High school seniors will be able to make their college commitments official next week, when the Early Signing Period for Division 1 football takes place December 16-18. This will be an exciting time off the field, but how are University of Virginia football commits performing on the gridiron? Here’s is the latest look in our weekly “Week In Review” series.
Gaffney Falls Short Of State Title
Virginia cornerback commit Micah Gaffney and the Spanish Fort (AL) Toros held a 13-10 halftime lead but couldn’t hold on, falling to Pinson Valley in the Class 6A state championship game.
The Toros dropped the first two games of 2020 but finished the season with an 11-4 mark. The defense was the team’s anchor and allowed 14 points or less in four postseason wins. The Toros couldn’t quite contain a Pinson Valley offense that had scored no less than 27 points in its previous four postseason wins.
Oconee County Moves On; More UVA Commits Still In Postseason Play
Oconee County (Watkinsville, GA), which features UVA-bound linebacker West Weeks, downed Dawson County, 42-7. The Warriors improve to 10-0 as they march on in the Class 3A playoffs, where they will next take on Peach County (9-1).
In a matchup of two schools featuring Virginia recruits, Fellowship Christian Academy (UVA offensive line commit Charlie Patterson) defeated Athens Academy (UVA defensive line commit Hugh Laughlin), 49-14, to advance to the Georgia Class A Private quarterfinals. FCA is undefeated through 11 games while Athens Academy closed out its 2020 campaign with a 10-2 record.
A fourth UVA commit from the state of Georgia, offensive lineman Ty Furnish, helped pave the way for running back Justice Haynes to rush for 314 yards and three scores as Blessed Trinity routed Decatur, 44-0. The unbeaten Titans can advance further in the Class 5A playoffs with a win over Warner Robins this week.
For UVA’s two commits from the state of Texas, postseason play is here. Quarterback Jacob Rodriguez leads Rider (Wichita Falls, TX) into a Class 5A Division II Region 1 matchup against North Side (Fort Worth), while tight end Jack Witmer and Cy-Fair (Cypress, TX) meet Westside (Houston, TX) in the first round of the 6A playoffs.
Rider finished the regular season with a 7-2 record. Cy-Fair is 9-1.
