I wasn't going to start this thread until after the State Championship but I just couldn't wait. It's time to start thinking about next year guys. The State Champion will be decided on Saturday, but let's take a look at the contenders for next year, and let's hear some expert's thoughts on these teams for 2017...
Salem: The Spartans, as of now, are on a 12 game winning streak after their season-opening loss to Amherst. Like Dinwiddie, the Spartans lose nifty QB Noah Beckley, but, again, Salem should have little trouble replacing him. The real story earlier in the year was Ramsey, but the Spartans continued to role without him. Viante Tucker and Nick Wade are also back. Salem should be very good again.
Woodgrove: The Wolverines have a lot to replace. QB Mike Kovich, top WR Mason Gryniuk, SS Chima Kpaduwa, and OLB Kevin Burke are all gone, thanks to graduation. Woodgrove loses key players all over the field. I'm just not sure how the new set of starters is going to look for them I expect them to be good, but I don't see them having an undefeated regular season again. Prove me wrong, Wolverines!
Dominion: Both QBs, Mccants and Forbes, are gone, along with starting DE Tommy Christ, plus Jason Robinson, Billie Walker and Tucker Strycharz. Dominion rolled through the regular season after their early season loss to Woodgrove, a game they avenged later in the playoffs. The Titans went 10-3, but, again, fall victim to graduation. QB Thomas Jarman will likely get the new starting job. Dominion is well-coached, so they'll likely be very good again. We will see.
Amherst: Woodfolk, Spencer, Page, Booker, Collins, Jones. All are gone. DT David Braxton is back, as is QB Keshon Turner, who was injured some of the year. Amherst's QB situation looks good, because Turner's first game of the year was a 42-40 victory at Salem. Amherst is a very strong program indeed. As always, it will be difficult to survive that Lynchburg-area schedule, but the Lancers will be capable of doing it again.
Charlottesville: QB Sam Neale is back, along with starting RB Sabias Folley and two of the the three deadly SB's in Rakeem Davis and Lorenzo Louderback. Charlottesville finally had a winning season, finishing 7-5, and should be even better this year. The non-district schedule is tough, with EC Glass, James Monroe and Harrisonburg, but the Black Knights should have the pieces to put together another successful season.
Millbrook: Much like Charlottesville, the Pioneers are young, and have a lot of key pieces back. RB Pk Kier is gone, Savon Smith, QB Noah Robinson, and Tyren Gay are all sophomores, along with several key juniors such as Brandon Shingleton and Tramell Anthony. Millbrook is poised for a good year, or maybe multiple years, if they can repeat from their success from lost year.
William Byrd: Two words: Larry Basham. The RB will be back for one more year in Vinton. The Terriers also return some key defensive players, such as Taylor Johnson and Logan Taylor, the defense that held Staunton River to 6 points. Byrd does lose it's fair share of seniors, but they're not going anywhere anytime soon.
Predicted 4A West Top 7:
1. Salem
2. Amherst
3. William Byrd
4. Charlottesville
5. Woodgrove
6. Millbrook
7. Dominion
Salem: The Spartans, as of now, are on a 12 game winning streak after their season-opening loss to Amherst. Like Dinwiddie, the Spartans lose nifty QB Noah Beckley, but, again, Salem should have little trouble replacing him. The real story earlier in the year was Ramsey, but the Spartans continued to role without him. Viante Tucker and Nick Wade are also back. Salem should be very good again.
Woodgrove: The Wolverines have a lot to replace. QB Mike Kovich, top WR Mason Gryniuk, SS Chima Kpaduwa, and OLB Kevin Burke are all gone, thanks to graduation. Woodgrove loses key players all over the field. I'm just not sure how the new set of starters is going to look for them I expect them to be good, but I don't see them having an undefeated regular season again. Prove me wrong, Wolverines!
Dominion: Both QBs, Mccants and Forbes, are gone, along with starting DE Tommy Christ, plus Jason Robinson, Billie Walker and Tucker Strycharz. Dominion rolled through the regular season after their early season loss to Woodgrove, a game they avenged later in the playoffs. The Titans went 10-3, but, again, fall victim to graduation. QB Thomas Jarman will likely get the new starting job. Dominion is well-coached, so they'll likely be very good again. We will see.
Amherst: Woodfolk, Spencer, Page, Booker, Collins, Jones. All are gone. DT David Braxton is back, as is QB Keshon Turner, who was injured some of the year. Amherst's QB situation looks good, because Turner's first game of the year was a 42-40 victory at Salem. Amherst is a very strong program indeed. As always, it will be difficult to survive that Lynchburg-area schedule, but the Lancers will be capable of doing it again.
Charlottesville: QB Sam Neale is back, along with starting RB Sabias Folley and two of the the three deadly SB's in Rakeem Davis and Lorenzo Louderback. Charlottesville finally had a winning season, finishing 7-5, and should be even better this year. The non-district schedule is tough, with EC Glass, James Monroe and Harrisonburg, but the Black Knights should have the pieces to put together another successful season.
Millbrook: Much like Charlottesville, the Pioneers are young, and have a lot of key pieces back. RB Pk Kier is gone, Savon Smith, QB Noah Robinson, and Tyren Gay are all sophomores, along with several key juniors such as Brandon Shingleton and Tramell Anthony. Millbrook is poised for a good year, or maybe multiple years, if they can repeat from their success from lost year.
William Byrd: Two words: Larry Basham. The RB will be back for one more year in Vinton. The Terriers also return some key defensive players, such as Taylor Johnson and Logan Taylor, the defense that held Staunton River to 6 points. Byrd does lose it's fair share of seniors, but they're not going anywhere anytime soon.
Predicted 4A West Top 7:
1. Salem
2. Amherst
3. William Byrd
4. Charlottesville
5. Woodgrove
6. Millbrook
7. Dominion
