History Says 2019 Class 5 Champion Is...

[CRF4Dan]

As many of you know, I do this about the same time every year... I like trends and stats... This year I did it again... I looked at previous champions, what they did the year before in order to give us an idea of who will win it all...

Keep in mind this all in good fun...

Trends-
8 of the last 10 champions were back-to-back champs.
The last 14 champions won 9+ games the year before winning it all.
The last 5 champions were in the top five in ratings the year before winning it all.

Odds-
32 previous champions reached no less than the 2nd round of the playoffs.
26 previous champions won 9+ games a year before winning it all.
13 previous champions were in the top 3 ratings wise a year before they won it all.

Facts-
13 previous champions got no further than the 2nd round or they won it all in the year preceding a state title.
8 previous champions finished 2nd in ratings a year before they won it all.
20 previous champions had 10 wins the year before they won it all.

So who fits the mold?

Trends say it should be either Highland Springs, Indian River or Manchester... yes, Manchester is Class 5 this year.

Odds say it should either Highland Springs, Indian River or Manchester as well.

Facts spell out Highland Springs... but...

History says the Springers won't win it all as there has never been a team to win 5 straight state titles in football in VHSL history.

So that narrows it down to Indian River or Manchester to claim the 2019 Class 5 State Title...

 

[757FridayNiteZ]

I. River has a lot of returning talent. Their OL/DL play was a lot better vs previous years. They've always had talented skill players. It's gonna take for them to have equal or better interior play to get past Maury & HS this year. It's going to be difficult replacing D. Brooks @ QB.

With Cox and Woodside moving to 5A from 6A, expect them to make this an exciting playoffs.

 

[springer76]

As many of you know, I do this about the same time every year... I like trends and stats... This year I did it again... I looked at previous champions, what they did the year before in order to give us an idea of who will win it all...

Keep in mind this all in good fun...

Trends-
8 of the last 10 champions were back-to-back champs.
The last 14 champions won 9+ games the year before winning it all.
The last 5 champions were in the top five in ratings the year before winning it all.

Odds-
32 previous champions reached no less than the 2nd round of the playoffs.
26 previous champions won 9+ games a year before winning it all.
13 previous champions were in the top 3 ratings wise a year before they won it all.

Facts-
13 previous champions got no further than the 2nd round or they won it all in the year preceding a state title.
8 previous champions finished 2nd in ratings a year before they won it all.
20 previous champions had 10 wins the year before they won it all.

So who fits the mold?

Trends say it should be either Highland Springs, Indian River or Manchester... yes, Manchester is Class 5 this year.

Odds say it should either Highland Springs, Indian River or Manchester as well.

Facts spell out Highland Springs... but...

History says the Springers won't win it all as there has never been a team to win 5 straight state titles in football in VHSL history.

So that narrows it down to Indian River or Manchester to claim the 2019 Class 5 State Title...

Never say never!!! I'm not even going to say anything about Highland Springs!! I'm not sure what Indian River will look like this year... Norview has Coach Cotton back, they might be dangerous.... Don't count out Maury they return a lot!! Manchester lost a ton!! Where's Bird this year? No mention of Stone Bridge? You/'re not giving them a chance this year? Hermitage and Coach Bedwell? ...Hmmmm.
I forgot to mention Woodgrove!!

 

[HooSprings]

As many of you know, I do this about the same time every year... I like trends and stats... This year I did it again... I looked at previous champions, what they did the year before in order to give us an idea of who will win it all...

Keep in mind this all in good fun...

Trends-
8 of the last 10 champions were back-to-back champs.
The last 14 champions won 9+ games the year before winning it all.
The last 5 champions were in the top five in ratings the year before winning it all.

Odds-
32 previous champions reached no less than the 2nd round of the playoffs.
26 previous champions won 9+ games a year before winning it all.
13 previous champions were in the top 3 ratings wise a year before they won it all.

Facts-
13 previous champions got no further than the 2nd round or they won it all in the year preceding a state title.
8 previous champions finished 2nd in ratings a year before they won it all.
20 previous champions had 10 wins the year before they won it all.

So who fits the mold?

Trends say it should be either Highland Springs, Indian River or Manchester... yes, Manchester is Class 5 this year.

Odds say it should either Highland Springs, Indian River or Manchester as well.

Facts spell out Highland Springs... but...

History says the Springers won't win it all as there has never been a team to win 5 straight state titles in football in VHSL history.

So that narrows it down to Indian River or Manchester to claim the 2019 Class 5 State Title...

Possible 5th or whatever...THIS will be the best HSHS team we have EVER seen. History has never seen a returning 4x Champion with this many returning players/starters(15) on both sides of the ball.

With the additions they’ve added to the players already returning...its going to take a special team to beat this “addition” of the Springers. “History” has never seen anything like this!

Great write up as always though!!

 

[aw19752]

Possible 5th or whatever...THIS will be the best HSHS team we have EVER seen. History has never seen a returning 4x Champion with this many returning players/starters(15) on both sides of the ball.

With the additions they’ve added to the players already returning...its going to take a special team to beat this “addition” of the Springers. “History” has never seen anything like this!

Great write up as always though!!

So this team is possibly better than the Hampton teams with Ronald Curry that won National Titles in 96 and 97?

 

[HooSprings]

So this team is possibly better than the Hampton teams with Ronald Curry that won National Titles in 96 and 97?

I don’t like to compare teams from different eras. This year’s team is a lot like the Curry/Blizzard led team,but as I said...this is a FIFTH year of dominance coming,not 4. How good was the Hampton team the year AFTER their 4th? THIS HSHS team will be better than the previous 4! 16 returning starters,including 8 lineman starting for a 3rd year in a row. Now...insteps a Jr QB whose first offer came from NDame(also offers from Texas A&M and UNC),and he’ll be every bit as highly recruited as Curry,if not more. The defense could very well be the best the state has EVER seen(9 returning starters) led by at least 5 power 5 recruits.

FYI...that “mythical” title is someone’s “thoughts”,but in reality...NO TEAM from VA can beat ANY of the top 5 teams from Texas,California,Florida,the DC area,Georgia,or Alabama. Anyone that thinks otherwise is delusional!!!

Jmo...the Phoebus teams were every bit as good as the Hampton 4 teams.

 

[aw19752]

Ok thanks for long explanation, but you still haven't answered the question do you think this addition of Springers is better than the 96-97 Hampton teams?

 

[springer76]

Ok thanks for long explanation, but you still haven't answered the question do you think this addition of Springers is better than the 96-97 Hampton teams?

I will say with that year of the Crabbers, their schedule was very weak. (Big reason they racked up so many points) They did light 'em up in the playoffs.... This year's Springers schedule is a far cry of Hampton's in '96-'97! If HSHS runs the table and goes 15-0 with a 5th Straight State Title, I'd say YES! They would be better in my book... Still a long way to go. A little premature to make a judgement call like that, especially at this point!
This edition hasn't yet practiced together , for God's sake!! On paper.... this team has the potential to be the best this state has seen in a long time, maybe ever!
I will say this could be the best Springer team of all time (and that's a looooooong time!!). Best team ever in the state? That would be a judgement call just like the mythical National Championship of High School Football that Hampton won that year!!! To have a National Champion, they should have a playoff of the top 4 teams from 4 Regions of the USA! Then you'd have a National Champ!
As far as the 2019 Springers goes.... We will see soon!

 

[Coach Joe73]

Anyone that knew me understood my approach to High School Football the past 7-8 years evolved. In the early and mid 2000s it was the top 4 teams in each region make playoffs. That ment literally you HAD TO GO 7-3/8-2.. maybe 9-1 in some regions. But 5-5/6-4 you were DONE!! After expansion I changed my approach as a head coach. For the past 10 years at North Stafford we scheduled Highland Springs as a scrimmage the first week in August. I knew playing them early was not only the best players in state but the best coaches. Win/Win. We always walked off the field of that scrimmage knowing we would NEVER see a team that good rest of the year. Now with expansion to 8 teams etc ... I took the approach of Basketball. Nobody cares about September or October. It is ALL ABOUT NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER!! So you might lose a game in September/October.. Might go 7-3... You can still make a run. Approach high school football like Basketball. All about November/December. So bottom line is this - Highland Springs might have a tough schedule. Hell lets say they lose one or two games.. It only makes them better and come November they are battle tested and ready to roll. Play the best now and come November they will be ready. Worse case say they go 7-3. Hell they will be ready for ANY team in November. I still believe they will be just fine and likely go undefeated but bottom line a hard regular season schedule gets you ready for the playoffs. I see no matter what this - Highland Springs wins their 5th straight State Title and make history. Who knows if they lose game or two in the season. Even so they will run the table come November. Would never bet against them - especially come November/December. Playoff experience and confidence goes a LONG WAY come November. I take Highland Springs and will give you the field..... All 5A Teams....

 

[HooSprings]

Ok thanks for long explanation, but you still haven't answered the question do you think this addition of Springers is better than the 96-97 Hampton teams?

Like @springer76 said...if the 2019 version of HSHS can go 15-0,playing 2 good out of state teams,4 other traditional state powerhouses,Varina and Henrico,ALL ON THE ROAD,and bring home a 5th Title in row! How could ANYONE argue this team’s status among the best teams ever?!

As I said...I don’t compare teams from different generations,but I like to think...it would have been one helluva game to watch on the field!

The season is around the corner!

 

[aw19752]

I will say with that year of the Crabbers, their schedule was very weak. (Big reason they racked up so many points) They did light 'em up in the playoffs.... This year's Springers schedule is a far cry of Hampton's in '96-'97! If HSHS runs the table and goes 15-0 with a 5th Straight State Title, I'd say YES! They would be better in my book... Still a long way to go. A little premature to make a judgement call like that, especially at this point!
This edition hasn't yet practiced together , for God's sake!! On paper.... this team has the potential to be the best this state has seen in a long time, maybe ever!
I will say this could be the best Springer team of all time (and that's a looooooong time!!). Best team ever in the state? That would be a judgement call just like the mythical National Championship of High School Football that Hampton won that year!!! To have a National Champion, they should have a playoff of the top 4 teams from 4 Regions of the USA! Then you'd have a National Champ!
As far as the 2019 Springers goes.... We will see soon!

Thanks Springer for the great assessment. The buzz for Hampton was so great then that most people state wide had no idea about a guy that was a Dual Threat QB in the same district as Hampton. That guy was Micheal Vick who was greatly overshadowed by Curry. But Curry was deserving as he was a great athlete that was national player of the year in football and a McDonald's All American in basketball. I do agree if the Springers run the table this year there has to be a discussion as greatest team ever.

 

[aw19752]

Like @springer76 said...if the 2019 version of HSHS can go 15-0,playing 2 good out of state teams,4 other traditional state powerhouses,Varina and Henrico,ALL ON THE ROAD,and bring home a 5th Title in row! How could ANYONE argue this team’s status among the best teams ever?!

As I said...I don’t compare teams from different generations,but I like to think...it would have been one helluva game to watch on the field!

The season is around the corner!

I agree they have a tough task ahead of them but kudos to their coach for giving them a schedule that keeps them motivated on a weekly basis. I wasn't trying to be argumentative at all but when you said the Springers returning talent is nothing like you've seen before from a champion I had to get a gauge on how great you thought they may be.

 

[springer76]

Thanks Springer for the great assessment. The buzz for Hampton was so great then that most people state wide had no idea about a guy that was a Dual Threat QB in the same district as Hampton. That guy was Micheal Vick who was greatly overshadowed by Curry. But Curry was deserving as he was a great athlete that was national player of the year in football and a McDonald's All American in basketball. I do agree if the Springers run the table this year there has to be a discussion as greatest team ever.

This QB we have is a duel threat like HS hasn't seen. We had a really good duel threat a few years ago (like 5 yrs ago. The year before HS won it's first State title.... His Senior year was 2014, name... DJ Johnson!!! HS went 11-0 and in the 12th game we lost a hard fought game 23-25 to LC Bird. Bird went on to win it's 3rd straight title that year. DJ was a phenomenal runner and passer. He was as tough as nails. WEnt on and played 4 years at St Augustine... He recently graduated. Congrats DJ!!!
This years qb, Jamareeh Jones, is like no other!!! He's fast, strong, accurate passer, very dangerous runner, can catch D) and a defensive back that every college (that has seen him) wants!! He is also a straight A student and an extremely smart football player!!
One thing about this years team that I'm saying something about is....
Of course 15 or 16 returning starters from last year... and remember last year's JV team!!! Extremely dominant...10-0 scored about 550 points and only allowed 12!! 10 games, 9 shutouts! Only 1 team scored against them, Henrico lost that game 36-12. Henrico JV finished 8-2 (losing to HS and Varina)
Varina played HS in game 10. Both teams were 9-0. HS ended Varina's undefeated season 44-0! HSHS 10-0, Varina 9-1
These HSHS JV kids are now filling emptied holes on Varsity left by graduation!!!!
What HS had + what is being added= something we haven't seen before. Can we say we are deep?..... enuff said!!

 

[HooSprings]

I agree they have a tough task ahead of them but kudos to their coach for giving them a schedule that keeps them motivated on a weekly basis. I wasn't trying to be argumentative at all but when you said the Springers returning talent is nothing like you've seen before from a champion I had to get a gauge on how great you thought they may be.

I didn’t see you as argumentative,but I do believe you misread my statement. My statement said,I don’t believe there was better talent following the FOURTH state title. Maybe I’m wrong,but I believe, THIS HSHS team has more talent than either Hampton or Phoebus had the year AFTER their 4th titles. I’m not saying they weren’t talented,but I doubt either had this many D1 recruits FOLLOWING their 4th title. I’m not demeaning anyone,and I may be wrong,but only time will tell if their’s enough talent left to make history!

 

[DinwiddieProud]

LOL Danny. In your HSHS preview on the home page, you could have simply posted the entire roster as the "Gamers."

 

[HooSprings]

LOL Danny. In your HSHS preview on the home page, you could have simply posted the entire roster as the "Gamers."

Lol...I agree! I think I counted 20 starters with offers. How do you prepare for a team like that?!

I saw Gilliam in person Saturday vs Freedom and he reminds me of Ahmad Brooks(CD Hylton,UVA,and 49ers).

It won’t be long before the QB transfer,Dent starts getting offers with his size and mechanics.

 

[Rev_Real]

So would you say that HS will be the favorites in the upcoming game against Oscar Smith?

 

[CRF4Dan]

LOL Danny. In your HSHS preview on the home page, you could have simply posted the entire roster as the "Gamers."

LOL! So much talent my friend, hard to leave anyone out.

 

[CRF4Dan]

So would you say that HS will be the favorites in the upcoming game against Oscar Smith?

Unless something crazy happens I have to believe the Springers will be the favorite in every game this season.

 

[NDRam]

So this team is possibly better than the Hampton teams with Ronald Curry that won National Titles in 96 and 97?

IF Highland Springs goes 15-0 this year with the schedule they play, they will be the best team in the history of the VHSL.

 

[BleedingNavy]

IF Highland Springs goes 15-0 this year with the schedule they play, they will be the best team in the history of the VHSL.

Can't disagree with that! Not sure Highland Springs hasn't made a case for it already. Do you think they will handle the North Carolina squad or will it be a tough one?

 

[Rev_Real]

Please excuse the question, because I'm new to area down here, but being from up North, I have always heard about the 757 football down this way, is Smith expecting a down year this year? Seems like they are being discounted for the opening game against HS, or is HS just that good? Not being smart, I ask because I don't know lol Going to the game reguardless, just want to see a good game with good players

 

[NDRam]

Can't disagree with that! Not sure Highland Springs hasn't made a case for it already. Do you think they will handle the North Carolina squad or will it be a tough one?

Page will be a top 10 4A team in NC this season. 4A is not as loaded as it has been in the past with teams like Greensboro Dudley and Charlotte Catholic moving down to 3A, but 4A still has Mallard Creek (will be nationally ranked),Richmond County (has Caleb Hood who is a top 3 dual threat in 2021), Wake Forest (has won 3 straight NCHSAA championships), and Myers Park, who has probably the most efficient offense in Virginia, SC, and NC combined with QB Drake Maye (Alabama commit) and WR Muhsin Muhammad III (Texas A&M commit). Page is probably somewhere behind those teams which is nothing to snicker at. Page has a very good QB in Javondre Paige who is 6'2 210, will be the best QB they face this year, and quite a few kids with D1 offers. They will give Springs a run for their money but I will say this... There was a time when we said that if HS played "disciplined football", they'd be unstoppable...Guess what, HS is one of the most disciplined teams you will find. Good luck beating those guys.

 

[NDRam]

Please excuse the question, because I'm new to area down here, but being from up North, I have always heard about the 757 football down this way, is Smith expecting a down year this year? Seems like they are being discounted for the opening game against HS, or is HS just that good? Not being smart, I ask because I don't know lol Going to the game reguardless, just want to see a good game with good players

I feel you! Smith has a new head coach who knows how to get talent, if you know what I mean, and put them in the right spots to be successful. I'd be very surprised if they had a down year. I'll be surprised if they are not playing for the 6A title this year.

 

[HooSprings]

Please excuse the question, because I'm new to area down here, but being from up North, I have always heard about the 757 football down this way, is Smith expecting a down year this year? Seems like they are being discounted for the opening game against HS, or is HS just that good? Not being smart, I ask because I don't know lol Going to the game reguardless, just want to see a good game with good players

HSHS has beaten 4 different 757 teams in the state semis the last 4 years. HSHS returns 14 starters from last year’s team that dropped 70 on 757 power,Maury in the Semis. They ADD power 5 studs to that 14,including a ND offered QB. 20+ kids WITH college offers can matchup with ANY team on ANY field.

OSmith’s best D-lineman transferred to Life Christian. HSHS’s biggest strength is their all-senior lines and experienced D1 DBs.

 

[HooSprings]

Page will be a top 10 4A team in NC this season. 4A is not as loaded as it has been in the past with teams like Greensboro Dudley and Charlotte Catholic moving down to 3A, but 4A still has Mallard Creek (will be nationally ranked),Richmond County (has Caleb Hood who is a top 3 dual threat in 2021), Wake Forest (has won 3 straight NCHSAA championships), and Myers Park, who has probably the most efficient offense in Virginia, SC, and NC combined with QB Drake Maye (Alabama commit) and WR Muhsin Muhammad III (Texas A&M commit). Page is probably somewhere behind those teams which is nothing to snicker at. Page has a very good QB in Javondre Paige who is 6'2 210, will be the best QB they face this year, and quite a few kids with D1 offers. They will give Springs a run for their money but I will say this... There was a time when we said that if HS played "disciplined football", they'd be unstoppable...Guess what, HS is one of the most disciplined teams you will find. Good luck beating those guys.

How do you measure it and who calls anyone the most efficient offense? HSHS broke records for points scored last yr and only gave up 105 points in 15 games. HSHS plays BOTH sides of the ball to the highest level at EVERY position. HSHS doesn’t have “a few” D1 players...they have over 20 players with college offers. They faced a huge dual threat QB going to Florida last year,with this SAME defense,and tore him apart. Page won’t see a better D-Line or secondary all year(including the playoffs) than HSHS will throw at them. Page will face a dual threat QB with a NDame offer without having stepped on the field throwing to 3 power 5 WRs.

Page and all the other teams are gonna face a team that doesn’t know how to fail,and PURE SPEED at EVERY POSITION on the field! They will be legitimately favored against everyone the play,and they’re quite efficient about it.

Phil Sims was a 5-star qb committed to Alabama. JS

 

[757FridayNiteZ]

Highland Springs will be favored in their game. They've earned that, but taking the Tigers too lightly is done at one's own risk! This will be a battle. Chris Scott knows how to prepare at the highest level. His influx of talent has brought in top a notched coaching staff. However, they did have 2 Top players transfer out. The biggest was Joe Bray heading up to Baltimore to play for St Francis A.

Anything can happen. In 2015 Smith did upset the #6 Nationally Ranked Ocean Lakes. That year they had 3 All Tidewater Defensive players D1, all transferred out!

Respect to HSHS for playing such a tough schedule!

 

[HooSprings]

Highland Springs will be favored in their game. They've earned that, but taking the Tigers too lightly is done at one's own risk! This will be a battle. Chris Scott knows how to prepare at the highest level. His influx of talent has brought in top a notched coaching staff. However, they did have 2 Top players transfer out. The biggest was Joe Bray heading up to Baltimore to play for St Francis A.

Anything can happen. In 2015 Smith did upset the #6 Nationally Ranked Ocean Lakes. That year they had 3 All Tidewater Defensive players D1, all transferred out!

Respect to HSHS for playing such a tough schedule!

No way in h377 Coach Johnson allows his players to take ANY TEAM lightly,especially OS,after what happened to HSHS vs Mbk a couple years ago. OS has earned everyone’s respect,but do has HSHS. I expect OS to give HSHS everything they want,especially in their house,but HSHS may be better this year than anything OS has seen in a while.

I wish OS still had all its kids. Remember...this will be OS’s first game of the season while HSHS will have already played a very good Avalon(MD) team.

Best of luck for a good season for OS after they play HSHS.

 

[757FridayNiteZ]

Hopefully, more of these types of games will be scheduled over the years!

 

[NDRam]

How do you measure it and who calls anyone the most efficient offense? HSHS broke records for points scored last yr and only gave up 105 points in 15 games. HSHS plays BOTH sides of the ball to the highest level at EVERY position. HSHS doesn’t have “a few” D1 players...they have over 20 players with college offers. They faced a huge dual threat QB going to Florida last year,with this SAME defense,and tore him apart. Page won’t see a better D-Line or secondary all year(including the playoffs) than HSHS will throw at them. Page will face a dual threat QB with a NDame offer without having stepped on the field throwing to 3 power 5 WRs.

Page and all the other teams are gonna face a team that doesn’t know how to fail,and PURE SPEED at EVERY POSITION on the field! They will be legitimately favored against everyone the play,and they’re quite efficient about it.

Phil Sims was a 5-star qb committed to Alabama. JS

Highland Springs is a well oiled machine. All I was saying with Myers Park is that they run a very very efficient offense. They commit very little turnovers, very few mistakes, they move the chains at a high rate, & they commit very few penalties on offense. I was just paying them a compliment, not comparing them to HS. Sure Sims was a 5 star but guess what?So was Tua and you see how that has turned out lol

 

[HooSprings]

Hopefully, more of these types of games will be scheduled over the years!

I hope so too! Tired of watching blowouts every Friday night

 

[HooSprings]

Highland Springs is a well oiled machine. All I was saying with Myers Park is that they run a very very efficient offense. They commit very little turnovers, very few mistakes, they move the chains at a high rate, & they commit very few penalties on offense. I was just paying them a compliment, not comparing them to HS. Sure Sims was a 5 star but guess what?So was Tua and you see how that has turned out lol

Myers sounds a lot like HSHS. Very efficient & disciplined in the run and pass game with very few penalties & turnovers. Sounds like 2 great,well coached teams!

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I'll be anxious to hear how HSHS and TD look tomorrow morning. I really wanted to go, but my mean boss said no.

The scrimmage last week didn't answer any question for me about the potential of HS. But, that was not the purpose of that scrimmage for Coach Johnson.

Tomorrow I look for something entirely different. You have two teams loaded with talent, and the season opener is just around the corner.

We all must remember to take scrimmage results with a large grain of salt, but it will still be an indication.
If the Springers dominate, go ahead and get the trophy engraved. If TD dominates the Springers, you are looking at the Class 6 team to beat. Evenly matched with a few break out plays on both sides of the ball, and we are looking at two teams that will be playing in December.

Sorry I can't be there to join you guys. I'm sure you guys will post a full report, though?

 

[Thomasddev]

I don’t like to compare teams from different eras. This year’s team is a lot like the Curry/Blizzard led team,but as I said...this is a FIFTH year of dominance coming,not 4. How good was the Hampton team the year AFTER their 4th? THIS HSHS team will be better than the previous 4! 16 returning starters,including 8 lineman starting for a 3rd year in a row. Now...insteps a Jr QB whose first offer came from NDame(also offers from Texas A&M and UNC),and he’ll be every bit as highly recruited as Curry,if not more. The defense could very well be the best the state has EVER seen(9 returning starters) led by at least 5 power 5 recruits.

FYI...that “mythical” title is someone’s “thoughts”,but in reality...NO TEAM from VA can beat ANY of the top 5 teams from Texas,California,Florida,the DC area,Georgia,or Alabama. Anyone that thinks otherwise is delusional!!!

Jmo...the Phoebus teams were every bit as good as the Hampton 4 teams.

 

[Thomasddev]

I would like to see highland springs up against top teams from Texas or bama it would be interesting. I wouldn't count them out

 

[SportsJunkie32]

I don’t like to compare teams from different eras. This year’s team is a lot like the Curry/Blizzard led team,but as I said...this is a FIFTH year of dominance coming,not 4. How good was the Hampton team the year AFTER their 4th? THIS HSHS team will be better than the previous 4! 16 returning starters,including 8 lineman starting for a 3rd year in a row. Now...insteps a Jr QB whose first offer came from NDame(also offers from Texas A&M and UNC),and he’ll be every bit as highly recruited as Curry,if not more. The defense could very well be the best the state has EVER seen(9 returning starters) led by at least 5 power 5 recruits.

FYI...that “mythical” title is someone’s “thoughts”,but in reality...NO TEAM from VA can beat ANY of the top 5 teams from Texas,California,Florida,the DC area,Georgia,or Alabama. Anyone that thinks otherwise is delusional!!!

Jmo...the Phoebus teams were every bit as good as the Hampton 4 teams.

Phoebus won in 2006, lost 2007 in state semi to the champ Stone Bridge, then won 08,09,10,11...The dynasty in VA goes to us Phantoms, respectfully of course...

Oh and we won back to back 2001, 2002. That's 7 state titles

 

[springer76]

Phoebus won in 2006, lost 2007 in state semi to the champ Stone Bridge, then won 08,09,10,11...The dynasty in VA goes to us Phantoms, respectfully of course...

Oh and we won back to back 2001, 2002. That's 7 state titles

If you're basing a "dynasty" on numbers of State Titles, then the dynasty of the past would go to Hampton. 11 Titles?
HS isn't far behind Phoebus in that regard. We currently have 5 titles. Speaking of Phoebus, how will you guys look this year?

 

[ForTheKidz]

Page will be a top 10 4A team in NC this season. 4A is not as loaded as it has been in the past with teams like Greensboro Dudley and Charlotte Catholic moving down to 3A, but 4A still has Mallard Creek (will be nationally ranked),Richmond County (has Caleb Hood who is a top 3 dual threat in 2021), Wake Forest (has won 3 straight NCHSAA championships), and Myers Park, who has probably the most efficient offense in Virginia, SC, and NC combined with QB Drake Maye (Alabama commit) and WR Muhsin Muhammad III (Texas A&M commit). Page is probably somewhere behind those teams which is nothing to snicker at. Page has a very good QB in Javondre Paige who is 6'2 210, will be the best QB they face this year, and quite a few kids with D1 offers. They will give Springs a run for their money but I will say this... There was a time when we said that if HS played "disciplined football", they'd be unstoppable...Guess what, HS is one of the most disciplined teams you will find. Good luck beating those guys.

Add Charlotte Vance in there too. Page will be a little behind those teams but still a formidable team. I worked under Coach Rolfes a number of years when he was the head coach at Northwest and I can say that Page will be ready and will not back down from Highland Springs. Here is a link from Page's scrimmage with Eastern Alamance the other day.
https://www.greensboro.com/sports/h...cle_2cb136e4-bde0-11e9-9973-97af32e0a3fb.html

 

[SportsJunkie32]

If you're basing a "dynasty" on numbers of State Titles, then the dynasty of the past would go to Hampton. 11 Titles?
HS isn't far behind Phoebus in that regard. We currently have 5 titles. Speaking of Phoebus, how will you guys look this year?

Yes and no, I have a TON of respect for Coach Smith and what he's done at Hampton but I was comparing dynasties to accomplishments stated in the message board conversation where it was more about "recent" sample size. Hampton has won 17 ALL TIME(i believe) but not in one decade...In the 80's it was something like 9 or 10 state championship games in a row and they may have won half of those. Definitely ALL TIME dynasty in VA football goes to the Crabbers.

As far as Phoebus is concerned, I will say the first test against Lake Taylor will really set the tone for the season being we lost to them last season at home. Lost some good talent but have kids coming back who want to get back to the State Title game and close it out this time(heartbreaker last season to Heritage).

 

[NDRam]

Add Charlotte Vance in there too. Page will be a little behind those teams but still a formidable team. I worked under Coach Rolfes a number of years when he was the head coach at Northwest and I can say that Page will be ready and will not back down from Highland Springs. Here is a link from Page's scrimmage with Eastern Alamance the other day.
https://www.greensboro.com/sports/h...cle_2cb136e4-bde0-11e9-9973-97af32e0a3fb.html

Do you still coach at Northwest Guilford? Tre Turner who is the next best thing at WR at Virginia Tech was very upset when the HC left for Page.