The school‘s mascot is the Blue Devil. It has 1,531 students and 95 teachers. It is ranked within the bottom 50% of Virginia schools based on state testing proficiency.
The Hilltoppers have been talking about ‘One More’ all season. One more win to earn a state championship ring. One more solid box out, one more quarter of players giving their all.
Varina Blue Devils
The Varina Blue Devils are one of the most storied high school programs in Virginia, but they haven’t seen a state championship in a while. Carter Skotthy took over the program two years ago and is laying the groundwork for something unique.
Varina won the 4A title in 2023 and reached the 5A final this year but lost to Cosby in a nail-biter. The team is young and has a lot to work on, but Skotthy believes they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Located in eastern Henrico County, Varina is one of nine high schools in the county public school system. The school was founded in 1909 and has a long history of excellence. The current campus opened in 1963.
The Blue Devils are a part of the Capital District of Henrico and have an enrollment of about 1,000 students. They are known for their athletic programs and academics. The Blue Devils have won numerous championships in a variety of sports, including football and basketball.
When the time came to name a new head coach, Varina kept it in-house by promoting defensive coordinator Marcus Lewis. He is a graduate of the school and earned all-metro honors as a player. He has been a coach at the school for 12 years, most recently as the defensive coordinator.
Marcus Lewis led the Blue Devil defense to a stellar 2019 season. He was a huge reason why the team ranked in The Times-Dispatch Top 10. He is credited with leading the most aggressive and opportunistic defense in school history.
The defense sacked opposing quarterbacks and intercepted multiple passes. The defense also held opponents to a single touchdown in most games. In addition to being a great defensive leader, Lewis is an excellent teacher of the game. He is respected for his knowledge of the defense and has worked hard to develop the talent on his squad. He has also coached several talented linebackers, including Maurice Canady and Tim Harris, who both play in the NFL.
Varina Basketball Schedule
Two members of the Varina family died in recent days, and their love for the school’s athletic teams lives on. Herb Sigmund, the Blue Devils’ No. 1 fan, and assistant football coach Woodrow “Coach Woody” Sanderford were both 84 years old. Sigmund’s daughter, Crystal Brunsch, said her father was so dedicated to the school that there were few football practices or games he missed, even when his health declined. He was so excited when the football team got a field house named in his honor and received its 2021 state championship ring. “That’s all he ever wanted to do,” she said.
