The Class 3 State Semifinals on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 2 PM ET in Norfolk features two high-powered squads that are no strangers to postseason success. It’ll be the Region 3D Champion Magna Vista Warriors (12-1) visiting the Region 3A Champion Lake Taylor Titans (11-2) in their first ever meeting on the gridiron. These two schools have won a combined five state titles since 2012.
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Setting the Scene:
Coach Hank Sawyer has put together a Hall of Fame caliber career at Lake Taylor, where the Titans have been involved in some of the most memorable playoff games in VHSL history over his now 27 seasons at the helm. The overall record is a gaudy 247-76, featuring a trip of State Championship wins in 2012 over Stone Bridge, 2014 over Salem and 2019 over Tuscarora as well as three heart-breaking defeats in the title. More than anything though, it’s quite an impressive run, especially when you consider how long it took them to get over the hump, dropping each of their first six playoff games until the breakthrough happened in 2008. Now, their 41 playoff victories under Sawyer – with seven regional titles – rank among the most in the state during that span…