Class 6 State Semifinal Madison vs. Freedom Players to watch:

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One half of our Class 6 VHSL State Semi-Finals features a rematch from last year's state championship game between the Madison Warhawks (12-1) and Freedom-Woodbridge Eagles (12-0). Last year saw the Eagles bring home the gold in dominating fashion with a 48-14 victory. So far this season Freedom has really only been challenged once against Varina way back in week 3, other than that they have made light work of their opponents. The Warhawks are back and looking for revenge as they have navigated once again a very competitive region and have only one blemish on their season. Both teams have a plethora of stars here are a few players to watch for each school:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Freedom-Woodbridge</strong>:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["301045"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='313738' first='Jeffrey' last='Overton'] Jr. has made his family proud as he has gashed each defense the Eagles have faced this season. We already know he is one of the best backs in the state but when our 2025 rankings are finished I expect him to ranked among the nations best. The junior running back and first team all region player has several FBS offers and will be sought out by schools across the globe.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["313739"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The reigning player of the year has been setting school and state records every week and he has a chance to accomplish more Saturday. What has been curious for Evans has been the recruiting aspect or perhaps lack thereof as he does not have enough offers. In my opinion he would look great at the FCS level or perhaps in the IVY league and with recruiting periods opening again I anticipate he will get the respect he deserves. At quarterback he is precise with the football with only 3 interceptions on the year as opposed to the 41 touchdown passes. The kid is on point and will be looking to pick up where he left off last week, which was dropping dimes all over the field.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["313740"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The Wake Forest commit and shutdown corner [player_tooltip player_id='313740' first='Elijah' last='Reid'] is as good as it gets at his defensive back position. Nabbing four interceptions in his senior season you have to wonder why are teams even throwing in his direction at this point? Reid has been as advertised and is an explosive kick returner too, the Warhawks would be wise not to kick it to him he has 3 returns for scores on the year.  I would expect Coach Overton to have him lined up on [player_tooltip player_id='157096' first='Cord' last='Yates'] all day and that will be fun to watch those two battle.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Walter Hughes","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Freedom-Woodbridge","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The big man in the middle of the outstanding offensive line for the Eagles is senior Walter Hughes. Another top notch 2024 prospect who has yet to make a commitment but I can tell you he will have plenty of suitors soon. One of the team leaders Hughes has had a marvelous senior season, and has obtained offers from several schools throughout the country. From division 3 to FBS he has plenty of options, my bet is he is an division 1 level lineman and will prove that once again tomorrow.rnrnhttps://x.com/WaltGoLive77/status/1729996666416050213?s=20","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["489595"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The fierce middle linebacker for Freedom-Woodbridge is junior [player_tooltip player_id='489595' first='Devin' last='Reeves'] and you better believe he is ready to face this explosive offense tomorrow.  As the season has worn on Reeves has heated up and it is perfect timing going against a number of FCS level skill players tomorrow.rnrnhttps://x.com/DevinReeves_5/status/1730015290002428081?s=20","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6569fa0448074"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Madison</strong>:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["157096"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The region offensive player of the year and one of the top uncommitted 2024 prospect is receiver [player_tooltip player_id='157096' first='Cord' last='Yates']. The older brother of the family it is no secret I have been of fan of his game since last off-season. He is a dynamic receiver who always needs to be accounted for and he makes plays on special teams too. Of all the matchups in this contest I am most looking forward to Yates vs the two start defensive backs for the Eagles in [player_tooltip player_id='313740' first='Elijah' last='Reid'], Juju Preston and [player_tooltip player_id='295791' first='Jachai' last='Hughes']. Defensive Coordinator Coach Overton always seems to have a master plan, I will be curious to see who he lines up to cover Yates all game.rnrnhttps://x.com/CordYates/status/1729529086609928467?s=20","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["584175"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"You do not need to go far to know I have been very high on this dude's upside for a bit, here is what I wrote last week after his dominating performance:rnrnu003cemu003eI told you about this young man before the season started and he has delivered for the Warhawks defense. Senior linebacker u003cspan class=u0022pn-tooltip pn-player-linku0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022name-pointeru0022u003eLuke Jarvisu003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003e is a tackling machine and in their title game he took matters into his own hands. Tallying 14 tackles, 3 TFLS and 1.5 sacks Jarvis was determined to keep the Region D championship at Madison. He would need another herculean like performance next week in their rematch with Freedom.u003c/emu003ernrnJarvis and the Warhawks defense have the new task of trying to stop the most explosive offense in the commonwealth. If his showing last week was any indication, the young man will have his squad ready to go tomorrow.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1232344' first='Cael' last='Yates']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Madison","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1232344' first='Cael' last='Yates'] has a tall task on hand tomorrow as the Eagles will be after him all afternoon. The young man is as tough as they come and has lead many game winning drives this fall against some elite competition. Yates is always in command under center for the Warhawks and he rarely makes mistakes, which will be key going against one of the best defenses in the state. If he can have a turnover free game I certainly would expect Madison to be right in this contest.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1228836' first='Dominic' last='Knicely']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Madison","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Part of what I think is the deepest position group in the Virginia class of 2025 running back [player_tooltip player_id='1228836' first='Dominic' last='Knicely']. The junior back should be in line with opponents [player_tooltip player_id='313738' first='Jeffrey' last='Overton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1231242' first='Jackson' last='McCarter'] for top billing as all three have division 1 offers. Going against a stout defense it will be key for Madison to establish Knicely early, he is they key to their success.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Darren Knicely","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Madison","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The big brother of Dominic, Darren Knicley is a big physical presence at both receiver and defensive end for the Warhawks. The VYI player of the year stands at 6'3 and is going to win any jump ball thrown his way. The senior rumbles down the field and like a locomotive train that you do not want to be out in front off in the open. He has a long reach and if he locks you out on defense he is a true pain to try and block. He has deceptive speed as well so you cant take your eyes off of him when he is on offense, I would expect Madison to look his way early in this one. Thus far he has offers from Stevenson University and Bridewater College, but with a good showing on Saturday, do not be surprised if more division 2 schools come calling.rnrnhttps://x.com/Darren_Knicely/status/1727099468917469305?s=20","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6569fa04482cb"} /-->