ADVERTISEMENT

No one talks about Class 3

BoKnowsSports said:
TEE JAY IS LEGIT. I got a lot of stock in those guys. Would’ve liked to have seen them play Varina or Huguenot. I think they deserve a seat at the contender table.
Click to expand...
Bo, any idea what Thomas Jefferson and Armstrong did to spruce up their programs? I know that they started to show signs of improvement during the "Great Realignment" and have been mostly solid after that.

For many years, they used to be bottom feeders who were constantly blown out. Maybe because they chose to play up.

I think they both are wonderful stories and their rise hasn't quite gotten as much publicity as it should (then again, we shouldn't be surprised about that since sports media coverage of high school football in Virginia for the most part is the drizzling sh*ts).
 
  • Like
Reactions: District2sports, BleedingNavy and BoKnowsSports
Virginia HS Football Fan said:
Bo, any idea what Thomas Jefferson and Armstrong did to spruce up their programs? I know that they started to show signs of improvement during the "Great Realignment" and have been mostly solid after that.

For many years, they used to be bottom feeders who were constantly blown out. Maybe because they chose to play up.

I think they both are wonderful stories and their rise hasn't quite gotten as much publicity as it should (then again, we shouldn't be surprised about that since sports media coverage of high school football in Virginia for the most part is the drizzling sh*ts).
Click to expand...
Great post! I think 3 things are very important.

1.) Consistency. RPS hired some very good guys to run these programs. Scott at Huguenot, PJ Adams and now Coach Harris at Tee Jay, Pruitt at Armstrong, Chip Howard at JM, Hutch at Wythe… A very good collection of guys who care about the kids.

2. Retention. I forgot the poster in the C4 who said it, but these kids are staying put. They’re not running to the county schools like we’ve seen in the past.

3. Support. The youth league in Richmond City is getting the community excited. The kids you see currently playing are products of Bellmeade, Spiders, River City, etc… A few years back, you’d see hundreds of people pack the stands on Saturday mornings to watch these teams play the Glen Lea’s, Chamberlayne’s, Hurricanes, etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EPJr, District2sports, TJVikings804 and 1 other person
Richmond currently is and always has been loaded with talent. Coaches just have to recruit their own schools and sell the kids on staying away from the negativity. @BoKnowsSports is spot on about the coaches. The kids today are hard, but the still crave structure and genuine love. If the kids know you believe in them and stick around they will buy in. Huge praise to all of the football programs of RVA.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EPJr, TJVikings804, DinwiddieProud and 1 other person
What are some thoughts on Turner Ashby? Looking at the schedule ahead, i could easily see them running the table in the regular season. They made a run in the playoffs last year,until running into LCA, and i think they could easily make a deep run again this year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BGfootball95 and shsspartan/taknight
Vaborn76 said:
What are some thoughts on Turner Ashby? Looking at the schedule ahead, i could easily see them running the table in the regular season. They made a run in the playoffs last year,until running into LCA, and i think they could easily make a deep run again this year.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, until they, and everyone else run into LCA.
 
DinwiddieProud said:
Unfortunately, until they, and everyone else run into LCA.
Click to expand...
Yeah I agree, so much talent at LCA it seems as though everyone is playing for 2nd place. Long season and anything could happen, I have seen some really great teams get beat, so you never know, that’s why they play the games. But a healthy LCA will be a challenge to the teams in 3A.
 
Vaborn76 said:
What are some thoughts on Turner Ashby? Looking at the schedule ahead, i could easily see them running the table in the regular season. They made a run in the playoffs last year,until running into LCA, and i think they could easily make a deep run again this year.
Click to expand...
Coach Turner and staff has got them boys playing really well. TA lost a good bit of talent after last year. But their jv has been pretty good for a few years, so they just reload, really good feeder system they’ve got there.
 
shsspartan/taknight said:
Yeah I agree, so much talent at LCA it seems as though everyone is playing for 2nd place. Long season and anything could happen, I have seen some really great teams get beat, so you never know, that’s why they play the games. But a healthy LCA will be a challenge to the teams in 3A.
Click to expand...
But why stay class 3?
 
Vaborn76 said:
How are they even allowed to play against the fully public schools once the playoffs start? I don't know really anything about how that works
Click to expand...
they sued the VHSL and got in. A couple more maybe coming!
 
Vaborn76 said:
How are they even allowed to play against the fully public schools once the playoffs start? I don't know really anything about how that works
Click to expand...
VHSL IS ALL ABOUT MONEY THAT'S HOW THEY PLAY PUBLIC SCHOOLS INSTEAD OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
 
Smith Mountain Lake Academy and The Hague of VA have applied for membership.
 
Northwestern District updates:

Liberty was dismantled by Orange. They are in serious trouble.

My Falcons got beat pretty badly by Sherando. Sherando is solid. Not to the level that they have been but really good team. Them and Handley will be a good game. We have a couple games coming up where we should be favored. Hoping to bounce back.

Kettle Run destroyed James Wood. I made my way to that game since James Wood was 3-0 and it looked like James Wood shouldn't have been on the field. Kettle Run has gotten much better than they were when I last saw them against Liberty when it was sloppy. They could have really poured it on but had starters out before the end of the 3rd quarter. Sherando the last opponent on the schedule that can hand them a regular season loss.

Handley bounced back and embarrassed Brentsville. Thought maybe Brentsville was turning a corner after beating Millbrook but Millbrook lost to Skyline so maybe that was fools gold.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BoKnowsSports, NDinNOVA, Vaborn76 and 2 others
540football_Grandpa said:
Northwestern District updates:

Liberty was dismantled by Orange. They are in serious trouble.

My Falcons got beat pretty badly by Sherando. Sherando is solid. Not to the level that they have been but really good team. Them and Handley will be a good game. We have a couple games coming up where we should be favored. Hoping to bounce back.

Kettle Run destroyed James Wood. I made my way to that game since James Wood was 3-0 and it looked like James Wood shouldn't have been on the field. Kettle Run has gotten much better than they were when I last saw them against Liberty when it was sloppy. They could have really poured it on but had starters out before the end of the 3rd quarter. Sherando the last opponent on the schedule that can hand them a regular season loss.

Handley bounced back and embarrassed Brentsville. Thought maybe Brentsville was turning a corner after beating Millbrook but Millbrook lost to Skyline so maybe that was fools gold.
Click to expand...
Great quick synopsis. Thank you. We are always starved for good information from up your way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BoKnowsSports
Know this is about Class 3, but it’s good to see Sherando back. Has anybody heard from Hamsphere? Hope he’s doing well. Would love to see Sherando play GW in November.
 
GoBlue2109 said:
I really can't wait until they get a chance to play against a Graham or Union and the other SWVA schools. I got a feeling somebody is going to get shellshocked one way or the other.
Click to expand...
I really believe in that team this year. They have been on the up & up for a while now. It’s time to kick the door in! I picked them to make the State Semis but the way they’ve started this season off it wouldn’t surprise me if they made it to the big dance.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TJVikings804, Ech8014 and BoKnowsSports
Hopewell weakness is there oline they are down right horrible Tatum has no time to throw he's running for his life and Hunt has no lanes to run he's fighting for every yard literally. The defense on the other hand has been doing really well they must fix that line or the Hampton Comitt won't last the season
 
Yes and last night was a prime example. Dinwiddie sacked Tatum 6 or 7 times he made plays with feet running but that doesn't work all the time. When he has time to throw he's on target but the receivers need to catch the ball. The defense kept them in the game but they've to protect Tatum and open some holes for the runners. I know they're young but the o line needs work bad or Tatum will get hurt.
 
10iceiceice said:
Yes and last night was a prime example. Dinwiddie sacked Tatum 6 or 7 times he made plays with feet running but that doesn't work all the time. When he has time to throw he's on target but the receivers need to catch the ball. The defense kept them in the game but they've to protect Tatum and open some holes for the runners. I know they're young but the o line needs work bad or Tatum will get hurt.
Click to expand...
I was pretty impressed with how well the Blue Devils defensive backs played. They were well positioned most of the time and batted away several passes. Dinwiddie looked pretty good in coverage most of the time.

I’m sure there are reasons, but both teams rarely ever attempted short crossing patterns. Especially in Hopewell case, when the QB has precious little time,
 
I agree, No the screenplays No across the middle passes for Hopewell. The deep ball is good if you have time and last night Tatum was getting killed at times 6 or 7 sacks, the bottom line is the O line has to get better. No matter how good your quarterback is or receiver's are you need time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DinwiddieProud
I was really hoping for a more dominant performance from Dinwiddie. And in many ways, the Generals did dominate. But, we fans have grow used to seeing Dinwiddie driving the field for a score with nearly every possession. And that’s not just idle talk. Dinwiddie normally scores 400 to 650 points a season. So us fans are used to a lot of offensive success. A 22-0 lead is pretty dominant, but meaning no disrespect, we have grown to expect that type score in the first period, and then much more after that. Not for any reason other than Dinwiddie starts fast, and plays fast, and try’s to get teams back on their heels early. I think part of why it’s different this year is the level of the competition so far. GW was greatly improved. (remember, I forecasted after our game that they would not lose another regular season game). North Stafford came to Dinwiddie riding a 1-19 streak. I don’t know what changed so drastically with them, but I’ll be shocked if they don’t make the playoffs this year. Maury? Maury is Maury. And now a very well coached Hopewell team with some pretty darn talented players. (They just have a couple of weaknesses than can be exploited.)
That’s four teams that played tough, disciplined, football and somewhat throttled Dinwiddie’s offense.

And it doesn’t get any easier this week. The Generals make the trip over to Chester and lock horns with Coach Tucker’s Thomas Dale Knights. The Knights have a lot to prove, and intend to make a statement against our team. So, I guess us fans better not expect to see the what we have grown to expect. But, we will be happy with a win, regardless of the score.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pizzzzza
Well to be fair Hopewell gave up 2 big plays which ended in scores their Def have played very well all season 22pts was the most they have given up all year also kept Dalton under 100yrds rushing and at times got to him as well onyx the off comes alive hopefully soon they might just be a sleeper team in class 3
 
540football_Grandpa said:
Northwestern District updates:

Liberty was dismantled by Orange. They are in serious trouble.

My Falcons got beat pretty badly by Sherando. Sherando is solid. Not to the level that they have been but really good team. Them and Handley will be a good game. We have a couple games coming up where we should be favored. Hoping to bounce back.

Kettle Run destroyed James Wood. I made my way to that game since James Wood was 3-0 and it looked like James Wood shouldn't have been on the field. Kettle Run has gotten much better than they were when I last saw them against Liberty when it was sloppy. They could have really poured it on but had starters out before the end of the 3rd quarter. Sherando the last opponent on the schedule that can hand them a regular season loss.

Handley bounced back and embarrassed Brentsville. Thought maybe Brentsville was turning a corner after beating Millbrook but Millbrook lost to Skyline so maybe that was fools gold.
Click to expand...
All eyes in the Northwestern are pointed towards 2 games, Kettle Run at Sherando and Sherando at John Handley. It is those three squads in a class by themselves compared to everyone else. The score was closer than I thought it would be between Millbrook and Kettle Run but if their hiccup game is still winning by 17 on the road that is a pretty high floor.

My Falcons are in a free fall. Heart breaking after the bird bowl. Handley on deck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NDinNOVA
540football_Grandpa said:
All eyes in the Northwestern are pointed towards 2 games, Kettle Run at Sherando and Sherando at John Handley. It is those three squads in a class by themselves compared to everyone else. The score was closer than I thought it would be between Millbrook and Kettle Run but if their hiccup game is still winning by 17 on the road that is a pretty high floor.

My Falcons are in a free fall. Heart breaking after the bird bowl. Handley on deck.
Click to expand...
Update: After attending the Kettle Run at Sherando game I would pick Handley to beat Sherando in a couple weeks. Sherando is solid but Handley just has too many plus athletes for them to handle.

Kettle Run would be my pick if healthy to win the region but Armstrong impressed me last year when they played Brentsville in the regional final and if them and Tee Jay are improved then it would certainly be tough on Kettle Run if they had to run through both to reach the state semi-finals. That being said, Kettle Run has all the tools to score on anyone in 3A. They attack your weaknesses and always seem to scheme their WRs open and their QB is as accurate a QB as I can remember seeing at this level. They have a great RB and a great TE. Their OL isn't as big as some previous years but they are big enough and sound. Their blitz pick-up is as good as it gets in high school. This team doesn't have a player as good as Tapscott when they went to the 4A title game in 2022 but collectively, they may be better. Advanced screen game, advanced play-action, tons of formations, some motions. Nightmare to prep for. Forces teams into decisions and then without hesitation goes after whatever you gave up. I have seen them beat blitz, beat man, beat zone. I shouldn't be a fan since they dominate my school but I can't help appreciating good football.

They are your typical 3A team in that if they lose a couple guys it could devastate them like it did last year when they went from averaging 50 and up two TD on Brentsville to out in the 2nd round due to a bunch of season ending knee injuries. But they did just win by 24 on the road against and undefeated 4A opponent without a star TE/MLB.

They are going to score 70+ on my Falcons in a couple weeks and I am actually excited to see it. Hopefully the points allow them to host a state semi should they get to host. Would be nice to only have to drive 20 minutes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NDinNOVA, DinwiddieProud and BoKnowsSports
540football_Grandpa said:
Update: After attending the Kettle Run at Sherando game I would pick Handley to beat Sherando in a couple weeks. Sherando is solid but Handley just has too many plus athletes for them to handle.

Kettle Run would be my pick if healthy to win the region but Armstrong impressed me last year when they played Brentsville in the regional final and if them and Tee Jay are improved then it would certainly be tough on Kettle Run if they had to run through both to reach the state semi-finals. That being said, Kettle Run has all the tools to score on anyone in 3A. They attack your weaknesses and always seem to scheme their WRs open and their QB is as accurate a QB as I can remember seeing at this level. They have a great RB and a great TE. Their OL isn't as big as some previous years but they are big enough and sound. Their blitz pick-up is as good as it gets in high school. This team doesn't have a player as good as Tapscott when they went to the 4A title game in 2022 but collectively, they may be better. Advanced screen game, advanced play-action, tons of formations, some motions. Nightmare to prep for. Forces teams into decisions and then without hesitation goes after whatever you gave up. I have seen them beat blitz, beat man, beat zone. I shouldn't be a fan since they dominate my school but I can't help appreciating good football.

They are your typical 3A team in that if they lose a couple guys it could devastate them like it did last year when they went from averaging 50 and up two TD on Brentsville to out in the 2nd round due to a bunch of season ending knee injuries. But they did just win by 24 on the road against and undefeated 4A opponent without a star TE/MLB.

They are going to score 70+ on my Falcons in a couple weeks and I am actually excited to see it. Hopefully the points allow them to host a state semi should they get to host. Would be nice to only have to drive 20 minutes.
Click to expand...
Great write up as always sir. Thank you.
 
Is it just me, or is the football this season extraordinarily interesting and entertaining? I know that I have enjoyed it more this year than I can remember. And the fun thing is that there are interesting story lines in all of the classes, and in virtually every region.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fairlawncat
Yes, very unfortunate and sad for quarterback Tatum, this is also the information that I received. The sophomore quarterback is good but will need time and time is short with only 3 weeks left in the season, Hopewell defense is really solid but I don't believe they can make a deep playoff run with off Tatum. Wishing them well and a speedy recovery for Tatum, he committed to Hampton so we will hear from him again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DinwiddieProud
DinwiddieProud said:
Is it just me, or is the football this season extraordinarily interesting and entertaining? I know that I have enjoyed it more this year than I can remember. And the fun thing is that there are interesting story lines in all of the classes, and in virtually every region.
Click to expand...
Same here Dinwiddie. I think it's because of the parity. Seems wide open in most of the classes. It's always kind of wide open, but seems more wide open this year than most other years in the past.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DinwiddieProud
BleedingNavy said:
Richmond currently is and always has been loaded with talent. Coaches just have to recruit their own schools and sell the kids on staying away from the negativity. @BoKnowsSports is spot on about the coaches. The kids today are hard, but the still crave structure and genuine love. If the kids know you believe in them and stick around they will buy in. Huge praise to all of the football programs of RVA.
Click to expand...
let's just hope they stick around; the counties like to cherry pick Richmond for coaches as well as athletes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BleedingNavy and DinwiddieProud
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BleedingNavy

Central District Class 3 Teams Start

Replies
13
Views
798
Class 3A (Fall)
CHUKNOW
CHUKNOW
EPJr

THE RVA SPORTS BREAKDOWN: VHSL Football Region Standings and Analysis

Replies
2
Views
580
Class 3A (Fall)
EPJr
EPJr
B

Brookville

Replies
7
Views
1K
Class 3A (Fall)
Bfootball08
B
EPJr

THE RVA SPORTS BREAKDOWN: VHSL Football Region Standings and Analysis

Replies
7
Views
920
Class 4A (Fall)
VirginiaGreat08
VirginiaGreat08
kwhs95fan

My Personal Top 10 (October 19th)

Replies
34
Views
3K
Class 1A (Fall)
uvacavs1
U
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT
Top Bottom
Back