02/23/2024
Andre Clarke Jr., receiver/DB, Hermitage: The 6-1, 175-pound two-way standout is likely a corner at the next level, but he made plays all over the field for the Panthers in 2023. He's been a name garnering buzz around the area since youth ball.
He's listed by 247Sports as a four-star recruit and the No. 6 corner nationally in his class. Washington, Tennessee, Florida State and Minnesota are among Clarke's strong offer list, plus West Virginia, Virginia Tech and ODU.
Go Panthers!
Richmond high school football recruiting: Top 2025, 2026 college prospects to keep an eye on
So in the college recruiting cycle, attention now rests firmly on the Classes of 2025 and 2026, the rising seniors and juniors that will author much of the 804's high
11/12/2023
A wild finish to a solid varsity season, for a still very young Hermitage squad. Can't wait until August when they lace 'em up again!
Go Panthers!
High school football: Douglas Freeman fights past Hermitage behind Stephenson, Reece, China
Moments after the Mavericks defeated Hermitage 46-41 on a clear, low-40’s evening at Chester E. Fritz Stadium, Bland stood on the glistening turf as his guys celebrated their well-earned victory and spoke of their accomplishment and the opportunity to host William Fleming (Roanoke) in the regional...
11/02/2023
NO JV FOOTBALL GAME TONIGHT, Thursday, 11/2.
Unfortunately, J.R. Tucker apparently does not have enough players to field a JV team, so our Panthers' JV season has concluded.
The Panther Varsity WILL PLAY tomorrow night at Tucker, so please plan to come out cheer Hermitage into the playoffs!
10/20/2023
The Panthers' hands will be full tonight as Highland Springs visits Chester E. Fritz Stadium at 7:00. Come out to cheer on the team!
Highland Springs @ Hermitage
Friday, 10/20
7:00pm
Go Panthers!
A preview from the Richmond Times-Dispatch...
"No. 1 Highland Springs (6-1) at Hermitage (5-2), Friday, 7 p.m.: This meeting of two perennial 804 powerhouses dates to 1940. The Springers won 52-13 the last time the sides met at the conclusion of the 2021 regular season. Electric sophomore back Eric Byrd is averaging 10 yards per carry for a Highland Springs team that spreads the ball around to a bevy of dynamic playmakers in the passing and rushing games. One of those weapons is senior safety and receiver Tomondrey Braxton, a favorite weapon of senior QB and reigning All-Metro player of the year Khristian Martin (Maryland recruit), who will also look to big-play threat George Lovelace to create explosive plays. Defensively for the Springers, All-Metro junior linebacker Brennan Johnson reads the game with the best of 'em, he's like an extra coach on the field. For the Panthers to pull the upset, they'll need a big game from sophomore WR/DB Andre Clarke Jr., one of the area's top underclassmen prospects. Junior back Earlonte Winston and sophomore QB Bean Yeanay have plenty of speed, they'll need to generate ample big plays in order to keep up with the Springers. Senior D-lineman Uriah Harris is the talisman of a rugged Hermitage defense. He'll need to spend much of the evening in close proximity to Martin in order to give the home team a shot.
Zach: Highland Springs 42-10
Melanie: Highland Springs 35-17
Mike: Highland Springs 35-21"
10/15/2023
Games don't get much closer than this. Literally not decided until the very last play.
High school football: Chavis, Utsey help Glen Allen edge past No. 7 Hermitage
A game painted in yellow, emotion and last-minute drama. There's no other way to describe Glen Allen's come-from-behind 17-16 win against No. 7 Hermitage on Friday night.
10/13/2023
The Battle of Staples Mills Road.
Tonight at Glen Allen High.
Go Panthers!
10/10/2023
"The top six -- Highland Springs, Thomas Dale, Manchester, Benedictine, Varina and Dinwiddie -- has created some separation from the pack.
No. 7 Hermitage's Andre Clarke Jr. continued his stellar sophomore season with a couple TD catches in the Panthers' 27-13 win at Douglas Freeman. Hermitage and Bird will likely feel like they deserve consideration alongside the top six."
Go Panthers!
10/07/2023
That's what I'm talking about. Solid performances on both sides of the ball, great result. Coverage from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Go Panthers!
10/05/2023
This week's game preview from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Go Panthers!
10/02/2023
Coverage of Friday night's big win over Deep Run from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Go Panthers!
10/01/2023
What time is it? It's Dre Time. Let's vote Hermitage standout Andre Clark Jr. Richmond Times-Dispatch Player of the Week for his outstanding performance against Deep Run Friday evening.
"Andre Clarke Jr., receiver/defensive back, No. 9 Hermitage: five catches, 130 yards, two touchdowns; four tackles, three for losses in 36-0 win over Deep Run"
Go Panthers!
YOUR TURN: Vote for the high school football Player of the Week
Scroll down to vote in our Player of the Week poll.
09/29/2023
Friday night. Crisp fall air. High school football.
Does it get any better than that?
Tickets https://gofan.co/event/1029475?schoolId=VA7802
Go Panthers!
09/28/2023
Be here tomorrow night, Friday, 9/29, 7:00pm.
Deep Run vs. Hermitage
Chester E. Fritz Stadium
Tickets https://gofan.co/event/1029475?schoolId=VA7802
Go Panthers!
09/26/2023
From this morning's Richmond Times-Dispatch.
"Hermitage and L.C. Bird reentered the rankings this week after the Panthers impressed by defeating previously unbeaten Mills Godwin 26-6 behind Earlonte Winston's big day on the ground, and the Skyhawks took care of Richmond City 30-0."
Go Panthers!
09/23/2023
Panther fans, vote Earlonte for Richmond Times-Dispatch Player of the Week.
"Earlonte Winston, running back, Hermitage: 24 carries, 159 yards, two touchdowns in 26-6 win over Mills Godwin"
Go Panthers!
YOUR TURN: Vote for the high school football Player of the Week
Who should it be? Here's how to vote for The Times-Dispatch Player of the Week.
09/23/2023
A stout running game. Add in some shut down defense. The result? A convincing victory in the rain Friday night at Chester E. Fritz Stadium, avenging last year's close loss.
Hermitage 26, Mills Godwin 6
Go Panthers!
High school football:🏈 Hermitage rains on Mills Godwin parade behind Winston, Clarke Jr.
In their collective minds, you see, the inclement weather was great for playing even if it made watching unpleasant at best. Undefeated Mills Godwin was in town, and they, Coach Timothy Jean-Pierre’s guys, were truly on a mission.
09/21/2023
Friday night, 9/22, 7:00pm, Mills Godwin rolls into Chester E. Fritz Stadium to take on the Panthers.
It's Homecoming, not just for Hermitage alumni, but also for Coach Kinney, long-time Panther assistant coach and now the Big Kahuna on Pump Road. Coach Kinney's team comes in undefeated, hopefully, a short-term status.
A game preview from the Richmond Times-Dispatch...
Mills Godwin (4-0) at Hermitage (2-1), Friday, 7 p.m.: It'll be a homecoming of sorts for first-year Godwin coach Earl Kinney, formerly an assistant at Hermitage. The Eagles are 4-0 for the first time since 2000, and have an air of magic about them after an overtime, 14-13 win at Patrick Henry on a blocked extra point by Carson Smith and last week's 24-21 comeback win over Hanover in which QB Daniel Viener led Godwin back from a 21-0 second-half deficit before Dom Williams nailed the game-winning PAT. Herm beat PH 7-6 last week, also on the road, so it would appear these teams are quite evenly matched. Look for the Panthers to lean on super-talented sophomore receiver and DB Andre Clarke Jr. on both sides of the ball. Senior Uriah Harris spearheads an imposing Panthers D-line, keeping them away from Viener will be priority No. 1 for the visitors. This series originated in 1986, and Hermitage leads 22-16, though Godwin won 21-20 last year.
Zach: Hermitage 17-14
Melanie: Godwin 27-17
Mike: Godwin 14-13
Go Panthers!
09/14/2023
Tonight, the Panthers travel north to take on the Patriots of Patrick Henry HS in Ashland. 7:00pm kickoff. Game time forecast...Mostly sunny and 75 degrees. A beautiful evening for high school football.
Game Preview from the Richmond Times-Dispatch
Hermitage (1-1) at Patrick Henry (0-3), Thursday, 7 p.m.: The Panthers and Patriots first locked horns in 1970, and Hermitage leads the all-time series 26-19-1. PH is off to an uncharacteristically down start for one of the area's more consistent programs, and Hermitage is a tough opponent against which to right the ship. The visitors will try and get their speedy playmakers -- QB Ben Yeanay, back Earlonte Winston and receiver Andre Clarke Jr. -- in space while their rugged line controls the pace up front led by senior end and talisman Uriah Harris. For the home team, QB Grayson Johnson is a strong rusher. He'll look to establish the run behind a big line that's typically the Patriots' bread and butter. Senior receiver Jeremiah Grant is Johnson's top option in the passing game. The last time these programs met on September 10, 2021, homestanding Hermitage won 27-26.
Zach: Hermitage 21-9
Melanie: Hermitage 17-14
Mike: Hermitage 28-10
Go Panthers!
09/07/2023
Tonight. Chester E. Fritz Stadium. 7:00pm. Panthers vs. Blue Devils.
Game Preview from the Richmond Times-Dispatch
No. 7 Varina (1-1) at Hermitage (1-1), Thursday, 7 p.m.: Chester E. Fritz Stadium is sure to be rocking for this showdown of storied local programs, a series which dates to 1965 that the Blue Devils lead by the slimmest of margins, 18-17 after last season's 13-0 Varina victory at James E. Dawkins Stadium. Blue Devils junior quarterback Linwood Johnson and sophomore receiver DaMari Carter have displayed a strong connection early on this season, look for them to link up in the passing game often. Another super-talented sophomore, JaySean Richardson, headlines a stout Varina defense from his tackle spot. This will be a top-tier war in the trenches, as both sides boast one of the area's stronger units up front. Senior guard Evan Nixon features on the Varina O-line, which will be tasked with keeping Herm senior D-end and talisman Uriah Harris away from Johnson. The Panthers have their own standout sophomores in receiver / defensive back Andre Clarke Jr. and quarterback Ben Yeanay. And junior running back Earlonte Winston is a big-play threat with breakaway speed. Hermitage last beat Varina in spring 2021, 9-0. The Panthers beat Henrico 19-14 last week, while the Blue Devils fell to Freedom (Woodbridge) 35-27.
Go Panthers!
09/06/2023
FOMO sufferers take note.
Be here tomorrow night, Thursday, 9/7, 7:00pm
Varina @ Hermitage
Go Panthers!
09/01/2023
OMG. Henrico recovers a blocked punt at the Hermitage 30 with 1:28 left on the clock. Blood pressure check. But Future College Boy saves the day, picking off a pass from his aptly named safety position.
Final score, agonizingly,
Hermitage Panthers 19, Henrico Warriors 14
09/01/2023
A comfortable game has become a nail biter.
09/01/2023
Well zipadee doo dah. Henrico takes it right down the field for a score. Two point conversion good. 6:25 left in the game.
Hermitage 19, Henrico 14
09/01/2023
A long Panther drive to start the 4th Quarter stalls but no worries. 28 yard field goal. 7:30 left in the game.
Hermitage 19, Henrico 6
09/01/2023
The moon is coming up and so is the 4th Quarter. End of 3 on Azeala Avenue.
Hermitage 16, Henrico 6
09/01/2023
After a long fumble return, the Warriors punch it in for a touchdown. Try for 2 fails. 7 minutes left in the 3rd.
Hermitage 16, Henrico 6
09/01/2023
Halftime.
Hermitage 16, Henrico 0