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The 2023 & 2024 VHSL 3A State Champions have come from Region A. See what you can expect from the teams out of VHSL 3A Regions A & B. 

VHSL Class 3 Previews: Regions A & B

Brentsville District Tigers

2024 Record: 19-4

The Tigers had a successful regular season and ultimately would punch their ticket into the 3A state tournament. The Tigers lost in the quarterfinals to the eventual state champions, York. While they did graduate some pieces from 2024 they do return six starters for 2025. JJ Hand (Old Dominion) is back for his senior year and will be very important if they want to take another trip to the state tournament. Jeffery Cook (Virginia Wesleyan) gives them a left handed bat with the potential to be a run producer in the middle of the order. Seniors Aaron Caughlin (Shenandoah) and Levi Fear (Virginia Wesleyan) will have to throw important innings for the Tigers in 2025. David Moffett Jr. and Carson Stroud (Chesapeake CC) add to the collection of seniors that the Tigers can potentially rely on to make contributions as well. Sophomore Charles McCullough made some contributions as a freshman and looks to take another step in 2025. While there is a solid amount of experience and talent returning on the positional side, they will need to add some depth on the mound if they want to make another run back to the Class 3 State Tournament.

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Culpeper Blue Devils

2024 Record: 13-10

Culpeper had some bright spots in 2024 and looks to build on that this year. The majority of the Blue Devils’ squad returns in 2025, with seven starters and six arms making their way back to the roster. Tyrus Nobbs is a two time All-Region selection and is their ace on the mound. The junior infielder and right handed arm is certainly an anchor for this Culpeper team. Jonas Franti split time between catching and on the mound last year, but might be able to spend a little more time behind the plate in 2025, with the hopes of a healthy Adam Gessler (Mt. St. Mary’s). Gessler was a help in the middle of the lineup last year, but his biggest presence may be felt on the mound with a potential full season for the junior right hander. Kahner Moss (William Peace), Job Sheads, and Brandon Valdez should all factor into Culpeper lineup with their own contributions. Wesley Fitts had a big year in relief for the Blue Devils and should once again throw valuable innings. One underclassman to keep an eye on is freshman Aden Fairfax. I would anticipate Culpeper making some noise in the Battlefield District, as well as potentially making another run at a regional berth.

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Grafton Clippers

2024 Record: 13-10

Grafton showed some potential in 2024 of what they could be in the future and they look to build on that in 2025. The Clippers fell to the eventual 3A state champions York in the region semifinals ending their season. They return a bulk of that team in 2025 looking to make a run at the 3A state title. Senior Luke Wilz was a key piece for Grafton last spring as he threw important innings, as well as being a contributor at the dish for the Clippers. Senior Colton Sandiford is a run producer that was 1st Team All-District and could be important for their success this spring. Juniors Evan Cruea and Cooper Bush are two players that give this lineup some depth and versatility. One to watch out for as an X-factor is the two way stand out Corey Overmeyer. He has a chance to be a big impact bat, as well as giving them a power arm that they can rely on to make a deep run. This team is fairly heavy with upperclassmen, but Dakota Jackson earned 2nd Team All-Region honors as a freshman and should be a big part of this squad in 2025. This team has some pieces that would allow them to make a run in the postseason.

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Kettle Run  

2024 Record: 13-8

It was an up and down year for the Cougars that ended with an upset loss to Culpeper County in the region quarterfinals in 2024. They return some key pieces in 2025 that look to make a deeper run. Senior Nate Wiles (Mount St. Mary’s) returns in the infield and potentially at the top of the order. Sam Linebaugh (Roanoke) missed some part of last season and with hopefully a fully healthy 2025, has the tools that can make him a dynamic piece to the offense. Andrew Smarr (CCBC-Dundalk), Dane Popelka (US Coast Guard Acad.), and Tyler Thorpe are three seniors that have experience and could contribute run production, especially with Popelka and Thorpe being leading the way in RBI's last season. They also return Jacob Mulhern and Bryce Fargo that logged innings last spring. Junior Harrison Skinner is one of the top uncommitted pitchers in the Northern Virginia area that has the potential to be a big time arm this spring. If they can put things together on the mound, they could be a tough team in 2025.

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New Kent Trojans

2024 Record: 17-5

The Trojans had a successful season in 2024 before they were upset by Lafayette in the region quarterfinals. They lost a vital piece in their success in Carson Seely (Richard Bland), but bring a talented roster full of youth that gives them a chance at another state title. They return the power bat of senior Michael Hetzel (Roanoke) that they have relied on heavily for being a run producer in the middle of the lineup. Lane Boyette was a major piece on the mound as a freshman, but last year his duties were more focused behind the plate. The Trojans have some help coming for the catching duties and if they can free up Boyette to contribute on the mound, that will be a very big piece for quality depth to the staff. Sophomore Dylan Bowman is a two way standout that has proven himself on the mound, as well as being a productive left handed bat. On the mound Brody Cash, Matthew Gentry (Richard Bland), and Jonah Sorrell give them different options and arm depth to go along with Bowman and others. Sophomores Bryce Hochman and Jaxon Foreman are two names to circle. Whether it is this year or next, those two take the underclass talent up a few notches in this New Kent program. This is a deep roster that seems to get better every year. There is talent throughout their grad classes and that makes them a team to keep a close eye on this year and years to come.

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Tabb Tigers

2024 Record: 12-7

While Tabb possesses the reigning Class 3 State Player of the Year in Jake Mutter, they did have a pretty up and down year in 2024. They defeated some pretty solid opponents like Class 2 champion Poquoson, as well as Grafton, Lafayette, and Class 3 champion York. The Tigers lost senior arm Kaiden Takahashi-Traider (Longwood) and will need to replace some of his valuable innings. Ryan Kizer, Blake Schafer, and underclassman Cayden Kuehni are some names to take note of as we head into the spring. If they can figure out some arm depth, they have the pieces to make a run in Class 3.

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William Monroe Dragons

2024 Record: 13-8

The Dragons return in 2025 with some key pieces that are a year older looking to make an impact. In 2024 they fell in the region quarterfinals in a close game to Meridian. While they lose Talan Shifflett and Jamal Neal, they return Parker Hildebrand (Mount St. Mary’s) that had a strong year at the top of the lineup in 2024. 2027 pitcher Nolan Lamm has a chance to be one of the next top arms to come out of the Valley, but this will be his first year to potentially make significant contributions on the varsity level so there may be an adjustment period. Finding some arm depth and replacing the lost offensive production will be key heading into 2025.

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York Falcons  

2024 Record: 18-9 *VHSL Class 3 State Champions*

The defending state champs graduated Cole Draper and Bobby Holihan who were both 1st Team All-State members, but they return Jack Harmon. Harmon was 2nd Team All-State at third base and he had immense value on the mound for the Falcons in 2024. With what York lost from last year and what others in the Bay Rivers District and region return, it will be a tough road for a repeat, but having Harmon back is a big initial step.