Virginia
What to Watch For in the Virginia Football Blue-White Game on Saturday
Virginia’s spring football practices will culminate with the annual Blue-White Game on Saturday at 2pm at Scott Stadium. The UVA roster has been divided into two teams for a four-quarter intrasquad scrimmage (see the rosters here). As the Cavaliers give us a glimpse of what’s to come in the 2024 season, here’s five things to watch for in the Virginia football spring game.
1. Virginia’s Quarterback ‘Situation’
We’re calling it a quarterback situation, as opposed to a quarterback competition as Tony Elliott and Taylor Lamb have done their best to give the impression that there is not a battle going on between Anthony Colandrea and Tony Muskett this spring, despite the fact that both quarterbacks started six games last season and both have been getting first-team reps in spring practice. If there is to be a position battle between Colandrea and Muskett, it will be fought and ultimately decided in fall camp four months from now, but it will still be interesting to see how each quarterback looks in command of UVA’s offense on Saturday. Muskett has made a quick recovery after undergoing shoulder surgery at the end of the season, while Colandrea has reportedly looked more and more comfortable orchestrating the offense in his second spring at Virginia. Look for both QBs to make an impression as they go head-to-head in something resembling a ‘real game’ setting.
2. Speaking of Injuries
We mentioned that Tony Muskett has made a fast recovery after he missed the last few games of the season with an ankle injury as well as a shoulder injury that ultimately required surgery at the end of the season. But he won’t be the only Cavalier making his return to the field this weekend, as there will be more than a few players eager to see “real” game action on Saturday, including sixth-year safety Antonio Clary, who missed the entire 2023 season with an ankle injury. Many others are still recovering from injuries, including several starting offensive linemen who underwent surgery in the offseason. As usual, the spring game will offer opportunities for nearly every player on the roster to get playing time, but those “next men up” on the depth chart who will get starting reps due to injuries to the players above them stand the most to gain with a good showing. It’ll be interesting to see who is out and who steps up on Saturday, particularly on the offensive line.
3. Breakout Performers?
The spring game can serve as a massive launching point for previously unsung players to build momentum towards carving out a more significant role for themselves come the fall. Last season, it was the young gunslinger Anthony Colandrea who put the entire UVA football community on notice with a dazzling performance in the spring game, completing 18 of his 29 passing attempts for 218 yards and a touchdown and putting his electrifying improvisation abilities outside of the pocket on full display, skills that he went on to show time and time again last season as he shattered the UVA record books for freshmen quarterbacks. The season before that? It was the former walk-on Perris Jones running for 129 yards and a 75-yard touchdown as the opening act of a year-long case that ultimately landed him the starting running back job to begin the 2022 season. Who will be the next key contributor to have his breakout performance at the spring game?
4. New Transfers Making Their Cavalier Debuts
Saturday will provide our first opportunity to see several transfers suit up in the orange and blue for the first time. We’re particularly excited to get a first glimpse of former Notre Dame wide receiver Chris Tyree, former Clemson tight end Sage Ennis, and former North Carolina wide receiver Andre Greene Jr. On the defensive end, we’re looking forward to seeing Akron transfer Corey Thomas Jr., who has been the subject of much praise from the UVA defensive coaching staff this spring. Thomas has a linebacker build at 6’4″ and 215 pounds, but the speed and athleticism of a defensive back and the Cavaliers currently having him playing safety.
5. Freshmen Early Enrollees
Last year, Virginia had only two freshmen enroll in January and participate in spring practice. Those two first years – wide receiver Jaden Gibson and the aforementioned Anthony Colandrea – benefited greatly from that head start and were significant contributors in their first seasons at UVA, particularly Colandrea. The Cavaliers have seven freshmen who enrolled early and are participating in spring practice this time around. We’re especially interested in seeing Ethan Minter, a two-way athlete who has transitioned from quarterback to safety and who has been very impressive so far, according to Tony Elliott. But chances are, there are multiple future stars in that group of freshmen and Saturday will be our first chance to see them play in a Virginia uniform.
Kickoff for the 2024 Virginia football Blue-White game is set for 2pm on Saturday at Scott Stadium. If you can’t make it to the game in person, the game will be streamed on ESPN+ and there will be a rebroadcast of the game on the ACC Network at a later date.
Virginia
Virginia Roberts Giuffre: Epstein accuser’s memoir sells 1m copies in two months
A posthumous memoir by one of Jeffrey Epstein’s best-known accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, has sold 1m copies worldwide in just the two months after its release.
Publisher Alfred A Knopf announced on Tuesday that more than half the sales for Nobody’s Girl came out of North America; in the US, the book is now in its 10th printing after an initial run of 70,000 copies. Giuffre’s book, co-written by author-journalist Amy Wallace, was published in early October.
The memoir helped revive criticism of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly a British prince, whom Giuffre alleged had sex with her when she was 17. And it heightened demands that the Justice Department release its files on Epstein, who killed himself in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Giuffre died by suicide in April at age 41.
“This is a bittersweet moment for us,” Giuffre’s family, including siblings Sky Roberts and Danny Wilson, said in a statement. “We are enormously proud of our sister, and the impact she continues to have on the world. We’re also filled with so much sorrow that she couldn’t be here to witness the impact of her words. In her absence, our family remains committed to ensuring her voice is everlasting.”
Within weeks of Giuffre’s book being published, King Charles III stripped Mountbatten-Windsor of his remaining titles and evicted him from his royal residence.
Mountbatten-Windsor has long denied Giuffre’s claims but stepped down from royal duties after a disastrous November 2019 BBC interview in which he attempted to rebut her allegations.
He paid millions in an out-of-court settlement in 2022 after Giuffre filed a civil suit against him in New York. While he didn’t admit wrongdoing, he acknowledged Giuffre’s suffering as a victim of sex trafficking.
This week Giuffre’s family expressed their “deep disappointment” after the Metropolitan police announced Mountbatten-Windsor will not face a criminal investigation in the UK over allegations against him.
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In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org
Virginia
Virginia voters nominate candidates in Fairfax, Prince William ahead of January special election – WTOP News
Voters in several Northern Virginia districts are nominating candidates Tuesday who could be elected to serve on the state’s House of Delegates.
Voters in several Northern Virginia districts are nominating candidates Tuesday who could be elected to serve on the state’s House of Delegates.
Whoever wins Tuesday’s contests will compete in a special election on Jan. 13, 2026, for vacated seats in the Virginia General Assembly, where Democrats currently hold a 63-37 majority.
The series of shake-ups comes as several Democratic lawmakers step down from the House of Delegates to join Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration.
Two of the resigning lawmakers represent Northern Virginia: Del. David Bulova, of Fairfax City and Fairfax County; and Del. Candi Mundon King, of Prince William and Stafford counties.
Last week, Spanberger named Bulova as her pick for Virginia’s next secretary of natural and historic resources.
And the future governor tapped King to serve as the secretary of the commonwealth.
Each party has until Dec. 17 to submit a nominee to the Virginia Board of Elections for next month’s special election, according to a writ of special elections filed by Virginia House Speaker Don Scott.
District 11: Fairfax City and part of Fairfax County
Democrats
Five candidates are running for the Democratic nomination in a firehouse primary, including the exiting delegate’s wife, Gretchen Bulova, as well as Vanessa Cardenas, So Lim, Douglas Shuster and Denver Supinger.
Any voter registered in Virginia House of Delegates District 11 can participate — but they have to sign a declaration of support for the Democratic Party, according to the democratic committees in Fairfax County and Fairfax City. In a firehouse primary, the political parties organize the contest, not the state.
District 11 includes all of Fairfax City and portions of Fairfax County. If you’re not sure whether your home sits within the district’s boundaries, check out this website.
The caucus locations are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at these locations:
- Fairfax Presbyterian Church at 10723 Main Street
- Jim Scott Community Center at 3001 Vaden Drive
- Fairfax County Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway
Gretchen Bulova is the chair of the Fairfax County 250th Commission and the county’s history commission.
Cardenas is also a Fairfax City resident who works as the executive director of America’s Voice, which works to garner support for policy changes that create paths toward full citizenship for immigrants.
At a candidate forum on Sunday, Lim introduced herself as a progressive Democrat. She served three terms on the Fairfax City Council.
Shuster is the president of the Miller Heights Neighborhood Association and works at an advisory firm.
Supinger, former chief of staff to Del. Karrie Delaney, is the founder of a consulting firm that specializes in social impact strategy, political advocacy, and policymaking, according to its website.
It’s the second time Fairfax voters have participated in a firehouse primary this year, after earlier nominating candidates who competed to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly in June. Democrat James Walkinshaw ultimately won that special election in September.
Republicans
The Fairfax County Republican Committee confirmed with WTOP that Adam Wise will be the nominee, and there will be no caucus held.
Wise had previously run for the District 11 seat in November but lost to David Bulova, the incumbent.
District 23: Parts of Prince William and Stafford
Democrats
A Democratic caucus will also be going on in Virginia House of Delegates District 23 on Tuesday, according to the Democratic committees in Prince William and Stafford counties.
The caucus is scheduled to run from noon to 7 p.m. at these locations:
- Dumfries Community Center at 17757 Main Street, Dumfries
- Porter Branch Library at 2001 Parkway Boulevard, Stafford
Two candidates qualified to be on the ballot: Woodbridge Supervisor Margaret Franklin and Muhammed “Sef” Casim.
WTOP will report on the full ballot once the Republican nominee is finalized.
What’s happening in January
Voters in District 23 and District 11 will head to the polls on Jan. 13, 2026, for a special election to replace Dels. Bulova and King.
Early voting will be open from Jan. 3 to Jan. 10.
Outside of Northern Virginia, a separate special election is being held on Jan. 6, 2026, to replace representatives headed to Spanberger’s administration. Voters in the Richmond area will elect a new state senator in House District 15 and a new delegate in District 77.
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Virginia
Top 25 Virginia Girls High School Basketball State Rankings – Dec. 15, 2025
The high school basketball season is underway in Virginia and it’s time to unveil the first High School on SI girls Top 25 of the regular season.
Princess Anne, the preseason No. 1, remains at the top, followed by The Saint James Performance Academy. Bishop Ireton, Catholic-Virginia Beach and Menchville complete the Top 5.
The second 5 include Virginia Academy, Saint Anne’s-Belfield School, Osbourn Park, Saint Paul VI Catholic and Shining Stars Sports Academy. Shining Stars moved into the Top 10 after defeating then-No. 7 Norfolk Christian Academy at the She Got Game Classic at The St. James Complex in Northern Virginia over the weekend.
Five teams – Clarke County, Briar Woods, Loudoun Valley, Potomac Falls and Washington-Liberty – enter this week’s poll.
Here’s this week’s High School on SI Virginia girls basketball Top 25:
Preseason rank: No. 1
Record: 5-0
The Cavaliers are averaging nearly 80 points a game.
Preseason rank: No. 2
Record: 5-2
The Strivers’ two losses have been by a total of 18 points.
Preseason rank: No. 5
Record: 4-1
The Cardinals defeated then-No. 4 Osbourn Park at the She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 3
Record: 4-4
The Crusaders went 1-2 at the She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 6
Record: 4-0
The Monarchs topped Rosedale Christian Academy (Md.) and Mallard Creek (N.C.) at the She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 8
Record: 6-0
The Patriots have wins over then-No. 9 Saint Anne’s-Belfield School and Maryland Top 25 schools Elizabeth Seton, St. Mary’s Ryken and Our Lady of Good Counsel.
Preseason rank: No. 9
Record: 6-2
The Saints split two matches at the She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 4
Record: 4-2
The Yellowjackets defeated Saint Neumann-Goretti (Pa.) and Southern-Garrett before falling to then-No. 5 Bishop Ireton at the She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 10
Record: 4-2
The Panthers dropped decisions to then-No. 4 Osbourn Park and Christ the King (N.Y.) at the Art Turner Memorial.
Preseason rank: No. 11
Record: 5-2
The Panthers handled then-No. 7 Norfolk Christian Academy at the She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 7
Record: 3-3
The Ambassadors have dropped decisions to then-No. 5 Bishop Ireton and then-No. 11 Shining Stars Sports Academy.
Preseason rank: No. 12
Record: 4-1
The Lancers’ only setback came against No. 1 Princess Anne.
Preseason rank: No. 13
Record: 5-1
The Knights dropped a 57-48 decision to then-No. 6 Menchville in the opening week.
Preseason rank: No. 14
Record: 5-2
The Panthers have won five straight, including victory over Whitney Young (Ill.) at She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 18
Record: 4-0
The Wolverines have won their four decisions by an average of 31 points.
Preseason rank: No. 22
Record: 6-0
After back-to-back two-point wins (then-No. 20 Centreville and then-No. 23 Gainesville), the Saxons routed Lake Braddock and West Springfield.
Preseason rank: No. 23
Record: 6-1
The Cardinals’ only blemish is a two-point loss to Langley.
Preseason rank: No. 15
Record: 5-1
The Stallions dropped a 56-534 decision to Gainesville in the season opener.
Preseason rank: Not ranked
Record: 5-0
The Eagles own a pair of victories over Loudoun Valley.
Preseason rank: Not ranked
Record: 4-0
The Falcons opened the season with a win over then-No. 16 Heritage.
Preseason rank: Not ranked
Record: 5-2
The Vikings are riding a three-game winning streak after loss to Clarke County.
Preseason rank: Not ranked
Record: 5-1
The Panthers own victories over then-No. 16 Heritage and then-No. 19 Chantilly.
Preseason rank: No. 19
Record: 5-1
The Chargers’ only loss is a 44-43 decision to Potomac Falls.
Preseason rank: No. 20
Record: 3-2
The Wildcats’ losses to Langley and Gainesville are by a total of seven points.
Preseason rank: Not ranked
Record: 4-1
The Generals have won four straight by a margin of 44 points.
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