3A Region Semi-Finals: #5 Norcom Greyhounds at #1 Hopewell Blue Devils
- Thread starter EPJr
- Start date
I'm going with the Blue Devils only b/c I want to see the Phantom defense vs Henderson in the 804...
Hopewell, Trey Henderson, is too much for any defense, last week he had 186 yards on 3 carries. 2 catches for 87 yards, and a 66 yard kick return. He touched the ball 5 times scoring each time and is consistently putting up these numbers. Add in the rest of our backfield, and a defense that allows less than 12 ppg on average and one of the best front 7 in the state. Hopewell with the focus and discipline they have, at home, with the entire city behind them will be a tough team to beat.
My $.02 cents. I was very impressed with Norcom’s defensive speed and ability to stop the power run up the center and just shut down any sweeps / left or right. Their pass coverage was excellent and was right on the receivers at all times. Looking back prior to us, excellent Churchland only scored 2 offensive TDs, outstanding Maury was tied 14-14 at the half before winning 28-14 and in their final game gave up 1 TD. Offensively they run the spread very well with very sure hand receivers, one of their TD passes was picked almost off the turf. They don’t drop balls and their good size QB has a great arm and is elusive. They are the underdogs but I see a tough game here.
My only issue is Norcom incurs too many penalties- holding, personal fouls and lots of delay of game. This did not hurt them against Lafayette but against a Hopewell it might be fatal.
My only issue is Norcom incurs too many penalties- holding, personal fouls and lots of delay of game. This did not hurt them against Lafayette but against a Hopewell it might be fatal.
You forgot to mention another game where Norcom gave up 46 points, and it was 40-12 at halftime. It was earlier in the season so you might have missed it but it was to Hopewell.
No I didn’t miss it. I just believe with young football players a lot can happen since game 2, over 2 months ago and I just went with last three games as more indicative because one was against an excellent class 4 Churchland and Maury, a class 5 team probably better than the current survivors in class 3.
I and most people familiar with Hopewell would say Hopewell is the same quality team as Varina or Maury. Thats a Churchland team beat Prince George 10-7 compared to a Hopewell trouncing the same team 40-7. That’s what happens when you play on a tough district as opposed to BRD.
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@Lafayette, I hate to say this, but as much as I like the Churchland squad Hopewell would beat them. Not sure about Maury. Henderson is on a different level and they now have Briggs back full time. Those two guys alone have rushed for 2,700 yards. You can't just key in on Henderson who has now scored 41 touchdowns. Defensively, Hopewell is tough. Henderson plays centerfield (safety) and with the pressure the front 7 gets it's tough to throw deep. Have to establish the run to keep them honest. If you don't the qb will take a beating.
I hope Norcom comes to play and Hopewell is pushed. The game is on Saturday and I plan to support the Blue Devils. The Central District still has 3 teams playing. Let's go 3-0.
The Peninsula district still has three teams remaining too. Phoebus, Woodside and Warwick. Hopewell is the favorite but I don't think you can gauge this game in the playoffs to the 2nd game in the season. This will be a competitive game that I plan on seeing live
Can't Wait!
I see Hopewell winning this one in a more competitive game than week 2. The revenge factor will be more on the Blue Devils side than Norcom because I believe Hopewell has been waiting to get back to this point since last year. It'll be a hard fought physical game as last year's was but I don't know if the Greyhounds will put up enough points to overcome the explosiveness of the Blue Devils. I see a 35-20 type of game
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Hopewell in a big way.
While I’d love to see the team that ousted Lafayette keep winning, I don’t see it.
At the start of the 4th quarter Lafayette had already turned the ball over an inexplicable 7 times and the score was only 12-7 Norcom.
Hopewell won’t be that giving.
Congrats to both schools, players and coaches for still being in the hunt.
While I’d love to see the team that ousted Lafayette keep winning, I don’t see it.
At the start of the 4th quarter Lafayette had already turned the ball over an inexplicable 7 times and the score was only 12-7 Norcom.
Hopewell won’t be that giving.
Congrats to both schools, players and coaches for still being in the hunt.
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Good point and throw in the steady light rain forecasted for the afternoon and a grass field and Hopewell will be well on top.
Luckily I had to be in the Hopewell area today because they are making light work of Norcom lol.
Hopewell was dominant from start to finish. This brings us to a much anticipated Hopewell v Phoebus Region 3a Final next week.
Y’all got a nice squad seriously. Can’t wait to see if it’s possible to slow Henderson down. The Henderson and Turner battle will be a good one. My early prediction is Hopewell by 3 unfortunately.
This one is going to be a good one to watch, I can’t even predict an outcome with this one. I know I want Hopewell to win but this is going to be 2 elite teams battling it out, and it will be a good game to watch either way it goes.
Saw in the paper down here how Norcom had 5 turnovers. Paper (Daily Press) noted how they advanced last week on Lafayette turnovers and now it was their turn.
