2nd round matchups Richmond Region

[springer76]

1 Hermitage v 5 Varina
2 Highland Springs v 3 Henrico
Honestly, I think both #1 seed and #2 seed will have their hands full next week! I didn't see Herm and MBK, but I saw HS play Godwin.... Godwin does have a decent defense and they were giving the Springer offense problems! HS did cut way down on penalties (good)! HS's defense was better.... Offense looked a bit stale today...it WAS cooollllddd!

 

[mbonape1]

Was a bit shocked how Varina dominated Bird tonight. Just when I was all out on Varina they got it together. I wasn't out on them for lack of talent though. It was inconsistency, turnovers, and penalties. Maybe they righted the ship. Hermitage is a tall task but you never know what can happen in the playoffs. Since Hermitage got their one banana peel loss out of the way... I think it is doubtful they lose next week.

 

[BirdFan15]

Was a bit shocked how Varina dominated Bird tonight. Just when I was all out on Varina they got it together. I wasn't out on them for lack of talent though. It was inconsistency, turnovers, and penalties. Maybe they righted the ship. Hermitage is a tall task but you never know what can happen in the playoffs. Since Hermitage got their one banana peel loss out of the way... I think it is doubtful they lose next week.

That was not the same Bird team that I saw earlier in the year. They were missing some players due to suspension or injuries. That said you have to play the game and Varina did what they had to do to win the game. They stopped Birds running game and challenged them to pass and they were pressuring the QB all night. Bird had 2 long TDS called back in the first half because of holding which hurt.The game was tight into the third quarter 7-0 when Varina had a pick six and took all the momentum. Varinas passing game was on point all night and they converted on third downs when they needed.

 

[springer76]

That was not the same Bird team that I saw earlier in the year. They were missing some players due to suspension or injuries. That said you have to play the game and Varina did what they had to do to win the game. They stopped Birds running game and challenged them to pass and they were pressuring the QB all night. Bird had 2 long TDS called back in the first half because of holding which hurt.The game was tight into the third quarter 7-0 when Varina had a pick six and took all the momentum. Varinas passing game was on point all night and they converted on third downs when they needed.

4 teams left, 3 from the Capital District!

 

[Herm95]

Herm/Varina and HSHS/Henrico should both be good games for sure and the Panther's and Springer's best not be looking ahead to each other or one or both could get upset. That being said, while I hate to miss a Hermitage game, especially a playoff game, I am really considering going to Monacan/Louisa!!

 

[springer76]

Herm/Varina and HSHS/Henrico should both be good games for sure and the Panther's and Springer's best not be looking ahead to each other or one or both could get upset. That being said, while I hate to miss a Hermitage game, especially a playoff game, I am really considering going to Monacan/Louisa!!

I feel you there! You are right!! HS did not look good last night against Godwin. Our offense could not get in gear! They did cut down on penalties, but receivers had trouble catching passes and the run game was spotty at best.
They need to get it together this week or it could be our last week! Henrico is strong. Varina isn't a pushover either!! Could it be an "All Capital District" Regional Final? At least 1 Capital spot is guaranteed!

 

[CRF4Dan]

Herm/Varina and HSHS/Henrico should both be good games for sure and the Panther's and Springer's best not be looking ahead to each other or one or both could get upset. That being said, while I hate to miss a Hermitage game, especially a playoff game, I am really considering going to Monacan/Louisa!!

Lot of great games coming up... Can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Looking back, I think most of were convinced that this was not a typical dominating Bird team. And they proved that.

With respect to Varina, I think we felt there was potential there, but they had to prove it on the field. I would say they have.

HSHS, our discussion centered around how much young talent they had, and would it mature by the end of the season. I don't think any of us would be shocked if they won the championship, but neither would we blown away if they don't. I would say they have mostly jelled, but not completely.

Hermitage, I believe that most of us felt that the road to the championship ran through them. Maybe we have backed off of that just a little, but nobody would fall off their bar stool if they still made it to HU for the championship game.

So in our little corner of the Class 5 world, maybe Varina is the closest thing to a surprise?

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Oh, and I'll add, we were all over the board on Henrico. I still am, personally.

 

[springer76]

Depends on which Henrico team shows up! I've seen them in several games. 3 to be exact! With HS, Herm and Varina.
They seem to get sloppy and frustrated against good defenses! They are about to get " defended" again next Friday!

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I saw them look pretty darn good and surprisingly, organized and on the same play sheet, in the scrimmage with us and Bird. But I've heard you describe the same old Henrico disorganization that has become their mantra in recent years. It's hard for me to believe they can suddenly get their mess together well enough to to beat a top tier opponent.

Depends on which Henrico team shows up! I've seen them in several games. 3 to be exact! With HS, Herm and Varina.
They seem to get sloppy and frustrated against good defenses! They are about to get " defended" again next Friday!

 

[springer76]

I saw them look pretty darn good and surprisingly, organized and on the same play sheet, in the scrimmage with us and Bird. But I've heard you describe the same old Henrico disorganization that has become their mantra in recent years. It's hard for me to believe they can suddenly get their mess together well enough to to beat a top tier opponent.

It can be like a bad habit . Frustration, what follows is bad attitudes, cheap shots, unsportsmanship smart mouthing, late hits, etc. which result in untimely penalties. They lose focus and get beaten!

 

[Herm5518]

Looking back, I think most of were convinced that this was not a typical dominating Bird team. And they proved that.

With respect to Varina, I think we felt there was potential there, but they had to prove it on the field. I would say they have.

HSHS, our discussion centered around how much young talent they had, and would it mature by the end of the season. I don't think any of us would be shocked if they won the championship, but neither would we blown away if they don't. I would say they have mostly jelled, but not completely.

Hermitage, I believe that most of us felt that the road to the championship ran through them. Maybe we have backed off of that just a little, but nobody would fall off their bar stool if they still made it to HU for the championship game.

So in our little corner of the Class 5 world, maybe Varina is the closest thing to a surprise?

If you guys remember, I said Varina played us as good as anyone. We will have to get our offense going or it could be a long night. The offense has not looked good for a few weeks....may be because of the defenses we have been playing but I think it is more on us. On the other game, I just don't see Henrico beating HS.

 

[springer76]

...

If you guys remember, I said Varina played us as good as anyone. We will have to get our offense going or it could be a long night. The offense has not looked good for a few weeks....may be because of the defenses we have been playing but I think it is more on us. On the other game, I just don't see Henrico beating HS.

with Henrico, their offense is tough and very good. Their defense has weaknesses. Last meeting with Henrico. They played us tough, final score was 23-6 HS. Remembering that game... Henrico moved the ball well in their first possession of the 1st qtr., and scored (missed xtra point). From that point, our defense played lights out on their offense, shutting down the run game and putting the clamps on the qb. Their defense at times slowed the Springers, but they could not stop it. HS's balance on offense is hard to stop and they won't keep up, because our defense will slow their offense considerably.

 

[Herm95]

If you guys remember, I said Varina played us as good as anyone. We will have to get our offense going or it could be a long night. The offense has not looked good for a few weeks....may be because of the defenses we have been playing but I think it is more on us. On the other game, I just don't see Henrico beating HS.

Yes Varina played us well, they are a different team now, better than when we played them the first time imo. It does bear mentioning, that the final score the first time was 42-21, Hermitage turned the ball over 3 times in that game inside our own 20 yard line (once at the 5) that led to two Varina scores. We had our typical slow start as well but pulled away in the second half. Hermitage is the better team, period, but with that said, if we do all those things this time, I think Varina pulls the upset. I agree for the most part with your assessment of HSHS/Henrico, the Springers are the better team, but they better not play like they did last Friday or it could be a long night for them as well. Just throwing my 2 cents in guys, always happy to hear other opinions!

Best of luck to everyone on Friday night, and as always, I pray all the boys stay safe. At the end of the day, that's the most important thing!

 

[Herm5518]

Yes Varina played us well, they are a different team now, better than when we played them the first time imo. It does bear mentioning, that the final score the first time was 42-21, Hermitage turned the ball over 3 times in that game inside our own 20 yard line (once at the 5) that led to two Varina scores. We had our typical slow start as well but pulled away in the second half. Hermitage is the better team, period, but with that said, if we do all those things this time, I think Varina pulls the upset. I agree for the most part with your assessment of HSHS/Henrico, the Springers are the better team, but they better not play like they did last Friday or it could be a long night for them as well. Just throwing my 2 cents in guys, always happy to hear other opinions!

Best of luck to everyone on Friday night, and as always, I pray all the boys stay safe. At the end of the day, that's the most important thing!

Amen to staying safe! I agree with everything you said here. If the O plays well we win, if not, we will have to rely on the D yet again. BTW, why didn't CJ play last Friday and will he be ready this Friday? Our D is very good, but you can't give Varina three more TOs in our territory. That being said, Herm plays about 17-18 players on defense - unreal for a high school team. If we can avoid the historically slow start, we usually take it to teams in the second half.

 

[springer76]

Amen to staying safe! I agree with everything you said here. If the O plays well we win, if not, we will have to rely on the D yet again. BTW, why didn't CJ play last Friday and will he be ready this Friday? Our D is very good, but you can't give Varina three more TOs in our territory. That being said, Herm plays about 17-18 players on defense - unreal for a high school team. If we can avoid the historically slow start, we usually take it to teams in the second half.

HS does the same. Playing many players on offense especially. Defense as well. The same reason teams play us close, but can't hang!

 

[Herm5518]

HS does the same. Playing many players on offense especially. Defense as well. The same reason teams play us close, but can't hang!

Agree. That's probably what separates the elite teams.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

Herm fans, is it true Jackson played with a taped collarbone? Wow, that kid is tough!

 

[mbonape1]

I'm going with Herm and HSHS to get victories.

 

[Herm5518]

Herm fans, is it true Jackson played with a taped collarbone? Wow, that kid is tough!

Jackson did not play last week.

 

[Herm5518]

Jackson did not play last week.

Wait, are you talking about Mateo Jackson or CJ Jackson?

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

Wait, are you talking about Mateo Jackson or CJ Jackson?

Mateo Jackson.. My apologies.

 

[Herm5518]

Mateo Jackson.. My apologies.

Mateo played....not sure about collar bone. He didn't play like he was hurt for sure. CJ didn't play - not sure why.