Past Champions

2017: Eastern View 11-1 (6-0)

2018: Eastern View 13-1 (6-0)

2019: Eastern View 10-2 (5-1)

2020: King George 8-1 (6-0)

2021: King George 10-1 (6-0)

2022: King George 12-1 (7-0)

2023: King George 13-1 (7-0)

2024: King George 9-3 (7-0)

We now turn to the Battlefield, and if you’re looking for clarity, don’t bother — this thing is as wide open as it’s been in years. The Foxes had their run of dominance, but the coaching carousel alone has left the district spinning. Head coach Vern Lunsford bolted for Spotsylvania, Neil Sullivan stepped down at Chancellor, and the Chargers turned to Adwela Dawes to take over. Meanwhile, Josh Wallace made the jump to grab the reins at King George.

The talent is spread all over the map. Courtland has massive size in the trenches with Jaiden Edwards and Keegan Parker, two guys who look like they belong on a college depth chart already. James Monroe is always stacked with skill kids ask anybody who’s had to line up against them in a 7v7 but this year head coach George Coghill likes his line too, which could make the Jackets more balanced than we’ve seen in a while. Eastern View lost quarterback AP Hull to Liberty, but they answered in a big way by picking up one of the best defensive linemen in the state, Hayden Loveless, from Battlefield.

And then there’s Caroline. What Gerard Johnson started, Coach Alexander has kept rolling, and the Cavaliers are no longer that “maybe they’ll hang around” type of team. They’ve built a foundation, and now they’re stacking respectable seasons one after another making them a tough out every Friday.

So here’s the question: with so many coaching changes, loaded lines, and rising programs, who’s coming out of this buzzsaw? Right now, it’s anybody’s guess and that’s what makes the Battlefield District one of the most intriguing storylines in 2025.

Caroline

Wins Projection: 6..5

Forget easing into this district we’re starting right at Caroline because the Cavaliers are the ones everybody needs to circle in 2025. Coming off a 6–4 season that ended just shy of the playoffs, this group should be smelling blood in the water. They aren’t sneaking up on anybody anymore, and that’s because they’ve got straight-up dudes.

Senior RB Tre Coles (6’1, 200) is the type of back that wears you down over four quarters and still has the burst to take one the distance. Senior WR Blake Morris gives them a reliable playmaker on the outside, and in the trenches, Tronte Ballard (6’0, 270) brings the physicality you need to win on Friday nights. Add in senior CB Zayvion Thompkins locking down the secondary, and suddenly you see why Caroline has been buzzing all offseason.

In total, nine starters return, and head coach Terry Alexander has this squad locked in, laser-focused, and hungry to deliver a season that brings real glory back to Caroline County. Could this finally be the magical year Cavalier fans have been waiting on for decades? The pieces are there — now it’s about proving it every week.

Courtland

Wins Projection: 6.5

JC Hall is back for year 23 on the sideline, making him the longest-tenured coach in the 540, and with that comes the same recipe Courtland fans know well — a steady dose of Wing-T offense and a bend-but-don’t-break defense.

But make no mistake, this version of the Cougars has some dudes up front that opponents will have to circle in red ink. Jaiden Edwards (6’5, 260, 3⭐) is a wrecking ball with legit college attention, and across from him stands Keegan Parker (6’7, 245), a rare TE/DE combo that creates matchup nightmares in the trenches. And while this has always been a run-heavy offense, QB Chieftan Watson has earned Hall’s trust to actually air it out when needed — a wrinkle that could give the Wing-T some teeth we aren’t used to seeing.

The big question? Athletes. Courtland has size, discipline, and coaching stability — but will they have enough speed and playmaking on the edges to truly take advantage of what looks like the most wide-open Battlefield race in years?

King George

Wins Projection: 4.5

The Foxes have been the program in the Battlefield for the last half-decade, winning five straight district championships while racking up a 42–7 record in that span. But 2025 feels a little different. New head coach Josh Wallace steps in to replace Vern Lunsford, and while he brings with him a plethora of experience — having previously coached at Petersburg, Buckingham County, and Fluvanna — this will be his first shot at keeping the Foxes’ crown shining. The Glendale, Arizona native is a 2005 graduate of Liberty, where he suited up at defensive back, and now he inherits a roster that’s talented, but young and untested compared to recent KG powerhouses.

The keys to keeping the streak alive rest on the shoulders of Senior WR Chavione Johnson (6’0, 170), Junior QB Will Brandt, and Junior OL Brian Ivey, who will be asked to provide stability up front. There’s no question the tradition is strong, but this group will have to grow up fast if they want to keep the rest of the Battlefield from smelling blood in the water.

Spotsylvania

Wins Projection: 6.5

The Knights have been searching for that spark to get back to their roots as Spotsylvania County’s original powerhouse, and maybe this is the year it clicks. Head Coach Vern Lunsford makes his return to his alma mater after guiding King George to historic heights, and he inherits a program that’s been hovering around .500 the last few seasons (4–6 in 2024, 4–6 in 2023, 5–5 in 2022). The difference this fall? There’s genuine excitement on Courthouse Road.

Senior RB Braylon Puller (5’10, 170) is back and ready to tote the rock, while the transfer portal worked in Spotsy’s favor with dynamic athletes Jaiden Young (DB/WR, from Courtland) and Hudson Callahan (DB/WR, from KG) joining the fold. Add in the fact that Lunsford is bringing his Air Raid scheme into a district that’s still figuring itself out, and you can feel the energy building around this team. The Knights may not be ready-made champs just yet, but don’t be surprised if they start shaking things up sooner rather than later.

James Monroe

Win Projection: 5.5

After a tough 3–9 campaign last fall, the Yellow Jackets are stepping into 2025 with reason for optimism even if freshman quarterback Jude Hardy won’t be under center this season. Hardy lit it up as a freshman and started drawing Division I attention, but arm surgery in July will sideline him for his sophomore year.

But the story isn’t just at QB. Coghill is rolling into the season with arguably the most talented collection of skill players and linemen he’s had during his Fredericksburg tenure. Depth in the trenches is strong, and the coaching staff has added a wealth of experience. Rick Serbay, longtime JM head coach dismissed in 2020, returns as an assistant, bringing decades of Jackets specific knowledge, while new offensive coordinator Eddie Haynes (former King George HC) adds further expertise. Coghill says the combination of talent and coaching has already shown results in practice, with sharper preparation, communication, and accountability. The pieces are in place for James Monroe to finally push back toward a winning record and a playoff spot something the Yellow Jackets haven’t seen consistently since 2021.

Eastern View

Wins Projection: 7.5

Heading into 2025, Eastern View football is looking to build on a challenging 2024 season while navigating significant changes. The Cyclones lost a strong senior class that included RB Jaheim Frye and Virginia Tech commit Brett Clatterbaugh, and starting QB AP Hull transferred to Liberty. Taking the reins is Don Joy, coming over from Stafford where he served as offensive coordinator under Jeff Drugatz, helping Stafford’s offense light up the scoreboard behind stars like Zion Gray and Michael Creamer. Joy inherits a young roster but has already seen promising signs through fall camp, including expected starting QB Tyler Caperton, a sophomore standout on the baseball diamond with a strong arm and high football IQ.

Eastern View will rely on its senior class eight players in total led by Hayden Loveless, a transfer from Battlefield who recently committed to FCS powerhouse Towson. Loveless is expected to be a two-way force, anchoring the defense and contributing on offense, much like Clatterbaugh did last season. With the underclassmen learning quickly and the seniors providing leadership, Joy sees the Knights competing in a wide-open Battlefield District. “A lot of teams are in the same boat that we are,” he said. “I don’t know where we feel that we’re going to finish, but I feel like the district is wide open.”

Chancellor

Wins Projection: 2.5

Chancellor football hasn’t looked like the powerhouse it once was in the mid-2010s, when the program competed for state championships and produced NFL talent. In recent years, wins have been hard to come by, with just five combined victories over the last three seasons. Enter Adwela Dawes, a former local standout who’s returned home with a mission: jumpstart the program and set a foundation for long-term success. Dawes brings a wealth of coaching experience, including overseas stints and next-level roles, and has already seen his philosophy take hold as the players have embraced a new culture, structured workouts, and more disciplined practice routines during fall camp.

The Changers will lean on their returning talent to push for consistency on both sides of the ball. Senior G/DT Tayjon Scott, Senior MLB Liam Osegueda, and Senior RB JJ Billingsly provide leadership and experience as Chancellor looks to improve offensively and tighten up a defense that allowed a district worst 31.4 points per game in 2024. With a challenging schedule ahead including a season opening matchup with Riverbend Dawes believes his team can compete.

Culpeper

It’s been a tough stretch for Culpeper football, with last year’s 3–8 finish following back-to-back losing seasons (2–8 and 3–8). Head Coach Eric Sherry enters year three at the helm, still working to lay the foundation that can get the Blue Devils back to respectability in the always-tough Battlefield District. The program has struggled to find consistency, but this fall’s group has some intriguing pieces that could help them be more competitive on Friday nights.

The Devils return experience at key positions, starting with Senior QB Riley Lentz, who will look to stabilize the offense. He’s got help from some legit weapons, including Junior TE/OLB Jossie Shifflet (6’3, 220), a big target and versatile defender, and Senior WR/DB Caleb Green (6’2, 200), a playmaker on both sides of the ball. Junior RB Malachi Brock (5’9, 193) adds toughness in the backfield and gives Culpeper a physical runner to lean on. The pieces are there — now it’s about whether Sherry and company can pull it together and start changing the narrative in 2025.

Wins Projection: 2.5