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Articles by Sean Labar
In due course: How Rob Helfin transformed a forgotten property into Stafford’s cross country gem
When Rob Heflin watched runners race across the grass and disappear into the woods at Stafford County’s Clift Farm during the Commonwealth District Cross Country Championships on Oct. 21, he had a reason to appreciate the moment more than anyone else. The course beneath their feet was, in large part, his creation.
In due course: How Rob Heflin transformed a forgotten property into Stafford’s cross country gem
When Rob Heflin watched runners race across the grass and disappear into the woods at Stafford County’s Clift Farm during the Commonwealth District Cross Country Championships on Oct. 21, he had a reason to appreciate the moment more than anyone else. The course beneath their feet was, in large part, his creation.
Cougars start fast, finish strong to repeat as Battlefield champs
Culpeper County had just about every emergency responder imaginable on hand Friday night for the Blue Devils’ Battlefield District home showdown against Courtland. Twelve different local agencies, including the sheriff’s office, the fire department, and even Homeland Security descended upon the Blue Devils’ stadium for a special celebration honoring the area’s first responders.
Chancellor’s ‘band of misfits’ earn region title with defensive gem
The Chancellor High School field hockey team spent the season building toward something bigger than a single win over its biggest rival. But when the Chargers had an opportunity to claim a Region 4C championship against Courtland on Thursday night, they weren’t about to let it pass. Chancellor scored twice in the first half and leaned on a dominant defensive performance to defeat Courtland 2-0 on Thursday on the Cougars’ home field.
‘A lack of discipline:’ Self-inflicted wounds derail JM’s upset bid
James Monroe head football coach Cody Goode understands what it takes to beat a great team. And he also knows that self-inflicted wounds are the easiest way to stifle an upset opportunity. On Friday night, that was the story at Maury Stadium as JM fell to Culpeper 38-18 in a Battlefield District clash. “It was just a lack of discipline and that’s on me,” Goode said after the game. “I think if we were disciplined like we’re supposed to be, then it would have been a closer game.
Colonial Forge battles back to defeat Riverbend
Colonial Forge football coach Earl Moore saw what happened the last time the Eagles faced Riverbend. The first-year head coach watched the 2025 contest on film and noticed the Bears’ physical dominance. “They came out here and whooped us,” Moore said of Forge’s 41-27 defeat. This time, though, the Eagles had a different response, cruising to a dominating 29-16 Commonwealth District home victory, even after they found themselves in an early hole.
Colonial Forge puts together dominant second half to earn payback over Riverbend
Colonial Forge football coach Earl Moore saw what happened the last time the Eagles faced Riverbend. The first-year head coach watched the 2025 contest on film and noticed the Bears’ physical dominance. “They came out here and whooped us,” Moore said of Forge’s 41-27 defeat. This time, though, the Eagles had a different response, cruising to a dominating 29-16 Commonwealth District home victory, even after they found themselves in an early hole.
Life forced Caleb Patton to audible, but he refused to be sidelined entirely
Caleb Patton spent months fighting to get back on the football field. He never expected that getting back to the game would mean standing on the sideline as part of the Wildcats’ coaching staff instead of lining up at middle linebacker. But just nine months earlier, there was no guarantee Patton would be standing anywhere. On Dec. 1, 2025, the Mountain View senior went to the hospital with a severe headache and confusion.
‘We’re a bunch of fighters:’ Colonial Forge topples Brooke Point in OT thriller
It was no secret Brooke Point was turning to its best player with two of the top contenders in the Commonwealth District locked in a tense overtime battle. Although Black-Hawks’ senior standout wide receiver Aviance Young Jr. had been held without a catch through regulation of the Black-Hawks’ heavyweight contest against Colonial Forge, the Elon University commit was Brooke Point’s focal point in its last overtime victory over Riverbend.
Life made Caleb Patton audible, but he refused to be sidelined entirely
Caleb Patton spent months fighting to get back on the football field. He never expected that getting back to the game would mean standing on the sideline as part of the Wildcats’ coaching staff instead of lining up at middle linebacker. But just nine months earlier, there was no guarantee Patton would be standing anywhere. On Dec. 1, 2025, the Mountain View senior went to the hospital with a severe headache and confusion.
James Monroe outlasts Caroline in thriller on night Jackets honor state champions
For one night, it felt like James Monroe football turned back the clock. The Yellow Jackets celebrated two of the greatest teams in program history Friday night at Maury Stadium, honoring their 1986 and 1996 state championship teams at halftime. Four decades after the ’86 Jackets won the state title on the same field, the 2026 James Monroe football team found itself in a game that required some of that same championship-caliber toughness.
After tackling academic rigors, Riverbend alum Parker emerges as a leader at Navy
MarcAnthony Parker used to be the kind of student who could wait until the last minute. At Riverbend High School, he could show up the day of a test, take it and do well. If an assignment could wait until tomorrow, Parker was pretty comfortable letting it wait. Then he arrived at the Naval Academy. Suddenly, there was football. There were military responsibilities.
Indians air it out, remain unbeaten behind QB Dalton’s stellar performance
Stafford High’s football team found out early Friday night that Mountain View wasn’t going to make things easy on the ground. The Wildcats loaded the box, slowing the Indians’ rushing attack and forcing quarterback Brayden Dalton and his receivers to make plays through the air. The Indians, however, did plenty of that. Dalton passed for 302 yards and three touchdowns as Stafford remained unbeaten on the season with a 37-7 home thumping of Mountain View to open its Commonwealth District slate.
FredNats’ 2026 season ends in postseason loss to Fayetteville
For the second straight season, the Fredericksburg Nationals had something to play for in September. Fredericksburg won its last seven regular season games to cap off an impressive 80 wins heading into the Carolina League playoffs. The FredNats had plenty of reasons to feel good about where they were heading. But once the postseason arrived, things changed quickly.
Hartwood falls to Osbourn in overtime in inaugural home game
History was made Friday night at Hartwood High School. For the first time, the Stallions took the field in front of their home crowd, turning what would have been an ordinary Friday night football game into a milestone for a program still writing the opening chapters of its story. And, for nearly three quarters, Hartwood looked like it was going to give its fans a night to remember for all the right reasons.
Elijah Sarratt’s journey from Stafford to NFL has been long and winding
For Elijah Sarratt, the road to the NFL from Stafford County has been anything but straightforward. At every stop, Sarratt had something to prove. And at every stop, he continued to climb. After beginning his high school career at Colonial Forge, Sarratt transferred to Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore, where he faced some of the best high school competition in the country.
No time, no problem for Massaponax, which stuns Courtland in season opener
As attacking Panthers leap off the line while the Cougar defense prepares to pounce, QB Kenneth Pyatt (9) stays calm and focused looking for the open receiver during Massaponax’s season opening 30-26 home win against Courtland Friday, August 28, 2026.
Who to watch in the Commonwealth District for football
For years, the Commonwealth District has been one of the most competitive football landscapes in the state. This year should be no different. Riverbend enters the 2026 season trying to build on a perfect regular season in 2025, while Colonial Forge begins the year ranked No. 3 in Virginia’s Class 6 preseason rankings, according to Maxpreps.com.
Who to watch in the Commonwealth District
Darion Majeed and the Colonial Forge Eagles enter the 2026 season with high expectations. (Photo by Jeff Kearney) by | Aug 26, 2026 | ALLFFP, High school sports, High Schools, Sports, Spotsylvania, Stafford For years, the Commonwealth District has been one of the most competitive football landscapes in the state. This year should be no different.
Four Fredericksburg-area locals shining in NFL training camps
The 2026 football season is creeping up fast, and with four local players on NFL rosters and making a statement so far in training camp and the preseason, it makes tuning in on Sunday even more exciting. Throughout the season, we’ll monitor these four NFL players — all of whom went to high school in either Stafford or Spotsylvania counties — and provide updates on their contributions at the highest level of football.
FredNats GM Robbie Perry is leaving after regular season
For as long as the Fredericksburg Nationals have been in existence, Robbie Perry has held a key role in the front office. Perry has been in charge of the day-to-day operations as the team’s general manager since 2023. He served previously as the assistant GM/vice president of creative services, where he oversaw all in-park entertainment and promotions, as well as social media and all marketing and media efforts for the team. But on Sept.
Field of dreams? JMHS a finalist to win $1 million upgrade to Maury Stadium
For 91 years, Maury Stadium has served as both a monument to Fredericksburg’s past and a stage for its future. And now, with the help of a national contest, the home of James Monroe football is in the running for a million-dollar stadium renovation. On Friday nights, the past is still there in the architecture and design that hasn’t changed since the stadium was constructed.
Jordyn Tyson falls to his knees overcome with emotion after Saints select him in NFL Draft Original
The New Orleans Saints made a significant move to bolster their young offense on Thursday night when they drafted Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With Kellen Moore leading the team in his second year as head coach and a formidable defense that finished No. 9 overall last season, Mickey Loomis and the Saints brass continue to make moves to build a young talented offense that can compete in the NFC South.
When do the Browns actually pick? Projected timed for No. 6 and No. 24 picks in 2026 NFL Draft Original
The Cleveland Browns are one of the more fascinating storylines heading into Thursday night’s NFL Draft. There is still speculation on if the franchise has found their future quarterback, with Shedeur Sanders and DesShaun Watson seemingly dueling it our for now, but the Browns have been a main part of the chatter leading into the NFL Draft.
Daniel Jeremiah predicts Saints trade into top 3 in NFL Draft for game wrecker Original
The New Orleans Saints entered the 2025 season with one of the worst cap situations in the NFL, but Mickey Loomis and second-year head coach Kellen Moore are approaching the 2026 campaign believing they can compete for a spot in the NFC playoffs. Due to the hole the Saints created with past contracts from players like Derek Carr, Demario Davis, Marshon Lattimore and others, it was nearly impossible to add new talent to last year’s roster.
How a Shedeur Sanders prank call forced significant changes to NFL Draft Original
Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders is now settling in preparing for his second season in the NFL. On Tuesday, Sanders took the majority of first team reps as Cleveland held their first session of voluntary OTAs, with Deshaun Watson also getting reps with the starters. But last year at this time, Sanders —who nearly every NFL talent evaluator had pegged as a first round pick — was prepping for the draft.
Saints named as destination for blockbuster trade for Joe Burrow if 2026 season is a failure
The 2026 New Orleans Saints are approaching this season believing they can compete in thee NFC South and even make the playoffs. Kellen Moore took over a disastrous situation when he chose to take over as head coach for a Saints team that finished (5-11) in 2024 and had almost no salary cap space to add new talent in 2025.
Saints named as destination for blockbuster trade for Joe Burrow if 2026 season is a failure
Saints named as destination for blockbuster trade for Joe Burrow if 2026 season is a failure originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The 2026 New Orleans Saints are approaching this season believing they can compete in thee NFC South and even make the playoffs.
Saints named as destination for blockbuster trade for Joe Burrow if 2026 season is a failure
The 2026 New Orleans Saints are approaching this season believing they can compete in thee NFC South and even make the playoffs. Kellen Moore took over a disastrous situation when he chose to take over as head coach for a Saints team that finished (5-11) in 2024 and had almost no salary cap space to add new talent in 2025.
Saints named as destination for blockbuster trade for Joe Burrow if 2026 season is a failure
Saints named as destination for blockbuster trade for Joe Burrow if 2026 season is a failure originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The 2026 New Orleans Saints are approaching this season believing they can compete in thee NFC South and even make the playoffs.
Jets could possibly trade Garrett Wilson during NFL Draft according to insider Original
The New York Jets have enough draft capital to put together a team that can compete in the AFC by the start of the 2027 NFL season. The Jets decided to trade a couple of their star players when it was.clear that the 2025 season was a bust — and in return — got a haul of picks in return for the 2026 and 2027 drafts. This year alone, New York has nine total picks, with six of those coming in the first four rounds.
Seahawks named landing spot for AFC offensive star with 1,350 yards and 8 TDs Original
The Seattle Seahawks leaned heavily on their run game in 2025 and it paid off in a big way. The duo of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet helped the Seahawks finish with the No. 10 rushing offense in the NFL averaging 123.3 yard per game. Charbonnet went down in the divisional round of the playoffs with a torn ACL, but Walker picked up the load, ultimately winning Super Bowl MVP.
Former Bears star doesn’t hold back on his thoughts about Caleb Williams Original
The Chicago Bears had massive expectations when they selected Caleb Williams with the No.1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. This was a Heisman Trophy winner and the closest thing to Patrick Mahomes any talent evaluator had seen coming out of college. Williams was supposed to finally be the savior at quarterback the Bears have been seeking for decades, but after a more than shaky rookie campaign, questions began to emerge if he is the right player to get the franchise over the hump.
Jets have second-best odds to select polarizing 28-TD QB In NFL Draft Original
The New York Jets are almost certainly going to miss the playoffs again at the end of the 2026 season, although it’s impossible to predict the ever-changing NFL. Still, the moves this organization has made starting with trading away two of their top defenders during last season, made it clear the focus is on the future in New York. First, the Jets brass was able to get two first-round picks (2026 and 2027) and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in exchange for CB Sauce Gardner.
Browns HC Todd Monken on Shedeur Sanders: ‘There’s something to work with there’ Original
The Cleveland Browns were somehow able to snag former Colorado star Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of last year’s NFL Draft. Mel Kiper had Sanders as his best player available in the entire draft and almost no analyst had him falling beyond the first or second rounds. But for whatever reason he did, and because of his last name and the way he carries himself, Sanders drew plenty of attention from the media last season even when he was slated as the third-string QB to start the year.
Bengals OL gives surprisingly blunt perspective on Joe Burrow trade rumors Original
The Cincinnati Bengals have everything in place — especially on the offensive side of the ball — to be an annual contender in the AFC. With the current young offensive nucleus of QB Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals finished the 2021 season with a (10-7) record and made a magical run through the playoffs to reach the Super Bowl, before ultimately falling to the Rams by three points in the big game.
Seahawks land Kenneth Walker replacement with 1,000 yard back in trade proposal Original
The Seattle Seahawks leaned on Kenneth Walker III a whole lot during last year’s Super Bowl run. Walker finished the regular season with 1,027 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season, but hit another level in the playoffs. In the Divisional Round win over the 49ers, Walker finished the day with 1116 yards and three touchdowns.
Saints land former first round WR from the AFC for two draft picks in trade proposal Original
When Kellen Moore took over the New Orleans Saints head coaching job last season, he knew he had a fairly significant rebuild ahead of him. Moore’s first task was identifying which of the two young quarterbacks was capable enough to build around for the future, and by the end of the season, the answer was clear. Spencer Rattler started the first eight games and had a (1-7) record before getting benched for Tyler Shough in Week 9.
Bears give up two picks for 5-time Pro Bowl CB in trade proposal Original
The Chicago Bears made massive improvement in 2025 with Ben Johnson leading the team in his first year as head coach. The Bears — largely due to Johnson’s ability to create mismatches for opposing defenses and build an offense focused on the strengths of his quarterback —finished the regular season with an (111-6) record which was good enough to win the NFC North and make the playoffs.
Former 49ers star Richard Sherman unleashes on potential hot seat for for Kyle Shanahan Original
Kyle Shanahan has yet to win a Super Bowl during his career, yet the San Francisco 49ers front man is considered one of the smartest, innovative young coaches in the NFL by just about everyone that follows the league. While having the same last name of one of the truly great NFL coaches in recent history, Kyle has carved his own way in the league and proven over and over again he can create offensive schemes that often confuse defenses, even if he doesn’t have a ton of talent to work with.
Jets linked to trade for former first round QB who could compete for starting role Original
The New York Jets have been searching for their franchise QB for decades. Recent debacles like Zach Wilson, Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields last season haven’t given fans much hope at the most important position in the NFL. Wilson was a highly touted prospect coming out of BYU who smart talent evaluators said would thrive in the NFL.
San Francisco 49ers named potential trade destination for 5-time All-Pro Original
The San Francisco 49ers have made the playoffs in five of the last seven seasons and in four of those years they made it to either the NFC Championship or Super Bowl before eventually losing in late January or early February. Last season, the 49ers overcame significant injuries and unexpected situations to rattle off a (12-5) record and make it into the playoffs.
Former Chiefs DE claims ‘23 49ers were better than ‘24 Eagles who dominated in Super Bowl Original
The San Francisco 49ers have consistently been one of the top teams in the NFC since the combination of John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan took over leadership of the team, but despite reaching the playoffs six of the last eight seasons, they still haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1994.
Dolphins predicted to trade first round 23-year old potential star to Ravens Original
The Miami Dolphins new brass of GM John-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Haffley haven’t been afraid to shake things up since taking over a roster that had talent on both sides of the ball, but clearly needs massive upgrades to compete in the AFC. But it’s abundantly clear the new regime is going with a total reset heading into the 2026 season. The strategy for the Miami Dolphins moving forward looks pretty clear-cut.
Bengals star Ja’Marr chase harassed on plane by fan seeking autograph Original
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has cemented himself as one of the biggest stars in the modern day NFL. The former LSU WR was drafted by the Bengals with the No. 5 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and he immediately thrived at the next level. In his first season in Cincinnati, Chase hauled in 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. His instant NFL success earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Bears QB Caleb Williams takes clear shot at Spencer Rattler when asked about Oklahoma tenure Original
Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams had an up-and-down rookie season, but with offensive guru Ben Johnson taking over as the new head coach last year, the former Heisman Trophy winner began to hit his groove. The future appears to be incredibly bright for the Chicago Bears and the quarterback, who is one of the most electrifying players to watch in the NFL, is a major reason for the realistic expectations.
Todd Monken has shocking response when asked about missing coaches photo at owners meeting Original
The Cleveland Browns are hoping Todd Monken can be the head coach that can finally get the franchise on track and become a legitimate contender in the AFC. Despite not being a hot name on the radar for other NFL teams during the offseason head coaching search, Cleveland hired Monken who served as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator for the last two seasons, as the man who can turn the tide for the Browns.
Chicago Bears predicted to trade for All-Pro defensive wrecking ball Original
The Chicago Bears took a significant leap forward last season with Ben Johnson taking over as the team’s head coach. The offensive savant was able to help second-year QB Caleb Williams flip a switch in his second NFL season and the Bears averaged nearly 26 points per game. The quick turnaround from a (5-12) finish in 2024 led Chicago to win the NFC North in 2025 with an (11-6) record.
Browns predicted land young offensive star in trade that will cost a haul of draft picks Original
The Cleveland Browns are starting over yet again with Todd Monken taking over as head coach in 2026. Monken has proven himself as one of the smartest offensive play callers in the NFL but other teams weren’t exactly beating down the door to land an interview with the 59-year-old longtime assistant. Regardless, Monken is now responsible for revamping an offense that has held the Cleveland Browns back from contending for more than two decades.
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