2026 PRZVA Team Preview: Woodberry Forest Tigers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Finish:</strong> 7-2 (3-1 in Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Jackson Matteo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers enter the 2026 season with a head full of steam after dominating in quite a few of their matchups in 2025, including a 45-7 win over Flint Hill and a 52-12 win over Episcopal High School. They finished the year as a top 25-ranked program in the state and Virginia's 2025 Prep League Tri-Champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodberry Forest has been incredibly successful since Coach Matteo took over in 2022, and they're undoubtedly in for another big year in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On that topic, I asked Coach Matteo a few questions regarding his outlook for the 2026 season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Q: Who are a few of your key returners for the 2026 season? Why?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A:</strong> RB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1631222' first='Keondre' last='Hudgens'] (Captain), LB Julius Strother (Captain), LB/ATH CJ Rissmiller (Captain), LB William Litton (Captain), OL Joshua Lord, OT/DT Junior Saunders</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Two offensive linemen who are multi-year starters is a good start for us in the trenches. Offensive line culture here has been something that we prioritize, develop intentionally, and lean on frequently. [player_tooltip player_id='1631222' first='Keondre' last='Hudgens'] has been one of the most dynamic backs in VA, with great hands out of the backfield, and is multiple in the positions he can play - will be a 2x-time captain this year as well. The remaining - Shorty, CJ, William Litton, all voted captains by their peers, and all appear in our linebacking core. Three returning starters and great players/leaders. Best players are our hardest workers and best leaders. Culture in a strong place."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Q: Who are a few of your top newcomers for the 2026 season? Why?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A:</strong> "Jaheem Draughn is not necessarily a newcomer, but a rising sophomore who had a very impactful freshman year at RB/WR. He has gained 15 pounds this offseason and will be a heavy contributor this season. Same with Tommy Sanker, who is a rising Junior, but broke his ankle in the second game of his sophomore year at corner last year. Just received his first offer from ODU this summer. Football lineage in the Sanker family; very dynamic player. Excited to have him back."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Q: What are your expectations for this year's team?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A:</strong> "We'll be the best conditioned team in the state of Virginia, intellectually brutal, and we will win in the trenches."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->