Does Essex have a chance? Calpreps has it 48-13 in favor of Riverheads. I think it's closer than that.
Essex vs Riverheads
- Thread starter Fairlawncat
- Start date
Never say never. I've lived long enough to believe about anything in High School football. Believe it or not, there have actually been bigger upsets.
I think it will be tough sledding, but its high school football, anything can happen, you get down to the final 4, there are no bad teams. Riverheads will lose sooner or later, there offense struggled quite a bit against Gap, if they dont get on track against Essex , Essex may be in Salem.
As we have come to expect, Essex has some athletes that can play. Mental mistakes could haunt whichever team makes them. Tight early with the margin growing to 21 after the half. Look for some solid hitting out of both with a few more plays made by the Gladiators. Of course as mentioned above, anything can and will happen in the playoffs. Should be fun
If Riverheads has a weakness, it's been their pass defense. If Essex has time, they can exploit that. Kam Robinson is an all state WR and is a very physical, 6'2 215 lbs and they have other receivers who are good too. Riverheads is the heavy favorite and rightfully so, but Essex has athletes and in my opinion, can just come out and play loose, since nobody expects them to win anyways.
Riverheads has no one that can cover Kam or Dorian....I'd throw them the ball all game.
RH by many not that Essex isn't good and damn good at that. But RH is a completely different type of beast at the 1A level. RH has played an insane schedule and has walked everyone without really any trouble at all. And Essex due to no fault of their own have missed a few games that imo will hurt. And some have said Kam will run wild and I think he will score and more than once as he is an monster athlete. But one player and one type of play will not stop RH. I'm not saying Essex only has one weapon or one type of play but if they plan to compete or win they will need to be extremely well balanced and mistake free. And if anyone still thinks just chucking it up is the key go ask EM how that worked out in the title game.
Riverheads may have trouble covering the pass, but Essex isn’t always consistent doing that. If The QB can get it close, Robinson will go get it. Problem for Essex is, they aren’t good stopping the run. Riverheads may give up a few big plays but will dominate the run game. 49-13 Riverheads.
If nobody can cover them how did W & L give their offense a big goose egg. That game , Essex losing 26-0 makes me think they arent the team offensively that some think they are. I think RHS is the heavy favorite but its still teenagers playing so anything is possible.
Essextrojan1 are u coming to the game on Saturday, if so maybe u can see if u can find XCROSS for us, he is still the hide and seek champion for greenville, he might have some leftover oysters for ya if ya like the rocky mt style
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It’s up in the air for me right now. If I don’t get mandated to work OT Saturday, I will be there. Won’t know anything until Thursday.
I didn’t want those type of oysters when they were fresh, so I know I don’t want any a week old. Lol
Deep frying can make anything next to poop taste ok. I have actually had Rocky Mountain Oysters twice. Both times at a restaurant in Manitou Springs, Colorado. I have to admit, my wife and I loved them, and came back the last day of our vacation and ate them again.
Ok let us know if will make it, and u can come see our new bleachers and meet a couple of va prep members except for xcross he is no where to be found
depending on what Essex team shows up it could be a tighter game most expect. One thing that stays true with Essex year in and out is they have tons of speed and athletes. If riverheads jumps on them quick it’ll be game over. If they let Essex hang around they’ll have the athletes to win, don’t give them that confidence. Essex played a weak schedule, they didn’t plan to make up the game vs king william, they didn’t play northumberland, and the regular season game vs KQ was cut short, riverheads will be the best team they’ve played two years. Riverheads has played a lot tougher schedule then Essex and that should show in this game.
W&L has 2 corners that are 6'2 plus and can jump out the gym plus W&L's safety is one of the best in 1A. I don't think Riverheads has that on their team but I could be wrong.
Riverheads has one corner thats probably 6’3, first team all district and a safety thats 1st team all district. I would venture to guess Riverheads defense is a little better than W&L considering the schedule they played and the points they allowed to some very good teams. Out of their 10 games 7 were playoff teams with 3 being 3A playoff teams and 2 that were 2A playoff teams. Im sure Essex receivers arent better than what they have already seen, but guess we will find out Sat.
Two keys for this game.
For Essex it will be their ability to stop RH power running game. West Point was able to run the ball for over 300 yards against Essex without to much trouble and I'll bet RH won't fumble the ball like we did.
RH will simply need to have a couple of DB's tall enough and fast enough to contest those deep jump balls in the passing game and/or put pressure on the QB. The short underneath stuff doesn't hurt so much and Essex doesn't have the patience to keep going to that or commit to the run. They really like to stretch the field and take a chance to put a dagger in your heart with the deep ball.
For Essex it will be their ability to stop RH power running game. West Point was able to run the ball for over 300 yards against Essex without to much trouble and I'll bet RH won't fumble the ball like we did.
RH will simply need to have a couple of DB's tall enough and fast enough to contest those deep jump balls in the passing game and/or put pressure on the QB. The short underneath stuff doesn't hurt so much and Essex doesn't have the patience to keep going to that or commit to the run. They really like to stretch the field and take a chance to put a dagger in your heart with the deep ball.
Essex needs a makeover so to speak. To be as big as they are they need to get away from the finesse that we've seen from them in the past and start running with more power.
W&L has a good team and people don’t understand the rivalry between the two schools. One team can be 0-9 and the other can be 9-0 it the game can go either way
It also was a bit breezy Saturday. Some of those over and under thrown deep passes were altered by the wind.
This Essex team is made up of mostly underclassmen. In fact, I believe only 3 had significant varsity experience prior to this year. So, this team is primarily their JV team from 2 years ago with some kids who were 7th graders two years ago mixed in. Don't forget Essex didn't play in the spring.
If west point can get 300 yards rushing with not much trouble, I think triple c will have a field day with 3 or 4 tds along with his fellow running backs followed by a few pass plays, GO BIG RED
I'm sure Riverheads will be able to run the ball, as they do against every opponent. WP may have banged their heads for 300 yards, but once Essex knew they could score at will I think some of those defensive guys were okay with giving up 3-4 yards. The score was 28-0, very close to going in for 35-0 before the penalty. West Point never threaten. Now Essex will have to grind out 4 quarters against Riverheads if they want a shot for sure, but just trying to add a perspective.
Just saw the stats from the Essex/KQ game. KQ held Essex to 66 yards rushing on 29 attempts and 94 yards passing on 7-16. Total of 160 yards. Essex held KQ to 99 yards rushing on 37 carries and 119 yards passing on 9-19 with 1 interception. Total of 218 yards.
Just to be clear, Essex was not ok giving up 3-4 yards. West Point was taking yards on the ground at will. WP had the ball on the Essex side of the field both times when they fumbled it away and those turnovers led to 2 td's in the 1st quarter. Turnovers combined with our inability to outjump Essex receivers for the deep pass is what killed us in the 1st quarter. West Point ourscored Essex 28-21 from the 2nd quarter on. And yeah I get that we play 4 quarters, but if just 1 of those 1st quarter turnovers went the other way, It's a whole new ballgame.....And if, If's and buts where candy and nuts it would be christmas everyday!
Just remember Essex offense didn't get on the field due to two kick returns for TD and at the they had two kneel downs including one that resulted in a safety!!! SMH. Penalties eliminated about 130-140 yds also. No big deal. No one from Region A was gonna get within sniffing range of Riverheads anyhow!
Ive seen both teams play this year. Unfortunately, its going to be a long day for the Trojans! 56-14
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