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We have our weekly to the 2026 VA/DC Power 25, this one being the fifth overall update.  In 2025, the Virginia High School League pushed the season start and finish back one week, which has created some stark differences in where public and private teams are at in their season. Without further ado, we are going to highlight a few teams that have seen some movement in the Power 25. See some discussion on the Power 25 and many other topics on the most recent episode of High & Tight.

VA/DC Power 25 Update Notes

+ We have a new team atop the rankings this week. Paul VI takes over the top spot after three quality wins this week, including wins over Bishop O'Connell and St. Anne's-Belfield on their way to a VISAA Division I championship. This jump is more so about what Paul VI has done, as opposed to anything that Atlee has not done. The biggest thing that stands out is the number of quality games that Paul VI has played the last few weeks. In the last two weeks, PVI played eight games versus quality opponents, going 6-2 in those games. They were three outs away from a WCAC title, but could not close the deal. However, they rebounded with a shutout win over O'Connell in the rematch and had a back and forth title game versus STAB. 

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+ Will PVI remain at #1 for the remainder of the season? A lot of that has to do with how Atlee and Cox finish. Right now, we would anticipate that those two teams would be the primary two that are still in contention for that top spot, based on their resume and present record. How can they get there? Plain and simple, they must run the table. When we say run the table, we mean flawless through the state title game, potentially minus a regional championship loss versus a high quality team. Both teams have one loss, but neither team has the number of quality wins and neither team has played the schedule that PVI, or STAB, Miller School, or O'Connell have played. With limited quality opponents, they have a smaller margin of error when it comes to the overall record.

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 + Two teams move out of the Power 25, Great Bridge and Glen Allen. Some things these two teams have in common, roster talent and a very good front end arm(s). Another thing the have in common, quality wins. Both teams, mostly due to district scheduling and makeup, do not have many chances for quality wins. In addition to that, the few quality chances they have had this year have been to no avail. Combined, these two teams have only two quality wins (one for each), with both wins coming in the first week or two of the season. They have had chances, but they simply have not come away on the right side of those games. The fortunate thing for both teams is they have the talent on the roster, but that talent will need to get it done in the big games.

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 + Battlefield moves back into the Power 25 and Spotswood joins them. Battlefield started the year as the #2 team in the Power 25, only to continue to slide until they dropped out for the last few weeks. What has changed? Yes it is a lighter schedule and they do lack quality wins, but lately they have handled business versus teams they should beat. They should be in a good spot come district and regional time, but ultimately they will need to overcome their late game struggles versus Independence and other top end teams. 

Spotswood has a big week this week, facing Turner Ashby and EC Glass. They are the class of the valley area, especially when Ty Howard is on the mound. Two of their losses are one run losses and their other to #4 STAB. Howard did not throw in any of those games, but they will certainly need quality outings from other arms when it comes time for regionals and potentially another run to the Class 3 State Championships.

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VIRGINIA/DC 2026 POWER 25

*5/18/26*

Rank	Prev	High School	Level	Record
1	5	Paul VI	VISAA DI/WCAC	28-6
2	1	Atlee HS	VHSL Class 4	16-1
3	4	Cox HS	VHSL Class 5	18-1
4	3	St. Anne's-Belfield	VISAA DI	27-5-1
5	7	Independence HS	VHSL Class 6	19-2
6	6	Bishop O'Connell	VISAA DI	27-7
7	2	Miller School	VISAA DI	28-9
8	12	Western Branch HS	VHSL Class 6	17-3
9	13	Mills Godwin HS	VHSL Class 5	17-3
10	14	Centreville HS	VHSL Class 6	18-3
11	9	James River (Midlo) HS	VHSL Class 5	17-2
12	18	Manchester HS	VHSL Class 6	16-2
13	10	Madison HS	VHSL Class 6	17-3-1
14	19	New Kent HS	VHSL Class 3	17-2
15	21	Franklin County HS	VHSL Class 5	18-2
16	24	Highland School	VISAA DII	21-10
17	22	Ocean Lakes HS	VHSL Class 5	15-4
18	23	Cosby HS	VHSL Class 6	15-3
19	11	Greenbrier Christian	VISAA DII	27-6
20	25	Walsingham Academy	VISAA DIII	25-6
21	17	Lake Braddock HS	VHSL Class 6	19-2
22	20	Jefferson Forest HS	VHSL Class 4	17-2
23	8	Abingdon HS	VHSL Class 3	19-2
24	NR	Battlefield HS	VHSL Class 6	14-7
25	NR	Spotswood HS	VHSL Class 3	16-3

Just A Bit Outside: Riverbend (16-5), Oakton (16-6), Turner Ashby (15-3)

Dropped Out: Great Bridge (13-5), Glen Allen (13-4)