Class 3 Championship: Kettle Run vs. LCA

[CentralVAFootballFan]

Who wins and why?

I have the edge for LCA, barely. I think that both teams will match up well with each other in speed and size. They also seem to run very similar offensive schemes so it looks like this will be a defensive slugfest the whole way (or possibly a shoot-out the whole way). Honestly, I think this game comes down to coaching and getting their guys to stayed locked in and disciplined the whole way.

LCA +1 score.

Let's keep this as the game discussion thread and avoid any talk about the LCA vs. public school issue. We can keep that in the other threads where it is being talked about.

 

[540football_Grandpa]

I voted for Kettle Run above but it is mostly just wishful thinking. I would just be amazing to see a team like Kettle Run go and beat a program like Liberty Christian. It would send shock waves through the state and would be one of the truly memorable upsets in state history.

That being said, from what I have read on this board and seen on highlights this will be a tough challenge for the Cougars. They rely on being tough, smart, and usually have a clear coaching advantage which helps them make up for the fact that they don't have the same speed or kids with D1 offers. LCA certainly has the look of a tough, smart, and well coached team while also have a significant advantage in the athleticism department. The last time that happened, Kettle Run got ran out of the building by Dinwiddie. While I doubt this game gets out of hand in the same manner that 2022 4A title game did, I would still bet on LCA.

I have to imagine Kettle Run throws the ball better than anyone LCA has faced this year. Perhaps that allows them to get this thing into the 4th quarter where anything can happen. If they pull this off, I don't want to hear about any other coaching staff being better than those guys. Might be some staffs on the same level but no one would be better.

 

[CentralVAFootballFan]

I voted for Kettle Run above but it is mostly just wishful thinking. I would just be amazing to see a team like Kettle Run go and beat a program like Liberty Christian. It would send shock waves through the state and would be one of the truly memorable upsets in state history.

That being said, from what I have read on this board and seen on highlights this will be a tough challenge for the Cougars. They rely on being tough, smart, and usually have a clear coaching advantage which helps them make up for the fact that they don't have the same speed or kids with D1 offers. LCA certainly has the look of a tough, smart, and well coached team while also have a significant advantage in the athleticism department. The last time that happened, Kettle Run got ran out of the building by Dinwiddie. While I doubt this game gets out of hand in the same manner that 2022 4A title game did, I would still bet on LCA.

I have to imagine Kettle Run throws the ball better than anyone LCA has faced this year. Perhaps that allows them to get this thing into the 4th quarter where anything can happen. If they pull this off, I don't want to hear about any other coaching staff being better than those guys. Might be some staffs on the same level but no one would be better.

LCA doesn't often face teams with great passing offenses. I'm excited to see what that will mean for the game come Saturday. A Kettle Run win this week would be an incredible story etched into Virginia HS football history.

I don't see the 2022 4A situation happening again with this game. The "shock factor" of a state championship game shouldn't be a factor for either team which means that we're going to see some incredible football on Saturday. I have no doubt Gideon will get his, but the rest of the field could make or break this game for either team.

 

[VolNation85]

Who wins and why?

I have the edge for LCA, barely. I think that both teams will match up well with each other in speed and size. They also seem to run very similar offensive schemes so it looks like this will be a defensive slugfest the whole way (or possibly a shoot-out the whole way). Honestly, I think this game comes down to coaching and getting their guys to stayed locked in and disciplined the whole way.

LCA +1 score.

Let's keep this as the game discussion thread and avoid any talk about the LCA vs. public school issue. We can keep that in the other threads where it is being talked about.

This is spot on. I agree 100%.

 

[shsspartan/taknight]

I don’t think it’ll be a close one, (like all but 1 game against heritage) LCA has too many studs. Like everyone’s said all year, Gideons gonna get his. You key on him and that freshman qb Jackson sneaks out and scores on a big run (kid is sneaky quick) or throws the deep ball. They like the throw to big 42 as well, just when you think you have it all covered and ole big boys rumbling down the sideline. Deyo is a baller on both sides as well, Belford and Nesselrotte. Not to mention their coaching staff is as good as it gets. They was up last week 42-0 and under 2 mins left till half and they was pissed the time was still rolling on an out of bounds play, they don’t stop coaching, trying to get as many points on the board, when most teams are taking knees. Would I love to see an upset, yes! But I don’t see it happening, their just too good on both sides of the ball and not to mention their practically playing a home game, right next door! All that said, will they let Gideon play the whole game, seen him get suplexed in the 1st playoff game against heritage slammed on his head/neck and I bet all the Clemson coaches were holding their breaths. Took a shot last week and was favoring his shoulder, I think coach Rocco doesn’t care about his players future, just wants to beat everyone as big/many as he can. Gotta win states, so who gives a 💩 right! Just saying when your backups would start on any other team in the state, be that from recruiting or not. Gotta think about the young mens future…… Gotta get these boards going 😂, quiet as a church mouse in here, compared to what it use to be.

 

[lyhsports]

I think coach Rocco doesn’t care about his players future, just wants to beat everyone as big/many as he can. Gotta win states, so who gives a 💩 right! Just saying when your backups would start on any other team in the state, be that from recruiting or not. Gotta think about the young mens future…… Gotta get these boards going 😂, quiet as a church mouse in here, compared to what it use to be.

In 2022, Coach Rocco held Gideon out after an injury in the last game of the regular season, and they lost in the region championship to Heritage. Coach Rocco definitely does care about his players.