Congrats to both teams for getting to this championship game. These teams obviously know each other very well. Can Coach Johnson re-assert his Springers as the most dominant team in Class 5 yet again? Can Coach Thompson guide his Bulldogs to a title in his 10th championship game appearance in 21 seasons? I think we have a great game stacking up for Saturday (at Varina).
Highland Springs vs Stone Bridge
- Thread starter SBOEDog
- Start date
If the Bull Dogs can crack that Springer Defense, they might have a chance. I think HS's offense is going to come alive in this game and their D will be lights out again!!
HS 21 SB 7
HS 21 SB 7
I will be the first to admit, saying that SB would score 37 on the defense I saw Saturday is blasphemy. I still think SB comes away with it though, 21-18. But either way I got what I wanted for Christmas, another SB v HSHS matchup!
HS may very well win, but I would be very, very surprised if they held SB to just seven points. I see this as a higher scoring game than 21-7.
The Stonebridge offense only scored 28 points against the Mediocre WF Defense(in the rain). The WF is nowhere close to being as good as the defense that Maury faced. I expect a low scoring game,but I think more than 14 points against that defense is highly unlikely(possibly...but unlikely). I don’t see SB holding HSHS under 14 though. As Maury found out....it’s hard to figure a way to attack that defense. The DBs are as good as any group in the country,and the front 7 is beyond tough to run on with that speed. Both DEs HAVE to be double teamed and the DT was 1st team all state last season. If they get anything close to the offense they have gotten in the last three games,the title count will become 5! Maury also found out....HSHS’s receiving corps has to be covered by 6 DBs!
Can’t compare scores. Highland Springs was held to 21 points on Deep Run, Herm scored 58 on that same team. Tucker almost beat Deep Run 🥴.. Compare these scores. It’s all about who’s more locked in that day and makes the adjustments. High school kids aren’t up at 7 o’clock in the morning like we are on a forum and most probably isn’t thinking about football until practice. One thing working for the Springers is they will be well prepared. Loren Johnson has instilled a mentality in those guys that not a lot of major college teams even have.
By far this is the best defense that Stone Bridge will have seen all season. In fact, you can probably take the best 11 defensive players from their previous 8 opponents this year and HSHS would still have a better D. Make no mistake though, Stone Bridge can move the ball and they also score in all 3 phases of the game. Maybe the first team to get to 20 points wins?
You took the words right out of my mouth. You can’t depend on 15-18 year olds to be locked-in every day. My point was,SB didn’t score 40+ points on offense vs WF. They had 2 pick6s and a fumble recovery in the dnd zone. My point from a prior thread also stated,HS is a different team since the Varina game when the Jr QB went down with a season ending shoulder injury. Dent has been able to develop a rhythm without looking over his shoulders,wondering if he’s gonna come out the next drive. He’s thrown 5 TDs in the last 2 games,and ran for another one. He’s not making the mistakes that his defense can’t correct. I don’t mind an int,in the end zone,on 4th & 15 from the 25 yd line. At least he’s taking a shot,and giving those big wide receivers a chance to make a play. The RB has,SO FAR,corrected his fumble issues since the DRun game as well. Like you said....we ALL know,Johnson will have something up his sleeve and will undoubtedly have them ready to play. I just wish this game could be fully watched in a FULL stadium.
That is exactly what I’m thinking. First team to 20 will win this game.
I admit, I’m a bit confused as to how William Flemings was able to move the ball into Stonebridge territory multiple times in the first half. I also see where Stonebridge put the ball in the ground three times,and we’re just shy of double digit penalties. Any comments?
So the rain was coming down at it’s heaviest in Roanoke during the first 3 quarters which likely had an effect with those 3 fumbles. One was a bad exchange and the other two were just plain old fumbles. If they are loose like that against HSHS, it’s checkmate and you have your 5th. As far as WF moving the ball deep into SB territory, it was really that deep ball on their 2nd drive with that seam route over the middle. The other times were set up by those fumbles which put the ball in plus territory for William Fleming. Mistake free (or at least minimal) football is a must against HSHS. The penalties have been an issue all year for the Bulldogs. 3 consecutive TD’s, on 3 snaps, called back in the 4th quarter this past Saturday.
Thank you for the honesty. I had not thought about the fumbles allowing Fleming to have possession in Stonebridge territory. The Springers had to turnover bug and penalties all year up until the Varina game. One illegal procedure penalty did cost a fourth-quarter touchdown run from about 25 yards out to be called back versus Maury,so I can relate. Nerves will be at a premium Saturday,that’s for sure.
I admit, I’m anxious to see what Thompson comes up with to attack our D. Our D coach has faced that SB offense 3x now. I gotta feeling there’s gonna be some punting in this game. Jmo
I agree. SB could actually double the number of punts they have on the season in this game. I must admit (as a SB fan) that it was a bummer for us when Harmon and Gilliam decided to come back for one last ride. Happy for those 2 guys though....just wish they were in the Oklahoma defensive spring meetings this Saturday instead. The early weather forecast looks perfect for a Saturday afternoon game.
Well fortunately for us, the two that would have replaced them in the lineup, one is the coach Johnson’s kid and he just received an offer from Oklahoma to play DB, and the one to replace Gilliam (his last name is A Soph,Green)just received an offer from Jmu,West Virginia,and Boston College,ECU,and ODU, he is the younger brother of the freshman defensive back at Clemson and the younger brother of the JMU conference defensive player of the year(great genes there). But they are not Harmon & Gilliam! They are great for depth though.
I know your quarterback is going to Clemson but where is that big ass running back/linebacker going?
Really not sure where #33 is headed. He is a strong kid for sure. His natural position is LB/Edge. Thompson put him in the backfield some this year in heavy packages because he delivers such a force with a head of steam
That kid is a moose and he needs to be playing linebacker or defensive end somewhere! Real big offensive line from the film I watched. The trenches are going to be fun to watch
The O-Line is a strength for sure. 4 Seniors & 1 Junior. They hold up very well and run block like crazy but the front 7 of HSHS is a completely different test....they are well aware of that.
Great info you two are sharing. I'm really enjoying it. And great sportsmanship, as it should be. Best of luck to both teams.
Thanks Dinwiddie
Hoo... I haven’t had a chance to watch the Maury game yet. Did the Springers get out of there fairly healthy?
Hoo... I haven’t had a chance to watch the Maury game yet. Did the Springers get out of there fairly healthy?
They had one injury vs Maury,but I’m not sure about the extent or the availability for this week. The Jr backup QB had a season ending shoulder injury vs Varina a few weeks back,but that has led the starter to play much better since then. His new backup is last season’s starter,the Boston College commit.
actually received 2 offers since the Varina game.
I know SB played in a steady downpour Sat. Any injuries over there? I want both teams at full strength!
That Deep Run game is what woke this team up. They realized,they better start playing with a purpose,EVERY GAME,or it could end in a blink of an eye. They’ve been different since that last DRun drive.
We are lucky to be playing at all. Both teams earned the right to be here. I’m very interested in what Thompson comes up with to penetrate that Springer D. I’m also interested in seeing how effective the Springer offense can be against an impenetrable D that SB has been so far. Both coaches know each other well by this point,so which can hit with the “unexpected”.
I’m looking forward to watching this game Saturday. Sucks that this game won’t be played in a bigger stadium for more fans to see in person.
I agree...with the weather looking good it would be nice to have a larger fan base to enjoy this matchup. As far as injuries for SB, they were very healthy for the most part going into the Fleming game. They had a couple of players on the defensive side walking very gingerly after the game so hopefully they can get their treatment in this week and give it a go on Varina’s field on Sat afternoon.
I'm a Varina fan of course I'm pulling for highland springs. Offense packs the stadium and defense wins championships. I look for Highland Springs to win another state championship.
This weekend's game should be a good one. After all I really do believe Highland Springs and Stone Bridge are the 2 best Class 5 teams. One with the best defense and one with the best offense. Best D vs Best O for the State Title....how fitting!
While these teams may differ in style and where their super strengths lie, they have a lot in common. The main thread being the coaching and community support. It’s well documented how Coach Johnson has instilled a family mentality around the Springers. From the # of brother combos that come through the program to the youth teams in the area where there is a 12 year old right now dreaming of playing and staring for HSHS in 5 or 6 years with a chance to go play in college if they follow through on the hard work. The same can be said for Coach Thompson and what he has built. 50 freshman (yes 50), came out for Freshman football this spring, during a pandemic nonetheless. I remember my first parent meeting with Thompson and he said the numbers are so large we unfortunately may have to make cuts. With numbers declining all over the US with regards to participation, these guys have found the magic formula to continue to breed success into their programs and respective schools. A tip of the hat to them both!!!
High school sports spectator capacity increased to 1,000, schools to receive tickets for football championships
High school sports spectator capacity increased to 1,000, schools to receive tickets for football championships
The Virginia High School League announced on Thursday that outdoor recreational sporting events will now be able to allow up to 1,000 spectators. This change is effective immediately and increases …
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