NSA NA

[Chief62]

Another close win for D3 NSA over D1 Norfolk Academy. Couldn't score 50 this week. They would have really struggled in D2 this year. Glad Dick allowed them to reclass as it would have been a travesty if they had stayed in D2. Would love to see them voluntarily return to D2 so they could play STAB again in playoffs.

 

[catholicfootball101]

Chief62 agree with you 100%, just because you can take advantage of the rules doesn't mean that you should. But I guess if you can't win a D2 state championship I guess you move yourself down to D3 and take it. Would love to see what their male student count is going to be next year and see if that would put them back in D2. But with the potential changes of going back to 3 division's who knows but at least if the VISAA goes the three divisions they will still have to play STAB.

 

[armyof11]

This was the only way he could get a trophy. His career is coming to an end and he will be having a mass exodus of talent after this year with his seniors graduating. It is now or never for "the legendary coach" I think North Cross will beat them in first round of the playoffs and then North Cross will win the title easily playing up a division.

 

[Chief62]

Army, love your optimism but North Cross got hammered in second half by NSA last two years. North Cross hung with NSA In first half but depth a problem and shows up in second half.

Heard rumors that VISAA lowering D3-D2 cutoff line to roughly 130 so that D2 has more schools. That would put NSA back in D2 next year given their 145 boys this year. STAB will be biggest school'in D2 with 180 or so boys. Not sure what cutoff would be for D4 and D3 but sure that North Cross will be in D3 at 95 or so boys.

The question is do you schedule NSA for next year given the exodus of talent or will they reload.

 

[armyof11]

Chief, you know Coach A always has his boys playing in their best in November. They played with STAB just recently. STAB scored late to beat NC. NSA got thumped by STAB. NSA'S weakness is defending the pass, which is NC strong point. If NC can contain Giles on the edges, they can beat NSA, then they will coast in the finals against an overrated Shores team.

 

[ncsraider21]

Armyof11 - I agree with your assessment wholeheartedly. North Cross can beat these guys if they get their minds right and game plan for NSA. Absolutely no doubt about it, Giles is a problem and must be contained and kept to human numbers. In last years meeting NSA had over 550 yards of offense with 470 yards rushing. This year they had 580 yards of total offense with 525 yards rushing. Giles had 167 and 278 yards rushing respectively. Although he may not contribute as many yards on offense, Christensen is legit with his size and skill. He’s solid on defense and helps on offense by opening holes for Giles and causing problems with goal line carries. What people fail to realize is North Cross was up on NSA in the first half 20 to 16 and recovered an NSA fumble with about 6 min to go in the first half. This would have been a tremendous momentum boost for a young North Cross team but the ref missed the call and overturned the fumble. NSA went on to score on that drive, but surprisingly enough North Cross marched right back down the field and had a failed pass attempt at the 3 yard line to end the first half.

Conversely NSA had problems with North Cross’ passing attack. With 350 yards passing last year and 214 this year. Lowery being the main target in both years dominated and shredded their secondary with 166 and 153 yards receiving respectively. I agree with Chief in that it appeared that North Cross either wore down (due to numbers) or just simply ran out of gas in the second half. The first half in both years was like a heavyweight fight as both would trade punches and still be standing asking for more.

It appears each team’s weakness is the other team’s strength. By the way things are shaping up Atlantic Shores will most likely end up as the top seed with NSA and NC battling for the coveted home game in the playoffs.

Final Thoughts:
· What adjustments will be made in the next meeting
· Home Field Advantage
- NC needs to win out with a big game on Tuesday with Blue Ridge
-NSA must win out with a date with Trinity Episcopal on 10/31
· Coach Alexander and staff without a doubt always have their team ready to play. They tend
to get stronger deeper into the season.

Interesting Tid Bit:
· D3 Fredericksburgh Christian held Giles to 19 yards rushing in their meeting last year. NSA
lost the game by 1.

 

[armyof11]

NC has better chance of winning out and beating Blue Ridge than NSA does in beating Trinity. Blake from TES will throw for 350 and 5 tds against that secondary from NSA. NSA could better their secondary by putting Giles back there, but if he should get banged up, NSA would be done. NSA linebackers are good, but their stare title rests on Giles offensive performance.

 

[Rustonrifle]

First things first ..
NC has to get ready for Blue Ridge today after road trip to Hampton Friday night .Then a home game with Fuqua on Saturday .
3 games in 8 days will be interesting .

 

[Crackaz]

If anyone can get it done, Coach Alexander can. Army Of 11, your not a secret NSA fan using subversive tactics to gain bulletin board material for NSA are you??....lol. I'm just kidding. I find your assessment and knowledge of them memorizing as well as that of the D3 race. Good stuff. Keep it up. Rustonrifle, how is the health of the team looking in this 8 day stretch?

 

[Rustonrifle]

Well...guess you know by now , NC lost its QB last night ..
Early in the 3rd qtr. Broken collarbone on non throwing shoulder .
This is the third such injury for three of their players this season .
They have sustained injuries to other key players as well this year .
Take into consideration they are down numbers wise to begin with .
Will see if they can regroup and finish out the season and sneak into the playoffs?