Comments on the Weekly Pick 'em thread

[mike salem]

Can you guys do me a favor and only post your picks on the pick em thread? If you have comments to make about the picks please start a new thread like this one entitled "Comments on the Weekly Pick em."

I'm afraid with all of the comments mixed in with the picks, I could miss someone's picks. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for your consideration.

PS- as of Thursday morning, a week before picks are due, we have 13 pickers, a great start! We probably need to shoot for at least 24 consistent weekly pickers to have a good competitive season. Last year we started with about that number and by the end we barely had 16 pickers for the playoffs. The more the merrier, join us in the pick em.

 

[mike salem]

BTW, welcome to the board and pick em @newleather! I grew up in Rustburg and would love to see the underdog Red Devils make a return to the glory years! They have great players and heart, but are the smallest team in one of the toughest districts in the state. So many games last year they were right in it till the 4Q when their lack of depth seemed to show.

 

[ChancellorFan]

Thanks Mike!

http://www.fredericksburg.com/onlin...cle_f2b6d72b-d453-5949-a063-44bc732a62ec.html

Adding a little to the posts on the weekly pick em thread, the link will take you to an article in todays FreeLance Star. Courtland will not be playing either Massaponax or Riverbend in the next cycle. The AD stated it was a numbers thing with the larger schools. That makes sense due to Courtland "possibly" dropping to 3A next cycle. But the schools its hard on are the bigger schools.

I need to pull a string on this though. A few years ago Spotsy (3A) quit playing both of these teams as well. The Spotsy school board has (or had) a policy that inter-county schools would play each other in every sport that it was possible. I read that policy a few years ago. I was told a request through the board had to be done for them not to play. I recall that the discussion centered around how it hurt the two larger schools in power points by playing a 3A team. Anyway, this article stated that the board had nothing to do with this change. Does that mean the school board has changed that policy? Research required ....

 

[newleather]

BTW, welcome to the board and pick em @newleather! I grew up in Rustburg and would love to see the underdog Red Devils make a return to the glory years! They have great players and heart, but are the smallest team in one of the toughest districts in the state. So many games last year they were right in it till the 4Q when their lack of depth seemed to show.

That will always be their Achilles heel. I will be at the scrimmage tomorrow to see what they have this year. I have been told that they have several key returning seniors and one very, very good Jr. lineman (who sat out last week with an injury, but can play all five O/L spots). But, after that the cupboards are bare.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Consider my wrist slapped Mike. Because I'm the worst offender, by far. I have seen the error of my ways.

The more I hear about the Spotsy school board, the lower my opinion goes.

 

[ChancellorFan]

Consider my wrist slapped Mike. Because I'm the worst offender, by far. I have seen the error of my ways.

The more I hear about the Spotsy school board, the lower my opinion goes.

I've got a couple emails out to school board members since I can no longer find the policy in the manual. Quite possibly that policy was done away with at some point. But, I can understand such a policy fostering inter-county competition. They also proved to be flexible with the issue when it proved to be hurting a couple schools in the power point arena, which would be the case now. We'll see.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

Correct me if I've got this wrong, but don't larger schools get bonus points for playing smaller schools? Even in non-district games, it was one point per classification difference, win or lose. For example, a 6A would have gotten a three-point bonus just for playing a 3A non-district opponent, regardless of outcome. I think this year, the ratings scale has been changed to award larger schools two points per classification for playing smaller schools, district or non-district.

So, the idea that larger schools were, or are being penalized in power points for playing smaller schools wasn't entirely true before, and really isn't true at all, now. If I understand the ratings scale correctly. Where schools really get hurt on the points scale is when their defeated opponents fail to win any games - just ask the schools in the RRD that have been saddled with playing Carroll County the last four years.

 

[ChancellorFan]

I've got a couple emails out to school board members since I can no longer find the policy in the manual. Quite possibly that policy was done away with at some point. But, I can understand such a policy fostering inter-county competition. They also proved to be flexible with the issue when it proved to be hurting a couple schools in the power point arena, which would be the case now. We'll see.

I got a quick response and I stand duly corrected. Spotsylvania County has no policy that requires schools within the County to play each other in sports. This does not answer the history question of whether they did but it doesn't matter. There is no policy now. And yes, I realize I have only answered my own question.

 

[ChancellorFan]

Correct me if I've got this wrong, but don't larger schools get bonus points for playing smaller schools? Even in non-district games, it was one point per classification difference, win or lose. For example, a 6A would have gotten a three-point bonus just for playing a 3A non-district opponent, regardless of outcome. I think this year, the ratings scale has been changed to award larger schools two points per classification for playing smaller schools, district or non-district.

So, the idea that larger schools were, or are being penalized in power points for playing smaller schools wasn't entirely true before, and really isn't true at all, now. If I understand the ratings scale correctly. Where schools really get hurt on the points scale is when their defeated opponents fail to win any games - just ask the schools in the RRD that have been saddled with playing Carroll County the last four years.

You are correct. I neglected to remember the 2 point vice 1 point bonus. But, when it was 1 point, teams could be hurt. As with your example with CC, the same case applied to Spotsy in that they were struggling with 1-9 and 2-8 seasons. So, when it was 1 point and you faced a team with a bad year .... ouch. Today, it lends more to playing a strong schedule.

 

[mike salem]

Good turnout this year to start the season. I counted 26 pickers as of this post with at least 2 more who like to post their picks near the deadline. So probably close to 30 pickers to start the season will give us a good competitive field for the playoffs where we'll take the top 16. Good luck and for those that haven't joined in, get pickin! Remember there is 1 Thursday game this week.

 

[salemfan32]

Good turnout this year to start the season. I counted 26 pickers as of this post with at least 2 more who like to post their picks near the deadline. So probably close to 30 pickers to start the season will give us a good competitive field for the playoffs where we'll take the top 16. Good luck and for those that haven't joined in, get pickin! Remember there is 1 Thursday game this week.

My picks are coming Mike. I always tell myself to post them early in the week but that hasn't happened yet.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Whomever our resident graphic artist is should design an Avatar that the 4a pickem champion can use for a year, if they so desire.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Mike, here are a few members that I would have thought would participate. Hopefully they will jump in and join us with their picks.

(And hey, don't worry about finishing last, I've got dibs on that!)

WHERE ARE YOU...????

Close2Salem
ShadesMcgrades
SouthbottomU
Chancellor fan
Freeatlast2013
HR6
MVwarrior
Danny Lewis
RKE Fan
ClarkeFan
Spartan
Advocate
Shaunty
GWB16
LouisaDad
Shabutie
Knightfan64
EBJr
Tommythecpa
Momomule
BigCougs
Redzone4us
Amherst1
Salamgal

Several from JF

These are just a few that came to mind. I left no one out on purpose.

I know a few of you are coaches and it would be inappropriate for you to participate. That's understood. But the rest of you, listed or not, jump in. We would love to have you along for the ride!

 

[mike salem]

Mike, here are a few members that I would have thought would participate. Hopefully they will jump in and join us with their pics.

(And hey, don't worry about finishing last, I've got dibs on that!)

WHERE ARE YOU...????

Close2Salem
ShadesMcgrades
SouthbottomU
Chancellor fan
Freeatlast2013
HR6
MVwarrior
Danny Lewis
RKE Fan
ClarkeFan
Spartan
Advocate
Shaunty
GWB16
LouisaDad
Shabutie
Knightfan64
EBJr
Tommythecpa
Momomule
BigCougs
Redzone4us
Amherst1
Salamgal

Several from JF

These are just a few that came to mind. I left no one out on purpose.

I know a few of you are coaches and it would be inappropriate for you to participate. That's understood. But the rest of you, listed or not, jump in. We would love to have you along for the ride!

Close2salem & Shauntclair usually post closer to the deadline. I expect some others to join in over the next 24 hrs also. Great participation to begin the year.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Agreed. I wish everyone would participate. I think a lot of the time people tell themselves, "I don't know squat about most of those teams"! Well guess what, neither does anyone else. Remember, we are trying to predict how a bunch of 15-18 year old kids are going to perform. And especially this week, the first game of the season.

Come on guys and gals, take a stab. It only takes a few minutes to make your picks. Besides, my wife finished second in our office March Madness pool one year. Her strategy? Which team colors and mascots she liked the best.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

"Which team colors and mascots she liked the best."

There's so much parity in men's basketball anymore, that's as good an approach as any.

I really wanted to pick Northside over Pulaski Co., but I just couldn't pull the trigger on that one. If the Vikings end up victorious, I'll be kicking myself.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

"Which team colors and mascots she liked the best."

There's so much parity in men's basketball anymore, that's as good an approach as any.

I really wanted to pick Northside over Pulaski Co., but I just couldn't pull the trigger on that one. If the Vikings end up victorious, I'll be kicking myself.

I was right there with you on Northside. I hear they looked surprisingly good at the scrimmages. I don't know if I think they can win, or if I just want to believe they can win. With all of the turmoil that was forced upon the kids by unscrupulous adults, you just have to root for them.

 

[mike salem]

I was right there with you on Northside. I hear they looked surprisingly good at the scrimmages. I don't know if I think they can win, or if I just want to believe they can win. With all of the turmoil that was forced upon the kids by unscrupulous adults, you just have to root for them.

Based on the way Amherst controlled Pulaski in their scrimmage I went with Northside, just a hunch. Tra Jackson (can play WR, RB, QB, LB) for Northside will be the difference maker imo. If Northside's Sophomore Southpaw QB can avoid making mistakes they will be tough! He has a good arm and good legs too. My hunches have led me astray before so we'll see?

 

[Cats and Dogs]

Based on the way Amherst controlled Pulaski in their scrimmage I went with Northside, just a hunch. Tra Jackson (can play WR, RB, QB, LB) for Northside will be the difference maker imo. If Northside's Sophomore Southpaw QB can avoid making mistakes they will be tough! He has a good arm and good legs too. My hunches have led me astray before so we'll see?

That's why I changed my pick. Games are won in the trenches and Pulaski line play was very shaky on both sides in the scrimmage. They weren't firing off the ball and attacking they waited on everything to come to them. Pulaski has good skill players and a mammoth for a TE but the line will have to improve to give the skill players an opportunity to make plays.

 

[schoolboard]

Went to sleep with B.T. Washington up 14-0. Woke up to Denbigh 16-14. FML

 

[86CulpGrad]

BTW, welcome to the board and pick em @newleather! I grew up in Rustburg and would love to see the underdog Red Devils make a return to the glory years! They have great players and heart, but are the smallest team in one of the toughest districts in the state. So many games last year they were right in it till the 4Q when their lack of depth seemed to show.

Always thought it was funny that Fallwell had a school in his backyard with Red Devils as the mascot. Did he ever raise a stink back in the day to try and get that name changed?

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Ok Professor M, let's see the results. I know you have everything on some type of super-duper spread sheet that spits out the results with just a key stroke or two.