If you’ve spent any time around the Battlefield District over the last few years, you know the Foxes weren’t just a team. They were a problem. A big, fast, high-scoring problem that most teams in Region 4A couldn't solve. But honestly, the 2025 king george high school football season felt different from the jump, and it’s had a lot of local fans scratching their heads.
We went from a 13-1 powerhouse in 2023 to a season that, well, let's just say it was a bit of a reality check.
It’s easy to look at a scoreboard and think you know the whole story. You don't. High school football is weird like that. One year you're dominant, and the next, you're looking at a roster full of sophomores trying to fill the shoes of guys like Chanz Wiggins or Mekhai White.
The Post-Lunsford Era and the 2025 Shift
The biggest elephant in the room? The coaching carousel. Vern Lunsford didn't just coach at King George; he won five straight Battlefield District titles there. When he headed back to his alma mater, Spotsylvania, in the summer of 2025, it left a massive hole in the program.
Josh Wallace took the reins for the 2025 campaign, and he inherited a team in a serious state of flux. It’s a tough gig. Transitioning a program while playing a schedule that includes the likes of Brooke Point and Riverbend is basically a trial by fire.
The record—1-10 overall—is a bitter pill for a fan base used to deep playoff runs. But looking closer at the box scores, you see the flashes. The wild 55-54 win over Orange County on October 27th was a reminder that the "never quit" DNA is still there.
That game was pure chaos.
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High-scoring, back-and-forth, and exactly the kind of win that can build a foundation for a young group of players.
Breaking Down the Roster: The Next Generation
Most people focus on the losses, but the talent is still in the building. It’s just younger. Tyler Benton, a sophomore, has been a bright spot in the backfield. He averaged 81 rushing yards per game this past season. That's a heavy workload for a kid who’s still got two years left to develop.
The passing game saw Will Brant taking snaps, and while the TD numbers weren't where they were in the Wiggins era, Brant showed serious efficiency with a completion percentage hovering around 71%.
- Cory Thompson II (Senior): A hybrid threat at QB, WR, and DB.
- Ethan McClain (Freshman): Already making noise on both sides of the ball as an RB/LB.
- Daniel Hughes (Senior): One of the veteran leaders who helped steady the ship during the transition.
Honestly, the youth movement is the story here. When you're starting freshmen and sophomores in a district as physical as the Battlefield, you’re going to take some lumps. But those lumps turn into muscle.
Key Standouts and Statistical Reality
It’s sort of a "tale of two seasons" when you look at the stats. The defense struggled, giving up 65 to Brooke Point and 70 to Riverbend early on. It’s hard to win when you’re playing from behind before the first quarter ends.
However, by the time they hit the Chancellor game in November—a 16-15 heartbreaker—the defense had tightened up significantly. That progress is what the coaching staff is likely looking at when they head into the 2026 offseason.
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Why King George High School Football Still Matters
You might wonder why a 1-10 team is still the talk of the town. It’s because history doesn't just disappear. King George has been a "football school" for a long time. They’ve sent guys to the next level consistently.
Think about the 2024 class. You had Chanz Wiggins heading to the ACC and Mekhai White making waves. That kind of pedigree doesn't just evaporate because of one losing season. The program is currently ranked 50th in Virginia Division 4A, which sounds low, but the strength of schedule they play is no joke.
The Battlefield District is a meat grinder. Eastern View, Courtland, and now a resurgent Spotsylvania under Lunsford mean there are no "off" weeks.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Rebuild
The common misconception is that the "talent left." That's not quite right. The experience left.
When you lose a legendary coach and a generational class of receivers at the same time, you're not just rebuilding a team; you're rebuilding an identity. The 2025 season was about finding out who the leaders are for 2026 and 2027.
Basically, the Foxes are in a "growth phase." It’s painful to watch if you’re used to 40-point blowouts in your favor, but it’s a necessary part of the cycle.
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- Strength Training: The biggest jump happens in the weight room between sophomore and junior years. Watch for Benton and McClain to look different next August.
- System Continuity: Another year in Coach Wallace’s system should reduce the mental errors that led to some of those early-season shutouts.
- District Rivalries: The game against Spotsylvania is going to be personal for a long time. Mark your calendars for that one every year.
Moving Forward into the 2026 Season
So, where does king george high school football go from here?
The focus has to be on the trenches. In their losses to James Monroe and Culpeper County, the Foxes were often outsized at the point of attack. Developing that offensive line to protect Will Brant and open holes for Tyler Benton is the number one priority.
The community support hasn't wavered. Go to a home game at Foxes Way and the stands are still packed. That environment is a massive recruiting tool, even for local kids who might be tempted to look elsewhere.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Parents
If you're following the program or have a kid coming up through the middle school ranks, here is what to actually watch for:
- Offseason Camps: Keep an eye on how many Foxes are hitting the prospect camps this summer. It’s a sign of the program's "buy-in" level.
- JV Performance: The junior varsity scores from 2025 actually looked more promising than the varsity ones, suggesting the pipeline is far from empty.
- The Schedule: Look at the non-conference games for 2026. If they can snag a win against a team like Orange County or Brooke Point early, the confidence will snowball.
The road back to a 10-win season isn't a sprint. It’s a grind. But with the foundation of young talent currently on the roster, the Foxes aren't going to be at the bottom of the Battlefield District for very long.
To stay updated on the latest roster moves and off-season training progress, check the official MaxPreps team page or follow the King George High School Athletics social media channels for real-time updates. Watching the development of the 2027 and 2028 classes will be the best indicator of how fast this turnaround will happen.