• April 285/1 - Girls Soccer vs Waynesboro
  • April 285/1 - Boys Soccer @ Waynesboro
  • April 285/1 - Softball @ Waynesboro
  • April 285/1 - Baseball @ Waynesboro
  • April 284/30 - Spring Signing Day
  • April 284/30 - Boys Lacrosse vs Salem
  • April 284/30 - Boys Tennis @ Alleghany
  • April 284/30 - Girls Tennis vs Alleghany
  • April 284/28 - Boys Soccer vs Staunton
  • April 284/28 - Girls Soccer @ Staunton
The student news site of Rockbridge County High School

THE PROWLER
THE PROWLER
THE PROWLER

The College Football Playoffs wrap up

Finbar Looney and Brenden Staley
February 4, 2026
Graphic by Finbar Looney

The College Football National Championship is finalized: the Miami Hurricanes are playing the Indiana Hoosiers. The Hoosiers are sitting at 15-0 on the season, their best in program history. Indiana is coached by Curt Cignetti, who previously coached at James Madison

from 2019-2023. 

The Hoosiers are led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza who has 3,349 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Indiana’s leading rusher is Roman Hemby with 1,060 yards and seven touchdowns. The Hoosiers leading receiver is Omar Cooper Jr. with 866 yards and 13 touchdowns. Indiana has been extremely dominant this season they have out scored opponents 677 to 151 (including the postseason)

The Hurricanes are 13-2 and back in the national championship for the first time since 2003. Miami is coached by Mario Cristobal, who previously coached at the University of Oregon from 2017-2021. The Hurricanes are led by Carson Beck with 3,581 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Miami’s leading rusher is Mark Fletcher Jr. with 1,080 rushing yards, and ten touchdowns. The Hurricanes leading receiver is Malachi Toney Jr. with 1,089 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. Miami has out scored opponents 464-210 (including the postseason)

As of the 2024-2025 College Football season, the playoff system expanded from four teams to 12 teams. This season was James Madison, Tulane, Miami, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Oregon, Texas Tech, Georgia, Ohio State, and finally Indiana. James Madison, Tulane, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M were first round exits this year. Texas Tech, Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State were second round exits this season. Oregon, and Ole Miss were third round exits this season. Finally the last team to be eliminated was Miami in the National Championship

Graphic by Finbar Looney

On Jan. 19, the National Championship was played between a former power house in Miami and a rising power in Indiana. The Hoosiers came out on top in a 27-23 thriller. This is the first time Indiana has won the National Championship in school history, and the first time they have gone 16-0. Indiana is also the first team since 1894 to go 16-0, and that team was the Yale Bulldogs. Indiana’s standout player was Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza had 186 yards and one rushing touchdown to seal the victory. Miami’s standout player was Malachi Toney Jr. who had ten receptions for 122 yards and one touchdown.

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About the Contributors
Finbar Looney
Finbar Looney, Reporter
Looney is 15 years old and he is a sophomore. Looney is originally from oceanside California in 2009. Looney moved to Germany in 2010, then he moved to Lexington in 2012. Looney plays three sports for the high school, he plays Lacrosse, Basketball, and Golf. He is the six for the golf team he has been playing for around 10 years. Looney doesn’t have a specific position in basketball. Looney is a goalie in lacrosse and he has been playing for 9 years.  Looney has an older brother who was on the prowler staff, and now attends the United States Naval Academy. Along with a twin brother on the prowler staff. Looney’s mom works for the Rockbridge Area Health Center, and his dad works for the Virginia Military Institute, and he is a retired marine corps colonel. Looney has a dog named Kelly who is 6 years old.  He hopes that he will enjoy his time as a member of the prowler staff.
Brenden Staley
Brenden Staley, Reporter
Brenden Staley is a first year journalism student, he is attending his junior year at rockbridge county high school. Brenden Staley is in journalism because he wanted to have a fun class with his friends and to be on the prowler. Brenden Staley plays Varsity football for the RCHS Wildcats. His hobbies are fishing and hunting, along with basketball and football. Brenden has been reported to catch really big fish but never tells people which lake/pond he catches these huge fish at, He never will leak this information. Brenden doesn’t play basketball at RCHS although he should, he finds basketball very fun but refuses to play. Brenden wants to be the best athlete he can while maintaining good grades.