Essex big time! They’re on a mission and Grayson a 2A school has been taking it to smaller 1A schools but they’re about to hit a brick wall in my opinion. I could be wrong.
Essex vs Grayson County
- Thread starter Gridiron1960
- Start date
I've watched Grayson Co a few times and nothing I've seen has shown me that they'll even keep it close. Essex has shutdown two all state RBs in Madison and Stone the last two weeks, and while GC has a good QB, I don't see him having much time to get the ball off. Offensively, Essex will pound you with the 6'3 225 lbs freshman, Stewart, and then Jaden Holmes is their leading rusher and he can take it to the house on any given play. Not to mention, their QB Hence is a really good runner too. Like I mentioned in a post yesterday, the Rappahannock loss might end up being the best thing to happen to Essex. With the way their defense plays, only allowing 63 points all season, I think this game could potentially be similar to their state championship victory in 2009, when they beat Radford by 30.
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I favor Essex for sure and on video/film, it appears Grayson has very little chance of winning, but......That Region C district with GW, Grayson, Galax, and Giles is historically tough, especially from the physicality standpoint. It was there last year with Galax. I don't think Grayson will be within 10, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were closer than most, including myself think. For a Class 2 team in Grayson........oops, I mean Class 1, LOL they are actually pretty good from tackle to tackle along the line of scrimmage and deceptively better in this area (along the line of scrimmage) that some may realize.
Essex 31, Grayson 7.
Essex 31, Grayson 7.
Ok I’ll be that guy. “Essex by a lot,” “defense only given up xx points all season,” “Grayson hasn’t seen anyone like Essex all year,” “too many athletes for Grayson to account for.” It seems like every year Essex is in this game they totally implode or maybe call it “play down to their competition.” I’m not sure what the deal is but it’s happened several times. I don’t think they gave up a TD last year but lost the championship. Who will win, idk, should Essex win probably so, but would I trust them and Coach Jones….absolutely not.
Man I’d love to see the style clash of RC and Essex, even if the Eagles would have likely came out behind. With how Grayson gamed the system, I hope Essex wins by 30
For someone who has not watched Essex all year, what makes them different than last year? Galax was not a dominate team by any means and got the surprise win. I was actually very disappointed watching Essex and Galax. In person, I thought Essex would have their way and to put up 6 points.... was very confusing.
Top 2a teams last year put up 39,42,56 on Galax.
I do not think Grayson is a very strong 1A team compared to the past, but why can I assume Essex blows the doors wide open?
Top 2a teams last year put up 39,42,56 on Galax.
I do not think Grayson is a very strong 1A team compared to the past, but why can I assume Essex blows the doors wide open?
Last year Essex didn't have leading rusher Jaden Holmes, who missed the last 3 games. They also didn't have 6'3 225 lbs freshman Demetrius Stewart. Also last year Zay Bundy played qb out of necessity, but this year he's playing blocking back and the current QB is a very good runner in his own right. Plus they were mostly sophomore and junior heavy last year and now they have another year of experience
It will come down to simply play calling and execution simple as that...look for Grayson to have a few trick plays or wrinkles but its going to be who is the most consistent and makes plays.
As a long time essex fan, I've seen my share of disappointments with essex in the state championship. I'll be there pulling for them this year as usual ( with my fingers crossed ).
I hinted at this earlier about Essex. I've seen this story before as well, but Essex will get it done this year. The only worry if you are an Essex fan is if the game is low scoring in the late 2nd qtr and Grayson has moved it enough to kill some clock and make it close. The only thing being underestimated here is Grayson on the line of the scrimmage. Never count out that Region C district with Grayson, Galax, GW, or Giles. Whenever one of them makes it to the state title game, they always seem to be a very physical line for a Class 1 school. Won't matter this year though. Essex has to much for Grayson.
I never underestimate an opponent and while on paper it may be Essex you dont know what team will show up on either side...Essex from last week may or may not show up just like Grayson from last week may or may not show up...we will know by 2:30 pm Saturday when the smoke clears
Essex still should have won with ease. Maybe coaching got in the way.
He asked what was the difference between Essex from last year to this year, so that's what I gave him. Should they have won last year? Probably so. But, unfortunately there's nothing they can do about that now. But I do feel this year's team is on a mission and I think they win comfortably this year
They have someone in charge who likes to whine and moan about "hardship," 'travel," "future enrollment numbers".....ya know the basics and like normal when pressure is put on the VHSL they just caved. They are like the 5th or 6th team above the Single A cut line, but oh well what do ya do but play ball.
Like I said in the other thread, I don't trust Google, but it's telling me Essex has more students than Grayson. I'm glad to be corrected.
Maybe this is a 2A state title game.
Grayson's kids play who they're told to. Not their fault.
When I Googled enrollment for Grayson Co HS, it said 465 for grades 9-12. I do know when they're doing numbers for sports purposes, they now take the numbers from grades 9-11.
The numbers they use for sports purposes are for grades 9-11, so as long as they have less than 365, they're class 1.
Then Grayson has less than 365. So they're class 1? Just looking for clarification.
Then Grayson has less than 365. So they're class 1? Just looking for clarification
So everyone is crying about 14 extra students? The way everyone talks on here i thought Grayson was over by 200.
Current ADM numbers is based off this chart from 2022-2023 i believe. Its hard to find when they switched from 9-12 to 9-11 but i think this is the first change.
If a school was over a number by 1 percent they could request and explain why they should drop and Grayson was granted because of travel
“They made the case to the executive committee that geographically where they were, that it was gonna be difficult for them,” Executive Director of the VHSL Billy Haun said. ”It would be a hardship for them to play in Class 2 versus Class 1.”
If a school was over a number by 1 percent they could request and explain why they should drop and Grayson was granted because of travel
“They made the case to the executive committee that geographically where they were, that it was gonna be difficult for them,” Executive Director of the VHSL Billy Haun said. ”It would be a hardship for them to play in Class 2 versus Class 1.”
Honestly, until recently I didn't even know people had any issues with their enrollment. Obviously, they're at the top of class 1 in terms of enrollment, but someone has to be. Next year Riverheads will be back in class 1, so people will go back to complaining about their enrollment and leave Grayson alone 😆
I think it comes down to there are a lot of small schools (20+ under 200) and its not Grayson's numbers per se, its that people think the cut off should be lower than 350 anyways. Grayson beat teams with 109 kids and 160 the last two weeks.
Essex's play calling was terrible against Galax. Way too conservative. The passing game looked crisp in warm-ups, but hardly was used in the game. Open it up this time, Coach. Let 'em cook.
Ummm at smaller schools 14 extra students is and can be a big deal for both boys and girls athletics. But I can tell by your username that it doesn't matter; I would make the argument that 1A football and 2A could be included is some of the best football....I enjoy watching a team with 18-25 guys give it absolutely everything they got play after play, little to no subs so suck it up and play ball. I would imagine Rye Cove and Bath county would have liked to have just 100 extra kids and maybe those games turn out much different.
No they shouldnt have. The game of football has what is called the line of scrimmage. Galax was BETTER than Essex on the line of scrimmage from tackle to tackle on offense and along the front 4 on defense. Galax wasn't better by much on the LOS, but they were better. I agree 100 percent about poor offensive playcalling and design by Essex. I said it on here last year.
I don't know what "everyone is crying" means. I had no idea every Class 1 fan in Virginia was literally crying related to Grayson. That's a lot of people. Ease up on the emotional hyperbole.
Anyway, for the few people that did address concerns, they are legit. They have cut offs for a reason. It's not 1 or 2 or 5 or 14, the cutoff number is the number period.
But the real reason why some complained? Your former AD lied. He put in a hardship appeal for Grayson to play Class 1 instead of Class 2. Grayson has essentially played the same schedule currently as they did for the brief time they were formerly Class 2, so declaring hardship/travel issue is simply....A LIE. People don't like liars. That's why people complained. If Grayson had a radically different schedule at present compared to when they were formerly Class 2, then it's reasonable to possibly argue hardship, but their schedule is not radically different and it's obvious that travel/hardship was a claim that was based on a LIE. That's why some complained and the should have.
Dang don’t know what all the worries are about numbers. Fasten your chin straps up and play football. Yes I’m sure Rye Cove, Bath County, Twin Springs, and other 1A schools would like to have more students. But because of job losses, decline in family size, kids graduating and leaving these areas, factories closing, and other things that can’t be helped for various reasons numbers are down. Heck even in the more populated areas football participation are down. So in the next cycle Riverheads will take the pressure off others. I’m sure their numbers will be questioned. Who knows if these schools had 10, 15, 20 or more students they would choose to play football, basketball, or other sports. They might decide I’m going to work or go home and game until midnight. If I’m correct didn’t Essex play GC for D2 or 3 Championship in 2003, Goochland 2006 and couple more times, and Riverheads in D1 how many times. Don’t believe there was any question of their numbers and there shouldn’t have been questions.
