ADVERTISEMENT

Pick em Week 11

Smithfield @ Tabb (Thur)
Henrico @ Atlee
Spotsylvania @ Culpeper Co
Midlothian (C5) @ LC Bird (C5)
Menchville (C5) @ Bethel (C5) (Thur)
Colonial Forge (C6) @ N Stafford (C6)
Stafford (C6) @ Mountain View (C6)
York (C3) @ Grafton (C3)
Norview (C5) @ Lake Taylor (C3)
Poquoson (C2) @ Lafayette (C3) (Thur)
Courtland @ Eastern View*
Matoaca @ Dinwiddie*

Sherando @ Handley*
LCA @ Jefferson Forest*
Loudoun Valley @ Woodgrove
Rustburg @ EC Glass
Millbrook @ James Wood
Battlefield (C6) @ Patriot (C6)
Northside (C3) @ William Byrd (C3)
Fauquier (C3) @ Meridian (C3)
Turner Ashby (C3) @ Spotswood (C3)
William Monroe (C3) @ Rockbridge Co (C3)
Strasburg (C2) @ Central Woodstock (C2)
Stuart's Draft (C2) @ Wilson Memorial (C2)

*GOW 2 pts each

Top 10 discussion

Last night we continued to update our yearly Top 10 involving teams around Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Danville. The three of us have bickered back and forth and have had to use the 2/3rds vote to place teams. I wanted to see what you all think, if you had to place them yourself. Pound for pound. We had originally kept private schools out, but it was voted for North Cross to be in. I have been a critic of the local news stations and their top 10 as I didn't even think they were watching the games/highlights at times, but its a little harder than I thought. Let me know what yall think!

Top 10
1. LCA
1. William Fleming
3. GW Danville
4. Jefferson Forest
5. Salem
6. North Cross
7. Alleghany
8. Altavista
9. Heritage
10. Magna Vista

Considering: Rustburg, Glenvar, Lord Botetourt, William Byrd
  • Like
Reactions: ThevinStealberg

THE RVA SPORTS BREAKDOWN: VHSL Football Region Standings and Analysis

images

THE RVA SPORTS BREAKDOWN:​

VHSL Football Region Standings and Analysis For Week 9​

CLASS 4, REGION B:

1) VARINA (5-1)* 30.0
2) DINWIDDIE (6-1) 29.0
3) HUGUENOT (7-0) 28.857
4) KING GEORGE (5-2) 26.286
5) EASTERN VIEW (5-2) 25.714
6) COURTLAND (5-2) 25.429
7T) ATLEE (4-3) 23.714
MONACAN (4-3) 23.714
---
9) HANOVER (5-2) 23.286
10) CAROLINE (5-2) 22.571
11) POWHATAN (3-4) 21.714
12) PATRICK HENRY (2-5) 19.857
13) HENRICO (2-5) 19.571

ANALYSIS: First, note the asterisk next to Varina's record. That reminds you that the Blue Devils will only play nine regular season games after, first, losing the game scheduled September 6th with Freedom-Woodbridge when that program, decimated by the loss of their head coach and the transfer of multiple players, canceled all non-district games, then, thinking they had found an opponent to replace them, only to cancel as well. So, we'll divide Varina's final point total by nine, not ten, on Playoff Projection Friday Night on November 8th. The Blue Devils' final three opponents have a combined eleven wins (Atlee, Highland Springs, Patrick Henry), while Dinwiddie's have fourteen (Prince George, Meadowbrook, Matoaca), and Huguenot's have thirteen (Cosby, Midlothian, Monacan). Varina gets four bonus points for playing their biggest rival, Highland Springs, who are in Class 6. Dinwiddie will earn eight for playing two Class 5 teams and one Class 6. Huguenot will earn six for playing a Class 6 school (Cosby) and a Class 5 (Midlothian). So, as of now, Dinwiddie can count on an extra 36 points, Huguenot 32, and Varina 26. Advantage Generals. Friday night's King George/Eastern View game is huge, for obvious reasons. A Cyclones win positions them for the #4 seed, though a November 8th battle with Courtland looms, while the Foxes could draw closer to #4 with a win, but their final two games are against sub. 500 teams. And, we always talk about how tough Region 4B is, well, just look at #9 and #10. Hanover and Caroline are a combined 10-4, but are out of the playoffs had the season ended this past week. The Hawks can eliminate Henrico with a road win Friday, then have Douglas Freeman for Senior Night and a trip to Highland Springs. The winner of Monacan/Powhatan Friday is in good position with two weeks left, the loser will be on the edge of elimination. Both Caroline and their opponent Colonial Heights (Region 3A below) need wins Friday when they battle. Patrick Henry and Henrico must win out and get help, but they play each other Halloween Night in Ashland, so one of them won't get the chance for a 3-0 sweep to complete the regular season.

OTHER CLASS 4 REGIONS:

REGION 4A: 1) Phoebus 29.143; 2) Hampton 24.0; 3) Smithfield 23.429; 4) Churchland 20.714
REGION 4C: 1) John Champe 30.0; 2) Tuscarora 27.143; 3) Loudoun County 23.75; 4) Woodgrove 23.143
REGION 4D: 1) George Washington-Danville 27.714; 2) Jefferson Forest 26.0; 3) Sherando 25.875; 4) Handley 25.286

Posted by robwitham at 9:20 PM
  • Like
Reactions: BoKnowsSports

Week 11 Pick'em

1 point per pick, GOTW worth 2. Picks are due Friday @ 7pm. If games are Thursday, it is your responsibility to pick game b4 game time. If games are b4 Thursday the game will not count. No score predictions needed.

Bruton @ New Kent
Surry Co @ Sussex Central
Poquoson @ Lafayette
Greensville Co @ Brunswick
Buffalo Gap @ Fort DeFiance
Stuarts Dfaft @ Wilson Memorial
Bath Co @ Narrows
Grundy @ Central-Wise
Rural Retreat @ Honaker
Ridgeview @ Gate City

GOTW
Central-Woodstock @ Strasburg

Well, Well. Week 10. What caught my eye this week?

LOL, the first thing that rattled my chains was being at home on a Friday night. Our game was Thursday night this week. My bio rhythms are now all out of wack.

The mess a Hayfield certainly caught my attention.

John Marshall making the mega trip across the state to play Virginia High. 640 miles round trip!! WOW. Incidentally, and understandably, I saw 4 fans in the JM stands.

Charles City won!!! 60-14 over Mathews. I looked at a few minutes of the game on NFHS Network. The first time I tuned in, CC had 11 players on the field and one, yes one, on the sidelines. Later I saw a second player, So they played and soundly won a game with 13 total players. Great job by those kids.

How about Smithfield? Another OT win. At least it didn’t take but one OT this week. 37-34 OT over New Kent.

Wm. Byrd and Staunton River also went into OT. SR went for 2 after their touchdown and Byrd stopped them. Final 21-20.

Amelia forfeited their game for next week because of a reported lack of players. So, if this is accurate, and Amelia still qualifies 8th for the playoffs, do they A). Play the game, B). Forfeit the game, or C). Remove themselves from competition and does this allow the next team to move up to 8th?

Poor Hidden Valley. They have given up 499 points in 9 games and only scored a total of 37. And, it won’t get better this week when they travel to PH. My hats off to the kids that have stuck with it and finished what they started.

I won’t say that the wheels are falling off at Lord Botetourt, but I think the lug nuts are a little loose. Their loss to Wm. Fleming after playing them about even up for much of the game didn’t shock any of us. Flemming is a pretty darn good team. But, for LB to loose to their bitter rival Northside last night definitely caused this old man to raise an eyebrow.

Darn it! I thought the Blue Steaks might get their first win last night, but it was not to be.

But, across town, Coach Cherbin and his Raptors put an old fashion whipping on Stonewall Jackson 63-0. Congrats to Rocktown.

Holston has very quietly put together a terrific season, standing now at 8-1. And those good folks around Damascus certainly need a bright spot in their lives after all of the devastation from the flooding.

Hanover came out firing on all cylinders last night. In what most of us thought would be a close game, the Hawks were all over Douglas Freeman from the opening bell. That unexpected loss by Hanover last week must have put the fire in Coach Bass and his staff.

Other than those of us in the area of the Central District, you may have said “ ho hum” so what, Hopewell beat Thomas Dale. But, in most years, even when Hopewell is their usual top shelf self, Thomas Dale takes care of business. I can’t say this is a shocker, but it sure is not football as usual. Especially when we know that this is not one of Hopewell’s particularly good teams.

Certainly there will be a game or two today that makes me say, “are you kidding?” But for now, that’s all I’ve got. But how about you? What made you say, “hey honey, so and so beat so and so!” And she replied, “that’s nice sugar, now, will you take the trash out like I asked?”

Not football, but may be interesting to some.

My father was a WW2 and Korean War bomber pilot. In the Korean War he flew B29’s out of Japan. As I’m sure all of you know, military people that serve together form a bond that last the rest of their lives.

I have a little pocket address book that my father had during his Korean War deployment. In that book are the names and addresses of his in-flight crew and some of his ground crew.

In the past I made a token attempt to see if I could track down any of their family members, but came up empty. Until yesterday.

I had seen an article and picture about a veteran that Honorflight had flown back to DC for a trip. I knew from the picture that it was the B29 that my dad flew, but I doubted that it was my dad’s crew. But, I sent an email to Honorflight, which forwarded it through a couple of people until it got to the son of the person they had flown to DC.

Yesterday, I received an email from his son. And his dad is still alive. He is 95 and in pretty darn good shape for 95. After a couple of email exchanges he confirmed his dad definitely remembered my dad and even had a couple of tales to share. And, they flew all of their missions together.

I am so excited, and he and his son seemed equally as excited. Needless to say, we will be exchanging emails and pictures, and Lord knows what else.

If you have an interest, here is a link to the story on Sgt Lloyd Richardson.

Again, not football related, and I trust Matt will forgive me, but I wanted to share my excitement.

Predictions Hatfield & Young's Thursday Night Tidewater Football Predictions - 11.7.24 (Week 11)

High School Football Predictions Battle: 2024 Regular Season Totals

Matthew Hatfield –
203-31 (86.7%)
Coach Ed Young – 197-37 (84.2%)

Young went 20-2 with his only blemishes being Bayside’s 20-7 victory over Ocean Lakes and Warhill’s 35-29 triumph over Tabb. Meanwhile, Hatfield went 19-3, also missing on the Bayside/Ocean Lakes game as well as Western Branch’s 24-20 win over Grassfield that put them in the Region 6A playoffs as well as Hampton’s 35-21 victory over Bethel on Halloween.


GAME OF THE WEEK: 11/2/24

Poquoson (9-0) at Lafayette (9-0) . . .
Oddly enough, not much is at stake in this matchup for either tea in terms of playoff seeding since Lafayette has already locked up the No. 1 seed in Region 3A, while Poquoson is guaranteed to be the No. 1 seed in Region 2A. However, don’t tell the players and coaches this one lacks for significance. In Lafayette’s case, the Rams are trying to wrap up their first 10-0 regular season since 2018. Andy Linn’s Rams, who reached the Class 3 State Finals at Liberty University last December, are outscoring opponents by an average of 50 – 5.2 points per game with four shutouts.

As for Poquoson, the Bull Islanders soundly beat Lake Taylor on the road to open its 2024 campaign and they are playing their best brand of football at the right time of the year, fresh off a season-high in points scored in a 42-6 rout of previously unbeaten Bruton. Elliott Duty’s team has thrived in close battles with three wins by seven points or less, including a 34-31 triumph over Smithfield in quadruple-overtime. They’re putting up 29.6 PPG and allowing just 10.3 PPG. It’s the first 9-0 start for Poquoson since 1978 and beating the Rams would mark the program’s first 10-0 regular season since 1974.

Lafayette has won 11 straight in the series with Poquoson’s last triumph over the Rams coming in 2011 by a count of 27-10. However, it was far from easy a season ago as Lafayette erased a 14-point deficit on its way to winning 17-14. Poquoson out-gained them 148-44 in the first half of that contest. One of the key plays in the comeback was a 28-yard touchdown reception by All-State tight end Daniel Jackson. Both teams are mirror images in that they want to establish the running game and play ball-control in Wing-T systems with stingy defenses helping that cause considerably. The Rams are a bit more on the explosive side in terms of producing the long gainers via the ground or by air.

Thus far, Lafayette is putting up more than 300 yards rushing per game with Brayden Smalls (889 yards, 16 TD’s rushing), Joshua Simpson (704 yards, 8 TD’s rushing) and Breon Stokes (473 yards, 12 TD’s rushing) leading the way. Blockers Anthony Consolo, Yianni Kokolis, Camden Summers, Mason Mills, Andrew Buckley and Greydon Wilson open plenty of running room. Sophomore QB Baum Hogge has thrown for 747 yards and run for another 107, proving to be a steady influence around their host of backs and rock solid linemen.

Poquoson mixes it up with various backs, such as Dylan Bullard, Khaelo Smith and Cody Little. Last week against Bruton, seven different players ran the ball on their way to amassing 288 yards. Carter Jones, Gavin Coffman, Grayson Powell, Ryan Burke, Nathaniel Quiroz and Christian Leonard help pave the way up front. Jones is a D-1 talent with an offer already from Old Dominion. Additionally, the return at QB of Eli Tyndall – known best for his prowess on the baseball diamond – from an early season injury helps balance out the attack, giving the Islanders a threat to get to the edge and complete passes when defenses stack the box.

Bullard from the linebacker spot had two interceptions on defense last week against Bruton, who also saw defenders like Jayson Kell and Dom Galacgac from the secondary victimize them. Coffman and Leonard had pick-sixes in their narrow escape against Tabb when the squad, particularly the offense, dealt with some injuries. Quiroz and Austin Conley have given them dependable tacklers from the second level of the defense to make running games really work to extend possessions. The pressing question will be can Poquoson loosen up the Lafayette defense when it has to with a critical pass conversion on third-and-long if needed?

Even in Lafayette’s worst defensive showing of the season, a 58-20 win over Grafton, seven different defenders made a stop behind the line of scrimmage and two others – Naye’Ron Hudson and the aforementioned Simpson – intercepted passes. Both Stokes and Jackson are disruptive forces on the d-line, while Hogge leads the team in sacks with eight from his linebacker position. Kicker Aidan Gerda has made three field goals on the year to give Lafayette a quality kicking game.

Matt Hatfield Says – Lafayette 26-13
Coach Ed Young Says – Lafayette 33-12


More Action for Thursday 11/7/24:

Smithfield (7-2) at Tabb (4-5) . . .
A win for Smithfield most likely secures the No. 2 seed, just ahead of Hampton, in Region 4A. Meanwhile, Tabb can clinch a playoff berth with a victory in Region 3A, or else they play the wait-and-see game, which could include a scenario where they are locked in a three-way tie with Heritage and Petersburg for seeding. Both teams had wild comebacks last week with Smithfield erasing a 31-7 deficit through three quarters of play to stun New Kent, 37-34 in overtime. Tabb put up 26 unanswered points to lead Warhill 29-21 in the fourth quarter before succumbing, 35-29 to the Lions. Corbin Eckert threw for 155 yards and 3 TD’s in that one for Tabb. Meanwhile, the Smithfield offense goes as RB Kinye Martin (183Att. 1381Yds. 9 TD’s) takes them.

Matt Hatfield Says – Smithfield 30-20
Coach Ed Young Says – Smithfield 24-21


Menchville (5-4) at Bethel (5-4) . . . The inability to get timely stops on third down really plagued Bethel in its 35-21 loss to Hampton on Halloween. On offense, tailback Amari Pryear (152Att. 1177Yds. 19 TD’s) is a major force not only running the ball, but also catching passes out of the backfield as a weapon in the screen game for QB Derek Fisher, a mobile, dual-threat type. The winner of this game here locks up the No. 6 seed in Region 5B. Menchville did not look crisp in the early going of its 28-7 win over Denbigh, where they were tied at the break and could’ve easily been down if the Patriots had made a chip shot field goal. LaDarius Adams is a firm tackler for the Monarchs defense, which is giving up 22.4 PPG compared to the 22.7 PPG allowed by Bethel.

Matt Hatfield Says – Bethel 28-14
Coach Ed Young Says – Bethel 24-18

THE RVA SPORTS BREAKDOWN: VHSL Football Region Standings and Analysis

images

THE RVA SPORTS BREAKDOWN:​

VHSL Football Region Standings and Analysis For Week 9​


CLASS 2, REGION A:
1) POQUOSON (7-0) 25.714
2T) BRUTON (7-0) 23.429
SOUTHAMPTON (6-1) 23.429
4) CENTRAL-LUNENBURG (5-2) 20.0
5) AMELIA (5-2) 18.0
6) GREENSVILLE (3-4) 17.571
7) NOTTOWAY (3-4) 16.857
8) KING WILLIAM (1-6) 14.0
---
9) JOHN MARSHALL (2-6) 13.25
10) PRINCE EDWARD (1-6) 12.857

ANALYSIS: The Justices aren't out it yet, but they're down to two games left. King William could really create some separation with a win at Mechanicsville, a Class 4 school, this week (four bonus points), before their tradition rivalries with West Point and King & Queen Central. A showdown awaits between the #4 and #5 seeds on Halloween Night. NOTE: Standings do not reflect Central-Lunenburg's 28-7 loss to Buckingham on Tuesday night.

OTHER CLASS 2 REGIONS:

REGION 2B: 1) Strasburg 24.571; 2) Riverheads 24.5; 3) Clarke County 23.714; 4) Buckingham County 22.667
REGION 2C: 1) Glenvar 21.0; 2) Floyd County 20.714; 3) Radford 18.625; 4) Gretna 18.286
REGION 2D: 1) Graham 25.429; 2) Union 22.375; 3) Ridgeview 20.5; 4) Lebanon 20.375

Posted by robwitham at 9:20 PM

THE RVA SPORTS BREAKDOWN: VHSL Football Region Standings and Analysis

images

THE RVA SPORTS BREAKDOWN:​

VHSL Football Region Standings and Analysis For Week 9​


CLASS 3, REGION A:

1) LAFAYETTE (7-0) 25.714
2) I.C. NORCOM (4-3) 22.143
3) HOPEWELL (3-4) 19.286
4) COLONIAL HEIGHTS (2-5) 18.286
5) PETERSBURG (2-5) 18.143
6T) YORK (3-4) 18.0
TABB (3-4) 18.0
8) LAKELAND (2-5) 17.714
---
9) NEW KENT (3-4) 17.286
10) HERITAGE (1-7) 17.125
11) LAKE TAYLOR (2-5) 16.571
12) GRAFTON (1-6) 15.857

ANALYSIS: New Kent's win over York was huge in their hopes to climb into the top eight. They could turn the region upside down by handing Region 2A leader Poquoson their first loss this week. Less than three points separate the #3 seed and the #11 position. I.C. Norcom could make the race for the region's top seed a two-team race if they beat 7-0 Granby. Lafayette wins the #1 seed by winning out, and have the inside track should they lose their finale against fellow unbeaten Poquoson on November 8th. Hopewell and Petersburg have good strength of schedules moving forward. Week 9 will help shake this out a little bit. And what has happened to Lake Taylor?

CLASS 3, REGION B:

1) KETTLE RUN (7-0) 29.143
2) THOMAS JEFFERSON (7-0) 28.857
3) ARMSTRONG (7-0) 24.571
4) BRENTSVILLE DISTRICT (4-3) 20.571
5) SKYLINE (4-3) 19.571
6) JAMES MONROE (2-5) 17.429
7) CULPEPER (2-5) 16.857
8) MERIDIAN (2-5) 15.857
---
9) WARREN CO. (1-6) 15.714
10) FAUQUIER (1-6) 14.429
11) GOOCHLAND (1-6) 14.0

ANALYSIS: Here, it is all about strength of schedule. So, nothing is set in stone. Kettle Run's final three opponents have a combined six wins. Thomas Jefferson's have ten, while Armstrong's have nine. Armstrong must beat TJ head to head on Friday November 1st for any chance at a top two seed. Kettle Run will get no bonus points for playing up. Armstrong will get two, Thomas Jefferson four. If both the Vikings and Kettle Run win out, TJ has a slight advantage for the top seed. It, again, could come down to Week 11 results regarding both teams' opponents. Goochland isn't out yet, as an upset win over Orange Friday could catapult them near that #8 seed.

OTHER CLASS 3 REGIONS:

REGION 3C: 1) Liberty Christian 28.333; 2) Turner Ashby 27.143; 3) Alleghany 26.571; 4) Heritage-Lynchburg 26.286
REGION 3D: 1) Lord Botetourt 23.714; 2) Abingdon 22.286; 3) William Byrd 22.143; 4) Magna Vista 21.571

Posted by robwitham at 9:20 PM

THE RVA SPORTS BREAKDOWN: VHSL Football Region Standings and Analysis

images

THE RVA SPORTS BREAKDOWN:​

VHSL Football Region Standings and Analysis For Week 9​


CLASS 1, REGION A:

1) RAPPAHANNOCK (7-0) 23.143
2) ESSEX (6-1) 19.857
3) NORTHAMPTON (5-2) 18.571
4) WESTMORELAND (5-2) 17.571
5) NORTHUMBERLAND (4-2) 17.5
6) MIDDLESEX (4-3) 14.857
7) WEST POINT (2-5) 12.857
8) KING & QUEEN (3-4) 12.286
---
9) LANCASTER (2-5) 11.571

ANALYSIS: With the head-to-head win over Essex, Rappahannock would have to collapse down the stretch to lose the #1 seed. The current #4 and #5 seeds go head to head this Friday night.

OTHER CLASS 1 REGIONS:

REGION 1B: 1) Altavista 23.143; 2) Brunswick 18.75; 3) Buffalo Gap 17.625; 4) Sussex Central 15.857
REGION 1C: 1) Bath Co. 20.333; 2) George Wythe-W 20.0; 3) Parry McCluer 17.143; 4) Grayson Co. 17.0
REGION 1D: 1) Rye Cove 22.286; 2) Eastside 18.714; 3) Holston 18.0; 4) Honaker 17.286

Posted by robwitham at 9:20 PM

THE RVA SPORTS BREAKDOWN: VHSL Football Region Standings and Analysis

images

THE RVA SPORTS BREAKDOWN:​

VHSL Football Region Standings and Analysis For Week 9​

CLASS 6, REGION A:

1) OSCAR SMITH (7-0) 33.143
2) GLEN ALLEN (6-1) 31.0
3) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (5-2) 29.429
4) THOMAS DALE (4-3) 27.857
5) MANCHESTER (4-3) 25.714
6) WESTERN BRANCH (3-4) 24.571
7) DEEP RUN (3-5) 22.875
8) GRASSFIELD (2-5) 22.857
---
9) MEADOWBROOK (3-5) 22.375
10) COSBY (3-4) 22.143
11) LANDSTOWN (2-5) 22.0

ANALYSIS: Oscar Smith can all but clinch the #1 seed with a victory at home this Friday against 7-0 King's Fork. Their final two games are against teams under .500 in Hickory and Western Branch. Glen Allen's final three opponents are all currently under .500 (Deep Run, J.R. Tucker, Mills Godwin). With a win Friday, the Tigers get an extra 14 points for defeating a 7-0 team, while Glen Allen would only garner six bonus points by defeating Deep Run, who is in a dogfight to earn a postseason bid. The bottom five teams in the region are all within a point of each other. Only two will advance. Both the Wildcats and Meadowbrook have the disadvantage of already playing eight games, while the rest have seven. In the middle, Highland Springs could certainly catch Glen Allen if the Jaguars slip. The Springers' final three opponents all currently have five wins, 15 combined. Glen Allen's opponents have a combined seven currently. Thomas Dale certainly has the inside track on the fourth seed. A Manchester win over L.C. Bird Friday provides hope for the Lancers to overtake the Knights.

OTHER CLASS 6 REGIONS:

REGION 6B: 1) Stafford 33.714; 2) Battlefield 31.714; 3) North Stafford 31.0; 4) Patriot 30.857
REGION 6C: 1) Hayfield 31.143; 2) Lake Braddock 27.714; 3) West Springfield 26.286; 4) Fairfax 26.143
REGION 6D: 1) James Madison 33.714; 2) Washington-Liberty 32.286; 3) Langley 30.75; 4) George Marshall 28.5

Posted by robwitham at 9:20 PM
  • Like
Reactions: SV-Viking4
ADVERTISEMENT

Filter

ADVERTISEMENT