Wythe as well.
Oct. 10: Rye Cove at Eastside
Rye Cove edged Eastside in last year's Region 1D finals and these Cumberland District rivals are the regional championship favorites once again.
Oct. 17: Hurley at Grundy
The atmosphere will likely be electric in the final matchup between these Buchanan County rivals. Grundy, Hurley and Twin Valley are consolidating to form Southern Gap in the fall of 2026.
Oct. 31: Virginia High at Lebanon
Virginia High beat Lebanon twice last season in a pair of high-scoring games.
Nov. 7: Twin Valley at Hurley
This could possibly be the final football game in the history of these two schools as consolidation looms. It will definitely be the final Black Diamond District game ever played.
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