Madison 2025 Preview

There’s not a coach in the state who will forget how Madison’s season ended last year. After a late-game Hail Mary set up a chance to win it all, the Warhawks were literally inches away from a state title—a diving two-point conversion attempt by three-year starter Dom Knicely just missed, and Madison finished as the Virginia 6A state runner-up in heartbreaking fashion. But don’t let the ending overshadow the journey. “Last year’s team was one I will never forget,” said head coach Justin Counts. “We had great senior leadership, we played for each other, and it was a very unselfish group. Everyone was bought in and it showed on the field.”

Replacing that senior class won’t be easy. The Warhawks graduated a core group with serious experience: quarterback Cael Yates, offensive weapons like Knicely and Ari Rosenberg, and an entire defense full of battle-tested playmakers including Caden Green, Heath Tunstall, Oscar Espanol, and Jack Ambrusz. “There is really no way we are going to replace what all of those kids brought to our program,” Counts said, “but we can find new ways to be successful.” And that’s exactly the tone in Vienna this offseason—rebuilding, but not resetting. The younger group has been waiting for their turn and has followed the blueprint set by last year’s seniors when it comes to preparation and work ethic.

This year’s Madison team is defined by toughness and grit. “We don’t have any superstars, but we’ve got a collection of kids who are going to compete for 48 minutes,” said Counts. Offensively, expect a physical front led by Owen Mannering (6'1, 295), with Clay Monday back from injury and ready to help anchor the interior. The backfield will be powered by returning starter Matthew Weiler (6'1, 225), a bruising runner with vision, and fullback Jack Ricciardiello (6'2, 230), who brings speed and toughness. On the outside, Anthony Voinis (6'0, 170) and juniors Will Smoot and Kellan Counts give them a solid receiving corps with returning experience.

The defense is anchored by a four-year starter in Luke Salvosa (5'11, 205), who shifts to middle linebacker this year and will lead a physical, disciplined unit. Joe Gore (6'2, 215), a three-year starter at safety, brings size and tackling ability to the back end. Defensive lineman Alex Gates (6'1, 215) and cornerback Graham Gorkowski (6'2, 165) round out a group that doesn’t have many returning starters—but has plenty of energy and motor. “We graduated all four starters up front, but I think this group will play extremely hard,” Counts said.

Madison’s schedule isn’t doing them any favors. They’ll face a brutal out-of-district slate featuring Stone Bridge, Lake Braddock, West Springfield, Marshall, and Hayfield—all before battling through a stacked Concorde District. Still, Counts is focused on what has made them great: how they practice. “We need to practice with a purpose,” he said. “We do a lot of 1’s vs. 1’s and try to get guys competing in everything. With a lot of kids who don’t have varsity experience, it’s critical to simulate game conditions.”

They might not have a single household name to start this fall, but Madison doesn’t need one. If recent history tells us anything, the Warhawks will be playing deep into November again—and maybe even get another crack at finishing the job.