East Rock 21 Riverheads 0 half
- Thread starter shendistrictsportsfan
- Start date
WOW. You guys up there in the Valley were spot on. Riverheads is the real deal and a top 4 team at the 2A level (if they played) in my opinion. For East Rock to hammer RE Lee and now, a 21-0 lead over the Reds at the half, there is no question, this team is a state title forerunner. If they blow out Riverheads, they should jump to at least number 2, arguably number one
I know that Riverheads is 1A. What was written? Riverheads is a top 4 2A school (if they played.) At no point in the thread did anyone infer or imply or assume Riverheads was 2A. And I stand by the point, Riverheads in my opinion, is one of the top 4 2A teams in Virginia (if they played). The "if they played" means......if they played in 2A.
The best teams in 2A this year are Appo, Central, East Rock, Glenvar, Poquoson, and Goochland. 1 of thise 6 will win the state title.
My fault in not reading that correctly. I was only trying to be informative not a smart you know what. Thanks.
I have a feeling a Region D team will have something to say about all that. It's weird you mentioned the top two teams in each region except Region D. Why's that? Just curious.
And Riverheads could not compete for a title in 2A, that was proven tonight. They have enough competition in 1A as it is. This year's Chilhowie team is legit, returned everyone and are better than last year, they beat GW like a drum. Essex and some of those other top 1A teams shouldn't be counted out.
Riverheads played what may very well be, the best 2A team in the state, and one game proves nothing. Riverheads likely is not better than Appo and East Rock as they just played, but they are right there with the rest in my opinion.
As to why I left out region D. I simply don't believe Union is as good as the other schools named. Appo or Glenvar in my opinion, will walk into the state finals over the Region DD opponent and play a much tougher opponent (like last year) in East Rock, or Central, or Poquoson, or Goochland.
As for Chilhowie, if they do beat Galax (will be close) look for a win from Riverheads big over either one. Franklin, Essex, and Colonial Forge are all tough, but Riverheads is the favorite in the East
As to why I left out region D. I simply don't believe Union is as good as the other schools named. Appo or Glenvar in my opinion, will walk into the state finals over the Region DD opponent and play a much tougher opponent (like last year) in East Rock, or Central, or Poquoson, or Goochland.
As for Chilhowie, if they do beat Galax (will be close) look for a win from Riverheads big over either one. Franklin, Essex, and Colonial Forge are all tough, but Riverheads is the favorite in the East
Riverheads will have a harder time over the west than everybody is stating. Not taking anything away from them but when think back the past 3 years Galax ran all over Riverheads in the state championship game. Everywhere but the score board riverheads had one sustained drive at the end of the game and came up short. The 2016 team was a dominant team, no questions there. Last year they faced a chilhowie team that would not made it past Galax if they still had people's in the playoffs, but they squeaked it out and made it to the championship game. If not for the loss of people's the Galax and riverheads game would of been closer in my humble opinion than the CHS game. This year Chilhowie has everyone back and are much improved from last years team. And Galax is a different animal Their team speed is crazy. They had a very good Glenvar beat if not for fumbling three times deep inside the red zone. I think it will be a good game not a blow out. Just my humble opinion. But that's why we play the games
I'm hoping Chilhowie wins the whole thing. It sounds like they can run and throw and that is a special thing to have at the 1A or even the 2A levels.
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I see that you guys are leaving it to me to talk about the elephant in the room. OK I can handle that, which I will get to in a minute.
As many of you have already stated, and it deserves saying again, this was total domination by the Eagles in every phase of the game. In fact I cannot even remember right now the last time a Riverheads team has been manhandled this way. Now I am sure some Lee and/or Central fans might perk up and say "Well what about us just last year?" but trust me those two games would not hold a candle to this one.
We already knew that East Rock had a superior weapon in Jawon Evans (not sure of spelling.) So we all expected him to do his thing tonight and he certainly did. Once he gets in the open, he is very elusive and several times tonight he just faked the Gladiators out of their shorts for long runs.
The Eagles also caught the Big Red flat-footed and out of position on two wide open TD passes, something the Gladiators will surely want to work on for the rest of the season. But the biggest surprise to me was how overpowering the Eagles were on defense.
Riverheads, which has a whole STABLE full of quality running backs, simply failed to sustain anything measurable on offense. I heard that we had something like 78 yards at halftime and I doubt if we made it to 150 for the game. ER was in the backfield on nearly every play it seemed and on the occasions when we tried to pass, they sacked the QB in record time or rushed him into a bad throw. If RHS had a "best effort of the night" it might have to go to Cy Cox, who is probably the smallest back on the team. At least he managed a couple of 10-15 yard runs here and there.
To be honest about it, the only real "break" the Gladiators had all night came on ERHS's first possession, when Blake Smith intercepted a pass at the 10-yard line to thwart the Eagles' opening drive. It might have then been an even game for the first quarter but Evans warmed up in the second and once they got that 21-0 lead, you had a feeling that it really is their year and that this was certainly their night to get some revenge on Riverheads.
So from where I sat, this was a clear demonstration of what can (and probably should be expected to) happen when a good to very good 1-A team goes up against a very good 2-A team. There should be that much of a talent difference and tonight there was. So I am willing to hop on the Eagle bandwagon for the rest of the season, and hope they can keep it going all the way to Salem. As long as Riverheads is there in its division also of course!
Now about that elephant I spoke of earlier.......I know that football is a team effort and for the most part East Rock showed itself to be a class outfit tonight. I saw some displays of good sportsmanship, such as helping someone off the turf after a play.
But I also know the old cliche that one rotten apple can spoil a barrel and we certainly saw an example of that tonight. Early in the third quarter, RHS had the ball around midfield and was attempting to mount a drive to possibly get back in the game.
A play had ended and the refs had blown it dead. A Riverheads player was lying flat on his back on the field when an East Rock player simply leaned over him and punched him. My guess is that some choice words were included with the delivery of that blow. Now it was more of a punch to the chest as opposed to the face or neck area, but it was aggressive enough that "punch" is the only word that applies. It was most definitely a deliberate act.
Fortunately two or three flags were thrown as the Gladiator fans started howling. There was then some momentary confusion as the referee pointed the wrong way and indicated that RHS was being flagged which led to a whole lot more howling.
That was quickly sorted out and the proper penalty yardage was stepped off. The player in question was justifiably ejected and if that (by rule) means that he has to sit out all or part of the next game, then it will be richly deserved.
But if I were Coach Coleman and had the quality team he is blessed with this year, I would probably add a punishment of my own for that guy to make him realize that his actions tonight spoiled what was otherwise a near-perfect game by his team. Heck, I wouldn't even mind if this guy's parents sent him to his room for the weekend to "think about what you have done." It really was THAT unnecessary and uncalled for.
Moving on, the Gladiators now have eight days to put this one behind them and get ready for a visit from the Bison next Friday. East Rock on the other hand has already passed two major Shenandoah tests and has my vote to go unbeaten on the season and hopefully deep into the playoffs.
As many of you have already stated, and it deserves saying again, this was total domination by the Eagles in every phase of the game. In fact I cannot even remember right now the last time a Riverheads team has been manhandled this way. Now I am sure some Lee and/or Central fans might perk up and say "Well what about us just last year?" but trust me those two games would not hold a candle to this one.
We already knew that East Rock had a superior weapon in Jawon Evans (not sure of spelling.) So we all expected him to do his thing tonight and he certainly did. Once he gets in the open, he is very elusive and several times tonight he just faked the Gladiators out of their shorts for long runs.
The Eagles also caught the Big Red flat-footed and out of position on two wide open TD passes, something the Gladiators will surely want to work on for the rest of the season. But the biggest surprise to me was how overpowering the Eagles were on defense.
Riverheads, which has a whole STABLE full of quality running backs, simply failed to sustain anything measurable on offense. I heard that we had something like 78 yards at halftime and I doubt if we made it to 150 for the game. ER was in the backfield on nearly every play it seemed and on the occasions when we tried to pass, they sacked the QB in record time or rushed him into a bad throw. If RHS had a "best effort of the night" it might have to go to Cy Cox, who is probably the smallest back on the team. At least he managed a couple of 10-15 yard runs here and there.
To be honest about it, the only real "break" the Gladiators had all night came on ERHS's first possession, when Blake Smith intercepted a pass at the 10-yard line to thwart the Eagles' opening drive. It might have then been an even game for the first quarter but Evans warmed up in the second and once they got that 21-0 lead, you had a feeling that it really is their year and that this was certainly their night to get some revenge on Riverheads.
So from where I sat, this was a clear demonstration of what can (and probably should be expected to) happen when a good to very good 1-A team goes up against a very good 2-A team. There should be that much of a talent difference and tonight there was. So I am willing to hop on the Eagle bandwagon for the rest of the season, and hope they can keep it going all the way to Salem. As long as Riverheads is there in its division also of course!
Now about that elephant I spoke of earlier.......I know that football is a team effort and for the most part East Rock showed itself to be a class outfit tonight. I saw some displays of good sportsmanship, such as helping someone off the turf after a play.
But I also know the old cliche that one rotten apple can spoil a barrel and we certainly saw an example of that tonight. Early in the third quarter, RHS had the ball around midfield and was attempting to mount a drive to possibly get back in the game.
A play had ended and the refs had blown it dead. A Riverheads player was lying flat on his back on the field when an East Rock player simply leaned over him and punched him. My guess is that some choice words were included with the delivery of that blow. Now it was more of a punch to the chest as opposed to the face or neck area, but it was aggressive enough that "punch" is the only word that applies. It was most definitely a deliberate act.
Fortunately two or three flags were thrown as the Gladiator fans started howling. There was then some momentary confusion as the referee pointed the wrong way and indicated that RHS was being flagged which led to a whole lot more howling.
That was quickly sorted out and the proper penalty yardage was stepped off. The player in question was justifiably ejected and if that (by rule) means that he has to sit out all or part of the next game, then it will be richly deserved.
But if I were Coach Coleman and had the quality team he is blessed with this year, I would probably add a punishment of my own for that guy to make him realize that his actions tonight spoiled what was otherwise a near-perfect game by his team. Heck, I wouldn't even mind if this guy's parents sent him to his room for the weekend to "think about what you have done." It really was THAT unnecessary and uncalled for.
Moving on, the Gladiators now have eight days to put this one behind them and get ready for a visit from the Bison next Friday. East Rock on the other hand has already passed two major Shenandoah tests and has my vote to go unbeaten on the season and hopefully deep into the playoffs.
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Great summary as usual. I was still in the concession line when the unsportsmanlike play occurred so can't address it. What I can say is that both RH lines were just overmatched. Spoke to a couple folks at east rock and this is the team year that they have been waiting for. Big boys and speed. East Rock was in the backfield before the play developed. Congrats to East Rock. They have a pretty good shot at going undefeated but time will tell.
So numbers matter in a 2a vs 1a matchup or is that an excuse ?
The unsportsmanlike penalty happened in full view of the Gladiators bench/stands too. Everyone saw it. I love the Gladiators fans. They are friendly, hospitable, and passionate about football. But some of the comments I heard in the stands made me a little more than concerned for that player's safety. To say they were upset would be an understatement.
The player should be disciplined and hopefully learn from it. He's talented, but he won't do his team any good riding the pine for bad behavior.
I think we may have a top 7 at this point. In no ranking order, just A-D.
Goochland, Poquoson, Central, East Rockingham, Appomattox, Glenvar, and Ridgeview
Goochland, Poquoson, Central, East Rockingham, Appomattox, Glenvar, and Ridgeview
I think 1 of those 7 wins the title and that isn't going out on a limb. I would be very surprised if another team did, but..,...those 7 aren't automatically in my opinion, members of the final 8. RE Lee, Graham, and Richlands have enough talent to make a splash and possibly get a win in Region B or D knocking off one of the "top 7." I leave Union out because it's likely assumed they are a top 2 team in Region D along with Ridgeview. Of the top 7 Guns mentioned, if I had to pick a team that could get to the final four that isn't in that top 7, it would be Graham. Graham lost to a team that may very well be better than any 2A team in Virginia in Bluefield, and if they run the table the rest of the way to go 9-1, it's not out of the question that they could win Region D. When you have great athletisicm and good speed, anything can happen, but.....it sounds like Ridgeview and Union are the top 2 out west. After the obliteration Union put on Graham in that region title game last year, I ain't picking against the Bears if Union and Graham are the 2 and 3 seeds and end up playing in the second round of the playoffs
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Good post. I just said 7 since the term Top 6 seemed like it may start an argument
