Gameday Preview: Falcons Look to Continue Recent Run Against Midlothian
RICHMOND, Va. – Huguenot returns to McFee Field Friday night for another matchup with a familiar opponent as the Falcons host Midlothian at 7 p.m.
Huguenot enters the game 3-0 after opening the season with wins over Highland Springs, Clover Hill and Cosby. Midlothian comes in at 3-1, having responded to a season-opening loss to L.C. Bird with three straight victories.
The Trojans have not appeared in the local polls this season, with the early loss to Bird keeping them out of the conversation, but their résumé has become more impressive as September has progressed.
One result in particular has aged well.
Freeman Win Looks Better by the Week
Midlothian defeated Douglas Freeman 28-14 earlier this season in a game that did not necessarily stand out at the time.
It does now.
Freeman has since improved to 3-1 and entered the Richmond Times-Dispatch Top 10 after impressive victories over Hanover and Prince George. Looking back, Midlothian’s two-touchdown win over Freeman has become one of the strongest pieces of the Trojans’ early-season résumé.
Midlothian produced 501 yards of total offense in that victory, showing the type of balance and explosiveness its offense is capable of producing.
The Trojans followed that performance with a 49-13 win over Powhatan on Sept. 11 before overwhelming Richmond High School for the Arts 75-0 on Sept. 18.
That gives Midlothian three consecutive victories entering Friday night.
Gross Leads Experienced Trojans Offense
At the center of Midlothian’s offense is senior quarterback Gibson Gross, the son of fourth-year head coach Phil Gross.
The 6-foot, 205-pound quarterback is a three-year starter and gives the Trojans an experienced presence running the offense.
Gross was efficient in last week’s win over RHSA, completing 10 of 13 passes for 208 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception.
Behind him, Midlothian has another experienced weapon in senior running back Jamel Howard.
Howard, a transfer from Deep Run, carried 10 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns against RHSA, giving the Trojans another option capable of producing explosive plays.
With Gross operating the passing game and Howard providing production in the backfield, Huguenot will face one of the more balanced offenses it has seen through the opening month of the season.
Anderson Brings Huguenot Connection
One of Midlothian’s primary receiving weapons also brings a direct connection to Huguenot Football.
Sophomore Jayshaun Anderson starts on both sides of the ball for the Trojans and is the son of former Huguenot quarterback Jamil Anderson.
Jamil Anderson was an All-Metro and All-Region quarterback for the Falcons and helped lead Huguenot to a region championship in 1998.
His son has developed into an important two-way player for Midlothian. In addition to contributing at receiver, Jayshaun Anderson starts defensively and recorded an interception in Midlothian’s victory over Douglas Freeman.
That connection adds another interesting layer to Friday night’s matchup at McFee Field.
Huguenot Enters With Momentum
Huguenot comes home after a 34-0 victory at Cosby, a game that required patience before the Falcons eventually pulled away.
The first quarter ended scoreless, and Huguenot led just 6-0 at halftime after turnovers and penalties prevented the offense from taking advantage of several opportunities.
The second half was a different story.
Huguenot scored three touchdowns in the third quarter and added two more in the fourth while the defense completed its second consecutive shutout.
Quarterback Charles Scott Jr. finished with 290 passing yards and four touchdowns, while Iveon Lewis caught 13 passes for 174 yards and two scores.
Najarn Bostic added two touchdown receptions, and the rushing combination of Randal Robinson Jr. and Aaron Bowling produced 222 yards on 24 carries.
Defensively, Chris Green and Zayvon Miller each recorded interceptions, while Jayce Bigelow consistently disrupted Cosby’s offense and Quinn Wilson made several key plays from the safety position.
Through three games, Huguenot has surrendered just seven total points.
Recent Series Belongs to Huguenot
The overall history between the programs still favors Midlothian.
The Trojans hold a 24-17 advantage in the all-time series and controlled the matchup for much of the previous decade.
Huguenot did not defeat Midlothian from 2010 through 2018 before finally breaking through in 2019 with a 47-7 home victory, led by a huge performance from Kevin Gayles.
The programs did not meet again until 2022, when Midlothian responded with a 49-0 victory.
Since Charles Scott Sr. took over the Huguenot program, however, the direction of the series has changed.
The Falcons have won each of the past three meetings:
2023 — Huguenot 30, Midlothian 15
2024 — Huguenot 46, Midlothian 16
2025 — Huguenot 57, Midlothian 7
Last season’s matchup came during Midlothian’s homecoming, with Huguenot leaving with a 50-point victory.
Friday gives the Trojans another opportunity to reverse that recent trend, while Huguenot looks to make it four straight in the series.
Hispanic Heritage Night at McFee
Friday’s game will also feature a special student-section theme selected by the Huguenot Student Council Association in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Students are encouraged to represent the celebration by wearing their country’s flag or colors, or by wearing a sports jersey representing a Hispanic player or team.
The theme adds another layer to Huguenot’s second home game of the season and gives the student section an opportunity to celebrate culture while supporting the Falcons.
A Stronger Test Than the Record Suggests
Midlothian’s 3-1 record tells only part of the story.
The season-opening loss to L.C. Bird affected how the Trojans were viewed early, but three consecutive victories have followed, including a win over a Freeman team that has since established itself among the area’s better programs.
Gross gives Midlothian experience at quarterback. Howard gives the Trojans production in the backfield. Anderson provides another dangerous two-way option.
Huguenot, meanwhile, enters Friday having won three very different games.
The Falcons have handled a physical road test at Highland Springs, overwhelmed Clover Hill at home and responded to a difficult first half at Cosby with a dominant second-half performance.
Friday night brings another challenge.
Midlothian arrives with momentum.
Huguenot arrives looking to keep its own going.
Huguenot vs. Midlothian
Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 | 7:00 p.m.
McFee Field
Hispanic Heritage Month Student Section Theme
Midlothian won the Game 17-7; A Major Upset