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For the next two weeks we will roll out our Preseason Power 25. We will release three teams per day for the first week and then move to two teams per day once we reach the Top 10 next week. Voting for preseason teams centers more around the depth of talent on that team, the roster outlook, previous success with players on the roster, as well as where it stacks up within their region/area, as opposed to strictly predicting schedule outcomes. Our staff weighs ten different categories (i.e. offensive depth, impact players, frontline arm, pitching staff depth, sustained program success, etc). 

Generally, larger schools and classifications have a greater depth of player talent on roster. However, once the season begins and records begin to take shape, the Power 25 will be adjusted as needed. In addition to that, we will debut our Private School Top 10 around late-March/early-April and the Small School Top 10 around mid-April. This will allow teams to settle in and their schedule to begin to shake out. Our first overall Power 25 update, due to the VHSL season being pushed back a week, will come Monday, March 30th.

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#12: Highland School Hawks

 

2025 Record: 26-9

Key Returning Players: Wright Broadhead, Antonio Burke, Ryan Gaines, Jake Gunning (William & Mary), Ethan Hudson (William & Mary), Matthew McCauley, Quinn Peck

Key Losses: Benjy Cardone, Stephen Christopher, Grayson Coppage, Christian Dart, Danny Farrell, Brooks Graham, Weston Lillard, Joey Rogers, Justin Summers

Season Outlook: There is a lot of production to be replaced as the Hawks were senior heavy in 2025. They do return some younger pieces that, if they want to have a succesful year in 2026, will have to succeed in bigger roles. It is not easy to pinpoint the biggest area of need on this team, but if we had to pick one we would say the offense is in need of the most help. With the return of McCauley, the addition of Zim and Bunner, Gaines being a year older, and the potential emergence of Burke and newcomer Cole Plummer on the mound, this Hawks team has the pieces to make it work on the mound. Will they be consistent and how quickly they grow up may be the two biggest questions for this staff and team as a whole.