Recapping the Final Four Games of my 2024 Season Coverage

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 is upon us, and I completed my second season covering games for Prep Redzone. I was able to watch some great games this year. In today's article, I cover some of the highlights of this past season that I witnessed in person. Each game will also highlight recruitable players I saw from the games as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a two part article series. Today I am recapping the final four games I attended. You can read my article covering the first four games <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/recapping-the-first-four-games-of-my-2024-season-coverage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will not be covering the state championship game I attended in this article. I previously did a full break down of Liberty Christian's championship run that you can view <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/liberty-christians-road-to-back-to-back-state-championships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>here</em></a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Craig County vs Bath County</strong><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/10/craig-county-vs-bath-county-game-report-and-standout-players/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Game Report Article</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a game I was excited to attend. A battle between two smaller town schools in Class 1 that lack the attention larger schools receive, but that does not mean they have a lack of recruitable players on their squads. Bath County was one of the best teams in Class 1 this season, and they were led by senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1232999' first='Wyatt' last='Campbell']. Craig County struggled to find an answer for him all game on offense, and he was also found all over the field from his safety position on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1542363' first='Braiden' last='Mabe'] also showed out in this game for Bath County. Mabe, a senior LB and TE, was a favorite of mine to watch during the game, and I believe he can find a role on defense at a D3 school. Next year, Bath County returns two running backs in [player_tooltip player_id='1542364' first='Ethan' last='Bryant'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1542365' first='Luke' last='Turner']. Ethan more of the bell cow style back and Luke being the elusive receiving option. Both ended with a pair of TDs on the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Craig County should sound familiar if you follow Carl and I on Prep Redzone. They made the playoffs and finished with one of the best records the school has seen in recent years. Looking forward, they are young and return a large number of key contributors next season. In this game, I highlighted [player_tooltip player_id='1173067' first='Carter' last='Russell Calfee'], [player_tooltip player_id='1178325' first='Carter' last='Price'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1171993' first='Noah' last='Paxton']. Carter showed his speed on a kick return TD where he out ran everyone on the field, a play I was highly impressed with. [player_tooltip player_id='1178325' first='Carter' last='Price'] is a DL who has turned some heads at camps he attended last summer and earned a top 100 rank in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/virginia/rankings/2027-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Class of 2027 player rankings</a>. Noah is a player that you will want to keep an eye on. He plays LB and RB for Craig County, and with the graduation of senior RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1177963' first='Jaycob' last='Wolfe'], he will receive the opportunity to carry the ball more next season. We are excited to watch the development of Craig County in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Heritage vs E.C. Glass <em>"The Jug Bowl"</em></strong><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/11/the-jug-bowl-heritage-pioneers-vs-e-c-glass-hilltoppers-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Game Report Article</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I live in the Seminole District territory so this was a matchup I wanted to see. In terms of the game itself, this was the best game I attended all season. The cross town rivals came to play, and in what many considered to be an upset, E.C. Glass come out with a 17-13 victory. [player_tooltip player_id='1311691' first='Jhalil' last='Holloway'] leads the offense of E.C. Glass as their sophomore QB. The 6'4" passer is a dual threat QB who displays a nice arm and a physically tough runner. He is one I look forward to watching develop over the next two years. Senior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1548841' first='Kaden' last='Patrick'] was a key part of Glass' success in his run defense. Heritage was unable to run the ball to his side the entire game. [player_tooltip player_id='1297772' first='Elijah' last='Hughes'] also showed up again in this game after a mid-season transfer to E.C. Glass. His impact was also felt in this game from his linebacker and RB play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Heritage, senior LB and RB [player_tooltip player_id='1548843' first='Brayden' last='Morgan'] was an impact player. He showed his strength to hold the edge from his OLB position, staying disciplined to his gap and helping hold E.C. Glass to 13 points. [player_tooltip player_id='1297863' first='Zaid' last='Rahman'] is the heart of Heritage's defense from his MLB position. He is a hard-hitting, explosive player who is able to play bigger than his size. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1298411' first='Ayden' last='Slash'] has the poise and confidence you want at QB. Not phased by pressure situations and does not back down from taking a hit. He greatly improved his arm strength from his sophomore to junior season and was throwing with good touch and accuracy. I am excited to see his growth this off-season heading into his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jefferson Forest vs Liberty Christian Academy<br></strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/11/jefferson-forest-vs-liberty-christian-game-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Game Report Article</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I selected this game to attended because I wanted to see both teams compete this year, and I also wanted to select a team I felt could give LCA a run for their money. For the first half, I was correct in my thinking as it was 15-6 at half in a hard fought football game, and Jefferson Forest had their chances to get on the board more. However, LCA was able to take over in the second half coming out with a 50-6 victory. I have covered LCA extensively, and I encourage you to take a look at the season review I wrote about them after their state championship victory <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/liberty-christians-road-to-back-to-back-state-championships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> in addition to my game report article. But I do want to highlight seniors LB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='1230214' first='James' last='Deyo'], DB [player_tooltip player_id='1234400' first='Justis' last='Belford'], and IOL [player_tooltip player_id='1231236' first='Ryan' last='Sissney']. All three are quality players who can play at the next level and have yet to commit to a school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Jefferson Forest, [player_tooltip player_id='1455435' first='Christopher' last='Reed'] is a name you want to know. An all around play maker on offense and special teams, he can be utilized in many roles to create favorable matchups. Junior defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1297620' first='Slade' last='Keesee'] had himself a great season and was named <a href="https://x.com/sladeykeezy/status/1858939257571725351" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seminole District Defensive Player of the Year</a> over some very good players found in the district. Fellow senior defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1231495' first='Wrigley' last='Colling'] completed the strong edge tandem of JF's defense, and their play together was a huge part of their success this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>William Fleming vs Louisa County<br></strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/11/william-fleming-vs-louisa-county-standout-players/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Game Report Article</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My plan was to attend this game but got sick the day of and decided to watch it from home. This was a can't miss matchup of two very good teams in Class-5. Both teams have D1 players who went head-to-head and in the end, William Fleming came out on top with a 27-26 victory. This game solidified [player_tooltip player_id='1228866' first='Malachi' last='Coleman'] as one of the most under appreciated players in my mind. I watched him take over the game in the second half, and he willed William Fleming to victory. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1232847' first='Kron' last='Furguson'] also had a huge game, making the game winning tackle on Louisa County's two point conversion and then recovered the ensuing onside kick. I was also impressed by junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1298276' first='Jycer' last='Preston'] in his ability to recover from a late interception at the end of the first half and make key throws that kept William Fleming alive in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Louisa County, RB [player_tooltip player_id='284214' first='Savion' last='Hiter'] showed up as expected scoring two early TDs. A top running back in the country, Savion will be playing early on Saturdays in the Power-4. Senior DB Isiah Holland had the key interception at the end of the first half that kept Louisa County's two score lead heading into half time. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1282090' first='Caleb' last='Brady'] has nice form and mechanics on his throw. He is an efficient passer who delivers accurate passes and stays poised in the pocket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Click&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>&nbsp;to claim your Prep Redzone Prospect Index profile.<br>Follow me on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GoLions1934" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@GoLions1934</a>&nbsp;for further content |&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneVA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzoneVA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzone</a>&nbsp;| Virginia Scouts&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/carljfred" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@carljfred</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;</em><a href="https://x.com/EdOBrienCFB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>@EdOBrienCFB</em></a><em>&nbsp;</em>|&nbsp;<em>View my previous Prep Redzone articles&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/author/cole-laing-author/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->