We've got our hands full next year non-district.
I wouldn't call Hburg a cupcake, wouldn't exactly call them the best team on our schedule either but they've sent guys to FCS schools each of the past two years, may not this year but their QB is son of JMU AD, 6'3 210 with big arm and young RB-DB Marcus Robinson is what I like to call a football player, depending on how he develops, he'll continue that FCS trend they've got going in two more years.
JM was very young last year and went 9-3, we 7on7 with them every summer and have scrimmaged them each of the past 4 seasons, beating us pretty good each time. Our guys will be excited about that game for those reasons. They've owned us when it doesn't count, hopefully we can return the favor when it counts.
EC Glass is without a doubt the game I have circled huge, mainly for personal reasons. My cousin and HS position coach both are on staff and I'm great friends with Woody and Lovelace, the HC and DC. Our programs both had historic seasons this past fall and we both expect to take another step this coming fall. They have my favorite football player outside of our program, Thomas Patterson. Go watch his tape, FOOTBALL player folks. Great instincts, plays hard and it's evident how much he enjoys playing. They've got a lot of young guns and I've heard great things about their offseason program thus far. The opener should be very fun.
As for our district schedule. Its much more balanced compared to last year. We finished last season with Albemarle, Powhatan, Orange, WA and Louisa after beating Monticello and Fluvanna. This year we close with Fluvanna, Louisa, Albemarle, Western, Monticello. We get Orange and Powhatan back to back after the nondistrict; with both of them similar style pro style offenses, nice to have them in consecutive weeks. AHS, WA, Monticello all run spread and we catch them consecutively. People sometimes underestimate the order in which you face you district rivals. You all know each other and you get different schemes and styles. When you go from facing spread one week to single wing to pro style back to spread to wing-t, schemes and rules can get confusing for HS kids. I'd def say we lucked up with our district slate, at least the order in which we face teams.
Now from a ranking perspective, I'd go with this.
1. Albemarle - defending champ returns QB Anderson and they keep 65 kids on the roster, they'll fill in the holes left from graduation. BI is great coach and they are top dog until they're defeated.
2. Louisa - Whalen, Bell, Smith and Thurston return as standouts. The offense is a nightmare for a DC. Their defense must improve; could probably say that about the whole district, but they have talent to make noise.
3. Orange - As talented as anybody top to bottom. The weakness appeared to be in the trenches for them, not for lack of talent again but more less lack of consistency. They lost the big backs but I'd expect them to open up the offense a bit with all the skill guys they have. Talent can't be taught and they have it, if Lohr can get them more consistent, look out!
4. Western Albemarle - Domecq is back, he's the best QB returning IMO. Can run, throughs well on the run, great with pre-snap reads. Redmond got the offense going in the 2nd half of the season, if they tighten up the defense, they'll be contending for the district title.
5. Powhatan - They lose a ton of talent but return the QB and their JV went undefeated. I know this doesn't translate all the time, which is why I have them at 5. Don't get it twisted though, they have a great coach and the kids their believe in the program. They play hard and are always tough. They'll be in the mix for sure. Keep an eye on them in scrimmage to see how the new guys are fitting into their new roles.
6. Monticello - Most would argue Jarrell is the best QB in district, I wouldn't be mad. He's got a stronger arm than Domecq, just a step below as a runner but to be honest, they're very comparable all the way around. Lloyd really impressed me with his defensive schemes a year ago, just lacked the talent to get over the hump and win those close games. Their JV wasn't great last year which is why I have them here.
7. Fluvanna - Their coach has the ball rolling, we'll see how much progress they've made and we'll also see if he can keep the homegrown talent from going to FUMA, STAB, Blue Ridge and Covenant. They had some talent on their JV, and they've always had numbers and support. Until they win a district game, you have to put them here. This could be the year. Keep grinding Flucos!
As for the Black Knights. We're working. 7 wins isn't enough and for some odd reason the numbers 57-8 keep popping up in my head. Motivation! I'll drop more on us this spring/summer once the 7 on 7 tourneys begin.
This is all my personal opinion as well. From what I know each team has returning and from watching JV games. I could be completely wrong, players could also transfer so take it with a grain of salt. By all means lets keep the convo going while the offseason slithers along. Only 1 more football game until college spring games, how depressing.
To all the teams, coaches and players out there...Keep working! The season will be here before you know it!!
Anyway, I think the Louisa game will be nip and tuck, It is at Louisa!
