VHSL Regional Football Playoff Pairings
Eleven Shenandoah Valley teams begin their postseason quests on Friday, November 13, 2026, as the Virginia High School League opens its regional playoffs, Cardinal News reported.
Games kick off at 7 p.m. across Virginia. Regional champions will be crowned on November 27, according to whsv.com.
Southwest and Central Region Matchups
Region 5C pairings feature No. 8 James River-Midlothian visiting No. 1 Highland Springs, while No. 5 Glen Allen travels to No. 4 Hermitage. No. 6 Douglas Freeman takes on No. 3 Patrick Henry-Roanoke, and No. 7 William Fleming plays at No. 2 Midlothian.
Region 4D matches pit No. 8 E.C. Glass against No. 1 George Washington, and No. 5 Salem against No. 4 James Wood. No. 6 Millbrook meets No. 3 Sherando, while No. 7 John Handley faces No. 2 Jefferson Forest. George Washington secured the tiebreaker over Jefferson Forest using opponents’ combined points ratings.
Region 3C pairings include No. 8 Wilson Memorial at No. 1 Broadway, and No. 5 Heritage-Lynchburg at No. 4 Liberty Christian. No. 6 Monticello visits No. 3 Turner Ashby, and No. 7 East Rockingham travels to No. 2 Fluvanna County.
Region 3D features No. 8 Staunton River visiting No. 1 William Byrd, and No. 5 Cave Spring playing No. 4 Lord Botetourt. No. 6 Bassett travels to No. 3 Magna Vista, while No. 7 Tunstall takes on No. 2 Carroll County.
Valley Brackets and Byes
Region 2B opens with No. 1 Strasburg and No. 2 Stuarts Draft receiving first-round byes, whsv.com reported. No. 5 Central-Woodstock travels to No. 4 Fort Defiance, and No. 6 Madison County visits No. 3 Buckingham County.
Region 2C pairs No. 8 Patrick County against No. 1 Radford, and No. 5 Appomattox County against No. 4 Martinsville. No. 6 Gretna plays No. 3 Floyd County, while No. 7 James River-Buchanan travels to No. 2 Glenvar.
Region 2D features No. 8 Lee at No. 1 Graham, and No. 5 Southern Gap at No. 4 Gate City. No. 6 Virginia High visits No. 3 Union, and No. 7 Central-Wise meets No. 2 Ridgeview.
Class 1 and Rural Postseason Brackets
Region 1B matchups place No. 8 Cumberland at No. 1 Buffalo Gap, and No. 5 Brunswick at No. 4 Sussex Central. No. 6 Surry County faces No. 3 Altavista, while No. 7 Luray travels to No. 2 Riverheads.
Region 1C pits No. 8 Eastern Montgomery against Pioneer District top seed Craig County. Narrows travels to Mountain Empire District second seed Auburn, and George Wythe visits Parry McCluer. Bath County plays at Grayson County.
Region 1D features No. 8 Honaker visiting No. 1 Chilhowie, and No. 5 Northwood playing No. 4 Patrick Henry-Glade Spring. No. 6 Holston meets No. 3 Eastside, while No. 7 J.I. Burton travels to No. 2 Rye Cove. J.I. Burton won a tiebreaker over Honaker based on overall winning percentage.
Playoff Advancement Schedule
Winners from the opening round advance deeper into the bracket toward regional finals. State semifinals are slated for December 5, 2026, according to whsv.com. State championship games begin on December 11, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the VHSL football playoffs start?
The first-round games begin on Friday, November 13, 2026, with kickoffs scheduled for 7 p.m. across the state.
Which local teams earned first-round byes?
In Region 2B, Strasburg and Stuarts Draft secured first-round byes, according to whsv.com.
When are the state championship games scheduled?
The state championships are scheduled to begin on December 11, 2026, following regional finals on November 27 and state semifinals on December 5.
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