First off these are just my picks. Feel free to discuss in an adult manner and have an actual thread without someone getting upset. I will start by saying I can honestly see any of these four winning it all. Very evenly matched teams and all programs that i have great respect for.
#1East Sussex (12-0) vs #2 West George Wythe (12-1)
I picked against both of these teams last week and both schools probably hope i pick against them this week as obviously I was wrong last week. Sussex brings in a powerful defense that hasn't given up more than 20 points in a game all season and that was in week 1. Most games teams have been lucky to score more than a touchdown. GW brings in an offense that will be the best the Tigers have seen all year though. The key to GW having success against the Tiger defense is qb Deacon Beamer. If he has the time like he did last week he can pick apart any defense. But Sussex is a lot more athletic than PM and won't allow a 10-12 yard cushion to the Maroon wrs like last week. For the first time this year the Maroons in my opinion wont be the more athletic team. Sussex will look to stuff the run game while making life miserable for Beamer through pressure. This to me is a key battle in this game. The other key is the Sussex offense vs the GW defense. Unlike PM last week though Sussex has a qb in Malik Delk who can beat you with his arm and legs. They have run the veer successfully for years and in Hatch and Procise they have 2 guys who can tote the rock. Sussex also can line up in the spread and pass as need be as well.
Prediction- Maroon fans may be thanking me as I am once again picking against them. Lol. I think it will be a game that is close the whole way but in the end behind a ferocius defense and the all around play of Delk at qb, the Tigers pull it out.
Sussex 24
GW 20
#1 West Galax (11-2) vs #2 East Riverheads (11-1)
A rematch of last years physical state title game. I think this one will once again be a chess match between two of the best coaches in all of Virginia at any level in Dixon of Galax and Casto of Riverheads. This game to me will resemble Riverheads week 10 game against Stuarts Draft. Two evenly matched teams not giving a single inch. Last year Galax pretty much shutdown the wing t of the Gladiators altogether. I'm sure Dixon has watched film of that game with his team as Riverheads doesn't usually change up what they do offensively. I think Riverheads might slide in a few Wildcat plays to give the Tide a different look but for the most part won't stray too far from what got them here. Galax will have the fastest player on the field in Peoples but just like I said last week dont forget about Brown either. He actually had 232 yards of his own last week against Fort. But also don't be surprised to see Galax go to the air some with Orton at qb. His success could determine the outcome.
Prediction- A virtual tossup in my opinion. You just dont get much more evenly matched than these two. In the end I'm going on a hunch.
Riverheads 17
Galax 14
#1East Sussex (12-0) vs #2 West George Wythe (12-1)
I picked against both of these teams last week and both schools probably hope i pick against them this week as obviously I was wrong last week. Sussex brings in a powerful defense that hasn't given up more than 20 points in a game all season and that was in week 1. Most games teams have been lucky to score more than a touchdown. GW brings in an offense that will be the best the Tigers have seen all year though. The key to GW having success against the Tiger defense is qb Deacon Beamer. If he has the time like he did last week he can pick apart any defense. But Sussex is a lot more athletic than PM and won't allow a 10-12 yard cushion to the Maroon wrs like last week. For the first time this year the Maroons in my opinion wont be the more athletic team. Sussex will look to stuff the run game while making life miserable for Beamer through pressure. This to me is a key battle in this game. The other key is the Sussex offense vs the GW defense. Unlike PM last week though Sussex has a qb in Malik Delk who can beat you with his arm and legs. They have run the veer successfully for years and in Hatch and Procise they have 2 guys who can tote the rock. Sussex also can line up in the spread and pass as need be as well.
Prediction- Maroon fans may be thanking me as I am once again picking against them. Lol. I think it will be a game that is close the whole way but in the end behind a ferocius defense and the all around play of Delk at qb, the Tigers pull it out.
Sussex 24
GW 20
#1 West Galax (11-2) vs #2 East Riverheads (11-1)
A rematch of last years physical state title game. I think this one will once again be a chess match between two of the best coaches in all of Virginia at any level in Dixon of Galax and Casto of Riverheads. This game to me will resemble Riverheads week 10 game against Stuarts Draft. Two evenly matched teams not giving a single inch. Last year Galax pretty much shutdown the wing t of the Gladiators altogether. I'm sure Dixon has watched film of that game with his team as Riverheads doesn't usually change up what they do offensively. I think Riverheads might slide in a few Wildcat plays to give the Tide a different look but for the most part won't stray too far from what got them here. Galax will have the fastest player on the field in Peoples but just like I said last week dont forget about Brown either. He actually had 232 yards of his own last week against Fort. But also don't be surprised to see Galax go to the air some with Orton at qb. His success could determine the outcome.
Prediction- A virtual tossup in my opinion. You just dont get much more evenly matched than these two. In the end I'm going on a hunch.
Riverheads 17
Galax 14
