High school football week in review: Highland Springs starts strong, Henrico falters

Friday came early last week for Highland Springs.

Lines were long at Mercer Field as a substantial crowd gathered to watch the Hopewell Blue Devils and Highland Springs Springers kick off the 2026 football season on a Thursday night.

A cool, humid afternoon hung over the field, where flags flew at half-staff in honor of the late Dolly Parton as another season began for Coach Loren Johnson and his Highland Springs football program.

For Hopewell, the afternoon was an opportunity to measure itself against one of Virginia’s premier high school football programs. For Highland Springs, it was a chance to remind everyone why the Springers remain one of them.

Highland Springs wasted little time establishing the terms of the game, taking the opening kickoff down the field behind a physical running game, punching in the first touchdown of the season with 7:08 remaining in the first quarter.

Then the defense delivered its message. The Springers intercepted Hopewell’s first offensive possession, beginning a trend in which the Blue Devils would struggle to find answers against a defense that ultimately forced four interceptions.

Hopewell managed to stop Highland Springs on downs during its second possession, briefly keeping the game within reach. But the reprieve was short-lived.

With seven seconds remaining in the first quarter, the Springers found the end zone again, and as the lights began to illuminate Mercer Field and the sun disappeared behind the tree line, the Highland Springs band came alive, punctuating another Springers touchdown.

The scoreboard read 14-0, and the game was already beginning to take on the shape Highland Springs wanted.

Among the sea of white jerseys stood Johnson, play card in hand, watching his team establish control. Hopewell spent much of the second quarter trying to find a way back into the game.

Quarterback King Holloway faced a relentless Highland Springs pass rush, while the Springers’ secondary made little room for error. The turnovers continued.

Highland Springs intercepted Holloway twice more before halftime, repeatedly ending Hopewell possessions and keeping the Blue Devils from building any sustained offensive momentum. Meanwhile, the Springers continued to display the balance that has become a hallmark of Johnson’s program. Highland Springs could attack on the ground, work underneath with quick throws or stretch the field when Hopewell committed too heavily to stopping the run.

By halftime, the difference between the two programs was reflected on the scoreboard; Highland Springs led 21-0.

Hopewell had spent the first half fighting simply to stay in the game, but the Blue Devils came out of halftime with renewed energy and, for a moment, looked capable of putting together the kind of drive they had been missing all afternoon. Holloway used his legs to keep the possession alive, moving Hopewell deep into Highland Springs territory and eventually reaching the Springers’ 22-yard line.

Then Highland Springs delivered another reminder. With 7:55 remaining in the third quarter, a 78-yards pick-six pushed the Springers’ lead to 28-0 and gave Highland Springs its fourth interception of the afternoon.

The game appeared firmly in hand. But Hopewell refused to go quietly.

Late in the third quarter, the Blue Devils finally found some breathing room against the Springers’ defense. Holloway and the Hopewell offense put together their most impressive drive of the afternoon, moving the ball down the field before Za’marion Gholson found the end zone with 4:28 remaining in the quarter.

Highland Springs, however, answered immediately. The Springers blocked the ensuing point-after attempt, preserving a 28-6 advantage and ensuring that Hopewell would not be able to turn its breakthrough into momentum.

That was the story of the game: every time Hopewell appeared to find an opening, Highland Springs closed it.

The Springers’ offense continued to attack with a mixture of runs and quick throws, stretching the Blue Devils’ defense across the field. Their defense, meanwhile, continued to dictate the pace, creating turnovers and forcing Hopewell to earn every yard.

When Hopewell managed to stop Highland Springs near the goal line late in the fourth quarter, it was one of the few moments all afternoon when the Blue Devils managed to halt the Springers outright.

For most of the game, Highland Springs dictated the terms. The Springers established the run. They created turnovers. They controlled the field. They answered Hopewell’s best push with a defensive play of their own.

It was an opening statement from a program accustomed to setting the standard. For Johnson and the Springers, the 28-6 victory marked a 1-0 start to the 2026-27 season and another emphatic demonstration of why Highland Springs remains among Virginia’s elite high school football programs.

The Springers continue their campaign against the Huguenot High School Falcons on Friday, September 4.

Warriors unable to stem the Crimson Wave 

For Henrico last Friday,  the scoreboard told only part of the story.

The Warriors entered the night facing a Petersburg team that repeatedly found itself with favorable field position, while Henrico struggled to establish its running game and overcome a series of early miscues.

Petersburg opened the game with an early interception and capitalized on the short field, taking a 6-0 lead with 7:17 remaining in the first half. Henrico struggled to consistently move the football, while Petersburg continued to benefit from strong field position. The Warriors’ defense, however, refused to let the game get away.

Despite the offensive struggles and Petersburg's opportunities, Henrico continued to make plays and keep the game within reach. The Warriors battled through the early mistakes, preventing Petersburg from turning its advantage into a runaway victory.

Petersburg eventually extended its lead to 12-0, but Henrico continued to answer with effort. A screen play broke open for Petersburg, adding another score as the visitors continued to find ways to manufacture offense. Later, a 35-yard run gave the Warriors another reminder of the challenge in front of them.

With one minute remaining in the game, Petersburg faced third-and-goal with a chance to put the game away, but a Henrico defender made a heroic open-field tackle at the goal line, preventing what appeared to be a certain touchdown and giving the Warriors one final defensive stand.

Petersburg was forced to settle for a kick with 10 seconds remaining, extending its lead to what ended as a 34-6 victory.

The result was not what Henrico wanted. But for a program at the early stages of rebuilding, there were moments that mattered beyond the final score.

Henrico coaches said they have felt a new energy around the program, and it was evident despite the loss. The offense had difficulty running the football. Early miscues put the Warriors in difficult situations. Petersburg repeatedly found itself working with short fields.  

But the Warriors fought for every possession, and their defense continued to give them opportunities to remain in the game.