Coach Billy Rudd Returns to Lead Matoaca Warriors
TL;DR: Billy Rudd has returned to Matoaca High School as head football coach after three years at Meadowbrook, tasked with restoring a program that missed the playoffs last season for the first time in four years.
Quick facts
- Who: Billy Rudd, Matoaca Warriors football program
- What: Coach hired to lead Matoaca Warriors football after three-year stint at Meadowbrook; program seeks to return to playoffs after missing them in 2025
- When: Announced by May 26, 2026; season preview airs August 28, 2026
- Where: Matoaca High School, Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
Billy Rudd has returned to Matoaca High School as head football coach after spending three years at his alma mater, Meadowbrook, where he served as an assistant coach and eventually head coach. At Meadowbrook, Rudd compiled a 12-18 overall record over three seasons but led the program to its first winning season in over a decade in 2025. He replaces Fred Stoots, who departed to become athletic director of a new school in Magnolia Green.
Rudd previously served as offensive coordinator at Matoaca and also coached the school's girls soccer team. His task now is to restore a Warriors program that slipped to 3-7 last season, ending a streak of four consecutive playoff appearances. Despite the disappointing record, there were signs of progress: Matoaca won three of its final four games after an 0-6 start. The team competed closely against strong regional competition, with three losses to playoff finalists (Petersburg, Thomas Dale, and Hermitage) and one to state champion Benedictine.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the Warriors will have 8-10 returning starters, including quarterback Stephen Ankiel, who split time with other quarterbacks in 2025 but is expected to lead the offense going forward. A season preview featuring the Warriors is set to air on CBS 6 (WTVR) on August 28, 2026 at 11:15 p.m.
Key players
- Billy Rudd: Head football coach, Matoaca Warriors
- Matoaca High School: School in Chesterfield County hosting the Warriors football program
- Fred Stoots: Former Matoaca head coach, now athletic director at new school in Magnolia Green
- Stephen Ankiel: Matoaca quarterback, expected to lead offense in 2026
Key dates
- August 28, 2026: CBS 6 airs Matoaca Warriors football season preview at 11:15 p.m.
Why it matters: The Warriors' return to competitiveness after missing the playoffs would signal recovery for a program that had established itself in regional football. Rudd's prior experience at Matoaca and success developing young players at Meadowbrook could provide the coaching foundation needed to rebuild.
Places
Development timeline
- 2024 seasonWarriors post 9-0 regular season: Matoaca goes undefeated in regular season but loses in region semifinals (to Dinwiddie and LC Bird), missing state tournament [source]
- 2025 seasonWarriors miss playoffs: Matoaca finishes 3-7 overall (3-4 in conference), ending streak of four consecutive playoff appearances. Late-season rally produces three wins in final four games after 0-6 start. [source]
- May 26, 2026Billy Rudd hired as head coach: Rudd, who previously served as offensive coordinator and girls soccer coach at Matoaca, returns after three years at Meadowbrook. He replaces Fred Stoots, who became athletic director at new school in Magnolia Green. [source]
- August 28, 2026Season preview airs: CBS 6 airs Matoaca Warriors football season preview at 11:15 p.m., featuring Rudd and returning quarterback Stephen Ankiel [source]
Related links
Read the original at WTVR CBS 6 Local →