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For Mr UVACavs

NND Sports Fan

VaPreps Honorable Mention
Aug 1, 2002
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I know you feel Northumberland hasn't been getting respect, but I went back and looked at the Pre-Season projection thread (started in July) and many posters had NHS in the top 10 and lots in the top 5. Heck, you had then #6. Some interesting comments were that a couple posters said Essex would run the table in the regular season and TruTiger picked a 6-4 campaign for Sussex. He missed that one that 4 games. It seemed most everyone in July picked Riverheds vs. Essex and Galax vs. Chilhowie as the state semifinal games. Let's see if that happens.
 
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Yes, I do remember a few folks besides (Va Preps) had NHS in their preseason polls.

I seem to recall that NHS was picked to finish 4th in the NND in the newspaper. Mainly, many of those that were going against NHS being any good were commentators in local Region A threads. Most local people said the Indians would finish around 6-4 at best. Some posters were quite hostile to fans of NHS expressing their thoughts that NHS was a top 10 State team that had any chance at the NND title.

Some still always pick that NHS will lose. I have no problems with all that dissent and doubt. Different opinions are great. Made it fun to debate.
 
In my second poll after week one - I had Essex and Northumberland from Region A, Riverheads and WC from Region B, and Chilhowie and Galax from the West in the Top 6 for State.

I think that I messed up in my preseason poll and included Sussex in the top 7 along with the above teams. Dropped them out after week one.

I tried to be respectful of geographical areas and knew some would think I was putting NHS to high (as a supporter)- had the Indians at 4th in my notes.
 
This is how I would rank them without regards to geographic location.

1) Riverheads (all alone at the top)

2) Northumberland
3) Essex
4) Chilhowie
5) Galax

(imo, WC would lose to CB, Rapp, and WP and maybe W&L.)
 
Of course, we will never know about who is truly the best from 2-5. When I suggested just put Riverheads in Salem and let those 4 teams battle for the right to make it to Salem, I meant it. Someone said that it was a silly idea, but I can assure you, it would be the fairest way to decide (and the NND would have a very strong shot of making it to play Riverheads in Salem.)

I do predict with confidence - and I will say I am not sure if any of these top teams can defeat Riverheads.

However, I will pull for whichever NND makes it to Riverheads to pull the major upset.

Anything can happen...that's why you play the game.
 
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Most people base their opinions from what teams have done in the past, I'm sure if your team consistently keeps the their winning ways going they will get much more respect
 
This would be awesome to see- (I think that most fans would enjoy it).

Galax v Northumberland

Essex v Chilhowie

That would be a very exciting final four!
 
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I know you feel Northumberland hasn't been getting respect, but I went back and looked at the Pre-Season projection thread (started in July) and many posters had NHS in the top 10 and lots in the top 5. Heck, you had then #6. Some interesting comments were that a couple posters said Essex would run the table in the regular season and TruTiger picked a 6-4 campaign for Sussex. He missed that one that 4 games. It seemed most everyone in July picked Riverheds vs. Essex and Galax vs. Chilhowie as the state semifinal games. Let's see if that happens.
I have doubted the Indians all Season, I did tell you all Sussex was in a rebuild when many had them top 10 Sussex could of won 6 games but we didn't. Sussex will be a force next year trust me, the NND as a whole will not be as good next year and years to come. Rappahanock will dominate next year. Northumberland in my honest opinion has had a great season and represented its community and the NND very well. Essex should and will win this week. Essex 34 Northumberland 26.
 
That is an interesting comment considering the showing the Neck has had this post season. I realize there are several higher profile seniors but there are tons of under classmen to take the next step. Inquiring minds want to know, lol.
 
WP will be just as good next year. WP is only losing a few key seniors, returning a very large junior class, will have #44, retains both DEs and retains 4 of their 6 LBs. And they will get their best PG back, Elijah Billups, who went out in one of the earlier games for torn ACL.
 
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That is an interesting comment considering the showing the Neck has had this post season. I realize there are several higher profile seniors but there are tons of under classmen to take the next step. Inquiring minds want to know, lol.
Ok Lets Be Real Here :

Northumberland will be 9-1 Next Year ? No ( 4-6)
WP will go 6-4 Next year
Essex will be 8-2 next year ? No ( 7-3)
Colonial Beach 4-6 next year
Rappahanock 9 -1 wins the Neck will win Region A
Middlesex 2-8
 
You could very well be right. In the scenario you describe, I would think with the exception of Northumberland faltering, that’s not a steep drop. Records aside does it matter if Essex is 8-2 or 7-3?
 
Hey Sussex will end up being kicked out by riverheads next year. Region A is the northern neck district's for the taking next year.
 
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Sounds like sussex will have bigger fish to fry besides worrying about teams from the northern neck
The run has to end soon , We welcome the challenge. The fish grease is warming, Sussex has been a staple for decades what makes you think we fear anyone ?
 
Hey Sussex will end up being kicked out by riverheads next year. Region A is the northern neck district's for the taking next year.
The NND is transforming into the wing tee league some would call it rec. ball.
 
You could very well be right. In the scenario you describe, I would think with the exception of Northumberland faltering, that’s not a steep drop. Records aside does it matter if Essex is 8-2 or 7-3?
Essex style of play is what separated them from the other teams in the NN . The change over to wing tee ball sends a message to the other teams that Essex is no longer the juggernaut we are use to. Region A going forward will be weaken by this going forward.
 
Riverheads seems to do fine by running the rec league wing t. Actually Essex is running the double wing, similar to the old KW teams. Same for teams like Goochland and Poquoson in 2A, who are very successfully running the wing t. You have to play to your strengths. If you dont have the receivers or the quarterback, like in the past then you have to make changes. Essex used a power running game out of the wing, a lot down the stretch last year as well.
 
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Riverheads seems to do fine by running the rec league wing t. Actually Essex is running the double wing, similar to the old KW teams. Same for teams like Goochland and Poquoson in 2A, who are very successfully running the wing t. You have to play to your strengths. If you dont have the receivers or the quarterback, like in the past then you have to make changes. Essex used a power running game out of the wing, a lot down the stretch last year as well.
Never anything was wrong with it . Do what you do .
 
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Riverheads seems to do fine by running the rec league wing t. Actually Essex is running the double wing, similar to the old KW teams. Same for teams like Goochland and Poquoson in 2A, who are very successfully running the wing t. You have to play to your strengths. If you dont have the receivers or the quarterback, like in the past then you have to make changes. Essex used a power running game out of the wing, a lot down the stretch last year as well.
Riverheads dominance is because of serveral reasons besides the offense alignment.
 
Ok Lets Be Real Here :

Northumberland will be 9-1 Next Year ? No ( 4-6)
WP will go 6-4 Next year
Essex will be 8-2 next year ? No ( 7-3)
Colonial Beach 4-6 next year
Rappahanock 9 -1 wins the Neck will win Region A
Middlesex 2-8
Without knowing the schedules of teams its kind of hard to say what their records will be.

NHS will have a big drop off from their last 2 years....
WP will be stout defensively again and still can run the ball but losing Lawson will hurt.
Essex will be solid but will have a drop off as well. They will be losing a lot upfront on both sides of the ball.
CB will return the bulk of their skill guys but will be hurting on their o line. and losing their best defensive player.
Rapp returns 90% of their team. They will need to replace the production of Epps but should make a run next year.
Middlesex-Not sure what to think here
Mathews-will be better but still won't be able to contend with WP
Northampton-Were they senior loaded or a bunch of underclassmen?
W&L-Losing some key players but I think they will be the surprise team of the NND next year.
 
Without knowing the schedules of teams its kind of hard to say what their records will be.

NHS will have a big drop off from their last 2 years....
WP will be stout defensively again and still can run the ball but losing Lawson will hurt.
Essex will be solid but will have a drop off as well. They will be losing a lot upfront on both sides of the ball.
CB will return the bulk of their skill guys but will be hurting on their o line. and losing their best defensive player.
Rapp returns 90% of their team. They will need to replace the production of Epps but should make a run next year.
Middlesex-Not sure what to think here
Mathews-will be better but still won't be able to contend with WP
Northampton-Were they senior loaded or a bunch of underclassmen?
W&L-Losing some key players but I think they will be the surprise team of the NND next year.
A far more accurate assessment than the Post you responded to.
 
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