My pre-season picks to make the playoffs*.

[DinwiddieProud]

Class 4, Region A
Phoebus
Lafayette
Hampton
Smithfield
Warhill
Grafton
Churchland
Manor

Class 4, Region B
Dinwiddie
Varina
Louisa
Hugeunot
Hanover
Courtland
Patrick Henry
Atlee

Class 4, Region C
Tuscarora
Loudoun County
Woodgrove
Rock Ridge
Broad Run
Loudoun Valley
—————————-
Dominion
Heritage

Class 4, Region D
GW
Mecklenburg
Salem
Handley
Orange
Sherando
Jefferson Forrest
Amherst

*the rankings may not reflect how “good” or how “not so good” I think a team is, it’s just how I think they may finish “points wise”.
For example, Dinwiddie would be difficult to impossible to outpoint if they won 10 games. If they lose just one game, they may finish in 3rd or 4th position. Doesn’t really indicate much about how good or bad they are. Dinwiddie plays 1 Class 6 team, and 5 Class 5 teams, that’s a ton of points available!! And only one team on the schedule, including the scrimmages, wasn’t in the playoffs last season, (Meadowbrook). There should be a ton a “rider points” to be had.

I tried to consider these factors when I made my predictions. The top half is what everyone usually agrees upon, just in a different order. But, 5-8 are a challenge.

What are your predictions for the final 8 in each Class 4 Region, based strictly on points.

 

[FoxesPride]

4B…Spotsylvania

 

[Virginia HS Football Fan]

4B…Spotsylvania

I think this would be a novelty pick for sure.

But to be honest, I think people should give them a year or two to adjust to a new system and culture.

I certainly don't think it would be a failure if they don't make the playoffs although they could sneak in at 7-3...maybe even 6-4.

I know that sounds weird. But a lot needs to be changed. And this will be the first time in a long time (maybe since The Great Depression of the Program in the mid-late 2000s/early-mid 2010s) that they haven't run some sort of misdirection/wing system.

We will see what happens when it comes to interest in the program combined with internal recruiting (no, I'm not talking about sending out feelers around the region to have kids transfer to Spotsylvania...I'm talking about roaming the hallways of SHS during the offseason to get kids interested). This is a fresh coat of paint for Vern and his staff. A lot needs to change (and I certainly hope a defensive overhaul is also in store) and then we can talk about expectations.

 

[BoKnowsSports]

Spotsy has been averaging 70 kids in the weight room. Lots of their skill guys are running track and playing baseball so they’re slowly implementing that Air Raid. Spotsy is a baseball school and they have some dudes who are going to play football. Vern Lunsford is about to shock a lot of people. They will win the Battlefield and IMO, the only toss up game on their schedule is Brooke Point.

 

[ABJ152015]

Spotsy has been averaging 70 kids in the weight room. Lots of their skill guys are running track and playing baseball so they’re slowly implementing that Air Raid. Spotsy is a baseball school and they have some dudes who are going to play football. Vern Lunsford is about to shock a lot of people. They will win the Battlefield and IMO, the only toss up game on their schedule is Brooke Point.

Caroline is my sleeper pick to win Battlefield this year. 6-4 last year and argue they could have been 8-2 if they beat Courtland and Colonial Heights in which both games decided if the finale seconds. I heard they are returning a lot of talent and got some sleepers on their team.

 

[FoxesPride]

Caroline is my sleeper pick to win Battlefield this year. 6-4 last year and argue they could have been 8-2 if they beat Courtland and Colonial Heights in which both games decided if the finale seconds. I heard they are returning a lot of talent and got some sleepers on their team.

Pretty sure their head coach left. Think he went to Stafford.

 

[ABJ152015]

Pretty sure their head coach left. Think he went to Stafford.

He left two years ago and the coach they got now is doing a great job. This past season had a record number of players sign with Schools and got two players now who just pick up a D1 offer from Davison and William Mary respectively.

 

[tommythecpa]

Class 4, Region A
Phoebus
Lafayette
Hampton
Smithfield
Warhill
Grafton
Churchland
Manor

Class 4, Region B
Dinwiddie
Varina
Louisa
Hugeunot
Hanover
Courtland
Patrick Henry
Atlee

Class 4, Region C
Tuscarora
Loudoun County
Woodgrove
Rock Ridge
Broad Run
Loudoun Valley
—————————-
Dominion
Heritage

Class 4, Region D
GW
Mecklenburg
Salem
Handley
Orange
Sherando
Jefferson Forrest
Amherst

*the rankings may not reflect how “good” or how “not so good” I think a team is, it’s just how I think they may finish “points wise”.
For example, Dinwiddie would be difficult to impossible to outpoint if they won 10 games. If they lose just one game, they may finish in 3rd or 4th position. Doesn’t really indicate much about how good or bad they are. Dinwiddie plays 1 Class 6 team, and 5 Class 5 teams, that’s a ton of points available!! And only one team on the schedule, including the scrimmages, wasn’t in the playoffs last season, (Meadowbrook). There should be a ton a “rider points” to be had.

I tried to consider these factors when I made my predictions. The top half is what everyone usually agrees upon, just in a different order. But, 5-8 are a challenge.

What are your predictions for the final 8 in each Class 4 Region, based strictly on points.

I would put Glass in front of MC. MC had a lot of seniors last year. 4D is usually tight between seven and ten.

 

[BoKnowsSports]

He left two years ago and the coach they got now is doing a great job. This past season had a record number of players sign with Schools and got two players now who just pick up a D1 offer from Davison and William Mary respectively.

Caroline looks the part. If you saw them against EV, Courtland, King George, and Spotsy, Caroline looked like the best team in the Battlefield. Definitely looked like they could play with the Dinwiddie’s and Varina’s. Those kids wasn’t really coached up though.

 

[ABJ152015]

Agree. For being coach Alexander first year he did a great job. 6-4 record in most cases gets you in The playoffs. Last season Should have been 8-2 if they beaten Colonial heights and Courtland. Both games was lost in the last seconds. This upcoming season looking at Caroline schedule. They should win there first 5 games. The toughest opponent in that first 5 games is Colonial Heights but they got to play them on the road. The last 5 they got to play Eastern View, at Spotsylvania, Courtland, King George and Culpeper. Out those last 5 they probably gaurantee to win 2 of those just looking at the schedule against KG, Culpeper. If they can beat Eastern View who probably going to be a step down this season, and beat either Spotslivania or Courtland. Caroline might just get into the playoffs. I can see Caroline either being 8-2, or 9-1 or would not be shock if they went 10-0. Biggest question is can they finally get over the hump and make some nosie.

 

[BoKnowsSports]

Agree. For being coach Alexander first year he did a great job. 6-4 record in most cases gets you in The playoffs. Last season Should have been 8-2 if they beaten Colonial heights and Courtland. Both games was lost in the last seconds. This upcoming season looking at Caroline schedule. They should win there first 5 games. The toughest opponent in that first 5 games is Colonial Heights but they got to play them on the road. The last 5 they got to play Eastern View, at Spotsylvania, Courtland, King George and Culpeper. Out those last 5 they probably gaurantee to win 2 of those just looking at the schedule against KG, Culpeper. If they can beat Eastern View who probably going to be a step down this season, and beat either Spotslivania or Courtland. Caroline might just get into the playoffs. I can see Caroline either being 8-2, or 9-1 or would not be shock if they went 10-0. Biggest question is can they finally get over the hump and make some nosie.

I agree. I really don’t expect Courtland or EV to be as good as they normally are. Courtland had their best team in years last year and got destroyed by a very down and injured KG team. EV lost their two best players (Will Butler and Clatterbaugh) and has a new coach. KG lost their whole coaching staff and every player that was serviceable to play varsity football. Hearing from legitimate sources that Courtland and KG’s administration are crying to the county about Spotsy and wants whoever transfers in to be investigated, which leads me to think that Courtland has quite a few kids that want to play at Spotsy. With that being said, Caroline could very well compete for the Battlefield championship. A lot of smoke in the air in the Battlefield. I believe it'll look a lot like
1.) Spotsy
2.) EV, Courtland Caroline
5.) Culpeper
6.) JayEm
7.) Chancellor
8.) King George, if they even have enough to field a varsity team.

 

[Virginia HS Football Fan]

Caroline is my sleeper pick to win Battlefield this year. 6-4 last year and argue they could have been 8-2 if they beat Courtland and Colonial Heights in which both games decided if the finale seconds. I heard they are returning a lot of talent and got some sleepers on their team.

Win or lose, a good and improving Caroline program is good for a weak Battlefield. I'm glad that they have improved in recent years. And it seems like they are doing things the right way down there as well. Now, it's all about building on that consistency. Because if that happens, they shouldn't have any issues getting more and more kids interested in coming out for the program.

 

[ABJ152015]

I agree. I really don’t expect Courtland or EV to be as good as they normally are. Courtland had their best team in years last year and got destroyed by a very down and injured KG team. EV lost their two best players (Will Butler and Clatterbaugh) and has a new coach. KG lost their whole coaching staff and every player that was serviceable to play varsity football. Hearing from legitimate sources that Courtland and KG’s administration are crying to the county about Spotsy and wants whoever transfers in to be investigated, which leads me to think that Courtland has quite a few kids that want to play at Spotsy. With that being said, Caroline could very well compete for the Battlefield championship. A lot of smoke in the air in the Battlefield. I believe it'll look a lot like
1.) Spotsy
2.) EV, Courtland Caroline
5.) Culpeper
6.) JayEm
7.) Chancellor
8.) King George, if they even have enough to field a varsity team.

I been hearing that as well with people from both school trying to transfer to Spotsy and would not be shocked if an investigation comes up.

 

[ABJ152015]

Win or lose, a good and improving Caroline program is good for a weak Battlefield. I'm glad that they have improved in recent years. And it seems like they are doing things the right way down there as well. Now, it's all about building on that consistency. Because if that happens, they shouldn't have any issues getting more and more kids interested in coming out for the program.

Agree. I think they are on the right track. Middle school team did make playoffs last season and more people are starting to come out. They need a little league program and if they can get that watch out.

 

[BoKnowsSports]

I been hearing that as well with people from both school trying to transfer to Spotsy and would not be shocked if an investigation comes up.

Thankfully it won’t come to that cause they haven’t had any transfers. Just sucks to see those allegations form. Coach Lunsford runs a very clean and classy program.

 

[ABJ152015]

Agree. I don’t know nothing about coach Lunsford but Anytime you can hang with the like of Varina, Dinwiddie, Phoebus you definitely got now how to coach. Spotsy may not do too much this year but I expect them to make the playoffs and they are going to make some noise in the region for years to come.

 

[MrSalem1000]

Not really sure what Salem has this season other than the skill running backs with McCadden and Arrington. Coen Logan is a solid returning receiver. I think the new quarterback is a kid by the last name of Overstreet but I could be wrong. Don’t know much about his game

 

[MrSalem1000]

But at the same time Salem very rarely throws the ball. In our case it’s more of the running backs skill then the qb

 

[CrushBlock]

Not really sure what Salem has this season other than the skill running backs with McCadden and Arrington. Coen Logan is a solid returning receiver. I think the new quarterback is a kid by the last name of Overstreet but I could be wrong. Don’t know much about his game

Salem is returning a lot on defense, half their o-line. Good Running backs etc.

Really can’t use that as a metric when looking at Salem’s upcoming season.

There have been state years where they have to replace 17-18 starters and still won states (2015, 1999). There have been years that return a decent amount and look promising but end up being “weak” by Salem standards (2001,2010).

Salem is going to be well coached and hit hard. That’s for sure.

 

[Kilroy25]

Not really sure what Salem has this season other than the skill running backs with McCadden and Arrington. Coen Logan is a solid returning receiver. I think the new quarterback is a kid by the last name of Overstreet but I could be wrong. Don’t know much about his game

According to his Twitter (X) Logan is going to St Francis Academy. Huge blow to Salem. Not only offensively but defensively as well

 

[MrSalem1000]

Salem is returning a lot on defense, half their o-line. Good Running backs etc.

Really can’t use that as a metric when looking at Salem’s upcoming season.

There have been state years where they have to replace 17-18 starters and still won states (2015, 1999). There have been years that return a decent amount and look promising but end up being “weak” by Salem standards (2001,2010).

Salem is going to be well coached and hit hard. That’s for sure.

You know anything about the Overstreet kid? I feel like he probably will get the nod at QB

 

[MrSalem1000]

According to his Twitter (X) Logan is going to St Francis Academy. Huge blow to Salem. Not only offensively but defensively as well

Dang. Yeah he was arguably the best receiver. Next man up

 

[Kilroy25]

Dang. Yeah he was arguably the best receiver. Next man up

He was absolutely the best receiver and the best in the defensive secondary.

 

[cavaliers91]

I agree. I really don’t expect Courtland or EV to be as good as they normally are. Courtland had their best team in years last year and got destroyed by a very down and injured KG team. EV lost their two best players (Will Butler and Clatterbaugh) and has a new coach. KG lost their whole coaching staff and every player that was serviceable to play varsity football. Hearing from legitimate sources that Courtland and KG’s administration are crying to the county about Spotsy and wants whoever transfers in to be investigated, which leads me to think that Courtland has quite a few kids that want to play at Spotsy. With that being said, Caroline could very well compete for the Battlefield championship. A lot of smoke in the air in the Battlefield. I believe it'll look a lot like
1.) Spotsy
2.) EV, Courtland Caroline
5.) Culpeper
6.) JayEm
7.) Chancellor
8.) King George, if they even have enough to field a varsity team.

I think Caroline should be 1 based off of production and talent coming back . Alexander has a chance to earn some respect in the area. He has everything he needs but he has to coach better. He had some rough loses last year but it’s year 1 so I expect him to get better and make noise. Courtland complaining is hilarious because they probably have kids on their team that’s supposed to be at Spotsy. Them crying wolf could backfire on them real quick. Courtland has been the beneficiary of chancellor and Spotsy being bad so they got kids from both programs over the last 10 years. Lunsford is taking over a 4-6 team why is anyone worried about them. Courtland and Caroline are the top 2 teams in the district to me. I’m hearing KG program is a complete disaster and kids are frustrated so if that’s true how can we blame parents for waiting them to leave. Meanwhile in 4B other teams are getting transfers but the battlefield wants to complain about a 4-6 team. Just hilarious. Just play ball

 

[BoKnowsSports]

I think Caroline should be 1 based off of production and talent coming back . Alexander has a chance to earn some respect in the area. He has everything he needs but he has to coach better. He had some rough loses last year but it’s year 1 so I expect him to get better and make noise. Courtland complaining is hilarious because they probably have kids on their team that’s supposed to be at Spotsy. Them crying wolf could backfire on them real quick. Courtland has been the beneficiary of chancellor and Spotsy being bad so they got kids from both programs over the last 10 years. Lunsford is taking over a 4-6 team why is anyone worried about them. Courtland and Caroline are the top 2 teams in the district to me. I’m hearing KG program is a complete disaster and kids are frustrated so if that’s true how can we blame parents for waiting them to leave. Meanwhile in 4B other teams are getting transfers but the battlefield wants to complain about a 4-6 team. Just hilarious. Just play ball

I got a lot of faith in the Spotsy staff to be able to turn that team around. Minus Regar, Carpenter and Charles Johnson (all 3 were banged up the whole year), Spotsy’s roster is a lot better constructed than last year’s King George team. By a mile.

Not as familiar with what Caroline has so I will take you and @ABJ152015 word. They definitely look the part and have improved significantly the past 2-3 years.

KG’s falloff is catastrophic. The amount of talent that those two Varina teams had and little ole King George beat them, it’s insane. Hell they played Dinwiddie the toughest that anybody has played in the region. It’s going to take maybe a decade for them to not only compete in this region again, but to build the program back up (think of Nelson County). Many may think I’m gassing, but think of Serbay leaving James Monroe (in an area accessible to kids who may want to transfer in and be a part of a state championship tradition). KG is 30 miles out of the way, are way more focused on flag football, have classes of kids who aren’t interested in playing football, and then throw in the county politics and the participation trophy culture of parents. It’s sad to see.

 

[mike salem]

You know anything about the Overstreet kid? I feel like he probably will get the nod at QB

6'3" 185 good passer and runner. Athletic-also a PG in basketball. Smart, makes good decisions with the ball. Most importantly, he's a good kid.
I've been impressed with him since 8th grade. Continued to develop as the JV QB. Got a lot stronger this off-season, while maintaining flexibility. His deep passes had more of a rainbow quality last year- (still very accurate and effective) He had good finesse and touch. In 7v7 this spring his passes were more direct and stronger. Just needs to continue to work with the receivers and fine tune touch and timing.