The first offer has officially rolled in for Zoli Khalil and it’s likely just the beginning.

SALEM — They were two runners from a pair of local high schools in the same Bull Run District and from two towns separated by a total of just 23 miles.

BRIDGEWATER — It was just the start the Spotswood girls tennis team wanted.

SALEM — There was no burst of joy or even a hint of a smile across his face.

LURAY — Baylee Burrill’s eyes widened with nerves as she stared at the official, eagerly anticipating a crucial call at a pivotal moment in the back-and-forth set.

It was a clean sweep for the regional champion.

WILLIAMSBURG — It wasn’t the ending Toby Corriston wanted, but it was one that left him motivated to accomplish more over the next two seasons.

It would have been understandable if the interest started fading.

As Riverheads and Stuarts Draft prepare to play in their respective Virginia High School League state semifinal games this week, players and coaches were honored Monday.

DALEVILLE — It was another performance that left their coach proud.

PALMYRA — There will be four city/county runners and a local team advancing to next week’s state championships.

ELKTON — There was no plan for how they’d celebrate because it was a discussion they vowed not to have until after their performance was complete.

CHARLOTTESVILLE — For the first time since 2008, the Harrisonburg boys cross country team is headed to states.

LURAY — There was reason for optimism, according to Baylee Burrill.

It’s been a good week for the Fort Defiance volleyball program.

FORT DEFIANCE — Sue Leonard said she’s seen her team play better this season, but that didn’t prevent the veteran coach from letting out a smile.

STUARTS DRAFT — There were plenty of tears Saturday — for several different reasons.

ROANOKE — It was a dominating performance from start to finish.

It’s something out of a storybook, according to Harrisonburg coach Josh Carico.

PENN LAIRD — Avery Chandler emerged from the home locker room with ice wrapped around both knees and a noticeable limp as she walked to midcourt.

GROTTOES — Just seconds removed from finishing the race, Spotswood freshman Taylor Myers heard the encouragement of her coaches. Less than 30 minutes later, it was senior Seth Harding receiving a similar compliment.

What was already expected became official on Monday.

While it may not be official, it appears Harrisonburg’s playoff streak remains intact.

PENN LAIRD — The stakes weren't quite the same, but the hard feelings between the two programs certainly haven't eased up.

It doesn't matter how you slice it up, what Broadway football did was impressive.

BRIDGEWATER — Every aspect of the game lived up to the hype it received.

Two city/county cheer teams will advance to regional competition.

BROADWAY — It was the type of moment Keenan Glago eagerly awaited.

Sam Shickel's 39-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter served as the dagger as Turner Ashby avoided an upset with a 39-22 win over Valley District foe Waynesboro in prep football action at WHS on Friday.

Standout signal-caller Miller Jay continued his phenomenal junior season with three touchdown tosses as unbeaten Rockbridge County defeated Harrisonburg 35-19 in Valley District football action in Lexington on Friday.

PENN LAIRD — Clinging to a one-point lead and approaching just one minute remaining in the game, Bryce Suters said he knew his team needed a turnover.

Emma Wigley had 27 digs and four aces as East Rockingham picked up a 3-0 sweep of non-district foe Broadway in prep volleyball action in Elkton on Thursday.

PENN LAIRD — It's surely been a surprise to folks around the Valley District.

1. Riverheads (4-0): Zac Smiley ran for 156 yards and two touchdowns and scored another on a 34-yard reception from Bennett Dunlap as Riverheads continued to showcase its dominance in a 55-7 rout of Staunton. Movement: —

Rockbridge County senior Garret Huffman was low medalist with an even-par 71, but it was Spotswood taking home the team title at the Valley District golf championships at Shenvalee Golf Resort in New Market on Wednesday.

GROTTOES — Standing in the fresh-cut grass at Mountain View Park in Grottoes, Seth Harding stood nervously with his hands rested above his head.

After dealing with a back injury that forced her to miss her eighth-grade JV season, Jaydyn Clemmer’s mentality around the sport of volleyball took a bit of a shift.

Brandon Jarvis had to dodge the Gatorade bath, but then he let out a smile.

After Harrisonburg scored a pair of third-quarter touchdowns and recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff on the last play before the fourth, it was the type of moment that can make or break a team that hasn’t faced adversity.

PENN LAIRD — After back-to-back losses to open up the season for the first time since 2016 — the first year under current head coach Dale Shifflett — the Spotswood football team admitted last week’s game felt like a must-win.

ELKTON — On paper, the train has continued to roll for Rockbridge County.

BROADWAY — One approaches the media and slaps high-fives with a casual greeting while the other quietly paces in a four-foot circle with his head down.

There’s been no shortage of big-name athletes to roam the halls of Harrisonburg High School over the years and that comes in a wide variety of different sports.

1. Riverheads (3-0): Zac Smiley ran the ball 20 times for 169 yards and four rushing touchdowns as the Gladiators continue to show improvement in a 49-6 rout of Augusta County foe Fort Defiance on the road. Movement: —

There was a time where Bryce Farley admitted her own family wasn't even sure.

Sitting inside the Stuart C. Siegel Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, the voice echoed across the loudspeakers and overtook the sounds of the game.

BRIDGEWATER — With several players sidelined due to injuries and depth becoming a rising concern, Turner Ashby coach Chris Fraser said his staff made some changes.