Athletics

At Stafford County Public Schools, we view middle school athletics as a crucial component of our educational program. We believe that well-structured interscholastic sports enhance the goals of general education and benefit students, the student body, and the community.

Our athletic program is designed to complement, not replace, a comprehensive physical education and intramural program for all students. We strive to operate within the limits of our facilities, personnel, and finances, ensuring that our athletics program is inclusive and enriching.

The Stafford County Middle School Athletic Program aims to:

Provide opportunities for students of similar skill levels.
Promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Foster sportsmanship and teamwork.
Develop courage, resilience, and responsibility.
Create a sense of unity and contribution within teams.
Cultivate an understanding and appreciation of both winning and losing.
Encourage greater participation in athletic activities.
Offer recreational activities that build lifelong skills.
Engage community support by showcasing the educational and social values of middle school sports.

Sports Available for Students

Fall

Football

Football at Stafford County Middle Schools is a fall sport with four eight-minute quarters. Teams have up to 45 players and use standard-sized balls. Games follow local and VHSL rules, with home teams in dark jerseys and away teams in light. A fifth quarter ensures all players get time on the field, though it doesn’t count toward the game score. If a team is ahead by 30 points, only five starters can be on the field. Ties are settled with overtime from the opponent’s 10-yard line.

Girls' Field Hockey

Girls' Field Hockey is a fall sport with regular season games and a tournament. Each game has four ten-minute quarters and a seven-minute halftime, plus one timeout. A ten-minute B game precedes the regular game to ensure all players get a chance to play. In case of a tie, overtime is played, and strokes are used in the tournament if needed. Team size is set by the coach, and games typically have two referees. Protective eye goggles are optional for safety.

Girls' Volleyball

Girls Volleyball games begin with officials arriving at 4:35 pm, followed by a Captains/Coaches meeting and a coin toss to determine who will serve first. Teams will have a 20-minute warm-up period: starting with 6 minutes of shared court time, then the winner of the coin toss gets 7 minutes alone, and finally, the opponent gets 7 minutes. The "fifth quarter" set, played to 25 points, starts at 5:00 pm. Matches are best 2 out of 3 sets to 25 points, with a deciding set to 15 if necessary. Teams may choose to use a Libero with a contrasting uniform.

Winter

Girls' Basketball

Girls' Basketball is a fall sport featuring a regular season followed by a tournament, with seedings based on season standings. Games consist of four 6-minute quarters with a 6-minute halftime. Teams are managed by their coaches in terms of size, and each game is officiated by two referees, with a "B" game played beforehand to ensure all players get a chance to participate. The sport follows Middle School Athletic Council and VHSL rules. To promote fairness and sportsmanship, teams leading by 20 points or more will substitute players and avoid using full or half-court presses.

Boys' Basketball

Boys' Basketball is a winter sport featuring a regular season followed by a tournament based on standings. Games include four 6-minute quarters with a 6-minute halftime. Each team’s size is determined by the coach, and games are officiated by two referees, with a “B” game played beforehand to ensure all players get time on the court. The sport follows the rules of the Middle School Athletic Council and VHSL. To promote fairness, teams leading by 20 points or more will make substitutions and avoid full or half-court presses.

Wrestling

Wrestling season is in the winter, featuring dual meets and a county tournament to determine the champion. Matches have three two-minute periods, and exhibitions have three one-minute periods. Weight classes range from 70 to 285 pounds, with certification required. Weigh-ins are done before matches, and seeding for the tournament is based on points earned during the season.

Spring

Boys' Track & Field

Boys' Track and Field occurs in the spring with dual meets and a county championship. Each athlete competes in at least one event per meet, unless exempt due to physical reasons or discipline. Events include field events like shot put and high jump, and running events such as sprints and relays. Athletes can participate in multiple field events and up to three running events. Meets follow Middle School Athletic Council and VHSL rules.

Girls' Track & Field

Girls' Track and Field takes place in the spring, featuring dual meets and a county championship. Each athlete must compete in at least one event per meet, unless exempt for physical reasons or disciplinary action. Events include field events like shot put and high jump, and running events such as sprints and relays. Athletes can participate in multiple field events and up to three running events, with specific limits for dual meets and the county meet. Meets follow Middle School Athletic Council and VHSL rules.

Girls' Softball

Girls' fast pitch softball is a spring sport with regular season games and a tournament. Games last 7 innings with a 2-hour time limit. If a team leads by 10 runs after 5 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings, or 15 runs after 3 innings, the game ends early. Pitchers have limits on warm-up pitches. Every player must participate in a "B" game before the regular game. All games follow Middle School Athletic Council and VHSL rules. Players must wear helmets, and catchers need full gear. Metal cleats are not allowed.

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