Since everybody is already buzzing about the upcoming football season, I may as well chime in. Not sure which board to put this on since this year's Shenandoah will have teams ranging from 1-A to 3-A but I will start here I guess.
Anyway, the Shenandoah will be shrinking this year from nine teams down to six due to four teams leaving us and moving north to the Bull Run. If Fort Defiance had not elected to move from the Valley and join us, we would have had only five teams. Waynesboro opted to remain in the Valley, or they would have been a potential seventh team.
The good news for all of this is that travel for district games will be easy, as the entire district is located within the confines of Augusta County and the longest road game for district play will be something like 20-25 miles. But the bad news is that teams have had to scramble to find non-district games to fill out the schedule. Riverheads had a terrible time in that regard but I am not sure about the others. But for the purpose of this discussion, let's stick just to the topic of trying to predict the Shenandoah race.
Not only will there be fewer teams but there will be some new faces and of course even one brand new name for one of our members. That is of course Staunton High School, formerly Robert E Lee. The Storm as they will be called will be coached by Jake Phillips, a former all-state quarterback and state champion at Bath County High School.
Buffalo Gap also gets a new coach but I am sorry to say I don't recall his name. He moved over from an assistant position at Wilson. Then of course there was the drama at Riverheads where Casto retired, a replacement was hired, he then resigned, and Casto came back. That subject of course was VERY thoroughly discussed on here, to the point that I cannot imagine there being anything more to say about it. All the more reason to stick to the topic of who will have the best teams this year.
To start with my Gladiators, when I look at last year's roster, two things jump out at me. On the positive side is a potentially explosive running game, which is a Riverheads trademark. Assuming everyone comes back that is expected, there will be three juniors and one sophomore, all of whom are capable of scoring from anywhere on the field.
However, I also see a lot of holes to fill on the line and on the defensive side of the ball. They will have some size but the experience (or possible lack of it) worries me a little. So if the Big Red does its usual job of "re-loading," they should be fine. An unbeaten JV team stepping up is also an encouraging sign. So I will pick our boys to get back the district title that East Rock quite deservedly took last year and I see another possible state title run for the Gladiators.
As for second place and beyond..............wow! I might have to rely on each team's fans to come on here and plead their case because you could make an argument for just about any of them. So to be fair, in alphabetical order (and yes I know I am copping out here!)........
Buffalo Gap: Strong JV program the last several years, went deep in to the playoffs last year, but they have a new coach and of course how do you replace Rivenburg without losing a little off your game?
Fort Defiance: Surprised everyone last year with a much improved program that appears headed in the right direction after several lean years. So unless last year's team was senior-dominated, look for them to continue their upswing.
Staunton: Athleticism and speed will always be trademarks for the team that we will still be calling the L word for many years to come. So their biggest challenge will be adjusting to Coach Phillips and hopefully building on the solid foundation that Girolmo left.
Stuarts Draft: If I recall, they were doing OK last season but then suffered a swan dive at the end of the year. But I also seem to recall that youth was the main culprit and that they had freshmen and sophomores in key skill positions. So unless they got down on themselves, they should be improved and return to their playoff glory in no time.
Wilson: Not that I am trying to make enemies or ruffle feathers, but if I was picking a cellar-dweller this year, it might have to be the Hornets. I just don't recall anything from last year on either the varsity or JV level that makes me think they can make a major move this year. But I am sure they will battle hard each and every night out.
So there you have it. I started out fully prepared to rank them but then realized that I probably could not do it. So what does everyone else think?
Anyway, the Shenandoah will be shrinking this year from nine teams down to six due to four teams leaving us and moving north to the Bull Run. If Fort Defiance had not elected to move from the Valley and join us, we would have had only five teams. Waynesboro opted to remain in the Valley, or they would have been a potential seventh team.
The good news for all of this is that travel for district games will be easy, as the entire district is located within the confines of Augusta County and the longest road game for district play will be something like 20-25 miles. But the bad news is that teams have had to scramble to find non-district games to fill out the schedule. Riverheads had a terrible time in that regard but I am not sure about the others. But for the purpose of this discussion, let's stick just to the topic of trying to predict the Shenandoah race.
Not only will there be fewer teams but there will be some new faces and of course even one brand new name for one of our members. That is of course Staunton High School, formerly Robert E Lee. The Storm as they will be called will be coached by Jake Phillips, a former all-state quarterback and state champion at Bath County High School.
Buffalo Gap also gets a new coach but I am sorry to say I don't recall his name. He moved over from an assistant position at Wilson. Then of course there was the drama at Riverheads where Casto retired, a replacement was hired, he then resigned, and Casto came back. That subject of course was VERY thoroughly discussed on here, to the point that I cannot imagine there being anything more to say about it. All the more reason to stick to the topic of who will have the best teams this year.
To start with my Gladiators, when I look at last year's roster, two things jump out at me. On the positive side is a potentially explosive running game, which is a Riverheads trademark. Assuming everyone comes back that is expected, there will be three juniors and one sophomore, all of whom are capable of scoring from anywhere on the field.
However, I also see a lot of holes to fill on the line and on the defensive side of the ball. They will have some size but the experience (or possible lack of it) worries me a little. So if the Big Red does its usual job of "re-loading," they should be fine. An unbeaten JV team stepping up is also an encouraging sign. So I will pick our boys to get back the district title that East Rock quite deservedly took last year and I see another possible state title run for the Gladiators.
As for second place and beyond..............wow! I might have to rely on each team's fans to come on here and plead their case because you could make an argument for just about any of them. So to be fair, in alphabetical order (and yes I know I am copping out here!)........
Buffalo Gap: Strong JV program the last several years, went deep in to the playoffs last year, but they have a new coach and of course how do you replace Rivenburg without losing a little off your game?
Fort Defiance: Surprised everyone last year with a much improved program that appears headed in the right direction after several lean years. So unless last year's team was senior-dominated, look for them to continue their upswing.
Staunton: Athleticism and speed will always be trademarks for the team that we will still be calling the L word for many years to come. So their biggest challenge will be adjusting to Coach Phillips and hopefully building on the solid foundation that Girolmo left.
Stuarts Draft: If I recall, they were doing OK last season but then suffered a swan dive at the end of the year. But I also seem to recall that youth was the main culprit and that they had freshmen and sophomores in key skill positions. So unless they got down on themselves, they should be improved and return to their playoff glory in no time.
Wilson: Not that I am trying to make enemies or ruffle feathers, but if I was picking a cellar-dweller this year, it might have to be the Hornets. I just don't recall anything from last year on either the varsity or JV level that makes me think they can make a major move this year. But I am sure they will battle hard each and every night out.
So there you have it. I started out fully prepared to rank them but then realized that I probably could not do it. So what does everyone else think?
