Amherst preview
- Thread starter wikki
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Other than Salem, the Lancers have a very achievable schedule, especially with their roster. I have them 9 - 1.
I was very impressed with what I saw out of Brookville in the scrimmage. I'm not sure they're as good as Amherst, but from what I know of this rivalry game if the 2 teams are anywhere close, (they are) it should be one hell of a game. I'll see JF this week, (look way off from the top of the Seminole to me at this point) & Amherst the following week. The only contenders I won't see are Heritage and Rustburg. (Rustburg hasn't shown the depth to be at the top of the Seminole in a long time) Heritage has Bradley, Torrence, and a team that finished last regular season just below .500 and has a lot of returning Jr's this year.
Liberty is 80% Sophomores this year. Glass was 1-9 last year and I'm not convinced Woody will be able to change the culture that has been set in place the last 20+ years.
I should have a decent handle on the Seminole in the next couple of weeks, Heritage is off Week 1, but they play Northside and Appomattox Week 2 & 3, Rustburg plays Appomattox Week 2. That'll show me everything I need to know to pick the Top 2. (Amherst and Brookville right now)
Would love to hear the thoughts about the game of the week 1 , what are the chances of Amherst rolling down to Salem and coming home with a W in week 1? I am getting the feeling that some Amherst faithful are feeling they are back to power status this year, what do you think Wikki?
Haven't really talked to many fans yet, but I feel confident for this season. Based on things I have read and been told and then watching the scrimmage, I was impressed. The guys seem excited so far. They have been working really hard in the weight room, time will only tell.
This is probably one of the most exciting week 1 games of the season. Anything is possible here. Salem could come out flat. Amherst could play out of their minds if properly motivated and they have lots of Senior talent. The potential is there for a very, very good game.
I'd like to see that but would not get my hopes up. Hopefully, not an easy Spartan victory but a victory nonetheless. Again, first game of the season, anything is possible. Both will learn a lot about themselves here. GL to them. Wish I could be there.
Completely agree. If Salem loses any regular season game, it'll be this one. I'd say the winner goes 10-0 and the loser 9-1.
Amherst resident, and fan here till I die. I saw a mediocre Seminole district offense. The defense was good at times. It's hard to judge when the other team has slow skill players. Liberty had a considerable amount of two way starters and you could tell they were tired by around 530 at the scrimmage. Their big boys didn't want to be there at that time. Amherst had some two ways but they weren't nearly as tired. Page didn't get as much work as I thought he would. Maybe because he is a proven player, but still game speed against a different color is always a plus. The qb threw the ball well when not under pressure. 2nd string qb looked ok against l-b two's. The main problem is that 80-90 percent of the plays the guards will take you to right to the play. Two downhill plays. Qb lead where two or more linemen pull or a direct snap to Page or another rb. It's great when you can get numbers on the edge to wall defenders against mediocre teams. When you have Fox from Salem playing MLB who has been taught to read these pulling guards it's going to be the same result as last year's efforts. One of the championships they won they did it against one of the best LB's in the state that year. Eric Church from Louisa. They chipped and found ways to get a hat on him the entire game. He still made plays, but they won. The boys gone have to fight to see 7-3 or 6-4 and a eventual rematch with Salem.
From what I have seen Amherst is the pre season team to beat. 2.)Brookville improved dramatically at QB (which costs them several games last year), 3.)Heritage has the most team speed and can score quickly, but the new defense will need some fine tuning. 4) JF will win because of their coaching staff. 5) Rustburg just simply does not have the depth required and will get worn down playing ironman for 4q, 6) Liberty is young but on the upswing, and 7)Glass... well......constructions cones, there is nothing but work ahead.
I agree with you, but JF may even drop down below Rustburg. I'll know more Friday after the benefit game. I saw Rustburg in a 7v7 in July and they could move the ball pretty well. The QB has a very peculiar throwing motion, but he and the offense moves the sticks. I know 7v7 isn't a good evaluation tool, and I agree Rustburg doesn't have depth for that schedule, but I'm thinking they may out-talent JF.
I saw a lot better myself. Defense was really good against Liberty. I was impressed with the QB with passes and several long passes. I saw speed from several players. I talked with a couple of the players and they have more confidence this year. Page didn't get as much as I thought either but maybe there was a reason for it. After all it was a scrimmage. I didn't think Liberty had much size and Amherst was bigger. I know he switched out lots of players
Was Page playing at OLB on defense as well? They probably didn't want to run him too many plays on offense if he was also running with 1st team Defense. A scrimmage is more for the coach to test the unknown players, Page is a known. No point in taking chances for a practice against another team. I know the fans want the games to start yesterday, but they are doing the right thing.
Deangelo Ramsey only ran the ball a handful of times for Salem as he was also playing on defense. (That makes his 3 TD's even more impressive, considering he probably only had 10 carries maybe?)
Looking forward to seeing you again Wikki. I think it's been 6 years, if you can believe that!
I must of been watching a different Amherst scrimmage. The defense I saw did better than "good at times". They swarmed to the ball and looked very disciplined. Couple int's one returned for TD and a lot of tackles for loss. Defense is fast and above average. Offense blocked well and passing game looked real good and backs ran well. QB is pretty accurate and it looks like they have several guys who can run the ball. Their were some mistakes offensively but thought they looked pretty good overall 2 weeks into the season. I was impressed after the scrimmage and think it ended up 8 TD's to None in Amherst favor. I won't predict a perfect season but I also won't predict them to be 6-4 either. They have a lot of returning starters and senior leadership and should have a pretty solid season. Salem is the defending 4A Champs and they will be a solid team yet again. If Amherst wants to come away with W week one they have to match the execution, physical and fundamentally sound football that Salem brings to the table almost every game. Salem is successful because they execute like none other. They don't run a complex offense that's meant to fool anyone they just execute their blocks and running backs make good reads and most importantly they don't turn the ball over a lot. Salem won't beat themselves so Amherst will have to play some pretty flawless football. Oh yeah and will have to win over them Salem refs haha j/k
Four experienced eyes. Two different views. Welcome to HS Football, where objectivity and perspective are the least important of factors.
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I will definitely look for you. I will message you once I get there. Do they open the gates at 6:00?
This is how I saw i
That is how I saw it as well. Offense ran good and the QB had several long passes. The defense was really good, stopped Liberty many times and intercepted and ran in for a TD. I left after 5 TD so to hear they scored 8 says a lot to me. Thanks for that post. They are definitely better than 6-4.
That is how I saw it as well. Offense ran good and the QB had several long passes. The defense was really good, stopped Liberty many times and intercepted and ran in for a TD. I left after 5 TD so to hear they scored 8 says a lot to me. Thanks for that post. They are definitely better than 6-4.
Sorry for my input. The amount of athletes they have and the team they were playing they should have had double the td's. I don't know if liberty Bealton is down this year. But, they didn't offer alot of competition is all I'm saying. I stick by, they have a long ride to go. Salem, LCA, heritage will be ready this year. Salem because well they are Salem. LCA because they have some leftover recruits from the past era. Sorry sore subject. Heritage because they were a good team with alot of mistakes on both sides the ball with numerous sophomores. That were starters. Heritage got a steal of a deal with their coach along with Salem. Young Rocco is unproven but I think papa Rocco will have a lil say so in the program. Christmas is a legend so don't count JF out so quick. Brookville had a good season until they ran into the dog known as magna vista. Speaking of Magna Vista their coach Favera has gone almost unnoticed in his transition from Bassett O Cord, to MV head coach with back to backs. His former school hasn't been the same since. Back to the subject. During Amherst scrimmage I saw a lack of teeth clicking, snot slinging hits on both sides of the ball. I think I saw 4 of those. A bunch of arms swinging around ain't the same as a faskmask in your chin. That's what those teams I named above are going to bring.
Your opinion is just as good as anyone's on here. I just saw the scrimmage from a different set of eyes. Salem by far is going to be the toughest test of the season for Amherst. Amherst brings a ton of experience back at the skill positions and defense (27 seniors and I think 16 starters). Line play will be the question and from what I saw I thought they blocked well in the scrimmage. Liberty Bealton isn't the team they have been in the past but 8 TD's in a controlled scrimmage is a pretty good number and it appeared they limited last seasons leading rushers touches to boot. The other thing is the D pitched a shutout, created turnovers and had lots of tackles for losses because they played disciplined football and swarm to the ball. I'm more excited about what I saw defensively from Amherst. We will know more this Friday as they scrimmage two very good football teams in LB and Pulaski. But again it's just a scrimmage and no one is truly going to show their hand until week 1 of the regular season.
I don't have a dog or cat in the fight (pun intended) but tackles for losses are usually from one disruptive player and other players swarming to the ball. I prefer tackle for losses over big hits. Big hits are like one handed catches they are nice when it happens but not really fundamentally sound...imo. Good luck to all as Week 1 is quickly approaching.
I believe the scrimmage Friday is actually 4 teams. Amherst, LB, Pulaski and Rustburg. From what I have been told they are charging $6 at the gate which is kind of cheesy for a scrimmage.
It will be a good test for sure in the scrimmages this Friday. I know Salem will be there toughest test and I actually do not think Amherst will beat them but you never know. I believe they will be better than last year
According to Timesland area scrimmages posted on August 10th here on the 4a board, 4 teams on Friday. Lord Botetourt vs Rustburg at 5:30, Pulaski County vs Rustburg at 6:30, Pulaski County vs Amherst at 7:30 and Lord Botetourt vs Amherst at 8:30. Should be a good test for all involved. And on a side note: Richlands charged $6 for their controlled scrimmage that included Richlands, Pulaski County, George Wythe of Wytheville and Belfry of Kentucky last Friday.
I understand a pre-season benefit game. That's it's purpose.
But again, you Western folks always have me SMH. I suppose the concessions will be open too. FOR A SCRIMMAGE! Lucky if you get 75 - 100 in attendance in the Burg. More players on the field than in the stands.
Shauntclair, I agree somewhat with you on this. I could actually see charging maybe a dollar or two but not the price of or near the price of a full game for a controlled scrimmage. A benefit game maybe
From everything I've seen reported, I think the two teams to this point that are everything they were advertised to be are Salem and Highland Springs. I watched a very good Thomas Dale team get manhandled as if they were an also ran, (which they are definitely not), by the Springers. (In fact, I can see TD going three games deep in the 6a playoffs.) From what I'vd gleaned from first hand reports about Salem, they are the real deal, too. There are others out there that have impressed me, including Dinwiddie, but these two stand out so far.
What we have here maybe is that some people just don't get how football is out in the west , smaller rural areas where not as much is going on all the time.
Facts about the west.
1. We love our football team win or lose. fact.
2. A scrimmage can be a glimpse of what is to come.
3. 2 hours at a scrimmage is better than concert , movie, or eating at Wendy's.
4. Everybody knows everybody at your local football field, it's a great place to catch up and talk your favorite sport. See that new player you heard about.
5. If getting a life is something other than spending 11 to 15 Friday nights watching your team, or not spending a few weekday evenings a week watching your team in the west , we don't want that life.
We might not always be the best team in the state , in the West, but we love our football. I don't think anyone needs to get a life, our lives are just fine.
Facts about the west.
1. We love our football team win or lose. fact.
2. A scrimmage can be a glimpse of what is to come.
3. 2 hours at a scrimmage is better than concert , movie, or eating at Wendy's.
4. Everybody knows everybody at your local football field, it's a great place to catch up and talk your favorite sport. See that new player you heard about.
5. If getting a life is something other than spending 11 to 15 Friday nights watching your team, or not spending a few weekday evenings a week watching your team in the west , we don't want that life.
We might not always be the best team in the state , in the West, but we love our football. I don't think anyone needs to get a life, our lives are just fine.
