Thanks, I would say this years team is a little better still very athletic and very fast.. Two of our backs are injuried but the replacements are excellent, the one # 22, Tyree Wilson ran for 230 yards ( yes that’s correct) against Norcom. It will be different going against Lafayette’s wing T. Defense will be challenged but Norcom had a receiver/ Rb, #6, Outten playing wildcat a large percentage of the game who is rated by ESPN as #7 player in Virginia and a Penn St recruit. I don’t we will someone like him sgsin. A long drive 2.5 hours, glad it’s a day game.Grass field, stands are larger than Brentsville if you made that trip last year.
How would you compare this year's Lafayette team to last year's? I was at the Brentsville game where Lafayette was very stout against the Tigers who were without their excellent QB and one of their top runners/DBs.
As for Kettle Run, they score a bunch and spread the ball around. They have given up some points this year against really athletic teams but have scored on everyone. The past few weeks it feels like they should have scored closer to 50 than in the mid-30s. Star running back made his return to the offense last week and looked good. That will be huge for Kettle Run. They have 3 backs, a great TE, and a slot receiver that is really one of their better playmakers.
It will be interesting to see how the Cougars are able to adjust to a drastic change in styles from what they have seen the past two weeks.
Looking at both teams schedules, Lafayette played 3 teams with winning records in Smithfield (7-4), Norcom (8-5), and Poquoson (12-1). They killed Smithfield and Norcom and won a low scoring game with Poquoson.
Kettle Run played Handley (8-3), James Wood (7-4), Skyline (8-4), Sherando (12-1), Armstrong (10-2), and Tee Jay (12-1). They killed James Wood, Skyline, and Sherando. They won tight ones against Handley, Armstrong, and Tee Jay.
No idea who is going to win. It would be a nightmare to prepare for Kettle Run's offense. I have seen them play a bunch this year and they still show me something new every week.
Yes Norcom is a quality win, they did get beat pretty badly by Tee Jay also but records don't tell the whole story especially in tough districts. I don't think Skyline and James Wood would be able to stay within 30 points of Lafayette either like they couldn't with Kettle Run but their record is good because they play some bad football teams. My Fauquier Falcons included.Thanks, I would say this years team is a little better still very athletic and very fast.. Two of our backs are injuried but the replacements are excellent, the one # 22, Tyree Wilson ran for 230 yards ( yes that’s correct) against Norcom. It will be different going against Lafayette’s wing T. Defense will be challenged but Norcom had a receiver/ Rb, #6, Outten playing wildcat a large percentage of the game who is rated by ESPN as #7 player in Virginia and a Penn St recruit. I don’t we will someone like him sgsin. A long drive 2.5 hours, glad it’s a day game.
One caveat on comparisons of opponent records, it can be misleading. 3 of Norcom ‘s losses were to Maury, Oscar Smith snd Granby, Div 5 snd 6. Two still playing. I’m sure you’ve heard of them,
Cell service is horrible if any so be preparedDon’t know much about KR but they have a good passing game and a top Tight End. Field is grass I hear, at the school I assume, don’t know about stand capacity for visitors.
Any and all thoughts out there??
Kettle Run field is very pedestrian for a venue. Definitely nothing fancy. Visitors capacity is not great either.Don’t know much about KR but they have a good passing game and a top Tight End. Field is grass I hear, at the school I assume, don’t know about stand capacity for visitors.
Any and all thoughts out there??
Since cell service is bad do they sell tickets at the gate or only online like GoFan?Kettle Run field is very pedestrian for a venue. Definitely nothing fancy. Visitors capacity is not great either.
As OCboy stated, The cell service is bad. Very hit and miss.
The grass field is beat up as expected for December football. Our playoff game against Armstrong was moved to Liberty High School due to weather and field conditions. We have a chance of rain for tomorrow but nothing forecasted for end of this week.
The Cougars Offense runs with pistol and spread formations to open up the Defense. Their misdirection and counters are run well to keep the defense in the box. Any team to beat KR will have to be disciplined and intelligent at LB and DB to key up on the formations. Fortunately, The Cougars O line is sneaky good too. They protect and run block very well.
I am really am trying to keep my optimism in check for this KR squad on Saturday.
For someone who didn't see any Kettle Run regular season games, I think Kettle Run's most impressive win is Sherando. Sherando is playing in a class 4 state semi-final game this weekend. I did see Kettle Run's last two regional games with Armstrong and TJ. They moved the ball well in both. They scored a lot but also gave up a lot in those games. They did show they can win close games in pressure situations.Yes Norcom is a quality win, they did get beat pretty badly by Tee Jay also but records don't tell the whole story especially in tough districts. I don't think Skyline and James Wood would be able to stay within 30 points of Lafayette either like they couldn't with Kettle Run but their record is good because they play some bad football teams. My Fauquier Falcons included.
For example, if you asked me the most impressive win to this point for Kettle Run is Handley and it is not close. Handley would be 12-1 if they hadn't lost their QB (1st play of game to Sherando) and star RB (in the first half against Salem when he had already racked up 200+ yards rushing). When Kettle Run played them they were full strength. But they are 8-3 and they never get brought up when talking about Kettle Run's current season. That was the best team they played. edit: Just found the article from the game and Handley's running back had 241!!! yards in the first half before getting hurt against Salem.
Great question! I don’t know how they will handle it since they say electronic tickets only. The boosters are trying to get everyone to purchase before the game on Gofan through social media but that will not reach everyone.Since cell service is bad do they sell tickets at the gate or only online like GoFan?
I totally agree that Sherando was the most impressive win of the regular season. Especially now where Sherando is still playing for 4A Semifinals. The 2nd half adjustments were fantastic.For someone who didn't see any Kettle Run regular season games, I think Kettle Run's most impressive win is Sherando. Sherando is playing in a class 4 state semi-final game this weekend. I did see Kettle Run's last two regional games with Armstrong and TJ. They moved the ball well in both. They scored a lot but also gave up a lot in those games. They did show they can win close games in pressure situations.
I guess I will purchase on Gofan and open my Email and press view ticket and leave it open. I guess this will work as I use my Waze map app to get to KR.Great question! I don’t know how they will handle it since they say electronic tickets only. The boosters are trying to get everyone to purchase before the game on Gofan through social media but that will not reach everyone.
I never had an issue in the parking lot but once you start heading through the trees walking up to the stadium it phases out fast. Kettle Run imo has very nice facilities and the stadium is nice. The visitor bleachers will accommodate Lafayette. If for some reason the game is moved to Liberty then even better. Very nice stadium with tons of seating both home and visitor with a turf field. Very accessible off of 17. Kettle Run is definitely in the woods.I guess I will purchase on Gofan and open my Email and press view ticket and leave it open. I guess this will work as I use my Waze map app to get to KR.
I second this. You normally have data in the parking lot, but not once you get to the stands. At least not the visitor's side.I never had an issue in the parking lot but once you start heading through the trees walking up to the stadium it phases out fast. Kettle Run imo has very nice facilities and the stadium is nice. The visitor bleachers will accommodate Lafayette. If for some reason the game is moved to Liberty then even better. Very nice stadium with tons of seating both home and visitor with a turf field. Very accessible off of 17. Kettle Run is definitely in the woods.
No. Always goingDoes the announcer ever stop talking 🤦♂️
Don't Lafayette change Classification next year?Passing game too good by KR and lousy field hurt Lafayette’s running offense. Onto next year.
Yes, they'll be in four next year where Phoebus awaits....Don't Lafayette change Classification next year?
That sloppy grass field did not allow any sharp cuts or real speed. That’s Lafayette’s game.Not surprised that Lafayette lost, but didn't think they'd lose by three touchdowns...tough to get to a state championship and even tougher to win one.
Good point, but the defense seemed to struggle too....That sloppy grass field did not allow any sharp cuts or real speed. That’s Lafayette’s game.
True. Lafayette never faced a passing game like KR snd it showed. Plus Breon Stokes the starting defensive nose guard was out for the second week ( also starting FB), and his replacement was suspended for the game for other actions so that defensive middle basically had no one and KR rightfully attacked it in their running game.Good point, but the defense seemed to struggle too....
Don’t know if KR would not have won but it might have been a game more like TJ and Armstrong that were both played on turf and very close. It far easier on a sloppy grass field for a very good passing team to execute. Wind affects a passing team and there was none. Lafayette coach Linn said this was his fastest team ever. Well the field conditions pretty much took care of that. I was hoping for relocation to Liberty Bealeton field again. No such luck.Had this game been at Lafayette or on turf Kettle Run would have been sped up too
Just curious..,doesn’t the “sloppy” field slow down both teams the same amount?Don’t know if KR would not have won but it might have been a game more like TJ and Armstrong that were both played on turf and very close. It far easier on a sloppy grass field for a very good passing team to execute. Wind affects a passing team and there was none. Lafayette coach Linn said this was his fastest team ever. Well the field conditions pretty much took care of that. I was hoping for relocation to Liberty Bealeton field again. No such luck.
These questions will not stop the excuse train.Just curious..,doesn’t the “sloppy” field slow down both teams the same amount?
Been my experience that run oriented teams benefit from “sloppy” conditions more than passing teams. Seems harder to run routes and make sharp cuts on slower fields.
Why was that not the case in this game?
These questions will not stop the excuse train.
Lafayette is speed team reliant on cutbacks. Not a power rush team.Just curious..,doesn’t the “sloppy” field slow down both teams the same amount?
Been my experience that run oriented teams benefit from “sloppy” conditions more than passing teams. Seems harder to run routes and make sharp cuts on slower fields.
Why was that not the case in this game?
Okay…but this the first time I have EVER heard of a rush heavy team (speed or not) implying that a tall grass or sloppy field inhibited them more than their opponent who is a predominantly passing team. Seems to me the pass defense would benefit more than the run defense. But I wasn’t at the game. Just general observations.Lafayette is speed team reliant on cutbacks. Not a power rush team.
It's hard to be too critical of Linn and what he's accomplished, but I do wonder if a more versatile offense would have served them better in these big games?That sloppy grass field did not allow any sharp cuts or real speed. That’s Lafayette’s game.
As an addendum Lafayette coach Linn said numerous times this was his fastest team ever, that was effectively negated by the field conditions BUT that is the benefit of home field advantage.
I really like Linn. But he was playing a sophomore Qb in his first year of starting QB. He has opened up with more passing specifically for games like this, but you could tell Saturday the QB was throwing to the receiver the play called for without regard to coverage or looking for alternative possibilities; that comes with experience. Result 3 picks. KR’s QB was a senior and very adept of reading coverages and going elsewhere. Excellent QB. His receivers caught very well. Lafayette’s QB will learn snd progress. He has 2 more years.It's hard to be too critical of Linn and what he's accomplished, but I do wonder if a more versatile offense would have served them better in these big games?