Virginia high school football rankings: Oscar Smith, Highland Springs headline preseason MaxPreps Top 25

The high school football season in Virginia kicks off next week with 117 games scheduled for the weekend of Aug. 18-20. After going 13-1 and winning its second consecutive state title last season, Oscar Smith (Chesapeake) debuts at No. 1 in this year's preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

The Tigers notched a 42-17 victory over James Madison (Vienna) in the Class 6 state title game last season behind 290 rushing yards from running back Kevon King, who is now a freshman at Norfolk State. Oscar Smith's top returning players include West Virginia commit Tory Johnson (6-foot-4, 210 pounds, WR) and junior Asaad Brown (5-11, 165, CB), regarded as a top defensive back prospect in the Class of 2024.

Coming in at No. 2 in the state is Highland Springs, which fell to eventual state champion Stone Bridge (Ashburn) 28-26 in the Class 5 semifinals last season. The Springers are expected to be led by seniors Braylon Johnson, a safety committed to Virginia Tech, Miles Greene, a defensive lineman committed to Virginia and Takye Heath, an athlete committed to Virginia Tech among others.

The top two prospects in the Class of 2023 in Virginia are both Penn State-bound. Alex Birchmeier of Broad Run (Ashburn) is regarded as the No. 1 inside offensive lineman prospect in the nation while Tony Rojas of Fairfax is regarded as the No. 7 overall linebacker prospect.