Countdown to Kickoff: Rye Cove looking to repeat the success they had in 2025

DUFFIELD, Va. (WJHL) — In today's Countdown to Kickoff, we check in on another team preparing to get their season started this weekend.

The Rye Cove Eagles were one of the biggest surprises of last season. They put together an impressive 11-4 campaign, captured the Region 1D title, and finished as the VHSL Class 1 state runner-up to Rappahannock. However, that roster lost 12 seniors to graduation, making this somewhat of a rebuilding year for the Eagles. The team's fresh start centers heavily around West Virginia University commit Ethan Lawson on the offensive line.

Rye Cove credits their recent turnaround to a relentless work ethic in the weight room and a willingness to schedule tough matchups against larger schools, including their season opener.

Quarterback Tyler Shupe views the challenging schedule as a valuable opportunity for the squad. He noted that playing higher-caliber opponents acts as a good tone setter for the season, adding that while opening night will be a tough matchup, the Eagles are fully ready for the challenge.

For Lawson, the key to the program's dramatic shift boils down to a few core fundamentals. He emphasized that the primary drivers of their success are the weight room, individual commitment, and the leadership of the coaching staff.

Head coach Gary Collier has seen that dedication pay off firsthand across the entire roster. Collier praised his players for buying into the vision, noting that their hard work in the weight room has made the team bigger, stronger, and faster. He highlighted how hungry the players were to improve and credited his coaching staff with doing a phenomenal job to build trust. According to Collier, that shared belief and commitment in the weight room has transformed the entire program.

Rye Cove will officially open their season Saturday night when they take on Lord Botetourt at Emory & Henry, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.