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.

 

[m-squared]

I haven't seen LCA, but their reputation proceeds them. I've seen Kettle Run's playoff games. They beat some good teams including an undefeated team for their regional championship that a lot of people said they wouldn't beat. They aren't a single season success, they are a proven program. Kettle Run does a great job of taking what the defense gives them and turning short(er) passes in space into big gains. Kettle Run may be the best team LCA has played this year and I'm also thinking LCA is the best team that Kettle Run this year.

This buildup to this game reminds me of the 2008 AA/Division 3 game between Brookville and James Monroe. Brookville's QB was Logan Thomas who went on to start for Va Tech and in the NFL as a Tight End. All the talk was that Brookville was too good and there was no way James Monroe could play with them. James Monroe won 50-46. I'm picking Kettle Run in a thriller just like James Monroe beat Brookville. Have a good one!

 

[shsspartan/taknight]

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.

I agree, will they be a va powerhouse for years to come probably, they’ve got the resources for sure. But historically it comes and goes, Amherst had a few good years, Brookville and then Heritage and now it’s LCA. Doesn’t LCA pull kids from the Heritage district (what’s in the water over there!)? I can see why Bradley gets fired up when they play each other.

 

[Kenneth Harris]

The argument for a Kettle Run defeat: No disrespect towards KR or their fans here. With that said here are a few facts. Kettle Run gave up 20 points to one of the most ineffective and nonlethal offenses I have ever seen in Virginia playoff football. Might be worse than the 2008 Stone Bridge Bulldogs. 😃(Yes. That was a shot.)

The 2 Brentsville District offenses, along with those of '23 Warhill and '23 King George that played Phoebus over the last 3 years are lightyears ahead of Sherando's 2024 offense in effort alone. I do not know what the Warriors offensive coordinator could have been thinking and what his original game plan was. What it was, was boring with the team not appearing to understand the difference between playing a regular season conference game and playing a 10x state champion in the playoffs.

Are we expecting LCA to suddenly turn into Sherando on Saturday morning? Are we saying that LCA is not as good as we suspect? If Kettle Run gave up 20 points to the Warriors what do you think the Bulldogs are going to do to them and do you recall the result of the Dinwiddie title game? Other VaPreps writers named Mr. Davis as thee best RB in Virginia. If. If he is 2nd best KR should be worried.

Vast defensive improvements are to be expected from Kettle Run since that Sherando game because it is a bright red flag and the white flag of surrender denoting that the clock may already be running to warm up to run. Even if the Sherando score went to 44-0, there is no reason or acceptable excuse for allowing the 2024 Sherando Warriors to get into your end zone enough to score 20 points.

The argument for a Kettle Run victory: Liberty Cristian could be all smoke and mirrors in 2024. They have given up 20 points or more 5 times. 5 freaking times. Isn't that glaring? Franklin County man? Franklin County? Come on man. If the KR defense rises up they can give their offense enough breathing room to run out the clock in the 4th quarter and secure a 35-34 D3 championship trophy.

All love to the fans of the teams mentioned here but obviously to be a champion requires a high level of expectations being met. Ask Stone Bridge how hard it is. They did it.
Go Teams!

 

[Bfootball08]

I haven't seen LCA, but their reputation proceeds them. I've seen Kettle Run's playoff games. They beat some good teams including an undefeated team for their regional championship that a lot of people said they wouldn't beat. They aren't a single season success, they are a proven program. Kettle Run does a great job of taking what the defense gives them and turning short(er) passes in space into big gains. Kettle Run may be the best team LCA has played this year and I'm also thinking LCA is the best team that Kettle Run this year.

This buildup to this game reminds me of the 2008 AA/Division 3 game between Brookville and James Monroe. Brookville's QB was Logan Thomas who went on to start for Va Tech and in the NFL as a Tight End. All the talk was that Brookville was too good and there was no way James Monroe could play with them. James Monroe won 50-46. I'm picking Kettle Run in a thriller just like James Monroe beat Brookville. Have a good one!

Brookville and James Monroe had some epic battles in state title games on four different occasions with each team winning twice. Most exciting state championship games I've ever seen. That's what it's all about, hope to see a similar game Sat with LCA-Kettle Run. Good luck to both.

 

[CentralVAFootballFan]

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 😀

No feathers ruffled I was just calling it how I see it. I'm interested to see what LCA will do offensively moving forward. The past 4 years they've been able to rely so much on the run game because of Gideon, and we saw what can happen when he got hurt back in '22. I don't know that Rocco will move away from a heavy run game, but I do feel like he may start to put in more passing schemes going forward. It'll be interesting to see them next season.

 

[CentralVAFootballFan]

The argument for a Kettle Run victory: Liberty Cristian could be all smoke and mirrors in 2024. They have given up 20 points or more 5 times. 5 freaking times. Isn't that glaring? Franklin County man? Franklin County? Come on man. If the KR defense rises up they can give their offense enough breathing room to run out the clock in the 4th quarter and secure a 35-34 D3 championship trophy.

I just took a look a the box scores of those games because I didn't realize they had given up that many points, but from what it looks like, a couple of those games were well and put away and the points were probably scored against the 2nd/3rd string kids late in the game. TA had only scored 10 points until they put up 13 in the 4th quarter against LCA backups.

It looks like Heritage and Amherst games the defense struggled throughout the game and gave up those points. Seeing the scores against JF and Heritage pt. 2 convinces me that they had some amount of defensive overhaul mid-season. Kettle Run can put up points and attack a defenses weak spots very well. I'm interested to see what that will mean for this weekend.

I'm convinced that Liberty University will have the best games this weekend with LCA vs. Kettle Run, and Phoebus vs. Varina. I think that both LCA and Phoebus win, but a small part of me itches to see it go the other way in both games.

Good luck to your Phantoms this weekend! I saw you say something in another thread about your car getting wrecked. I hope things are going smoothly while you are getting that figured out. I hope you can make it to Lynchburg this weekend.

 

[VolNation85]

I haven't seen LCA, but their reputation proceeds them. I've seen Kettle Run's playoff games. They beat some good teams including an undefeated team for their regional championship that a lot of people said they wouldn't beat. They aren't a single season success, they are a proven program. Kettle Run does a great job of taking what the defense gives them and turning short(er) passes in space into big gains. Kettle Run may be the best team LCA has played this year and I'm also thinking LCA is the best team that Kettle Run this year.

This buildup to this game reminds me of the 2008 AA/Division 3 game between Brookville and James Monroe. Brookville's QB was Logan Thomas who went on to start for Va Tech and in the NFL as a Tight End. All the talk was that Brookville was too good and there was no way James Monroe could play with them. James Monroe won 50-46. I'm picking Kettle Run in a thriller just like James Monroe beat Brookville. Have a good one!

Very well said. Kettle Run will definitely be the best team that LCA has faced this year but LCA might be the second best team that Kettle Run has faced. Tee Jay isn't far off from LCA if they're not better. It should be a great game! I think LCA will win by 7-14 just because Gideon Davidson gets better as the game goes on. But I also wouldn't be shocked if Kettle Run won.

 

[VolNation85]

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 just back what I know is true. I have personal relationships with a lot of coaches and families affiliated with their program and school. Anything I have said about them is from first hand experiences or knowledge and just call it like it is. I do the same for any program that I have first hand knowledge of or coaches that I have relationships with. I would do the same for your Knights and Coach Watson.

 

[SFUWO]

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.

Players play period. Why are we going to punish great players because their team is up big? College coaches are not concerned about injuries either. Look at all the players that come back from injuries now. I agree with everything you said.