6 outstanding performances from the region QF of the high school football playoffs

While the quarterfinals of the VHSL football playoffs didn't produce any upsets among Timesland teams, it was nevertheless an enthralling opening round, complete with stifling team performances, prolific individual efforts and historic victories.

It was the precursor to what is sure to be a gripping final four weeks of the season.

Here are six outstanding performances from the region quarterfinals.

Terrier defense barks back

After blanking Staunton River for three and a half quarters in the "War on 24" two weeks ago, William Byrd couldn't complete the shutout as the Golden Eagles scored twice in the final six minutes to tie the game and force overtime.

In Friday's Region 3D opener , the Terriers made sure there wasn't a repeat of that, holding the Golden Eagles scoreless for all four quarters and quelling any notion of late-game dramatics. Byrd held Staunton River to 131 yards of offense and only let its Blue Ridge District foe reach Byrd's end of the field twice.

The Terriers also failed to score in the second half of that first matchup, but on Friday scored an important third-quarter touchdown to build a three-possession lead. The win was their fourth shutout victory of the season and first in nearly two months.

Harvey gives his all for Vikings

As Northside aimed to pull off another upset over Lord Botetourt, this time trying for its first playoff victory in five years, Mykell Harvey emptied the tank in one final inspired performance.

The senior totaled over 300 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns as the Vikings came up just short in a wild 43-41 overtime game . He collected 207 rushing yards on 26 carries, averaging nearly 8 yards an attempt, and scored four times on the ground. He also returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, hauled in a 36-yard pass and tallied four solo tackles on defense.

Harvey can end his senior season with his head held high after leading Northside to its first postseason since 2021 and at least five wins in a season for the first time since 2019.

PH's upset alert

Patrick Henry put Class 5 on notice when it was not only tied 0-0 with Matoaca, but led the defending Region 5C champion in the final minute of the third quarter.

The Warriors eventually pulled ahead and won with 21 unanswered points, but it was nevertheless a formidable effort from the Patriots, who held Matoaca to its second fewest points in a game this season. Offense didn't come easy, but a 55-yard punt return by Julius Davis and a 90-yard pass from Jake Painter to Cam Hairston for scores provided some fireworks.

PH has struggled more so this year than in the last couple, but after Friday's upset bid, the Patriots have a lot to look forward to with a young core of players.

Spartans surge in 2nd half again

Salem has used dominating second halves to beat opponents on several occasions this season, and in the Region 4D quarterfinals it needed another one.

The Spartans erased a 21-10 halftime deficit to beat John Handley 31-28 in a narrow No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchup. Kyshead Arrington scored the go-ahead touchdown from 2 yards out with 1:13 to play, then Coen Logan came up with a game-sealing interception on defense.

Salem got another pair of 100-yard rushing performances from Arrington and Josiah Persinger, a dynamic 1-2 punch on offense, to win its sixth straight opening-round playoff game.

Dawyot saves his best for playoffs

Quarterback Brody Dawyot has been no stranger to five-touchdown performances during the regular season, but what about six? Seven?

The junior signal-caller totaled a whopping eight touchdowns on Friday night as Glenvar crushed Martinsville 69-7, breaking a program record for points in a game. Dawyot threw six touchdown passes, going 19 of 24 for 239 yards, and ran in another two scores, rushing for 55 yards on just five carries. He even had two and a half sacks and three tackles for loss on defense.

After losing the Region 2C championship in the final minute last year, Dawyot seems determined to bring a region title back to Highlander Heaven.

Buffaloes knock off a powerhouse

Floyd County earned its first home playoff game since 2017, but the Buffaloes drew a rather unfavorable matchup against a perennial powerhouse in Appomattox County, which was the No. 5 seed but won the state championship twice and region championship three times since 2019.

The Buffaloes handled the Raiders with a pair of 100-yard rushers in Joe March and quarterback Sam Phillips, holding on for a 20-15 victory for their first postseason win in seven years. Appomattox had fallen off this season, but won four straight games heading into the playoffs after losing its first six. Floyd County halted that momentum.

First-year head coach Tim Cromer has done an excellent job with the Buffaloes after his eight-year hiatus.

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