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They were not ranked in HSFA Top 300 poll. Only Highland Springs (#75) and Phoebus (#257) were ranked from VA. HSPRINGS was #52 in MaxPreps and Phoebus is #61 with Freedom #100. HSHS and Phoebus both beat nationally ranked teams during the season and Freedom didn’t.Ranked #100 in MaxPreps. Not sure when HSFBA updates.
MaxPreps yes but not in NFHS,BECAUSE they didn’t beat anyone of merit. HSPRINGS and Phoebus are ranked in both polls because they played and BEAT nationally ranked teams.Does anyone know if Freedom was nationally ranked at the end of the playoffs?
And if not, why not???
Was Smith ranked when they played Phoebus?They were not ranked in HSFA Top 300 poll. Only Highland Springs (#75) and Phoebus (#257) were ranked from VA. HSPRINGS was #52 in MaxPreps and Phoebus is #61 with Freedom #100. HSHS and Phoebus both beat nationally ranked teams during the season and Freedom didn’t.
Yes! #55 at the time of that loss.Was Smith ranked when they played Phoebus?
HSHS opens against current NFHS ranked #199 Miramar next year.I'm assuming they were. They would've been 8-0.
I saw that. That should be a good matchup for you guys. You going to make the trip?HSHS opens against current NFHS ranked #199 Miramar next year.
Yes…I’m goin! Labor Day weekendI saw that. That should be a good matchup for you guys. You going to make the trip?
They lost in the 3rd round of the playoffs to Homestead. Homestead is in the state finals with St Thomas Aquinos. Miramar finished 10-2. They are our head coach’s alma mater.I'm not as familiar with them. Really not that familiar with FL ball. But they're a 3M school, so probably not bad.
I would love to see that game!DeMatha wants to play Freedom next year. Serious. They scrimmaged this year but want a regular season game in 2023. DeMatha will be strong.
DeMatha has played strong Northern ZVA schools before: Lake Braddock twice in the mid ‘90’s (sellout crowd for first game at LB), Centreville (same two years) and Garfield three times from ‘89 to ‘91.
A game between DeMatha and Freedom would be good for mid Atlantic high school ball.
Yes Smith was ranked ahead of HSHS nationally on Maxpreps until Phoebus beat them. Smith was undefeated until Phoebus beat them.Was Smith ranked when they played Phoebus?
Yes indeed, it will be a great road trip.I saw that. That should be a good matchup for you guys. You going to make the trip?
If Freedom plays and beats Dematha it would help them nationally but possibly hurt them with homefield advantage because they get 0 points for playing private schools under the VHSL points system. Highland springs beat the brakes off of Avalon(MD Private School) 3 years ago and it almost cost them home field advantage in the playoffs because they didn't get any points. That's why HSHS has not played any other private schools since then. If I was Freedom I would play Dematha in a scrimmage buy play it like a regular game like HSHS did against Thomas Dale( it was a benefit game) this year right before their first game against Chambers. It would only be for bragging rights but it wouldn't hurt them points wise.DeMatha wants to play Freedom next year. Serious. They scrimmaged this year but want a regular season game in 2023. DeMatha will be strong.
DeMatha has played strong Northern ZVA schools before: Lake Braddock twice in the mid ‘90’s (sellout crowd for first game at LB), Centreville (same two years) and Garfield three times from ‘89 to ‘91.
A game between DeMatha and Freedom would be good for mid Atlantic high school ball.
Highland springs won't play any private schools anymore because they don't get points for it under VHSL scoring. That's why they try to play top tier public schools.Gonzaga, St Johns, Arch Bishop Carol and Dematha would be good games for Highland Springs. I heard there is a good private school in Richmond.
It's terrible that you guys have a game like that right on the beach. Lol.Yes indeed, it will be a great road trip.
Big Drop, are you the DeMatha guru from a national forum? If so, we've chatted over there and good to see you posting over here.DeMatha wants to play Freedom next year. Serious. They scrimmaged this year but want a regular season game in 2023. DeMatha will be strong.
DeMatha has played strong Northern ZVA schools before: Lake Braddock twice in the mid ‘90’s (sellout crowd for first game at LB), Centreville (same two years) and Garfield three times from ‘89 to ‘91.
A game between DeMatha and Freedom would be good for mid Atlantic high school ball.
This reason and 2 other precisely are where they don't quite match up with the '96 Crabbers. Since the Eagles are young they can capture that #1 ranking but I believe Hampton also had 2 #1 ranked position players at QB Ronald Curry who also won National Player of the Year and Bobby Blizzard at TE. The Eagles are new on the scene and that might be why they have not grabbed national attention although it is deserved.Does anyone know if Freedom was nationally ranked at the end of the playoffs?
And if not, why not???
Yes, thanks for the nice words. Sincerely appreciated. I was told several weeks ago that DeMatha was going to approach Freedom for a regular season game in ‘23. My source is primary.Big Drop, are you the DeMatha guru from a national forum? If so, we've chatted over there and good to see you posting over here.
Scheduling Dematha can be a lose/lose or a lose/win for Freedom. If Freedom loses to Dematha It would hurt their national ranking and they don't get any VHSL points for a playing a private school(which could cost them home field advantage late in the playoffs. If they beat DeMatha, it would help their national ranking but they would not get any VHSL points(it would be as if they forfeited a game). For example Highland springs played Avalon(private school in Maryland) in 2019 and they got 0 points for the game and it almost cost them home field advantage in the regional championship. HSHS went 10-0 in 2019 only got vhsl credit for 9 games. Since then HSHS has Never played another private school.Can anyone reading this try to encourage Freedom’s coach that a regular season game with DeMatha would be good for him and DC area hs ball?
With all due respect to the World Cup (Argentina) and soccer fields with crowds like hs football DeMatha vs Freedom is needed.
The interest, the passion, the Press it would generate. Freedom needs to play DeMatha in ‘23.
This is the biggest knock on (MaxPreps) rankings for a lot of people. It prioritizes wins over strength of schedule. It basically incentivizes a weak schedule.Scheduling Dematha can be a lose/lose or a lose/win for Freedom. If Freedom loses to Dematha It would hurt their national ranking and they don't get any VHSL points for a playing a private school(which could cost them home field advantage late in the playoffs. If they beat DeMatha, it would help their national ranking but they would not get any VHSL points(it would be as if they forfeited a game). For example Highland springs played Avalon(private school in Maryland) in 2019 and they got 0 points for the game and it almost cost them home field advantage in the regional championship. HSHS went 10-0 in 2019 only got vhsl credit for 9 games. Since then HSHS has Never played another private school.
I would caution against playing DeMatha. If you lose you lose and if you win you can hope that it translates into success for your VHSL season and playoffs. The problem is DeMatha can succeed convincing your best player to leave Freedom and move to Hyattsville, Md for a bigger and more prestigious stage after they bust you up for 4 quarters. It does not have to be a senior, they have the resources to scout and recruit your best young player away, thus potentially ruining your 2024 or 2025 season. This happened to Phoebus in 2013 following their game against DeMatha. There must be a bigger reason for playing the Stags and it cannot be to improve college recruitment chances. That’s hogwash. The school and team leadership would want to get a written agreement that no Eagle players or family members will be approached with promises, money or other gifts for successfully recruiting any Freedom player to DeMatha. You might end up needing that man against the Magna Vista Warriors during your 4th quarter 28 point comeback in the 2015 playoffs.Scheduling Dematha can be a lose/lose or a lose/win for Freedom. If Freedom loses to Dematha It would hurt their national ranking and they don't get any VHSL points for a playing a private school(which could cost them home field advantage late in the playoffs. If they beat DeMatha, it would help their national ranking but they would not get any VHSL points(it would be as if they forfeited a game). For example Highland springs played Avalon(private school in Maryland) in 2019 and they got 0 points for the game and it almost cost them home field advantage in the regional championship. HSHS went 10-0 in 2019 only got vhsl credit for 9 games. Since then HSHS has Never played another private school.
Personally, my first time covering the DeMatha Stags was the worst experience I have ever had in the 48 years that I have been attending high school football games. As a veteran I purposefully went to the Brothers Forever Classic match played against the Lasalle Explorers. A game purported to show support for veterans. You see, I had contacted the AD and received permission to cover the game. I was excited. I told them I am a veteran and this is a wonderful gesture! Upon arriving to the game knowing I would get to see one of the premier teams on the east coast, I was immediately accused of being a spy for their rival; the Good Counsel Falcons. The AD that gave me permission to be there supported this wild and crazy accusation and they refused to apologize. I was stunned and exasperated by the unbridled paranoid behavior of these adults left to lead and influence young minds. Has anyone ever told you what happen to former Phoebus Phantom Robbie Robinson after he moved to the Stags? After my experience I really was not surprised. It is not all potatoes and gravy with DeMatha.Can anyone reading this try to encourage Freedom’s coach that a regular season game with DeMatha would be good for him and DC area hs ball?
With all due respect to the World Cup (Argentina) and soccer fields with crowds like hs football DeMatha vs Freedom is needed.
The interest, the passion, the Press it would generate. Freedom needs to play DeMatha in ‘23.
VA schools recruit. They recruit players that aren't even on their schedule. It might not work out for them. But I can guarantee it happens!I would caution against playing DeMatha. If you lose you lose and if you win you can hope that it translates into success for your VHSL season and playoffs. The problem is DeMatha can succeed convincing your best player to leave Freedom and move to Hyattsville, Md for a bigger and more prestigious stage after they bust you up for 4 quarters. It does not have to be a senior, they have the resources to scout and recruit your best young player away, thus potentially ruining your 2024 or 2025 season. This happened to Phoebus in 2013 following their game against DeMatha. There must be a bigger reason for playing the Stags and it cannot be to improve college recruitment chances. That’s hogwash. The school and team leadership would want to get a written agreement that no Eagle players or family members will be approached with promises, money or other gifts for successfully recruiting any Freedom player to DeMatha. You might end up needing that man against the Magna Vista Warriors during your 4th quarter 28 point comeback in the 2015 playoffs.