Well we have gotten through an interesting two weeks of playoffs to get where every team sets as one of their goals, practicing on Thanksgiving day with the opportunity to win a Region title. Now the games get even more intense with much less margin for error.
Region A
Essex hosting Rappahannock-did anyone ever really doubt that Essex would be here? The defense has been playing lights out as of late so this is another indication of just how good this team and coaching staff are. Rappahannock was tagged as a contender pre-season and has done what was needed to get to this point. Of concern was their performance in their first matchup with Essex. A close loss gives tons of hope but the blowout that occurred leaves little doubt who should be favored. Not privy to the particulars of the first game but if things went sideways quickly, the coaching staff may have decided that it was not worth showing any adjustments that they would make. I look for a closer game with Essex just imposing their will as the game wears on. Essex 35-21
Region B
Riverheads hosting Sussex Central-These two have been on a collision course since the announcement that the Tri-Rivers teams would join region B starting this year. Riverheads has put plenty of points up but the defense has come along nicely considering that the staff had to replace 9 starters that graduated from last years team. There were also a few injuries on that side of the ball that have been worked through so as impressive as their resume seems, it has been a superb coaching effort to get back to this point. Sussex is showing why they were perineal contenders in region A with their first year being in the championship. The tigers are young at a few positions but have developed quickly and are ready to take that step into the spotlight of the state stage. I look for a physical game with a few momentum swings until the Gladiators pull away late. Riverheads 35-14
Region C
Galax hosting George Wythe-Everyone had Galax in permanent ink in this game but the same can not be said of the Maroons. GW has certainly done enough to get here and on film against everyone else looked like they are a team to be reckoned with. Their nemesis has been the Maroon Tide and Coach Mark Dixon. No reason to think this one will not be closer than the last but adjustements, adjustements, adjustments. You can not beat your head against at wall and expect to walk through it. A Dixon lead team will not be out played on the line so you have to create the space needed for the QB by finding a way to schematically gain the advantage. I am of the opinion that Coach Harner will find some things that work better and make this much closer than all of us prognosticators think but I am not so sure it is enough. Galax is fundamentally as sound a football team as you will see across any classification in Virginia. Galax 42-28
Region D
Patrick Henry hosting JI Burton-PHGS was projected by most to be here and that was predicated on have senior 2K rusher in Brown back and a force. He has been plagued by some ankle issues and missed a good bit of the season but the team has performed phenomenally in his absence. On that same line of thinking, JIB has outperformed all projections for them by overcoming early season off field issues to be in a great position. Holding a very good Chilhowie to zero offensive points shows that the defense can play at the state level. Who blinks first here? Both have been on a great run and showed why they are in game. This game looks to be the closest on paper and I tend to agree with that. Patrick Henry GS 20-13
These are just my opinions and I could be way out in left field an probably am since this would have all four number 1's. That generally doesn't happen so if I had to think of an "upset", it would be JIB pulling it off.
Region A
Essex hosting Rappahannock-did anyone ever really doubt that Essex would be here? The defense has been playing lights out as of late so this is another indication of just how good this team and coaching staff are. Rappahannock was tagged as a contender pre-season and has done what was needed to get to this point. Of concern was their performance in their first matchup with Essex. A close loss gives tons of hope but the blowout that occurred leaves little doubt who should be favored. Not privy to the particulars of the first game but if things went sideways quickly, the coaching staff may have decided that it was not worth showing any adjustments that they would make. I look for a closer game with Essex just imposing their will as the game wears on. Essex 35-21
Region B
Riverheads hosting Sussex Central-These two have been on a collision course since the announcement that the Tri-Rivers teams would join region B starting this year. Riverheads has put plenty of points up but the defense has come along nicely considering that the staff had to replace 9 starters that graduated from last years team. There were also a few injuries on that side of the ball that have been worked through so as impressive as their resume seems, it has been a superb coaching effort to get back to this point. Sussex is showing why they were perineal contenders in region A with their first year being in the championship. The tigers are young at a few positions but have developed quickly and are ready to take that step into the spotlight of the state stage. I look for a physical game with a few momentum swings until the Gladiators pull away late. Riverheads 35-14
Region C
Galax hosting George Wythe-Everyone had Galax in permanent ink in this game but the same can not be said of the Maroons. GW has certainly done enough to get here and on film against everyone else looked like they are a team to be reckoned with. Their nemesis has been the Maroon Tide and Coach Mark Dixon. No reason to think this one will not be closer than the last but adjustements, adjustements, adjustments. You can not beat your head against at wall and expect to walk through it. A Dixon lead team will not be out played on the line so you have to create the space needed for the QB by finding a way to schematically gain the advantage. I am of the opinion that Coach Harner will find some things that work better and make this much closer than all of us prognosticators think but I am not so sure it is enough. Galax is fundamentally as sound a football team as you will see across any classification in Virginia. Galax 42-28
Region D
Patrick Henry hosting JI Burton-PHGS was projected by most to be here and that was predicated on have senior 2K rusher in Brown back and a force. He has been plagued by some ankle issues and missed a good bit of the season but the team has performed phenomenally in his absence. On that same line of thinking, JIB has outperformed all projections for them by overcoming early season off field issues to be in a great position. Holding a very good Chilhowie to zero offensive points shows that the defense can play at the state level. Who blinks first here? Both have been on a great run and showed why they are in game. This game looks to be the closest on paper and I tend to agree with that. Patrick Henry GS 20-13
These are just my opinions and I could be way out in left field an probably am since this would have all four number 1's. That generally doesn't happen so if I had to think of an "upset", it would be JIB pulling it off.
