We have arrived at the VHSL Seminal Final Weekend. Only 12 teams will remain standing once the sun sets on Saturday evening. The city of Salem will play host to not one, but two semifinal games, making the 540 the epicenter of this weekend's action. In 4A, the undefeated Salam Spartans will do battle with the rugged Eagles from Liberty Bealeton. Across town, the Glenvar Highlanders are coming off of one of the biggest wins in program history, but will need to put it all behind them, as the Nottoway Cougars will bring an equally tough defense to town. Let's take a closer look at these two huge playoff clashes.
4A North
#3 Liberty Bealeton at #1 Salem:
These two teams faced arguably their toughest tests to date last Saturday, and emerged victorious. Salem battled the injury bug as well as an unbeaten squad from G.W. Danville, but the Spartans rolled to a 49-28 triumph. On the other side, Liberty found itself in a seesaw battle with (12-0) Jefferson Forest, but the Eagles seized the lead in the fourth quarter, and caused a late turnover to preserve a 35-28 victory. This side of the 4A bracket was absolutely loaded, and whichever one of these teams represents the north will have truly earned it. Salem and Liberty both cruised by their opening round opponents, but the two powerhouses fought tooth and nail to get here, with Salem getting by Woodgrove and G.W., and Liberty knocking off Sherando and the Cavaliers in the last two weeks.
Both of these teams have played difficult schedules to date, but the Spartans and Eagles both represent challenges that the opponent has not had to deal with yet this fall.
Liberty fought off pair great programs in the past two weeks and earned several quality wins during the regular season, but the Eagles have not seen a team quite as balanced as the Spartans yet. Salem can hurt you in a number of different ways, highlighted by its ground game. Virginia Tech commit Coleman Fox has been the workhorse on offense this fall, but the future Hokie was dealing with a nagging injury last Saturday afternoon. However, the Spartans' adopted the next-man-up mentality against George Washington, and that next man was junior Alex Ramsey. The 5-11, 200 pound 'back rushed for a quintet of touchdowns, and returned a fumble 90 yards for a score on defense. Between Fox, Ramsey, and Derek Clayborne, the Spartans have plenty of guys that can pound rock.
Elsewhere on offense, wide receiver Isaiah Parker is a likely all-state selection, but the injury bug has also bitten the explosive senior. While Parker's status for Saturday in unsure at this time, quarterback Austin Couling has plenty of options to throw to. Look for Salem to get senior Davonta Womack involved in the offense.
On the other side, Liberty comes into this game averaging close to 43 points per game. The Eagles have plenty of weapons on offense, and it all starts with quarterback Aaron Walters. The junior is one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the region, having accounted for 30 touchdowns this fall. Liberty has a talented stable of running backs, led by Martin Parker, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards. T.J. Hogan is an elusive runner out of the backfield, and Brent Smith is another reliable option at tailback. Wide receiver Anthony Spagnoletti will be one of the most dynamic athletes on the field, and will demand the full attention of the Spartan defense.
As talented as Liberty is at the skill positions, the front five is undoubtedly the strength of the Eagle offense. The mammoth offensive line, led by UVa commit R.J. Proctor averages close to 280 pounds per player, and has just manhandled opponents this fall. Salem has faced many talented lines this year, but none have resembled the physicality of this group from Bealeton.
Conclusion:
The injury situation is obviously a major concern for Salem, as the Spartans will likely need all hands on deck to win this one. I see Liberty's line setting the tone early as no amount of film can prepare anybody for that kind of challenge. However, the Salem coaching staff has done a remarkable job all season adjusting opposing offenses in the second half. I look for the Spartans get creative in the final two quarters to keep the Eagle offense off the field and grind out a close win to advance to the state title game for the first time since 2005.
The Pick: Salem 38, Liberty Bealeton 31
2A
#5 Nottoway at #4 Glenvar:
Do not let the rankings fool you. Glenvar and Nottoway may not have been seeded in the top three of their respective brackets, but these are two of the best defensive teams in all of 2A, and it is no mistake that the Highlanders and Cougars have made it this far. In fact, nobody has been able to do much of anything against these two teams in the playoffs. Nottoway has given up just 14 points in three playoff games, while Glenvar is not far behind, surrendering only 15. Both of these schools are coming off of emotional victories in the quarterfinals. Glenvar snapped a 20-game losing streak to Giles County, by thumping their rivals 35-0. On the other side, Nottoway stopped King William on the one yard-line late to preserve a 6-0 victory over the Cavaliers.
Nothing about these two teams is overly complicated, but boy are they fun to watch.
Glenvar has had a different hero step up on offense in each round of the playoffs, but last week's outing against Giles County was a great sign if you are a fan of the Highlanders. Quarterback Zack Clifford had one of the best games of his Glenvar career, tossing for 332 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Giles. In the early November loss to the Spartans, and in the first-round nail-bitter against Central, Clifford struggled with his accuracy, and as a result, the offense stalled. The Highlanders will need another strong outing from the junior signal-caller if they hope to move the ball against a stingy Nottoway defense. Speaking of career bests, wide receiver Elliot Stigall hauled in an impressive eight catches for 200 yards and a trio of touchdowns in the win. If Clifford is not on target however, Glenvar has an excellent tailback in Daryl Manns, who was unstoppable at times during the regular season.
Defensively, the Highlanders are giving up just over eight points per game this fall, including five shutouts. It all starts in the middle, as senior tackles Quinton Alls and Zack Deck are one of the best combinations around. As good as the Highlanders are up front, Glenvar thrives off of not allowing teams to beat them to the edge, and that will be crucial against a hard-running Nottoway club.
The Cougars are an excellent rushing team, headlined by Thomas Parish. The 6-0, 180 pound junior has shown multiple looks on offense this year, and can get it done up the middle, or bouncing it toward the outside edge. Senior Jujuan Lawson is other option out of the backfield, and was the offense "hero" of last week's win over King William. Nottoway will need to clean up the penalties this week in a big way. The Cougars amassed over 300 yards of offense against King William, but a plethora of crucial penalties killed drives, as Nottoway attempted to go in for the kill. Glenvar as an excellent run defense, but look for the Cougars to keep the home team guessing with an array pitch-sweeps, combined with well-time draws.
Like the Highlanders, defense is Nottoway's bread and butter. The Cougars faced one of the top offensive teams in all of 2A last week in King William, but held the Cavaliers to less than 100 yards all afternoon. Nottoway is giving up an average of 11.2 points per contest this fall, and nearly half of their points surrendered all season came in its two losses. The Cougars will face a spirited crowd in Salem, but this team is no stranger to big games. Nottoway owns victories over Buckingham, Goochland, previously undefeated Clarke County, and King William, and pushed 3A power Heritage to the limit back in its regular season finale.
Conclusion:
Though neither of these teams has been in this position in recent years, both rosters are battle-tested and senior heavy. There is a lot to like about both offenses, but the defenses have been playing lights out during the postseason. Glenvar will coming into this game on cloud nine, but cannot afford an emotional letdown. Expect the kickers to get some work in, as both teams are well aware that points are crucial in this one. I see this game being a defensive struggle as advertised, with the home standing Highlanders pulling it out in the fourth quarter.
The Pick:
Glenvar 16, Nottoway 10
This post was edited on 12/4 7:52 PM by Drew Goodman
4A North
#3 Liberty Bealeton at #1 Salem:
These two teams faced arguably their toughest tests to date last Saturday, and emerged victorious. Salem battled the injury bug as well as an unbeaten squad from G.W. Danville, but the Spartans rolled to a 49-28 triumph. On the other side, Liberty found itself in a seesaw battle with (12-0) Jefferson Forest, but the Eagles seized the lead in the fourth quarter, and caused a late turnover to preserve a 35-28 victory. This side of the 4A bracket was absolutely loaded, and whichever one of these teams represents the north will have truly earned it. Salem and Liberty both cruised by their opening round opponents, but the two powerhouses fought tooth and nail to get here, with Salem getting by Woodgrove and G.W., and Liberty knocking off Sherando and the Cavaliers in the last two weeks.
Both of these teams have played difficult schedules to date, but the Spartans and Eagles both represent challenges that the opponent has not had to deal with yet this fall.
Liberty fought off pair great programs in the past two weeks and earned several quality wins during the regular season, but the Eagles have not seen a team quite as balanced as the Spartans yet. Salem can hurt you in a number of different ways, highlighted by its ground game. Virginia Tech commit Coleman Fox has been the workhorse on offense this fall, but the future Hokie was dealing with a nagging injury last Saturday afternoon. However, the Spartans' adopted the next-man-up mentality against George Washington, and that next man was junior Alex Ramsey. The 5-11, 200 pound 'back rushed for a quintet of touchdowns, and returned a fumble 90 yards for a score on defense. Between Fox, Ramsey, and Derek Clayborne, the Spartans have plenty of guys that can pound rock.
Elsewhere on offense, wide receiver Isaiah Parker is a likely all-state selection, but the injury bug has also bitten the explosive senior. While Parker's status for Saturday in unsure at this time, quarterback Austin Couling has plenty of options to throw to. Look for Salem to get senior Davonta Womack involved in the offense.
On the other side, Liberty comes into this game averaging close to 43 points per game. The Eagles have plenty of weapons on offense, and it all starts with quarterback Aaron Walters. The junior is one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the region, having accounted for 30 touchdowns this fall. Liberty has a talented stable of running backs, led by Martin Parker, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards. T.J. Hogan is an elusive runner out of the backfield, and Brent Smith is another reliable option at tailback. Wide receiver Anthony Spagnoletti will be one of the most dynamic athletes on the field, and will demand the full attention of the Spartan defense.
As talented as Liberty is at the skill positions, the front five is undoubtedly the strength of the Eagle offense. The mammoth offensive line, led by UVa commit R.J. Proctor averages close to 280 pounds per player, and has just manhandled opponents this fall. Salem has faced many talented lines this year, but none have resembled the physicality of this group from Bealeton.
Conclusion:
The injury situation is obviously a major concern for Salem, as the Spartans will likely need all hands on deck to win this one. I see Liberty's line setting the tone early as no amount of film can prepare anybody for that kind of challenge. However, the Salem coaching staff has done a remarkable job all season adjusting opposing offenses in the second half. I look for the Spartans get creative in the final two quarters to keep the Eagle offense off the field and grind out a close win to advance to the state title game for the first time since 2005.
The Pick: Salem 38, Liberty Bealeton 31
2A
#5 Nottoway at #4 Glenvar:
Do not let the rankings fool you. Glenvar and Nottoway may not have been seeded in the top three of their respective brackets, but these are two of the best defensive teams in all of 2A, and it is no mistake that the Highlanders and Cougars have made it this far. In fact, nobody has been able to do much of anything against these two teams in the playoffs. Nottoway has given up just 14 points in three playoff games, while Glenvar is not far behind, surrendering only 15. Both of these schools are coming off of emotional victories in the quarterfinals. Glenvar snapped a 20-game losing streak to Giles County, by thumping their rivals 35-0. On the other side, Nottoway stopped King William on the one yard-line late to preserve a 6-0 victory over the Cavaliers.
Nothing about these two teams is overly complicated, but boy are they fun to watch.
Glenvar has had a different hero step up on offense in each round of the playoffs, but last week's outing against Giles County was a great sign if you are a fan of the Highlanders. Quarterback Zack Clifford had one of the best games of his Glenvar career, tossing for 332 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Giles. In the early November loss to the Spartans, and in the first-round nail-bitter against Central, Clifford struggled with his accuracy, and as a result, the offense stalled. The Highlanders will need another strong outing from the junior signal-caller if they hope to move the ball against a stingy Nottoway defense. Speaking of career bests, wide receiver Elliot Stigall hauled in an impressive eight catches for 200 yards and a trio of touchdowns in the win. If Clifford is not on target however, Glenvar has an excellent tailback in Daryl Manns, who was unstoppable at times during the regular season.
Defensively, the Highlanders are giving up just over eight points per game this fall, including five shutouts. It all starts in the middle, as senior tackles Quinton Alls and Zack Deck are one of the best combinations around. As good as the Highlanders are up front, Glenvar thrives off of not allowing teams to beat them to the edge, and that will be crucial against a hard-running Nottoway club.
The Cougars are an excellent rushing team, headlined by Thomas Parish. The 6-0, 180 pound junior has shown multiple looks on offense this year, and can get it done up the middle, or bouncing it toward the outside edge. Senior Jujuan Lawson is other option out of the backfield, and was the offense "hero" of last week's win over King William. Nottoway will need to clean up the penalties this week in a big way. The Cougars amassed over 300 yards of offense against King William, but a plethora of crucial penalties killed drives, as Nottoway attempted to go in for the kill. Glenvar as an excellent run defense, but look for the Cougars to keep the home team guessing with an array pitch-sweeps, combined with well-time draws.
Like the Highlanders, defense is Nottoway's bread and butter. The Cougars faced one of the top offensive teams in all of 2A last week in King William, but held the Cavaliers to less than 100 yards all afternoon. Nottoway is giving up an average of 11.2 points per contest this fall, and nearly half of their points surrendered all season came in its two losses. The Cougars will face a spirited crowd in Salem, but this team is no stranger to big games. Nottoway owns victories over Buckingham, Goochland, previously undefeated Clarke County, and King William, and pushed 3A power Heritage to the limit back in its regular season finale.
Conclusion:
Though neither of these teams has been in this position in recent years, both rosters are battle-tested and senior heavy. There is a lot to like about both offenses, but the defenses have been playing lights out during the postseason. Glenvar will coming into this game on cloud nine, but cannot afford an emotional letdown. Expect the kickers to get some work in, as both teams are well aware that points are crucial in this one. I see this game being a defensive struggle as advertised, with the home standing Highlanders pulling it out in the fourth quarter.
The Pick:
Glenvar 16, Nottoway 10
This post was edited on 12/4 7:52 PM by Drew Goodman
