Path has been cleared for East Rockingham with upset of Appomattox.

[Fairlawncat]

Again, you said that you have not seen the other teams play, SO that is a bold statement. But it is your opinion and we all have one.

Correct, you and I have an opinion as do the other 25 people in a poll voting who they think will win it and I'm confident a good 20+ of them haven't seen all 4 teams either. I agree any of the 4 can win it and I'm not surprised with any outcome in these final 3 games.

 

[HolyFrog]

Doug Smith on the kickoff that Radford recovered..

“We’d seen it and knew it could be coming,” Smith said. “They did a great job executing it and we didn’t do a good job covering it.”

Smart coaching there by Saunders. Radford took advantage of something they thought would work. Smith says he knew it was coming and Radford still executed better on that play to recover the ball with good Field position. Say it wasn’t a legit offensive drive if you want to but radford put their offense on the field and Appomattox couldn’t stop them from scoring a touchdown.

Radford did scoop up the kick block and run it back for a td. That’s one special teams TD. Appomattox also had a special teams td.

You said Take away the 7 points that Radford got from that play and Appo could’ve won. Well even if they didn’t run it back for a td they still blocked the kick and recovered it which means it would’ve been their ball. Who’s to say Appomattox would’ve stopped Radford’s offense from scoring on that drive?



All I’m trying to do here is to argue the other side. You can think Appomattox was the better team but made too many mistakes. I think Radford’s gameplan put Appomattox in the position to make those mistakes and they capitalized on them. Appomattox had the same opportunities to make Radford turn the ball over and they couldn’t.

I honestly don’t think it would’ve mattered who won the game though because I can’t see either one of them playing with graham.

I will say though, congrats to Radford on the turnaround season. Last year in their first season playing in 2A they went 2-8. This season they open up with a very bad loss to 1A Galax and now they’ve rattled off 12 in a row and beat the 3 time defending champs. Their QB & RB are just sophomores. They should be very good in the years to come.

What Bo Bob said....

But its one of those if this if that kinda thing happened. I will say Radford game plan was executed well and they earned that win. If it wasnt for turnovers Appo wins in my opinion... Hats off to Radford on there ball control.

 

[HolyFrog]

Okay, take that same approach to Union/Appo in 2017. Special team mistakes by Union, a couple bad calls, etc.... And you Appo folks took me to the woodshed because I suggested Union beat Appo more than Appo beat Union. And now this year, when shoe is on other foot, you break out this post.
I think it's hilarious and ironic.

Well this Appo guy didn't say nothing to you about last year... All I know a punt return from Appo for a TD sealed the deal on that game... They say defense wins Championships, well seems like special teams wins games lol.... Is what it is... Raiders will be back Stronger in 19 !

 

[longtimerhsfan]

Correct me if I am wrong, but these four teams all come from different areas of the state and have no common opponents. (Might not be the case with Graham and Radford but I am just guessing it is.)

Therefore anyone who is expressing an opinion here is doing so just based on what they have seen in person from the team they support or have seen in action. Take me for example........I have seen East Rock in action so therefore I can at least say SOMETHING about them, whereas I can't about the other three.

So my point is that, with nothing to really base it on, it is hard for anyone to say who will come out on top this weekend or the next. These two semis this weekend could each go into triple overtime or one team or another could win each one by 50 points. They will just have to strap on the helmets and see how it all plays out.

 

[obguthr]

Correct me if I am wrong, but these four teams all come from different areas of the state and have no common opponents. (Might not be the case with Graham and Radford but I am just guessing it is.)

Therefore anyone who is expressing an opinion here is doing so just based on what they have seen in person from the team they support or have seen in action. Take me for example........I have seen East Rock in action so therefore I can at least say SOMETHING about them, whereas I can't about the other three.

So my point is that, with nothing to really base it on, it is hard for anyone to say who will come out on top this weekend or the next. These two semis this weekend could each go into triple overtime or one team or another could win each one by 50 points. They will just have to strap on the helmets and see how it all plays out.

I've seen all but Graham play. Radford is very similar to the Poquoson team I saw lose a close game to Goochland. Poquoson has more size than Radford, but both are disciplined and well coached defensive minded teams.Goochland is also very good defensively and reminds me of the Appomattox team Radford beat.Both the Region C and Region A championships were close and could have different outcomes if replayed. I expect a potential Radford-Goochland game to be very entertaining. It would be a low scoring toss up, from what I've seen.

East Rock is a different story. Their offense will give DCs fits. Do you pack the box and take the risk of getting torched by an efficient passing game, or do you play your regular defense and hope to stop Evans? Fact is, you aren't going to stop Evans. The best you can hope for is to keep him from breaking long plays. Defend the pass first, but the DBs have to be able to read and react. Chances are Evans will get through the line and linebackers often. Work on that, taking good angles, and sound tackling in practice. On offense, work the edges. Speed around the ends and screens might be the way to go. Anything that avoids and neutralizes the defensive line is the best bet. Take advantage of their overpursuit. In the end, you're going to have to outpoint them. No one has been able to do it to them this year though. I believe they are a TD better than either Radford or Goochland, maybe more if they have trouble containing Evans.

From what I've read about Graham, it looks like we're heading toward a Graham-East Rock final, but anything can happen.

 

[sharkfan83]

I'm a Radford fan and I am going to actually agree with you to an extent. I think Radford can beat the G-men, but as I eluded to in an earlier post, I do not think East Rockingham is the favorite. I think Graham is the favorite from what I've seen. As the favorite, I'm giving my opinion of who I think is the favorite. I do believe our defense is solid and we are well coached and we are not going to beat ourselves. This has been the knock on Graham and it also showed with Appo's youth. Turnovers and discipline, emotional awareness and mental toughness are part of football and Radford is as good as all of the 3 other three in this area.

Me and you were both correct. None of what I posted what meant as disrespect to you as a Radford fan or to the team. You guys had a fantastic sseason and knocked off the champs and have nothing to hang your heads about. But this Graham team is like running into a buzzsaw. Appo would have received the same punishment from Cam and the boys this year. And I'm a GC fan and the Devils and Graham have always been rivals. I give credit where it is due though....the GMen are LEGIT!!

 

[Baseball215]

Me and you were both correct. None of what I posted what meant as disrespect to you as a Radford fan or to the team. You guys had a fantastic sseason and knocked off the champs and have nothing to hang your heads about. But this Graham team is like running into a buzzsaw. Appo would have received the same punishment from Cam and the boys this year. And I'm a GC fan and the Devils and Graham have always been rivals. I give credit where it is due though....the GMen are LEGIT!!

Yes they are !!!

 

[Stabler1980]

I don’t think so! But if it makes you feel better to say that what ever !

 

[19GHS87]

I don’t think so! But if it makes you feel better to say that what ever !

Says the man sitting at home on the couch.

 

[Stabler1980]

Says the man sitting at home on the couch.

Yep watching Alabama and Georgia,stayed warm and dry this year ! We just was in the sharing mood this year ! Lol