Region A Final #1 Lake Taylor vs. #2 Churchland
- Thread starter DEVILSLB99
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Defense! The Truckers defense is playing lights out and they are healthy. LT just gives up too many turnovers and their defense has struggled at times. I am just not sure if Churchland can put up the points to win this one. Coach Sawyer rarely loses playoff games, has a bruising back to tote the mail but something smells like an upset. Just think the Truckers athletic director might know how to stop the veer. Lol
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Saw LT play Varina, they are not good at all. I like Churchland in this one.
Honestly I'm hands off with the football program. I tell them "if I gotta show you how to do it then I get to call some plays in the game" Lets just say I haven't called any plays!! Lol
So what changed at Churchland? This is by leaps and bounds the best team in at least 20 years for them. New coach?
@DEVILSLB99 is your answer @1MoreHokie. Not only was he a fantastic assistant at LT, he has totally changed the culture at Churchland by hiring competent coaches, upgrading facilities (basketball court is awesome) and supporting his athletes. The boys in the Tri-Cities and a certain Captain are so proud. Devils may kill me for this, but he is being inducted into his high school hall of fame this year. Congrats Devils.
Newton show for LT but Churchland has impressed with their season. They don’t want to go home without a fight and LT has been there so they know what it takes I expect a close game with a big play by newton to win the game.
I took the job in Feb 2017 and my first job was to hire a football coach. Decided on a person who was an OC and won a lot of games at Salem and he was a college teammate of mine.
First year our top 5 returning seniors transferred to IC Norcom and we had to rebuild with a bunch of unproven freshman and sophomores and we repeated the same 1-9 record but it was different the kids were competing. We had a great offseason workout plan in place and did a lot of camps. One thing we did was we challenged all of the kids to be multisport athletes so most of my football players ran track. My track team then went on to win the 2nd region title in school history in the Spring.
Year two 5-6 losing some close games and falling to Lafayette in the playoffs and sent 8 kids to college to play football. Offseason program was successful and track team finished top 5 in the state indoor and outdoor season with football players winning individual state titles in events.
Year three Here we are 10-2 after winning the first playoff game in school history 2 weeks ago and advancing. We have a new defensive coordinator, but our staff has stayed consisted for the most part and kids and parents have brought in tremendously. One thing that hasn't happened since that original 5 left is our kids are staying put. Now kids want to come play at Churchland and not trying to find excuses and reasons to leave. My principal has been tremendous and supportive as he's allowed me to think outside the box on a lot of projects and ideas. Since my hire in Feb 2017 we've finished region runner up 6 times and won 4 region titles as my boys volleyball team just advanced to states last week. We are trying to bring home our 5th region title this week hopefully against a program and coach that is near and dear to me.
As far as the hall of fame goes its a tremendous honor and something that keeps me humble. I'm still in disbelief but I guess I did have a pretty good career at Hopewell High and played for some great coaches. I was a part of changing the culture of HHS football and I remember the feeling of getting over the hump. Seeing my players have the excitement and school and community behind these kids has been tremendous. Win or lose they have a lot to be proud about!!
Well since my team is out of the mix I know who I’m rooting for to win it all.
I looked on max preps to see who you guys were playing earlier because I was looking for a game to attend! East Rock won’t be much of a matchup for you guys. I will more than likely go to the Gretna/Appomattox game to see the (kind of) hometown Hawks.Well you can always become a Cougar for 2a too
I dunno DSH, they have been on a roll. 6 seed and 6-4, but outscored the 2 and 3 seeds 82-24 in 1st 2 rounds.
I sure hope you are right though
Churchland has definitely benefited from a great coaching staff, but the Truckers have sat in the shadow of Western Branch for many years. The Athletes have migrated to play within their district. It's that simple. I look for that trend to continue, too. I don't hear about a bunch of transfers so the improvements are organic and being fed by good feeder programs!
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