Northside vs Abingdon
- Thread starter Super2todd
- Start date
I do think Abingdon can surprise Northside. There spread offense looks pretty darn good from the highlights I've seen. There qb and wr's look to all be on the same page. If they can get some early scores they most definitely can win. There defense will have to show up of course.
You can count on Northside to bring it defensively. Their defense is stout and will most certainly put pressure on Abingdon's QB. The DL is top notch and Basham of the edge can be a nightmare. LB's are great! The secondary has had a few lapses from time to time, but overall has played well. Offensively, NS isn't as explosive as they have been some years. They've also had some injuries to deal with, but Jackson gives them a quick score threat for sure. Hardister has a good target in the underrated and sure-handed receiver Porterfield and Williams is a hard-nosed, bowling ball of a running back. Abingdon is a good team with legitimate offensive threats. It will certainly be interesting to see how both squads match up with each other.
Rke Fan - is Porterfield related to Justin Porterfield of NHS hoops fame? He made an excellent diving catch against Salem this year.
Also, is the Williams kid at rb healthy? Seems like I don't remember him being much of a factor in the Salem game; perhaps he was injured.
Northside's D was easily the best Salem saw in the regular season; the Spartans had trouble running in the first half. I agree that this is not strongest offensive team the Vikes have had recently. I think if they can just avoid shooting themselves in the foot with turnovers, they can still advance far in the 3A playoffs. What was the deal against Allegheny last week?
Yea I was at the Northside v Salem game and was very impressed with the Viking D, they gave Salem all they wanted in the first half and if it wasn't for some turnovers it could have been a different game late, not saying that Northside would have won but would have been a better game. Being from Russell Co. this game intrigues me and I plan on attending since I live in Roanoke now.
SpartanOfYore, I have asked myself that question a number of times concerning the Porterfield kid. It has been years since I talked to Justin and I don't know many parents of current Northside kids. Do you follow basketball as much as you do football? If so, do you remember the year (I think '94) when Salem won the state championship against Louisa after beating us 6 times? I think our record that year was something like 22-6 with all six losses coming at the hands of the Spartans!! Justin was a talented sophmore PG on that team. There certainly was a lot of crowd energy at all six of those games!
Williams has had a rough time with injuries this year. He seemed much better in the Alleghany game, but still might not be 100%. He's not the fastest and certainly is not the biggest, but he's shifty and keeps those legs churning and often breaks off some nice runs. I look for NS to get Jackson a little more involved in upcoming games. He can sub in at QB when needed and becomes an instant threat to take off from that spot (as he did against Magna Vista last year in the playoffs).
Last week against Alleghany I honestly think NS came out a little flat. They were playing a common opponent who they had already beaten badly this year. The wind was whipping...the crowd was down...there was at least two turnovers in the redzone. However, Torrence will have them ready to roll this Friday. This team reminds me of a squad that is somewhat under the radar and who might be able to advance farther than expected inthe playoffs. They may not score points in droves, but don't really have to with the defense they have.
Super2todd, Russell Co. is a nice place. I've driven through there a number of times. I love the mountains and far SW VA. Some of my greatest memories growing up were spending weekends at my grandparents home in Marion. I've also spent quite a bit of time in Washington and Grayson counties hiking and visiting with friends. Of course, I also think the Roanoke Valley is a great place(hence the name "RKE Fan"). You get the best of both worlds, the great outdoors and as much city amenities as most would ever need. Currently, I live in Salem and have kids in Salem schools, but went to Northside (which is where my loyalty resides.) I've always had a lot of respect for both programs and root for both (at least when Salem's not playing NS). I'm still waiting for the perfect State Championship day of having them both play back-to-back. In any case, I hope you enjoy your visit to Viking stadium this Friday. I'm certainly looking forward to the game!
Thanks RKE Fan, Russell Co. is where I was born and raised, went to Castlewood High School, Taught at Castlewood, Coached at Castlewood for 8 years and my wife is from Roanoke and we decided to move up here after me making her move to Castlewood for 3 years, I love Roanoke and am so glad we moved here although I'm not coaching here as of yet, I have 4 yr old twin boys and expect I may get back in to coaching one day or maybe not as I have enjoyed the time off. I coached 3 sports at C-Wood and all 3 seasons with football, wrestling and baseball so I was ready for a break. We actually lived behind Northside High School and I would just walk to the games, but we recently moved so I'm not able to see as many games. I'm closer to Cave Spring now so I take in a few of their games.
LOL Oh boy, do I remember. High school basketball used to be my favorite sport, period. I think going to divisional playoffs in 2009 and the whole new structure (along with other factors) have ruined Virginia public high school basketball. But that's for the basketball - sorry, "winter sports" board.
Yes, you're correct. It was the '93-'94 season, and I think I only missed two Salem games that year. I saw all six games with Northside. The final meeting, in the AA semis in U-Hall, was one of the most unpleasant viewing experiences I've had during a game. I was extremely nervous all game; Salem came back from a big early deficit, but never quite could salt the game away. Mark Byington fouled out for Salem, and that darn Nathan Hungate hit three free throws to send the game into OT. I must admit, I couldn't help thinking "We've beaten these guys five times, but they're going to win the one that matters most." Salem pulled it out in the end, however.
Man! That was the glory years. The Northside-Salem rivalry was HUGE from '93 through '96, Porterfield's senior year. They even played the two regular season games in the Salem Civic Center in '95. Porterfield was a huge part of those great Viking squads, and a major irritant to Salem fans. In a highly ironic twist, he went on to become a pretty good basketball official. I don't know if he's still calling games.
I am stunned, sir, stunned to learn that you reside in our fair city, yet still harbor loyalties to that....other school. You must not have been thoroughly vetted by city officials. I'm joking, of course. My wife is a Northside grad. When Salem and Northside meet in football, I always tell her, "Every year, this game tears our family apart!" She just stares blankly back and rolls her eyes; she absolutely could not care less.
This year's Northside team is a little bit like Salem's team from 2000. They were 4-4 after eight games (though one of those losses would be overturned by forfeit), before some players were moved around on D, and things really came together on that side of the ball. Offensively those Spartans didn't have the speed that this year's Vikings do, but they did have an enormous fullback in Manuel Lewis whom nobody could bring down. Once the turnover problem that had plagued Salem through the first six or eight games was finally resolved, the Spartans relied on their defense and kicking game. The offense didn't need to be any better than average; it just had to quit being a liability. I see the 2015 Vikings, though probably more talented offensively, as being somewhat similar, and capable of getting on the same kind of post- season roll.
Good luck in the playoffs. Like you, I keep hoping for a Viking/Spartan double header in Lynchburg. We didn't hold up our end of the bargain two years ago - perhaps this is the year!
Super2todd, welcome to the area. And please - don't take your boys to watch any Cave Spring football games. No child should be subjected to that.
I totally understand about the coaching thing. It takes up so much time and is very tough to do with young ones at home. I've got two myself and gave up coaching with the first one. Cave Spring has been down the last few years, but has had some good teams in the past(2009-2012). One of the best high school football experiences I've had was at the Cave Spring/Northside game in December of 09. It snowed that Saturday and continued to snow through the opening kick-off. CS had shocked NS earlier in the season and NS was able to get their revenge when it mattered most...the state semi-final game! They went on that year to win their first state championship at Lane stadium in another thriller. Great memories!
I only missed one of the six games that year. I also thought we might pull out the last one at U-Hall. They all hurt, but it was tough to ride home after that one. Byington was one heck of player. Part of me wanted to see him get a breakaway. Man could he dunk! I remember him stealing the ball from Porterfield at U-Hall and dribbling down for a huge jam.
NS has many solid teams they'll have to get by for a shot at Lynchburg, starting with Abingdon Friday. However, I actually feel a little better about this year's squad than last year's. I really think they've got the "D" and enough "O" to make a run. We'll know soon enough.
Yeah, we made it in 2013, you guys made it last year. Let's hope we both pull it together this year!
Your team did a great job getting as far as they did last year with all of the injuries. That was more bad luck than one team should have to deal with in a single season.
did rustburg have a lot of positive plays brought back because of penaltys? Late flags? Things like that make you wonder sometimes
Glad to see Abingdon get the upset, they must have played inspired football, I really think they have a shot next week.
They definately have a shot as long as they're healthy. Gonna be a tough task though.
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