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39th Annual Rappahannock Times Football Preview

kwhs95fan

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Oct 17, 2006
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As always Chris Rose outdid himself with previews on the Northern Neck and Tidewater District football teams. Our area is very lucky to have someone so dedicated to the coverage of high school sports. For most of these schools, it is the only coverage they get, as the city newspapers don't give them any coverage with the exception of Washington and Lee and Colonial Beach in the Free Lance Star and King William gets some coverage, but not much from the Richmond Times Dispatch. So if you haven't picked up your copy of the Rappahannock Times this week, then I strongly encourage you to do so. Great job Chris
 
As always Chris Rose outdid himself with previews on the Northern Neck and Tidewater District football teams. Our area is very lucky to have someone so dedicated to the coverage of high school sports. For most of these schools, it is the only coverage they get, as the city newspapers don't give them any coverage with the exception of Washington and Lee and Colonial Beach in the Free Lance Star and King William gets some coverage, but not much from the Richmond Times Dispatch. So if you haven't picked up your copy of the Rappahannock Times this week, then I strongly encourage you to do so. Great job Chris

I second that.

I just picked up my copy. Excellent as always.
 
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The Coaches poll picked Northumberland to finish in 5th place out of the 6 NND teams (basically last place as far as I am concerned).

Tiger and others say NHS wins only 4 games all year.

Nope.

NHS will finish in the top 3 (The NND top 3 football teams are almost always among the top Ten teams in the state.)

If I am wrong, I will admit it. NHS just needed a good coach to run the program and develop a system with discipline and energy- they got one in Lewis.
 
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heck, the Neck might have 4 teams that should be in the Top Ten in the State this year, possibly even 5.

It should be quite the year.
 
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The Coaches poll picked Northumberland to finish in 5th place out of the 6 NND teams (basically last place as far as I am concerned).

Tiger and others say NHS wins only 4 games all year.

Nope.

NHS will finish in the top 3 (The NND top 3 football teams are almost always among the top Ten teams in the state.)

If I am wrong, I will admit it. NHS just needed a good coach to run the program and develop a system with discipline and energy- they got one in Lewis.
Just go into deep prayer man ! Lol
 
You and I could actually have a good match that would be enjoyable if you want to debate my comments about how many Neck teams will be actually Top Ten worthy.

I have a feeling you already know but I'm game.

Obviously, Riverheads is number one but after that.....
 
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Why wouldn’t your local reporter sell the NND ? The only team that has a chance at challenging Riverheads is Rappahanock, I have said that all along. I’m sure the reporter performed very well in selling the hype of the NN.
 
The Rappahannock Times just offers previews of the teams and the coaches vote on the preseason district race. No top 10 polls for state rankings or nothing like that is done.
 
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For what it's worth, this is how I'd rank the NND teams entering the season.

1. Rappahannock
2. Essex
3. W&L
4. Northumberland
5. Colonial Beach
6. Lancaster
 
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Northumberland has a freshman that will be in the running in POY without a doubt. I see a first or second place finish
 
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For what it's worth, this is how I'd rank the NND teams entering the season.

1. Rappahannock
2. Essex
3. W&L
4. Northumberland
5. Colonial Beach
6. Lancaster

That is exactly what I would say at this point without seeing NHS in big time action just yet. However, how they finish may be a different story.
 
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I guess many think I just hype up the NND. That's really cool with me - please think what you want. America remains a free land, at least for now ha.

To me, it is just discussing factual (or very probable) information based on what has happened in the past (patterns), plus current happenings and how it all relates to the immediate present - the next games or season.

Almost every year the NND has at least three Top Ten State Teams.

The only other recent constant is the continued success of Riverheads and Galax.
 
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heck, the Neck might have 4 teams that should be in the Top Ten in the State this year, possibly even 5.

It should be quite the year.

Yeah, I think the top 4 teams in the NND are state tournament material this year.
 
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Yeah, I think the top 4 teams in the NND are state tournament material this year.[/QUO
So you think W&L state caliber team, I will get a good look at them Friday night against Riverheads interesting to see where Riverheads stands against them
Thats my point Wp02 it’s comical, they must drinking to much of that NN Ginger Ale. Also Surry will be beat Northumberland, if Northumberland is a top tier program they should roll by 20 plus over Surry.
 
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Thats my point Wp02 it’s comical, they must drinking to much of that NN Ginger Ale. Also Surry will be beat Northumberland, if Northumberland is a top tier program they should roll by 20 plus over Surry.

Dang, you might be on to something there, Tiger!

I do love me some Northern Neck Ginger Ale (made right here in the Neck in Montross, VA - home of the Eagles.)

I take that good Ginger down with me to OBX every year to supplement my summer beach refreshments as I read, well whatever I'm reading at the moment....

Didn't I hear that our most wonderful State politician/ Delegate Ransone (from Westmoreland and Northumberland btw) put it up for the Virginia Official State drink.

I will drink another one to that!
 
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So you think W&L state caliber team, I will get a good look at them Friday night against Riverheads interesting to see where Riverheads stands against them

Yes, I think that W&L has the strong potential to be a state top ten team this year. I am not going to discuss any players at this point but I will say that they have a fantastic coaching staff.

Head Coach Joe Taylor (Navy) is in full stride now - 3rd season. His right hand man is Malcolm Lewis, who in my opinion, is one of the smartest coaches this area has ever produced.

Last year, W&L went 1-4 in the NNK and just squeaked into the playoffs as the last seed.

They played top seed Franklin down there to start the playoffs.

I think that the Eagles beat the bricks off #1 Franklin.
 
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Everyone that posted, of course, picked Franklin to win easily.

Someone said don't be surprised if W&L goes down there and takes the W.

I think that person was called all kinds of things and was told he must have no knowledge of football.

Go back and check if ya want...dang, he must have been just trying to hype the Neck and got lucky.

Now, Riverheads is a whole different animal than Franklin....
 
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Wnl has a tough start to the season! 2018 1A state champ 4A King George 2A King William 1A West Point and a non district game vs Rapp! I believe the Eagles as the season progresses can grow into that state contender role but like almost all 1A teams an injury here or there can derail everything. Win or lose I will be pulling for them!
 
Just to be clear - Riverheads is in Tier 1 right now all by themselves.

Hopefully, some other teams will join them in that elite sphere sometime soon.

Riverheads, at home, is a heavy favorite in this game.

I hope the Eagles can make a game of it!

Is it on the radio down there where we could stream it?

I got to head back out so thanks in advance if anyone knows.
 
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No radio coverage this week. Local station is covering Wilson hosting Waynesboro in what should be a blowout win for the home team.
 
No radio coverage this week. Local station is covering Wilson hosting Waynesboro in what should be a blowout win for the home team.

Thanks for the info. I'd love to see it.

However, I am gonna stay home this weekend and hang out with the fam at the river (been a busy week). Probably go cheer for Jones at Essex.

Plus, going west soon and taking my kids to Va Tech for a college visit and watch the Hokies.
 
Exciting News!

I have heard from some very reliable sources that former Essex great, Sterling Hammond, is drawing significant interest from 3-4 NFL teams!

Sterling is a Super Star defensive player for Virginia Union (like tops in the nation for NCAA Division II). Hammond has one year left at Union and is expected to be drafted well.

Congrats!!!
 
Shane Beamer (at the time with VT) visited Essex several times about 5 -6 years ago to keep up with Sterling Hammond. Wise man, there. He knew what was up.

Coach Fulks introduced me to Coach Beamer on one of the visits. Cool dude. Ole Beamer's son is now with one of my fav coaches, Lincoln Riley - the offensive Air Raid mastermind at my beloved East Carolina.

Oh...did Lincoln move up to the big time at Oklahoma?

Anyway, I hope Hammond stays focused on the prize, stays completely away from all negative influences, and finally beats Juan Thornhill for Essex and the Neck in the big League! :)

Thornhill took three state titles from Essex.
 
Got my look at W&L tonight they got some talent and they got some grit they will be a handful for teams going forward but Riverheads is really big on the offensive line don’t see to many teams stopping our offense but are defense got to get better
 
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Had a chance to play that YAC Sports Podcast this morning as doing stuff - those guys do an excellent job - from out West.

Anyway, no surprise to us in the Far East, but they feel Riverheads is almost a lock to win it all again.

One of the dudes said Riverheads should go 10-0 and not have a game closer than 21 points.

They said Galax has the best chance (but still slim) to beat them and maybe someone like RAPP or Essex or W&L has a small shot.
 
Had a chance to play that YAC Sports Podcast this morning as doing stuff - those guys do an excellent job - from out West.

Anyway, no surprise to us in the Far East, but they feel Riverheads is almost a lock to win it all again.

One of the dudes said Riverheads should go 10-0 and not have a game closer than 21 points.

They said Galax has the best chance (but still slim) to beat them and maybe someone like RAPP or Essex or W&L has a small shot.
I disagree with their assessment. Riverheads is a young team with 9 new starters on defense. The defense will eventually get there but I thought they gave up a lot of yards to W & L. That game was actually closer than the score would indicate. I see quite a few teams challenging them this year. This friday Glenvar will be a handful. I think East Rock and Stuarts Draft are capable of beating them. Riverheads is no where near the team they were the last few years. Will they get there? We shall see.
 
I tend to agree with you @Gladiatorfencepatrol. The D is a work in progress but the O should keep us in the games you mentioned if they execute. There is certainly some size this year with most of it being young which bodes well for the long term success of Riverheads. I wouldn’t be surprised to end at 7-3 or 8-2 during the regular season of the D doesn’t get better real quick. I don’t see anyone but Draft in the district that can beat this team but there is a lot of improving that needs to take place for a deep playoff run.
 
Had a chance to play that YAC Sports Podcast this morning as doing stuff - those guys do an excellent job - from out West.

Anyway, no surprise to us in the Far East, but they feel Riverheads is almost a lock to win it all again.

One of the dudes said Riverheads should go 10-0 and not have a game closer than 21 points.

They said Galax has the best chance (but still slim) to beat them and maybe someone like RAPP or Essex or W&L has a small shot.

While I agree that Riverheads is the obvious favorite and rightfully so, anyone can be beaten on any given day. Especially when dealing with 17 and 18 year old kids. Not to mention, the host is a Riverheads grad himself, so not exactly an unbiased opinion.
 
I tend to agree with you @Gladiatorfencepatrol. The D is a work in progress but the O should keep us in the games you mentioned if they execute. There is certainly some size this year with most of it being young which bodes well for the long term success of Riverheads. I wouldn’t be surprised to end at 7-3 or 8-2 during the regular season of the D doesn’t get better real quick. I don’t see anyone but Draft in the district that can beat this team but there is a lot of improving that needs to take place for a deep playoff run.
I agree I think Draft is the only team with a chance in the district.
 
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