I know it is early but I have time on my hands today, so let's get to it. I also know that we have already addressed this somewhat in the other thread, but we need a different one to make our "official" picks for the Shenandoah standings. I am posting this only on the 2-A board, by the way, since five of our eight teams will play at the 2-A level.
Anyway, we all seem to pretty much be in agreement that the three major questions to be answered this year will be: Can Wilson continue its success story despite losing a ton of seniors? Will Riverheads be able to maintain the consistency it has developed over the years despite some losses of its own? And will anyone else step up and mount a challenge this season?
I will cut to the chase and give you my predicted standings first and then explain my reasoning:
1) Riverheads
2) Luray
3) East Rockingham
4) Stuarts Draft
5) Buffalo Gap
6) Wilson
7) Page County
8) Stonewall
Now I will preface the remainder of my comments by saying that I see this as an evenly-matched year overall, so there may not be a huge difference in that top six, meaning they could shake themselves up any number of ways. The bottom two just don't appear ready to make any move, but it would be a huge boost of confidence to them if they could.
I am putting RHS on top partially out of loyalty (of course!) but also because they have three very talented running backs returning, including two that combined for over 200 points last season. I know it takes more than a running game to win a title, but the Big Red will just be too hard to slow down this year. A strong kicking game will come in handy as well.
Luray really made some noise late in the season last year, plus they had what sounded like a great JV team. They also have the advantage of playing what I consider to be their top three threats all at home. In fact, RHS will play at Luray the first night of district action so the Dogs will have the chance to put the Red Pride behind the eight-ball very early in the season.
East Rock has had the distinction so far of making each year of its existence better than the one before. Last year's highlight was a playoff win over RE Lee. They obviously cannot continue to improve EVERY year but this still looks like a 7 or 8 win season for them. I think they get Wilson and Riverheads both at home, which should help.
Stuarts Draft seemed just a TD away almost all of last season. But I think I am correct that it has only been two years since they had that JV team that was the only one all season that could even SCORE on Riverheads, much less beat them. So that told me they were a team of the future. This just might be that future.
Buffalo Gap is my number 5 nod over Wilson just because they get the Hornets at home. Like I said, it will be an evenly-matched district race. Whenever they play, it might be a toss-up game that could make the difference in either team finishing 3rd or 4th in the race vs. 5th or 6th.
Wilson, as I have touched upon in the other thread, will be a very interesting team to watch this season. This prediction is based almost entirely on simple math. Until they prove me wrong, I just don't see how any team at any level could lose the degree of talent that they lost and be expected to challenge again. Of course they will try hard, they are now used to winning, and all that jazz, but I just expect an overall struggle for them. But as I just said, a touchdown here and there could make a big difference for a lot of these teams.
Page and Stonewall........what can you say.......they have each been on top before and they will get there again. But just not this year. I don't see either one pulling off a win over any of the others, so the game between them will decide who avoids the basement.
There you have it! When do we start playing????????
Anyway, we all seem to pretty much be in agreement that the three major questions to be answered this year will be: Can Wilson continue its success story despite losing a ton of seniors? Will Riverheads be able to maintain the consistency it has developed over the years despite some losses of its own? And will anyone else step up and mount a challenge this season?
I will cut to the chase and give you my predicted standings first and then explain my reasoning:
1) Riverheads
2) Luray
3) East Rockingham
4) Stuarts Draft
5) Buffalo Gap
6) Wilson
7) Page County
8) Stonewall
Now I will preface the remainder of my comments by saying that I see this as an evenly-matched year overall, so there may not be a huge difference in that top six, meaning they could shake themselves up any number of ways. The bottom two just don't appear ready to make any move, but it would be a huge boost of confidence to them if they could.
I am putting RHS on top partially out of loyalty (of course!) but also because they have three very talented running backs returning, including two that combined for over 200 points last season. I know it takes more than a running game to win a title, but the Big Red will just be too hard to slow down this year. A strong kicking game will come in handy as well.
Luray really made some noise late in the season last year, plus they had what sounded like a great JV team. They also have the advantage of playing what I consider to be their top three threats all at home. In fact, RHS will play at Luray the first night of district action so the Dogs will have the chance to put the Red Pride behind the eight-ball very early in the season.
East Rock has had the distinction so far of making each year of its existence better than the one before. Last year's highlight was a playoff win over RE Lee. They obviously cannot continue to improve EVERY year but this still looks like a 7 or 8 win season for them. I think they get Wilson and Riverheads both at home, which should help.
Stuarts Draft seemed just a TD away almost all of last season. But I think I am correct that it has only been two years since they had that JV team that was the only one all season that could even SCORE on Riverheads, much less beat them. So that told me they were a team of the future. This just might be that future.
Buffalo Gap is my number 5 nod over Wilson just because they get the Hornets at home. Like I said, it will be an evenly-matched district race. Whenever they play, it might be a toss-up game that could make the difference in either team finishing 3rd or 4th in the race vs. 5th or 6th.
Wilson, as I have touched upon in the other thread, will be a very interesting team to watch this season. This prediction is based almost entirely on simple math. Until they prove me wrong, I just don't see how any team at any level could lose the degree of talent that they lost and be expected to challenge again. Of course they will try hard, they are now used to winning, and all that jazz, but I just expect an overall struggle for them. But as I just said, a touchdown here and there could make a big difference for a lot of these teams.
Page and Stonewall........what can you say.......they have each been on top before and they will get there again. But just not this year. I don't see either one pulling off a win over any of the others, so the game between them will decide who avoids the basement.
There you have it! When do we start playing????????
