The Mathews High School Scholastic Bowl team placed second in Saturday’s Region A tournament at Colonial Beach, qualifying the squad for the state tournament.

The Blue Devils went 7-1 in the district, decisively winning the regular season. The district tournament took place on Jan. 12. Mathews went undefeated, winning three matches in a row to capture the title. Elizabeth Ransone was named second team All-District and Allison Scribe was named first team All-District. Scribe was also named Tidewater District MVP.

In Saturday’s regional tournament, Mathews easily won its first two matches, then suffered a loss to Nandua High School before defeating West Point High School to head to the finals. The championship match against Nandua was neck and neck throughout. Mathews lost the regional title only in the final question, with a final 195-190. Scribe was named first team All-Region and Region A MVP.

Despite the loss in the regional finals, Mathews will advance to the VHSL Group A Scholastic Bowl tournament at the College of William and Mary on Saturday, Feb. 23, beginning at 10 a.m.

Last year, the team ended up in a fifth-place tie at the state tournament. The year before, the MHS squad placed fourth.