2026 VHSL Class 5 Football Playoff Preview

Indian River and Maury lead both models in their regions from outside the No. 1 seed. In Region 5D, the team ranked second in both models has to play in the opening round.

Power ratings, Elo and records come from the Beyond the Standings Week 11 rankings. The ranks below are recalculated among each region’s playoff teams. Pairings follow the published opening-round schedule.

Highest-rated teams outside the bracket

Meadowbrook (6-4) was the highest-rated Class 5 team to miss the bracket in both models, ranking 16th in power and 18th in Elo. It was seventh in power and fifth in Elo in Region 5C. Matoaca (3-7) was also eighth in 5C power, and Briar Woods (4-6) was seventh in both measures in six-team Region 5D.

Region 5A

Indian River is unbeaten and leads both models from the No. 2 seed. No. 6 Hickory has the third-best power rating, but Cox has a sizable Elo edge in their opening matchup.

Seed differences of two or more places. No. 4 Salem-Virginia Beach (power #7, Elo #4), No. 6 Hickory (power #3, Elo #7), No. 8 Great Bridge (power #5, Elo #8).

First round

No. 8 Great Bridge vs. No. 1 Green Run

No. 7 Bayside vs. No. 2 Indian River

No. 6 Hickory vs. No. 3 Frank Cox

No. 5 Floyd Kellam vs. No. 4 Salem-Virginia Beach

Region 5B

Bethel brings an unbeaten record and just 16 points allowed in ten games. No. 3 Maury leads both models, with King’s Fork second in power and Bethel second in Elo.

Seed differences of two or more places. No. 1 Bethel (power #3, Elo #2), No. 3 Maury (power #1, Elo #1).

First round

No. 8 Granby vs. No. 1 Bethel

No. 7 Woodside vs. No. 2 King’s Fork

No. 6 Norview vs. No. 3 Maury

No. 5 Nansemond River vs. No. 4 Warwick

Region 5C

Highland Springs leads power, while No. 3 Patrick Henry of Roanoke leads Elo. Fourth-seeded Hermitage also rates ahead of No. 2 Midlothian in Elo, giving the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds two of the three highest Elo ratings.

Seed differences of two or more places. No. 2 Midlothian (power #2, Elo #4), No. 3 Patrick Henry-Roanoke (power #4, Elo #1), No. 7 William Fleming (power #8, Elo #5).

First round

No. 8 James River-Midlothian vs. No. 1 Highland Springs

No. 7 William Fleming vs. No. 2 Midlothian

No. 6 Douglas Freeman vs. No. 3 Patrick Henry-Roanoke

No. 5 Glen Allen vs. No. 4 Hermitage

Region 5D

Stone Bridge leads both ratings and has a bye. Riverbend is second in both but opens against Potomac Falls, while No. 2 Lightridge advances directly to the semifinals.

First round

First-round byes. No. 1 Stone Bridge and No. 2 Lightridge.

No. 6 Potomac Falls vs. No. 3 Riverbend

No. 5 Massaponax vs. No. 4 John Champe