News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | September 23, 2026
Sports
Charles City capitalizes off Cumberland fumble to win first home game since 2019
It’s been nearly six years since fans of football at Charles City County High School got to celebrate a victory on their home field. The long awaited time came to an end Friday night for the Panthers. A fumble recovery by Charles City’s James Harris followed by a successful conversion proved to be the difference maker as the Panthers defeated the visiting Cumberland Dukes 16-14 in the home opener. Early on, the visitors out of the James River District were in control of the contest. After Charles City came up empty on their offensive series, Cumberland was able to march…
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New Kent survives last second kick by Smithfield, escapes with 28-27 victory in home opener
Finally being able to host a home game inside the Ed Allen Jr. Complex, New Kent High School’s football team welcomed the Smithfield Packers in a Bay Rivers District contest that would test the durability of the new playing surface. Needless to say, the test was a success that was decided in the waning minutes in favor of the Trojans. Surviving a missed field goal and behind four total touchdowns from Nathaniel Christian, New Kent edged Smithfield 28-27 to return the Trojans to the win column. But that victory did not come easy. The Trojans had to deal with two…
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New Kent Lady Trojans christen new artificial turf with field hockey win
New Kent’s Lady Trojans’ field hockey team christened a $1.3 million artificial turf field renovation in the best way possible: with a win. New Kent’s Anna Hetzel strung together three second half goals as the Lady Trojans defeated the visiting Smithfield Lady Packers 3-1 in Monday night’s Bay Rivers District contest. After the game went to halftime with no score, it would be Smithfield who struck first just four minutes into the third with a goal to provide the guests with a 1-0 lead. From there, it was all Hetzel who shined in the third frame. Her first goal came…
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Charles City falls late in first set, collapses in volleyball against ARGS
Charles City’s hot start couldn’t carry over in Monday night volleyball action against the visiting Appomattox Regional Governor’s School Lady Dragons. After taking a lead in the opening frame, the Lady Panthers watched their lead and dropped the set, ultimately leading them to fall 23-25, 11-25, 6-25 in the non-district contest. The Lady Panthers clicked on all cylinders against a team they’ve traditionally struggled with. Charles City was in firm command 22-19 in the first set before ARGS initiated their first rally of the night. The visitors tied the game up at 23 apiece, before two additional scores helped capture…
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After dropping first set, New Kent rallies to keep record unblemished
New Kent’s Lady Trojans got a test on Sept. 18 against the visiting Warhill Lady Lions. But in the end, the home team’s volleyball record remained unblemished. New Kent defeated Warhill 17-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-17 in the Bay Rivers District contest. In the first set, both teams started even before Warhill initiated a 12-5 run thanks to Tristen Keene dominating the net with kills. From that point forward, Warhill captured the set, threatening New Kent’s undefeated record. In the second frame, the Lady Trojans jumped up 5-1 thanks to a sequence of aces by Carly Sachs. But the Lady Lions…
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Colonial Downs announces record-breaking race season
Colonial Downs in New Kent has announced a record-setting race season which concluded on Sept. 13. Colonial Downs held 44 race days that saw a total of 397 total races and 3,146 horses competing. Approximately $27.4 million in purse money was awarded. More than 70,000 guest attended the grounds, and total wagering over the season was $101,032,299, which includes a one-day record of $10.46 million for the Festival of Racing. “This season was an unbelievable success by any measure,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing at Colonial Downs. “We are so grateful for all the new and returning race…
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Lady Panthers evens record with sweep of John Marshall
A team’s maturity and handling of situations are potential factors that can determine wins or losses. For Charles City’s Lady Panthers’ volleyball team, that maturity helped even their record after the Sept. 11 contest. Capitalizing off errors and miscues by the visiting John Marshall Lady Justices, Charles City cruised to a 25-12, 25-9, 25-8 sweep in the contest. After a slow start in the first set and leading only by one (8-7), John Marshall’s service error opened the door for the Lady Panthers. From there, it was Charles City’s Derequa Johnson who took over serving duties for the hosts, helping…
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New Kent High School’s volleyball team earns AVCA academic award
New Kent High School’s girls’ volleyball team received the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award. The award is presented to schools who finish in the top 20 percent of GPAs (grade point average) nationally. New Kent High School’s volleyball team accumulated a team GPA of 3.99 on a 4.0 scale
Lady Trojans continue hot start to season, sweeps Lafayette in volleyball action
New Kent’s Lady Trojans are picking up their volleyball season where they left off last year; with a purpose to thrive. New Kent swept the visiting Lafayette Lady Rams 25-15, 25-22, 25-17 in Sept. 2 Bay Rivers District action. In the opening set, New Kent jump out 4-1 and increased their lead to 8-3 after a kill by Leah Rounds and ace by Brielle Perry. Lafayette responded with a run to cut the home team’s lead down to two (10-8) before New Kent gathered themselves. The Lady Trojans put together a 15-7 outburst, forcing the visitors into errors and countering…
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Charles City completes season sweep of Hopewell Lady Blue Devils
This is something that the Charles City Lady Panthers’ volleyball team would like to hear more often; a winning streak. Charles City defeated the visiting Hopewell Lady Blue Devils 16-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-20 to win their second consecutive game and sweep the season series. After each team took a set to begin the match, Charles City jumped out on top in the third frame 4-0 thanks to two aces by Derequa Johnson. Hopewell battled back to tie the game at five all, before Charles City made a move. Aalaya King’s tap over the net led to another point for the…
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