What he did: In last week’s 17-16 victory over Varina, he had quite a night. The 6-foot, 184-pound wide receiver caught three passes for 72 yards, including a 39-yard reception that set up a Highland Springs field goal, picked the ball out of the air after a blocked field goal attempt and returned it 70 yards for a TD at the end of the first half, and - if that weren’t enough - was one of two Springers with an interception. Age: 18 Other sports: Track Favorite thing besides sports: “I like to listen to music and draw [pen and pencil].“ Three words his friends would use to describe him: “Funny, outgoing, sociable.“ Strengths: “Positive attitude; promoting togetherness; I can catch [the ball] and make a play.“ Working to improve: “Running my routes, getting better at catching the ball. You always work on that.“ Biggest challenge: “Balancing school work and practice.“ Best sports memory: “Beating Varina. It was my last home game, and to end it on a note like that.“ Sports person he admires most: “Jerry Rice [for his receiving].“ Favorite food: Fried chicken Pet peeve: “Ignorant people.“ Possession he can’t do without: “My cellphone.“ If he had one wish: “That my mom could have her own art studio.“ One thing about you most people don’t know: “That I’m shy until people get to know me.“ - Arthur Utley

Chalk up another victory for defense and special teams in a meaningful football game. Highland Springs blocked two field goal attempts by Varina, one at the end of the first half and the other with 18 seconds remaining, to edge the Blue Devils 17-16 yesterday afternoon before a crowd of about 4,000 at Highland Springs. The victory set off a joyful celebration for the Springers and their fans. Sixth-ranked in The Times-Dispatch Top 10, Highland Springs (6-0, 9-1) won the Capital District title and a guaranteed berth in the Central Region Division 6 playoffs next Saturday.

John Saunders scored on a 14-yard run and Oscar Portillo kicked the extra point with five minutes left in the game to give Highland Springs a 17-16 lead over Varina, and the Springers’ defense blocked its second field goal attempt of the day with 18 seconds remaining to preserve the Capital District victory that qualified Highland Springs for the Central Region Division 6 playoffs.

Offseason workouts began in January. Eleven months later, the Highland Springs and Varina football seasons boil down to 48 minutes on a rain-soaked field at Highland Springs. The anticipation has been there all season. So has the pressure. “It’s a rivalry like no other,“ Varina coach Stu Brown said. While other Group AAA regions in the commonwealth begin playoffs this weekend, Varina and Highland Springs are playing for the Capital District title and the huge reward that goes to the winner: a berth in the four-team Central Region Division 6 playoffs.

George Moore’s all-around effort spurred Highland Springs to a four-game victory over Maggie Walker Governor’s School. Moore supplied 30 assists, four kills, six blocks, five digs and two aces. The Springers won the first and third games handily, but the Green Dragons, paced by Parker Kirwan’s 14 kills and Matt Wilkinson’s 33, won the second game and battled the Springers to the end in game four.

Jaquan Burchette scampered 90 yards for a score on the fourth play of the game and the Springers stayed unbeaten in the Capital District by beating the Raiders. Burchette ran for another touchdown and tossed a scoring pass, finishing with 114 yards rushing and 67 yards passing with four intereceptions. John Saunders led the Springers’ rushing attack with 18 carries for 115 yards. Highland Springs (5-0, 8-1) held Atlee (2-3, 5-4) to 112 yards of offense. Derek Hopkins had two sacks for the Springers.

Quentin Moore and the top-seeded Springers were too much for the Hawks in the Capital District semifinals. Moore finished with 12 kills and six aces. Hanover18 17 15 Highland Springs25 25 25 Highlights: George Greene (HS) 7 kills, 5 digs; Quentin Moore (HS) 12 kills, 6 aces, 4 digs; Bryan Williams (HS) 5 kills, 4 blocks Records: Hanover 9-12; Highland Springs 18-3

Wyatt Johnson hauled in a pair of scoring catches and John Thompson rumbled for two more touchdowns as No. 5 Highland Springs coasted to a Capital District victory. Johnson caught three passes for 80 yards. Thompson rushed six times for 70 yards to help the Springers climb to 4-0 in the district and 7-1 overall. Derrick Hopkins and Gevonn Young returned fumbles for touchdowns in Highland Springs’ 35-point first period.

Lee-Davis————————————- 12 17 20
Highland Springs————————————- 25 25 25
Highlights: Chris Bonelli (LD) 8 kills, 2 blocks, 4 digs; Mike Hotchkiss (LD) 24 assists, 6 digs; Dustin Abele (LD) 8 kills, 4 blocks, 4 digs; George Greene (HS) 9 kills, 7 digs, 5 aces; Quentin Moore (HS) 13 kills, 6 digs, 3 blocks; Steven Crigger (HS) 4 kills, 5 digs
Records: Lee-Davis 9-3 Capital, 15-5; Highland Springs 11-1, 17-3

Highland Springs————————————- 13 12 18
Lee-Davis————————————- 25 25 25
Highlights: Toneshia Singleton (HS) 4 digs; Takeshia Jefferies (HS) 4 assists; Alexis Williams (HS) 2 kills, block; Whitney Gilleland (LD) 7 aces, 10 kills, 2 saves; Jessie Cappello (LD) 3 aces, 12 digs; Rachel Grimesey (LD) 5 aces, 3 kills, 10 assists
Records: Highland Springs 2-12 Capital, 5-17; Lee-Davis 8-4, 11-9

Highland Springs25 25 25 Hanover14 16 12 Highlights: George Greene (HS) 12 kills, 2 blocks, 3 aces, 5 digs; George Moore (HS) 1 kill, 1 block, 29 assists; Quentin Moore (HS) 10 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces; Kendall Hughes (H) 11 kills, 4 blocks, 7 digs, 1 ace; Ryan Pillsbury (H) 6 kills, 3 digs; Andrew Corbin (H) 22 digs Records: Highland Springs 10-1 Capital, 16-3; Hanover 6-6, 9-11

Highland Springs…......................25 25 25 John Marshall…...................... 8 8 8 Highlights: Sheryl Harvey (HS) 7 aces, 4 kills; Takeshia Jeffenes (HS) 3 aces; Tonesha Singleton (HS) 3 aces; Raynetta Carroll (JM) dig, 2 aces, kill, block, assist; Ebony Whitfield (JM) ace, dig Records: Highland Springs 4-14; John Marshall 0-13

John Saunders intercepted two passes on defense. He popped off runs of 56 and 73 yards on offense and finished with 174 yards rushing. And the thing of which he was most proud after fifth-ranked Highland Springs rolled past visiting Lee-Davis 49-14 in a Capital District game last night? “I was most proud of the victory,“ he said. “Despite my stats, it’s all about the team. We came together as a team and played Springer football.“

Highland Springs 25 23 25 19 15
Armstrong 18 25 21 25 6
Highlights: Qunisha Cannon (HS) 8 kills, 2 aces; Alexis Simms (HS) 4 aces, 4 digs; Alexis Williams (HS) 5 kills, 7 digs; Mikala Carrington (A) 3 aces, 14 kills; Crishonda Coffey (A) 9 aces, kill; Alyssa Barlow (A) 5 aces, 7 digs; Ariel Barlow (A) 5 kills, 6 digs