Did nobody notice Blacksburg beating Pulaski?

[1MoreHokie]

I see the focus on the WA/Louisa game(rightfully so) but there was a very big upset in SWVA as well. Louisa was predicted to beat WA 96% of the time on the VHSL-Reference simulator, Pulaski was predicted to beat Blacksburg 97%. Blacksburg was 2-4 coming into the game with wins over hapless Bassett(0-6) and Carroll County(1-6) while Pulaski was 5-1 and just cruising their schedule minus the tough loss against PH. Blacksburg is actually ranked lower(225th in state, 34th in 3A) than WA(182nd in state, 25th in 3A) on VHSL-Reference as well.

We managed to catch the end of this as we were driving back from Christiansburg and while it was the talk of the stands as well as score updates came in I'm shocked there's been zero mention here. I understand the fan situation but still, this was a huge upset and it's going to shake the 4A West points as PC will likely kiss home field and a bye goodbye.

I'm also curious as to just what's happened to PC's O that was going so strong initially. Blacksburg does not have a stout D(35, 48, 45, 57 points given up in their 4 losses) but Pulaski only managing 13 and Hunter Thomas getting 30 carries for 130 yards is a troubling sign for them. PH was one thing but to struggle against Blacksburg is another matter entirely.

 

[catchtds]

Look back at my post, I called that awhile ago. I think it is under best teams in 4a thread.

 

[mike salem]

I see the focus on the WA/Louisa game(rightfully so) but there was a very big upset in SWVA as well. Louisa was predicted to beat WA 96% of the time on the VHSL-Reference simulator, Pulaski was predicted to beat Blacksburg 97%. Blacksburg was 2-4 coming into the game with wins over hapless Bassett(0-6) and Carroll County(1-6) while Pulaski was 5-1 and just cruising their schedule minus the tough loss against PH. Blacksburg is actually ranked lower(225th in state, 34th in 3A) than WA(182nd in state, 25th in 3A) on VHSL-Reference as well.

We managed to catch the end of this as we were driving back from Christiansburg and while it was the talk of the stands as well as score updates came in I'm shocked there's been zero mention here. I understand the fan situation but still, this was a huge upset and it's going to shake the 4A West points as PC will likely kiss home field and a bye goodbye.

I'm also curious as to just what's happened to PC's O that was going so strong initially. Blacksburg does not have a stout D(35, 48, 45, 57 points given up in their 4 losses) but Pulaski only managing 13 and Hunter Thomas getting 30 carries for 130 yards is a troubling sign for them. PH was one thing but to struggle against Blacksburg is another matter entirely.

I picked Blacksburg to beat Pulaski in the Pick em, but I was surprised they held Pulaski like that. PH Salem for all the marbles.

 

[Amgis]

I see the focus on the WA/Louisa game(rightfully so) but there was a very big upset in SWVA as well. Louisa was predicted to beat WA 96% of the time on the VHSL-Reference simulator, Pulaski was predicted to beat Blacksburg 97%. Blacksburg was 2-4 coming into the game with wins over hapless Bassett(0-6) and Carroll County(1-6) while Pulaski was 5-1 and just cruising their schedule minus the tough loss against PH. Blacksburg is actually ranked lower(225th in state, 34th in 3A) than WA(182nd in state, 25th in 3A) on VHSL-Reference as well.

We managed to catch the end of this as we were driving back from Christiansburg and while it was the talk of the stands as well as score updates came in I'm shocked there's been zero mention here. I understand the fan situation but still, this was a huge upset and it's going to shake the 4A West points as PC will likely kiss home field and a bye goodbye.

I'm also curious as to just what's happened to PC's O that was going so strong initially. Blacksburg does not have a stout D(35, 48, 45, 57 points given up in their 4 losses) but Pulaski only managing 13 and Hunter Thomas getting 30 carries for 130 yards is a troubling sign for them. PH was one thing but to struggle against Blacksburg is another matter entirely.

Having been at the game, I think it was a classic case of not putting a team away early. Blacksburg played inspired defense as did Pulaski but you could see Blacksburg growing in confidence the longer they were in the game. Had Pulaski jumped out to a 14-0 or even a 17-0 lead, that could have been enough to take the wind out of Blacksburg's sails but the Cougars were not able to do so.
On Pulaski's opening drive, they ran the ball at will and marched right down the field for an easy score. Supporters of the Cougars had good reason to believe that this would be another easy W. In retrospect that first drive may have been too easy. Blacksburg responded with a good drive to tie it up and from that point Blacksburg began to believe that they could compete and they proved it through the rest of the game. For Pulaski, there were too many times on offense where they were one block away from a big play or someone would draw a bad flag on defense to give Blacksburg new life.
Just as it was in the PH game, the Cougar defense played good enough to win. Blacksburg has speed to burn but the Cougars did a great job of containing them throughout the game but, Blacksburg made enough plays to pull out the win.

As far as points standings go, this loss will hurt badly, as a matter of fact, the past three weeks will hurt the Cougars. Despite their 49-0 win over Christiansburg, they dropped in the standings due to the fact that Christiansburg is 0-7 so no rider points gained. This loss to Blacksburg will hurt and their next opponent, Carroll Co won't provide much to boost the Cougars cause, even with a win.

Despite all of that, the Cougars are still a good, dangerous team that can still surprise some teams even if they have to go on the road in the playoffs because of their strong defense. The hope right now is that they continue to win and get a chance to get into the playoffs to prove themselves.

1MoreHokie - You stated earlier that you "understand the fan situation", what do you mean?

 

[1MoreHokie]

1MoreHokie - You stated earlier that you "understand the fan situation", what do you mean?

I meant that Blacksburg has no fans on this board and PC only a small handful so I got that maybe none of them were rushing to post a thread saying "we got upset badly".

 

[Amgis]

I meant that Blacksburg has no fans on this board and PC only a small handful so I got that maybe none of them were rushing to post a thread saying "we got upset badly".

Ok, got it. You are right, Blacksburg doesn't have any fans here and the PC supporters do seem to be small in numbers.

I would hate to see this game against Blacksburg come back to bite the Cougars.

 

[Cats and Dogs]

Don't be surprised if PC only wins one of its last 3 games. I feel like HV will cause problems for the Cougars as well.

 

[86CulpGrad]

Pulaski has played 2 teams with winning records and lost to both. Why would this be a huge upset?

 

[1MoreHokie]

Pulaski has played 2 teams with winning records and lost to both. Why would this be a huge upset?

Blacksburg is 3-4. Also coming into the game their 2 wins were against teams with a combined 1-10 record(now 1-12). Pulaski was crushing teams of Blacksburg's caliber, it's a big upset and it causes some havoc in the points as well.

 

[86CulpGrad]

Blacksburg is 3-4. Also coming into the game their 2 wins were against teams with a combined 1-10 record(now 1-12). Pulaski was crushing teams of Blacksburg's caliber, it's a big upset and it causes some havoc in the points as well.

I would agree that it changes things as far as points....but Pulaski didn't beat Blacksburg by much last year. Are the two teams that much different this year to say that it's a huge upset? I would say mild upset at best.

 

[1bburgfan]

cough cough, just because I don't post doesn't mean I'm not here. Haven't had a lot of positive things to say this year so I have kept my mouth shut . Also I don't care for the format here, and really don't care about football from the 757,804,703, I'll stick to 540 football. IMO Blacksburg should be 6-1 (1 = Salem ) coaching finally stopped the onside kicks and going for it on 4th down giving other teams great field position. Also they finally started playing their best 11 instead of trying to have kids go 1 way. If Pulaski would have started every series on the 50 or 45 they would of won this game.

 

[shauntclair]

cough cough, just because I don't post doesn't mean I'm not here. Haven't had a lot of positive things to say this year so I have kept my mouth shut . Also I don't care for the format here, and really don't care about football from the 757,804,703, I'll stick to 540 football. IMO Blacksburg should be 6-1 (1 = Salem ) coaching finally stopped the onside kicks and going for it on 4th down giving other teams great field position. Also they finally started playing their best 11 instead of trying to have kids go 1 way. If Pulaski would have started every series on the 50 or 45 they would of won this game.

So you're saying Pulaski got out Coached. Is that an incorrect interpretation of what you posted?

 

[Tank5449]

Some guys at work are having the same discussion about being out coached. It's hard to understand how your offense goes from 40 points in the first half to 14 the entire game. The game against PH was supposed to be about stopping their speed and the cougars were able to hold it in check. If Pulaski can not use strength to grind out four and five yards a play they are in trouble this year. My optimism for a nice little playoff run is dwindling fast. I know this is not the teams of the 90's and early 2000's where you knew what we were going to do but it didn't matter because we were to big and to strong to stop. I was hoping the ability to pass was going to help open things up but it appears we're dealing with the same stacked box on defense with less meat upfront to move them.

 

[Amgis]

Pulaski has played 2 teams with winning records and lost to both. Why would this be a huge upset?

Pulaski

Some guys at work are having the same discussion about being out coached. It's hard to understand how your offense goes from 40 points in the first half to 14 the entire game. The game against PH was supposed to be about stopping their speed and the cougars were able to hold it in check. If Pulaski can not use strength to grind out four and five yards a play they are in trouble this year. My optimism for a nice little playoff run is dwindling fast. I know this is not the teams of the 90's and early 2000's where you knew what we were going to do but it didn't matter because we were to big and to strong to stop. I was hoping the ability to pass was going to help open things up but it appears we're dealing with the same stacked box on defense with less meat upfront to move them.

Most other teams this year have tried stacking the box against PC and in most cases, with the exception of PH, it did not matter as the Cougars were still able to move the ball.

In the Blacksburg game, the Bruins did stack the box but there were many times where the line made their proper blocks but the one block that needed to be made was missed. Each time that missed block would have turned a 3 yard play into a 10 or 15 yard play.

Not to take anything away from Blacksburg because they did play inspired defense and their confidence grew as the game went along.

 

[1bburgfan]

So you're saying Pulaski got out Coached. Is that an incorrect interpretation of what you posted?

No, I'm saying Bburg's coach finally stopped coaching arena football. You don't let teams like Giles, Abingdon ,and Salem start every series on the 50 or 45 yard line. On going for it on your own 40 on 4th down. I will say this tho I do like the quick kick, a forgotten play that can change field position.