I am not sure anyone can beat this deep and talented squad. I never say never, but darn they have created a juggernaut in the east end of Richmond.
Can Anyone Challenge Highland Springs in the Richmond Region?
- Thread starter BleedingNavy
- Start date
They could get tested tomorrow! Dale will have a solid team with quite a few studs!
HS won't play them in a "season" game, but tomorrow will be a good test for both squads. I don't think ANYBODY in Richmond can beat them! 10am, be there, be square!
Lmao! HSHS would force a running clock on Life Christian!
I voted other because the only team in this area that can beat them is themselves.
They have to stay focused and don't start reading the press
They have to stay focused and don't start reading the press
I do think they are better than you guys apparently do ( Life Christian) but I don not think they can beat HSHS.
@DinwiddieProud and @CRF4Dan you don’t think If we dropped LIfe Christian in a regular district that they would compete for a district title? I think they would.
I do't know a lot about Life Christian because that is not a school I cover obviously. What I have heard in inner circles from folks that have seen them, they don't play as a team... there is no cohesiveness, it is all about getting noticed, getting recruited. Maybe I've been misinformed but I heard that last year and this offseason from multiple people.
Talent wise they probably could compete with more than half of the region but chemistry wise, I would have questions.
To be fair, I don’t know them nor anyone associated. I can only say that they do have talented football players the team. more so than most public schools. I just think they would be competitive if they played in the Dominion, Capital, Central, Colonial etc. Not saying they would win a state championship at all.
Talent wise I agree with you but we both know talent only takes you so far... sometimes you need luck, sometimes you need the chemistry, sometimes you need the coaching.
I've heard from someone associated with the program and they have high expectations for this team being that they have more upperclassman than a year ago and I believe a new QB. Their schedule certainly suggests confidence and makes Highland Springs' schedule look average. With the Hurricanes being their feeder, and after seeing them last year against Freedom, I wonder more about their depth than their chemistry. I plan to see them live once or twice this season, beginning with their game against DeMatha.
Back to the original topic, I think HSHS is obviously a heavy favorite. I personally am not in to crowning a team before the season starts but I believe this will be a watered down version of the Richmond region. (in terms of top tier dominant teams) I expect more general parody than in past years. A few years back, Bird and Hermitage where formidable opponents living in HSHS own back yard. This year I am not sure where that will come from??? TD has some talent and I have heard a few different versions of what happened in the scrimmage. Manchester lost way too much in my opinion. I do believe HSHS will be challenged this year but it may be from outside of the region. It really doesn't matter what the fans think. It's about that core group of coaches and players in that locker room keeping focus and remaining humble. I watched the 7 episode series on HSHS documenting last season. If you watch that, it is easy to see that those players respect and believe in their coach and vice versa. They have a HUGE target on their back and some new players at key positions and are playing some unfamiliar opponents so I don't think this "run for 5 titles thing" is going to be a layup either.
Long story short is:
I do think they will represent the Richmond region in class 5. I don't really have enough info personally on the other regions to say they are a runaway favorite. The beauty about football is it is a single game scenario. These teams just need to STAY IN THE GAME early. Keep it close and you never know what can happen with a turnover here or there etc. Week one can't come fast enough for me!
Long story short is:
I do think they will represent the Richmond region in class 5. I don't really have enough info personally on the other regions to say they are a runaway favorite. The beauty about football is it is a single game scenario. These teams just need to STAY IN THE GAME early. Keep it close and you never know what can happen with a turnover here or there etc. Week one can't come fast enough for me!
HSHS’s first offense only ran 4 series in both scrimmages COMBINED,and scored on 3 of them. The only possession vs Freedom,and 2 of 3 vs TDale. The Oline,playing in their 3rd year in a row together,and the Dline,returning all 4 starters is the key to this yr! Skill position players are always in abundance at HSHS,but ALL the players are kept grounded by Johnson,and it shows. Looking forward to week 1 versus Avalon!
I agree talent wise they could compete but they have chemistry issues. In my opinion they have the best running back in the state Dreshaun Taylor. Transfer from Highland Springs
Million dollar back with a $.02 head! HS has another back just like him years ago. Burton cut him too!
Big difference is....HSHS would still be successful vs LCA’s schedule. LCA WOULDN’T be successful in EITHER schedule!
I can promise you...HSHS’s feeder system is FAR BETTER than the Hurricanes’ too!
I hear you guys on the chemistry thing... But how much chemistry do you actually need to beat a middle of the pack team if you have superior talent? I am certain they would be competitive if you dropped them in a Richmond District. In my book it is undebatable. They were underclassman for the most part with a first year program last season. They were the worst they will ever be last season and played a really tough schedule. Take a look at the bottom 5 teams in every district in Richmond. You mean to tell me that they wouldn't be able to beat most of those teams?
Any Hampton Crabber fans on the board? I know they scrimmaged each other. I would like to know how both of those teams did especially with Hampton moving down to class 4. I know they had a down year last year but I think they did have an undefeated JV team. We know Hampton aint gonna put up with losing for long.
I saw film of LCA v North Stafford. They are talented yes - But NOT EVEN CLOSE to HSHS - Guys not even close. HSHS on a different level. Way better coaching IMO and very sound schemes. HSHS Defense is incredible. No weaknesses. Again LCA is good but it would be like comparing UVA/Va Tech to current Clemson/Alabama. Clemson and Bama on a WAY different level. So is HSHS v LCA. I just don't see them closing the coaching gap to be quite honest.
I would like to here which “other” teams in the RVA people think can beat HSHS and why?
There are no other teams in RVA that will!
Let's be realistic.... their scheduled upcoming season. There are several that do stand a chance of this "upset"...
There are several 1) Oscar Smith at Smith, they could pull it off. 2) North Stafford, they will present a tough challenge. 3) Page (in Greensboro), this also could be a tough one!
4) Manchester, they could give us a test by week 6 or 7. 5) Colonial Forge, they will be very tough by week 9 for sure! 6) Varina, week 10, if HS isn't beaten up by then, they should be extremely battle tested!
Never say never! If it should perhaps happen, we don't fold up and go away! We pick it up, figure out why and move forward with the knowledge that we are human and not perfect and God forbid.... we might need to work harder!
What makes HS so good is their coaching. I have been able to see them play a few times and of course they have tons of talent but what separates them from the competition is their fundamentals and schemes. Their coaching staff does not get enough credit for how well they prepare those players. I don't know them personally but it seems like they have great kids as well.
Absolutely! Going back to my previous post.
If this team can get through this schedule with the kids truly focused on each game and perform it the way these coaches guide them, nobody will beat them! I pray that nobody gets injured through this process. I'd love to see history written with this bunch of kids and coaches, but only God knows what the outcome will be!
So has anybody gone out and seen LCA play this year? How are they looking? I know they have been beat up pretty good in some of their games, but they also have played a pretty stout schedule, to include IMG this week.
They looked pretty undisciplined (both players and coaches) when they traveled down to Georgia earlier this year and the referees had to call the game due to poor sideline behavior.
I watched them play DeMatha and they were noticeably smaller across the board. However, they are fast and fly to the ball. I agree with WP02alum, at times they were undisciplined, particularly when it came to assignments/routes and penalties. Their QB is legit and was one of the best players on the field. Their upcoming game with Friendship Collegiate should be a solid test, while the IMG and St. Frances games will be brutal.
I went out and watched the Life Christian vs Flint Hill game. Good thing for LF that FH is in a rebuilding year. If that would have been the FH team of the last two years, it would have been bad for LC.
LC is big and has some talent on their team. But they play pretty undisciplined football and were fortunate to have scored 3 TD's on 4th and long passes. One was a complete jump ball scenario and the other two came against a very depleted (due to injuries) FS position.
LC would absolutely struggle against the better VA schools.
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