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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 back half of the PreSeason VA/DC Public School Power 25, with a short preview of each team, check back tomorrow for the Top 12 with their previews and the full Ranking, including teams in consideration.

 

25. Abingdon

The Falcons have been a Class 3 powerhouse for years in southwest Virginia and that should continue again in 2021. Runs shouldn't be an issue for Abingdon with a lineup built around seniors Luke Francisco (Carson-Newman) and Chase Hungate (VCU) as well as junior Ethan Ketron and sophomore Ethan Gibson (Virginia Tech). Look for Ketron and Hungate to contribute on the mound as well.

24. Midlothian

The Trojans have been a program on the rise in recent years and reached the 2019 Class 5 State Tournament. Look for that upward trajectory to continue in 2021 as the Trojans return 7 starters and 7 arms from their 2020 squad. Midlo has a core group of seniors that will form the backbone of their team, with Carter Lovasz (William & Mary) and Connor Schumann (Old Dominion) poised to anchor the rotation and contribute both ways. Rounding out the offense will be fellow seniors Ethan Smith (Lynchburg) and Paul Broussard (Hamden-Sydney). Look for junior Andrew Jones to add depth on the mound and sophomore Cole Feldman to become an important piece in the lineup. 

23. Mechanicsville

Mechanicsville, formerly known as Lee-Davis High School, has been one of the more talent-laden programs in the Richmond area recently and should be a factor in Class 4 this spring. The Mustangs are loaded on the mound this spring, with senior Brett Allen (UMass Amherst) flanked by juniors CJ DiNapoli, Dallas Hairfield, and Sam Owens. The lineup will be anchored by juniors Ethan Serrano (VCU), Trevor Loving, and Hairfield. 

22. Wilson (DC)

The Tigers have been arguably the top DC Public School program in recent years and have plenty of talent on the roster again this spring as they look to challenge St. John's, Gonzaga, St. Alban's, and Maret for the DCSAA Championship. Wilson has a pair of high end arms at the top of their rotation in senior Sam Alswang (Central Connecticut State) and junior Kai Leckzsas. Senior Ben Wander (Nichols College) is a solid depth piece on the mound as well and Danny Ringel rounds out a deep rotation. The lineup is also strong, where seniors Jack Wallis (Haverford), Xavier Grobbel (CCNY), and Jeffrey Coakley (Mansfield) along with Leckzsas form a strong top of the order.

21. Yorktown

The Patriots look to be one of the stronger teams in a top-heavy Region 6D and should battle with McLean for the Liberty District crown this spring. Yorktown picked up a key addition with the transfer in of senior Ryan Bhojwani (Virginia), who along with senior catcher Jacob Friend (Davidson) gives Yorktown two speedy pieces that contribute power and good defense up the middle as well. On the mound, look for senior Nathan Knowles (William & Mary) to lead the way along with fellow senior Thor Koomey. Junior lefty James Tallon has a chance to be an x-factor for the Patriots coming off of a big velocity jump in the offseason and showing well in DCPL action in March.

20. Liberty Christian

Liberty Christian has regularly been one of the more talented teams in Virginia and has been consistently a top team in VHSL since joining in 2016. 2021 looks to be another year where the Bulldogs will be strong, this time in Class 3. The are well-rounded this year, with senior Brock Duff (UVA-Wise) and junior Sullivan Holmes (Liberty) likely to anchor the rotation. The lineup will be a bit younger, but is still very talented with juniors Andrew Burns (Liberty), Tanner Thomas (Mt. St. Mary's), and Dillon Stowers at the core of the lineup. Look for talented sophomores John Simmons and Matt Vine to push to contribute as well.

19. Chatham

The Cavaliers captured the 2019 Class 2 State Championship and graduated AJ Potojecki (Longowood) after that championship. The Cavaliers are again loaded with talent and poised to push for another title. The lineup is anchored around sophomores Jake Moore (Liberty) and Carrington Aaron (Virginia Tech) as well as senior Matthew Arnold (Hampden-Sydney) and junior Cam Satterfield. On the mound, look for Christian Lancaster (Hampden-Sydney) to lead the way.

18. Halifax County 

The Comets have been a fixture in the rankings over the last handful of years as a stable of flamethrowers has led them to dominate big school play in Southern Virginia. The Comets moved from Class 5 down to Class 4 and should be a strong squad again this spring with a pair of arms at the center of what the team does well. Seniors Jaxon Lloyd (VMI) and Leo Noblin (King) should anchor the rotation and Noblin figures to be in the mix in the middle of the lineup as well.

17. Nansemond River

The 2016 Class 5 State Champs took a slight step back since that Championship while a new wave of talent has worked its way onto the roster and now the Warriors are poised to push for a deep run in 2021. On the mound, senior Gavin Gregory (Radford) should anchor the rotation and look for junior Ayden Stuffel to contribute as well. In the lineup, speed is the name of the game for Nansemond with a lot of it all up and down the batting order as well as defensively. Junior middle infielder Clay Grady (Virginia Tech) is one of the top defenders in the Commonwealth and he will top a lineup that will also feature seniors Cam Pittman (Radford), Malcolm Perry, and Mariano Fernandez (Patrick Henry CC). 

16. Lebanon

Lebanon was the Class 2 State Runners-up in 2019, making a deep run about a year ahead of what many expected. This spring, the Pioneers' two cornerstone pieces are seniors and they are poised for another deep run in the postseason. Senior lefty Matthew Buchanan (Virginia) is one of the top arms in the entire state and will lead the rotation, coming off of a 2019 that saw him earn Region Player of the Year and First Team All-State honors. Also back off of All-State honors in 2019 are senior shortstop Preston Steele (Virginia Tech) and senior second basemen Anthony Houchins. Also back in the lineup is senior catcher Hunter Hertig, making the Pioneers solid and experienced up the middle. Watch for youngsters Seth Buchanan and Zach Hertig to step in and contribute as well this spring.

15. William Byrd

The Terriers began to make some noise in the postseason in the spring of 2018, when as the 8 seed in the Class 4 Region D tournament, they upset top seeded and undefeated Liberty Christian. Among the keys to that upset was a core of freshmen that have now made it to their senior year together, and with them present, Byrd is a threat in Class 3. On the mound, seniors Tyler Dean (Virginia Tech) and Isaac Fix (Davidson) provide a dynamic one-two punch, with junior Hunter Sipe as a depth piece with upside potential. Defensively, the Terriers have one of the best throwing catchers in the Commonwealth who also is a thumper at the plate in senior Dylan Hatfield (Virginia Tech). 

14. Freedom (South Riding)

The 2018 Region 5C Champs had a solid 2019 season and are loaded in 2019 as they look to advance deep into the postseason. Offensively, senior Casey Cook (North Carolina) is the centerpiece and one of the top players in the Commonwealth, period. Around Cook is a group of seniors that offer length to the lineup, Bradley Oliver provides speed at the top with Jacab Arzaga (Shenandoah), Billy Adkins, and Josh Lui providing some additional middle of the lineup experience. On the mound, Cook will mix in likely as a closer behind seniors Connor Kolarov (William & Mary) and Val Taddei (Lehigh). Keep an eye on junior catcher Cal Henderson as well as juniors Dylan Greentree, Peter Hoenig, and Ryan Morrison, all of whom could find themselves contributing to a deep Eagles roster this spring.

13. Western Branch

2019 was the first time in a while that the 2017 Class 6 State Champs had not made a trip to the State Tournament. The 2021 Bruins squad looks poised to make a return to the State Tournament. On the mound, they have a solid one-two punch of seniors Kyle Hardy (Western Carolina) and Roberto Velasquez (Bryant & Stratton VA). Offensively, look for Branch to be led by toolsy junior Harrison Didawick (Virginia) as well as seniors Jacob Christenbury (Mary Washington) and Justin Liakos (Christopher Newport). 

 

Check back tomorrow for the Top 12