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.

 

[VolNation85]

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.

Rocco actually pulls his starters sooner than any other coach I know or have seen. Starters rarely play any more if they are up by 4 TDs or more at the half or early third quarter. Also, LCA never has depth. Their backups are usually a lot the Jv team. They almost never have more than 35 varsity players, including the Jv guys that dress out.

 

[shsspartan/taknight]

Rocco actually pulls his starters sooner than any other coach I know or have seen. Starters rarely play any more if they are up by 4 TDs or more at the half or early third quarter. Also, LCA never has depth. Their backups are usually a lot the Jv team. They almost never have more than 35 varsity players, including the Jv guys that dress out.

Against Broadway, Heritage, TA and William Byrd, he was in the 4th quarter. Watch the film, he was there at either safety and or running back, was in when up 5+td’s! Come on man! Reading all your post on LCA you back them on everything from the recruiting perspective and everything else that has to do with the program. 🤨

 

[CentralVAFootballFan]

Against Broadway, Heritage, TA and William Byrd, he was in the 4th quarter. Watch the film, he was there at either safety and or running back, was in when up 5+td’s! Come on man! Reading all your post on LCA you back them on everything from the recruiting perspective and everything else that has to do with the program. 🤨

I was at the TA game, and I don't remember seeing him on the field in the 4th quarter on either side of the ball. Byrd game he was pulled like 2 plays into the 4th quarter. Not sure about Broadway, but I can see him playing most of game against Heritage because of the rivalry between them and LCA. Regardless, it's his coaches decision on how to manage him and his playing time on the field, whether he plays every snap, or only 1 series. Dabo has talked about Gideon's workload and has stated he has no issue with how much playing time he gets, so your statements about his college coaches holding their breathes is amusing.

Knowing the ability he has, I'm honestly a little disappointed he doesn't get more time on the field. It would been amazing to see the numbers he would have put up over his career playing every down of every game. Buddy of mine knows the LCA program a lot better than I do and mentioned something one time about how he only played the equivalent of 7 games last year (his junior year) and put up the numbers he did. Imagine if he played the "whole season".

All that to say, from what I've seen from Rocco, he does a great job at managing his guys throughout the season imo.

 

[shsspartan/taknight]

Rocco actually pulls his starters sooner than any other coach I know or have seen. Starters rarely play any more if they are up by 4 TDs or more at the half or early third quarter. Also, LCA never has depth. Their backups are usually a lot the Jv team. They almost never have more than 35 varsity players, including the Jv guys that dress out.

That’s all they can afford is 35 guys, in a great establishment as LCA! They gotta be turning away kids left and right. A lot of money on that side of Lynchburg 😂 gotta pay better.

 

[shsspartan/taknight]

I was at the TA game, and I don't remember seeing him on the field in the 4th quarter on either side of the ball

I wouldn’t of said that if he wasn’t out there 😂, he was out there playing safety and came in at running back mainly as a decoy in the 4th qtr. He was out there when starter Jackson scooted for the 60-70 yarder in the 4th. Gideon is a heck of a kid, the Jeanty of the high school level. We’ll see what happens in the next couple years after the studs are gone, with what Rocco and staff do going forward, they won’t have quite the back to replace him but are solid at all other positions. Their front on D always seem to be good as well as their O line’s. At the level that’s what really matter’s. Didn’t mean to ruffle any feathers just how I see it from a far 😀

 

[Bfootball08]

I wouldn’t of said that if he wasn’t out there 😂, he was out there playing safety and came in at running back mainly as a decoy in the 4th qtr. He was out there when starter Jackson scooted for the 60-70 yarder in the 4th. Gideon is a heck of a kid, the Jeanty of the high school level. We’ll see what happens in the next couple years after the studs are gone, with what Rocco and staff do going forward, they won’t have quite the back to replace him but are solid at all other positions. Their front on D always seem to be good as well as their O line’s. At the level that’s what really matter’s. Didn’t mean to ruffle any feathers just how I see it from a far 😀

And after all the studs graduate they'll reload and keep right on winning Region 3C. It won't stop anytime soon, with the exception of Heritage none of the other 3C teams in the Seminole can compete with them either. I still feel bad for your TA Knights having such a great season and getting run out of the stadium by LCA. Don't feel bad my friend, they do that to teams all season long.