Class 1 Top Ten – #4 Rappahannock

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As part of our comprehensive coverage, we count down the Top Ten Rankings for each classification. It’s found exclusively on this web site with updates weekly during the season.

#4 – Rappahannock Raiders

What to Know:  Uncharted territory is the best way to describe what transpired with the Rappahannock Raiders in 2024.  The 12 wins set a school record, as did the 562 points scored, an average of 43.2 per contest.  Their previous best year came in 1986 when they went 10-2 overall under Jerry Parrish.  Coach William West, who went 8-3 in his first year at the helm back in 2001, saw the squad break a streak of four consecutive losing records.  Even more impressive was the 13-8 upset of Essex during the regular season to mark their first win in the head-to-head series since that ’01 campaign.

While ending a 28-game losing streak to the Trojans was mighty nice, they were unable to follow it up after back-to-back playoff wins by beating them again in the Region 1A Finals.  Essex ended up pitching a 41-0 shutout in Warsaw on their way to capturing the Class 1 State Championship, certainly the goal for these Raiders as they welcome back 16 returning starters.

The senior duo of quarterback Clyde CJ’ Kelly (5-11, 160) and running back Kenneth Madison (5-10, 195) set the pace for this Rappahannock bunch.  Named First Team All-State on offense and 2nd Team All-State from the d-line, Madison rushed for 2214 yards and 42 touchdowns on 170 carries.  Norfolk State has already extended offer to the young man that figures to be a Class 1 State Player of the Year candidate.  So too is Kelly, who was a 2nd Team All-State performer as a junior with 24 total touchdowns accounted for with 17 on the ground and seven through the air.

Another plus for Kelly, who threw for 1145 yards to go with 787 yards rushing is that he brings back two of his main receivers, seniors Michael Brown (5-11, 160) and Landon King (5-11, 165).  Brown was a 2nd Team All-Northern Neck District selection with 14 catches for 247 yards and a pair of scores.  Senior Michael Ball (5-11, 140) and junior Christian Destin (5-10, 160) will both get a chance to make plays from the slot position.

For this spread offense to reach its full potential, sound blocking up front is essential.  Three starters return on the offensive line.  The two seniors, Remington ‘RJ’ Houck (6-2, 270) and Brandon Bracey (6-0, 195), were 2nd Team All-District performers, while junior center Lincoln Walston (6-2, 240) could be destined for similar postseason accolades this year.  Seniors Tanner Cook (5-11, 240) and Zion Graham (5-11, 245) round out the starting unit.

In holding foes to below 12 points per game in the regular season, the Rappahannock defense showed its worth and ability to hang in against strong ground games.  The nucleus is back with senior linebackers Brandon ‘Chase’ Self (5-11, 200) and Kevin Fauntleroy Jr. (6-2, 205).  Not only is Self a First Team All-State performer that had 82 tackles and four forced fumbles a year ago, but he earned 2nd Team All-State recognition in the spring as a catcher in baseball.  Fauntleroy was one of their top tacklers with 52 total stops.

Helping out Madison on the front line are fellow senior returnees in Graham and Carter Sullivan (6-1, 230).  Graham can jar the ball loose as seen with three forced fumbles during his junior campaign.  The biggest name to replace in the secondary is Brayden Hayes, a 2nd Team All-State selection.  Destin will be new to the starting defensive backfield, which welcomes back Kelly and Ball as regulars.  Since Kelly is the starting QB, establishing a couple of quality reserves ready to step in to give him a breather will be crucial.

The early portion of the schedule should not test Rappahannock that much with a great chance to be 5-0 when the bye comes.  Then a trip to Northumberland – with one of the state’s premier QB’s in Tyreek Lundy – will provide them a step up in competition on October 10th, one week before the showdown with Essex.  Anything less than 9-1 in the regular season would be surprising.  We’ll say it’s highly likely that the Raiders and Trojans square off again on Thanksgiving weekend to determine the best in all of Region 1A, perhaps even the team to beat come December at the Class 1 level.

More on 2025 Rappahannock Raiders in Will Garlick’s Preview Here

Other Class 1 Top Ten Previews:

#5 – Altavista Colonels – Read More Here

#6 – Riverheads Gladiators – Read More Here

#7 – Rye Cove Eagles – Read More Here

#8 – George Wythe Maroons – Read More Here

#9 – Narrows Green Wave – Read More Here

#10 – Northumberland Indians – Read More Here

Final Class 1 Top Ten Rankings from 2024:

#1 – Essex (14-1)

#2 – Altavista (12-1)

#3 – Grayson County (10-4)

#4 – Rye Cove (13-1)

#5 – Rappahannock (12-1)

#6 – Eastside (11-2)

#7 – Bath County (11-1)

#8 – George Wythe (8-4)

#9 – Grundy (7-5)

#10 – Westmoreland (7-5)

Matthew Hatfield has served as Publisher for VirginiaPreps.com since 2016 and been writing for the web site under the Rivals umbrella dating back to 2004.  Matthew also has served as the Play-by-Play Voice for Old Dominion Women’s Basketball since 2021.  Check out Hatfield’s Twitter page for more sports related updates.  To contact Matthew, please e-mail [email protected], and be sure to Subscribe to CoVA Sports TV, where you can watch and hear his Podcasts.