Highland Springs assistant coach Keylon Mayo at the TD Club of Richmond ahead of the playoffs.
Hayfield football will play in the Virginia High School League postseason.
Hayfield has been the center of an ongoing controversy surrounding transfer regulations following the hiring of coach Darryl Overton. Overton left Freedom-Woodbridge after the 2023 season. 14 players from that school then transferred to Hayfield, according to the VHSL.
On Friday, the VHSL announced that Hayfield would be added back into the Region 6C playoff bracket.
High school football picks, previews for region semifinals: King William's resurgent run
On Oct. 29, the VHSL recommended a two-year postseason ban for Hayfield following an independent investigation. That ban was upheld by both a sportsmanship committee and executive subcommittee of the VHSL.
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On Nov. 15, the opening day of the VHSL playoffs, a Fairfax County circuit court judge ruled to temporarily lift the ban, allowing Hayfield to play.
Hayfield is set to host Edison at home Thursday at 7 p.m. Hayfield is No. 1 rated school in Class 6 and the favorite for the state title.
If Hayfield was banned, it would open up the door for several schools in Class 6. Locally, in Region 6A, No. 2 Highland Springs, No. 3 Glen Allen and No 4. Manchester are still vying for a state title.
The Springers lost to Overton's Freedom-Woodbridge team in the 2023 Class 6 title game. They are the defending Region 6A champions.
After the judge ruled that Hayfield was playoff eligible, it shifted the Region 6C football schedule. All region quarterfinal games kick off Thursday, and the region semifinals will take place Nov. 26.
The shifted Region 6C schedule will not affect the other regions in Class 6.
Region 6A does not match up with Hayfield/Region 6C until the state title game. So, Richmond-area teams wouldn't hypothetically face Hayfield until the championship Dec. 14.
On Monday, six coaches in Region 6C sent a letter of no-confidence to FCPS superintendent Michelle Reid, representing most schools in the region in the postseason. Coaches from Fairfax, West Potomac, Lake Braddock Secondary, West Springfield, South County and Edison signed the letter, explaining their concerns about allowing Hayfield to play and their options.
"After thorough discussions and careful deliberation, we are united in considering various actions to include, but not limited to, a forfeiture of the playoffs should the ineligible team remain in the playoffs," the letter said.
"This decision does not come lightly, as we understand the disappointment and ramifications for our athletes and supporters. However, we believe this course of action is necessary to uphold the principles of fairness and accountability that we are entrusted to teach.
"We are currently consulting with our parents, our community, and our players - specifically our seniors who have the most to lose. We will announce our decision after further consultation and collaboration with our players and families later in the week."
This story will be updated.
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Highland Springs offensive lineman Dominic Washington cries with his hand slung around defensive lineman Nicholas Jones after losing to Freedom on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs quarterback Khristian Martin is tackled by Freedom middle linebacker Devin Reeves on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Elizabeth Cassity, a teacher at Highland Springs, and Joey Gentry watch the game against Freedom on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs quarterback Khristian Martin receives a hug on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs running back Noah Jenkins celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver George Lovelace behind him on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Freedom defensive back Jachai Jackson Hughes tackles Highland Springs running back Noah Jenkins on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Kathryn Bentley-Martin hugs her son, Highland Springs quarterback Khristian Martin, after Highland Springs lost to Freedom on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. "I was nervous about the outcome, however, I knew they would make some adjustments and changes and get us back in the game. My son loves the game, studies the game and won't give up, so I knew we wouldn't end up with a zero, but it was going to be a fight," Bentley-Martin said. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs head coach Loren Johnson talks to his team after losing to Freedom on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Freedom's Jeff Overton runs with the ball before scoring a touchdown on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs defensive back Demontez Bullock-Coles tackles Freedom quarterback Tristan Evans-Trujillo on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Freedom quarterback Tristan Evans-Trujillo looks for an opening on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs quarterback Khristian Martin throws the ball on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
The Highland Springs football team gather on the field after losing to Freedom on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs quarterback Khristian Martin goes face-to-face with Freedom's Kameron Courtney on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner PHOTOS: Highland Springs vs. Freedom
Highland Springs offensive lineman Dominic Washington cries with his hand slung around defensive lineman Nicholas Jones after losing to Freedom on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs quarterback Khristian Martin is tackled by Freedom middle linebacker Devin Reeves on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Elizabeth Cassity, a teacher at Highland Springs, and Joey Gentry watch the game against Freedom on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs quarterback Khristian Martin receives a hug on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs running back Noah Jenkins celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver George Lovelace behind him on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Freedom defensive back Jachai Jackson Hughes tackles Highland Springs running back Noah Jenkins on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Kathryn Bentley-Martin hugs her son, Highland Springs quarterback Khristian Martin, after Highland Springs lost to Freedom on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. "I was nervous about the outcome, however, I knew they would make some adjustments and changes and get us back in the game. My son loves the game, studies the game and won't give up, so I knew we wouldn't end up with a zero, but it was going to be a fight," Bentley-Martin said. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs head coach Loren Johnson talks to his team after losing to Freedom on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Freedom's Jeff Overton runs with the ball before scoring a touchdown on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs defensive back Demontez Bullock-Coles tackles Freedom quarterback Tristan Evans-Trujillo on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Freedom quarterback Tristan Evans-Trujillo looks for an opening on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs quarterback Khristian Martin throws the ball on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
The Highland Springs football team gather on the field after losing to Freedom on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Highland Springs quarterback Khristian Martin goes face-to-face with Freedom's Kameron Courtney on December 9, 2023, at in Charlottesville, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
Savannah Reger
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Savannah Reger
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