VA/DC Public School Preseason Power 25: 1-12
April 22, 2021
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Earlier this spring, we began running a Private School Top 10 as many of the VISAA schools in the Commonwealth got started on time while VHSL and DC schools were waiting until later to play. With the return of VHSL and DC action in the next week as VISAA wraps up its season, we will post and update the Power 25, but for now will only feature VHSL and DC schools in it. At the end of the season, we will publish a combined final ranking.
Without further discussion, here is the top half of the PreSeason VA/DC Public School Power 25, with a short preview of each team, check back later today for the full Power 25 and teams that also received consideration in our initial rankings and could find their way into them at some point:
12. Jefferson Forest
The Cavaliers have consistently been one of the stronger teams in the Lynchburg area and in Class 4 in general over the last half-decade plus. The the 2021 team should be no exception to that rule and as usual, is stacked on the mound. A trio of seniors top a rotation that might be the deepest in the class when you add in the underclass talent present. Connor Maggi (Gardner-Webb) had a strong sophomore season in 2019 and is now back as a senior, and he will be joined in the rotation by Spencer Williams (Gardner-Webb), and Domenic Rowlands (King). Offensively, junior Sully Tibbs was one of the standout prospects at the 2020 State Games and will be a key piece. Sophomore Luke Gouldthorpe has the potential to be an impact bat and contribute on the mound as well.
11. Charles Colgan
A newer program, having opened in the fall of 2016, the Sharks have been on the rise since and are poised to challenge to be the top team in the Cardinal District and fight for the Region 6B Championship this spring. On the mound, juniors Connor Knox and Ryan Kennedy (Virginia Tech) will top the rotation. The Shark lineup is deep as well, with seniors CJ Faulkenberry (Longwood) and Brody Pickette (Shenandoah) as well as juniors Brandon Cassedy and Evan Blanchard forming a strong core as well as a solid up the middle defense. Sophomores Brett Renfrow (Virginia Tech) and Matthew Westley (Virginia Tech) figure to round out the rotation behind Knox and Kennedy and offer two-way potential for Colgan this spring. Also watch for sophomore Jae'dan Carter to have an impact as the season progresses.
10. Battlefield
2019 saw the Bobcats reach the Region semifinals before seeing their season end. Battlefield is again loaded to bear with 7 returning starters and 4 returning arms from the 2020 squad. Senior pitcher Jackson Baird (George Mason) and senior outfielder Adam Kuzmicki (Stony Brook) both had stellar 2019 season and are poised to pace the Bobcats' rotation and lineup, respectively. Joining Baird in the rotation will be juniors Carson Estridge (West Virginia), Jack Robinson, and Kyle Zambrana, providing Battlefield with a lot of quality depth on the mound. Offensively, Kuzmicki will be surrounded by fellow seniors Blake Harris, Tucker Williams (Messiah), and Tyler Klus (Susquehanna) as well as junior Blagen Pado with a handful of sophomores set to contribute as well this spring.
9. Lake Braddock
The 2019 Class 6 State Champs had a relatively young roster highlighted by the State Player of the Year, and while losing Lyle Miller-Green (George Mason) and ace Jay Cassady (CNU) off that team will hurt, the Bruins still have a spectacular senior class that was the core of that Championship team that will look to capture another title. Offensively, seniors Ryan Cuadros (George Mason), Grant Hartman (CNU), Max Jensen (Cornell), and Ben Sopko (Washington MD) form the position player core that also features two-way seniors Andrew Schaeb (George Mason) and Michael Weidinger (William & Mary). Watch for super-talented junior Quincy Via to be a potential breakout star for this deep, veteran squad.
8. Patriot
Patriot, like Cedar Run District rival Battlefield, fell in the 2019 Region semifinals, marking the first time since 2015 that at least one of them had not advanced to the State tournament. That Pioneer team had key veterans but a lot of young talent and Patriot is stacked this spring and will again dogfight with Battlefield for the District title and compete for a Region 6B Championship as well. Offensively, look for seniors Brian Wilson (Louisburg JC) and Bryce Demory (VMI) to man two of the outfield spots and hit in the top of the order. Juniors Mason Balsis (Middle Tennessee St) and Kyle Vandenburg will provide thump in the middle of the lineup and fellow junior Max Ehrhardt will man shortstop. On the mound, the Pioneers lack varsity experience, but they make up with it in raw volume of talent. The deep stable of arms includes juniors Parker Hogge, a standout at PreSeason All-State, Aaron Kanefsky, and Nathan Bishop, as well as a very talented pair of sophomores in Jordan Capuano, Jakob Foster.
7. Riverside
2020 was supposed to be the Rams' first season in Class 5 after finishing 2019 as the Region 4C Champ and State Runners-up, the second time in 3 years the young program had reached a State Championship game. Now playing in what looks to be the woodchipper that will be the Potomac District this spring, Riverside is positioned to run deep again behind what is one of the best one-two combos on the mound in all of Class 5, with seniors Wyatt Shenkman-Lunsford (East Carolina) and Michael Walsh (Maryland) pairing to form the top of the rotation. Junior Steven Trone slots in as the closer and sophomore Ryan Demartin adds quality depth behind the seniors and Trone. Offensively, the position player group is younger this year for the Rams, but they are very talented. Senior centerfielder John Kramer brings speed to the leadoff spot of an offense that will also feature juniors Stone Lasseigne and Mac Yarbrough in the infield mix along with sophomore shortstop Cavan McMeans. Sophomore Kyle Johnson is a very intriguing potential two-way player to keep an eye on.
6. Maury
Maury has been a mainstay late in the Class 5 postseason over the last few years, reaching the State Tournament in 2018 and the Region A semifinals in 2019. The Commodores will look to return to the State Tournament this spring with a team that is stacked offensively. Back this spring is senior thumper Kennedy Jones (UNC Greensboro), who will be joined in the lineup by a pair of returning key contributors in juniors Matt Phillips and Tre Keels (Miami). A pair of new faces to the lineup have a chance to make it dynamic as Maury added sophomore top prospect TayShaun Walton (Miami) via transfer and sophomore Cameron Johnson also has a chance to be an impact player. On the mound, senior Antwan Walton (Old Dominion) and juniors Ashton McGarity and Cullen McKay. The offense is capable of carrying the team for stretches, and there is plenty of talent in that trio of arms for Maury to be a threat to play late into June.
5. Westfield
The Bulldogs had one of the most dominant pitching staff performances in Virginia prep history in 2019, firing 16 shutouts en route to winning the Concorde District, Region 6D, and ultimately finishing as the State Runners-up. From the 2020 team, four position players and four pitchers return. Offensively, seniors Kevin Mackmin (CNU) and All-Region honoree Nick Lottchea (William & Mary) were key pieces to the 2019 team and will be again this year, being joined there sophomore Jonny Farmelo (Virginia). On the mound, Mackmin and Lottchea can contribute of needed, but senior lefty Tyler Muscar (James Madison) and righty junior Jason Cheifetz (James Madison) have a chance to become a dominant one-two punch this spring and push Mackmin and Lottchea towards a supporting role. Regardless, the Bulldogs are coming off of one of the greatest team pitching perfomances in VHSL history and have a deep and talented staff again this spring.
4. Hanover
Hanover has been a perennial Class 4 powerhouse since the creation of the current six classification system. The 2019 season saw them win another Region 4A Championship and appear in the State Tournament and the Hawks are positioned to be the favorite in Class 4 again this spring. The Hawks calling card, as usual, will be their deep stable of high-level arms this spring. Junior Chase Hustead (James Madison) was All-Region in 2019, and the rotation will also feature juniors Charlie Rohr, Levi Heusman (Coastal Carolina), and Anthony Gabello (James Madison). The lineup is also just as deep with juniors Cannon Peebles (Old Dominion) and Chase Flora returning and being joined by senior Caden Plummer (VMI), juniors Seth Keller (Old Dominion), Owen DeShazo (Boston College), Hunter Moore, Ryan Cowell, and sophomores Cole Elrod and Nolan Williamson. The depth of talent both in the rotation and lineup make Hanover dangerous in Class 4, but a tough out against any opponent.
3. Independence
Independence will now finally get to have its first season of competition after the school opened in the fall of 2019. The Tigers have an absurd rotation built around the top MLB Draft prospect in the VA/DC 2021 class, lefty Brandon Clarke (Alabama). Rounding out the rotation behind Clarke is an embarrassment of riches in senior Sam Davies (St. Joseph's), juniors Bryce Dolby (Mississippi) and Bradley Gagen (Tennessee), and sophomore Jackson McDonald (East Carolina). Offensively, a trio of talented juniors have a chance to form the core of the lineup in shortstop Aidan McDonald (James Madison) and outfielders Josh Hand and Ethan Applegate. Senior John McAleer has some raw power and should be in the lineup mix as well.
2. Frank W. Cox
Cox was the Class 6 State Runners-up in 2017 and moved down to Class 5 for the start of the 2020 season, so this spring will be there first at the slightly smaller class. The Falcons are balanced this spring and will be led by a stellar senior class both in the lineup and on the mound. Anchoring the middle of the lineup will be senior catcher Ethan Anderson (Virginia), who will also have fellow seniors Kyle Edwards (Old Dominion), Fenwick Trimble (James Madison), Gavin Spencer (CNU), and John Bastiaans (Virginia-Wesleyan) around him in the lineup. Senior Sam Slevin (Randolph-Macon) should pitch in as a two player and the rotation will be anchored by another senior, righty Nathan Hawley (VMI). Behind them on the mound are a pair of underclassmen with some upside in junior Dylan Blazer and sophomore Michael Irby. Keep an eye out for freshman Austin Irby, who could push for some playing time this spring as well.
1. James Madison
The Warhawks won the Concord District in 2018 in their first year in the District, but were supplanted by Westfield in 2019. Madison is stacked in 2021 and the Warhawks are built to return to the State Tournament for the first time since they won the 2015 State Championship. The Warhawks are stacked and very deep on the mound this spring. Seniors James Triantos (North Carolina) and Ramsey Collins (UConn) will top the rotation which will also have seniors Evan Blair (Washington & Lee) and Davis Snyder (Richard Bland) and sophomore Bryce Eldridge (Alabama) available as options. Offensively, Triantos, Eldridge, and seniors Colin Tuft (Virginia), Miguel Echazaretta (High Point), and Cooper Hoffman (Marymount) form a gauntlet of a lineup that has dynamic speed up and down it as well. Madison is loaded pretty much every year, but this might be one of the best top-to-bottom teams they've had recently.