1A East Boy's Soccer Info and my mid season East rankings

[uvacavs1]

With some local schools adding some high school soccer programs this season, I thought about how many teams we have now in 1A East. We actually have a lot of teams, I would say just as many as football programs and probably more than football as soccer is less expensive, of course (Soccer and Football are my favorite sports). I will look into 1A West Soccer later, maybe CallMeCoach19 can help with that. As soccer has been around longer in the East, I would guess that the East has quite a few more teams but the West has been growing. However, the West has done very well in Soccer for years though in States because of powerhouse programs Radford and Galax have dominated.

There are 28 high schools in the 1A East classification. 24 of those schools do have boy's soccer programs. I think that only Highland, William Campbell, Sussex, and Colonial Beach do not have soccer now (if these schools do have a soccer program, please post).

So with 24 programs, to win the East Region is quite the challenge. Add the West teams (16 or maybe more) for over 40 total. MLS only has 20 teams total for example. NFL has 32 and so on.

 

[uvacavs1]

1A East Region

Just my thoughts at the mid point- a talking point for discussion. If you disagree, please post your thoughts, that's the point of a poll. I do not have all the records but have seen many scores, enough to make a poll. But certainly may be off, especially for more Western teams and 10-15.

Of the 24 programs in 1A East, I will just rank the top 15 for fun. I would say that the majority of the top East 10 would defeat most of the Western teams, except for the top 4 or so. Just an opinion, feel free to disagree.

#1 Mathews
#2 Rappahannock
#3 Riverheads
#4 Essex
#5 West Point (yes, I know they upset Essex)
#6 Northampton (always a powerhouse, so could be much higher but lost big to Essex)
#7 ARGS
#8 Northumberland
#8 Middlesex
#10 Rapp County
#11 Stonewall (maybe should be in top 10)
#12 Franklin
#13Lancaster
#14 Altavista
#15 Central

 

[CallMeCoach19]

1A West has the following: Galax, Fort Chiswell, Narrows, Honaker, Rural Retreat, George Wythe, Patrick Henry-Glade Springs, Auburn, Radford, Bath Co., Perry McClure (or are they still East?), Craig County and Bland no longer have programs...however I think things are changing on that front for the Bears. Word is East Mont. may try to start one up soon as well.
Most of the teams down here are 2A. That's why the 1A guys play nearly 2/3 of their schedule in a higher division.

 

[CallMeCoach19]

With some local schools adding some high school soccer programs this season, I thought about how many teams we have now in 1A East. We actually have a lot of teams, I would say just as many as football programs and probably more than football as soccer is less expensive, of course (Soccer and Football are my favorite sports). I will look into 1A West Soccer later, maybe CallMeCoach19 can help with that. As soccer has been around longer in the East, I would guess that the East has quite a few more teams but the West has been growing. However, the West has done very well in Soccer for years though in States because of powerhouse programs Radford and Galax have dominated.

There are 28 high schools in the 1A East classification. 24 of those schools do have boy's soccer programs. I think that only Highland, William Campbell, Sussex, and Colonial Beach do not have soccer now (if these schools do have a soccer program, please post).

So with 24 programs, to win the East Region is quite the challenge. Add the West teams (16 or maybe more) for over 40 total. MLS only has 20 teams total for example. NFL has 32 and so on.

For the sake of Ranking though:
1: Galax
2: Radford
3. Auburn (easily moves to 2 in a week or so)
4. George Wythe
5. Fort Chiswell.

I won't rank any further...no need

 

[OnceAKnight]

1A West has the following: Galax, Fort Chiswell, Narrows, Honaker, Rural Retreat, George Wythe, Patrick Henry-Glade Springs, Auburn, Radford, Bath Co., Perry McClure (or are they still East?), Craig County and Bland no longer have programs...however I think things are changing on that front for the Bears. Word is East Mont. may try to start one up soon as well.
Most of the teams down here are 2A. That's why the 1A guys play nearly 2/3 of their schedule in a higher division.

Craig and Covington both have started soccer clubs, so teams are likely to follow

 

[CallMeCoach19]

This is craig's third season with a "club" though (they played a 3-way scrimmage with GW and Narrows their first year) . I think they should have a team, but I can't fathom why it hasn't happened yet.

**Also note: I would move Auburn up to the 2 spot in my ranking if they have a good showing against Giles Thursday. I just have not seen anything from Radford to get me too excited. Will know more after they also face Giles on Monday...That's the first decent indicator we'll have. Both could potentially win that match, so we'll have to sit back and enjoy.

 

[soccergoob]

The issue with Craig, from what I hear, is that they can't get the school board to approve the formation of an official team. The board keeps ruling that it would be too expensive to start things up. I believe that there was a news article released in the fall about it.

 

[CallMeCoach19]

Interesting. I wonder if they tested the waters, would they find they have several other sports that are far less economically viable...I doubt they would like to have that data.

 

[soccergoob]

http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/som...hool-board-says-it-will-look-into-it/35674664

Here is the news article. It seems like the community wants it and are even willing to fund most of the team to begin with. Who knows why the board continues to not approve a varsity team.

 

[EssexSoccer]

My top six would go as followed: (just my opinion)
1. Riverheads (4-0)
2. Mathews (3-1) (solid squad, won 2-1 against Rapp, only loss was against Bruton)
3. Essex (5-1) (has been in great form up until the West Point game, defeated a 2A,3A and 4A)
4. Rappahannock (4-2) *they have a rematch with Mathews tonight* defeated 4A Caroline
5. West Point (2-2) (a huge win against Essex last week)
6. Northampton (3-2 I think; lost 4-1 to Essex)

 

[uvacavs1]

My top six would go as followed: (just my opinion)
1. Riverheads (4-0)
2. Mathews (3-1) (solid squad, won 2-1 against Rapp, only loss was against Bruton)
3. Essex (5-1) (has been in great form up until the West Point game, defeated a 2A,3A and 4A)
4. Rappahannock (4-2) *they have a rematch with Mathews tonight* defeated 4A Caroline
5. West Point (2-2) (a huge win against Essex last week)
6. Northampton (3-2 I think; lost 4-1 to Essex)

Riverheads may indeed be the top team with VIrginia Tech bound James Kasak leading them. Very rare to have a D1 - ACC player in old group A. Riverheads also played super team George Mason well in the 2A States last year. Mason does well against the top 5A and 6A teams.

Two of the top 6 teams from the East and top 2 from The West most very, very likely will be in states this year. Would take massive upsets for the 2nd tier teams to pull off upsets in the regions. Although in the West, Radford appears to be down.

huge game tonight with Mathews at Rapp in Warsaw. Someone please post the details of that one.

 

[EssexSoccer]

Riverheads may indeed be the top team with VIrginia Tech bound James Kasak leading them. Very rare to have a D1 - ACC player in old group A. Riverheads also played super team George Mason well in the 2A States last year. Mason does well against the top 5A and 6A teams.

Two of the top 6 teams from the East and top 2 from The West most very, very likely will be in states this year. Would take massive upsets for the 2nd tier teams to pull off upsets in the regions. Although in the West, Radford appears to be down.

huge game tonight with Mathews at Rapp in Warsaw. Someone please post the details of that one.

Mathews defeated Rapp 2-1

 

[CallMeCoach19]

Never count out Radford. They have this ability to not play well until playoffs. I do think they are undersized this year, but still worth watching. I did see Galax play finally. They are looking more and more solid. Small, but lightening fast. I can't see them not getting out of region as the 1 seed.

 

[coachb05]

Radford has very deceiving schedule, and have for several years. They play mainly 2A and 3A teams very closely during the season. They lose those close games so their record looks like they aren't that good. Then when dropping down to a 1A post-season the teams they they play aren't anywhere near the level they are used to. The conference that are in consists of Auburn, Bath, Parry McCluer, Narrows, and Radford. If I remember correctly Radford was is the state tournament last year with a losing record...

 

[CallMeCoach19]

That isn't great either though. No losing record should go on. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it happens again as well. They will lose to Galax, probably Giles and James River (neither a sure bet), and maybe even Floyd or Glenvar. However, short of Auburn pulling one off, they are the second place to move forward.

 

[CallMeCoach19]

I think the West rankings (mine, so the only one's that matter) need to be adjusted.
1. Radford: They have proven they are a tough team.
2. Galax: Still formidable, but got to play that way in every game
3. Auburn: Spotty but quality enough to pull the upset on the one seed in district play.
4. George Wythe: I suppose though they are having a rough go of it.
5. Fort Chiswell: They may move up to 4 tomorrow. Playing a struggling George Wythe squad.

I still see no need to rank further unless Honaker begins to make noise.