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Richlands vs Appomattox

VolNation85

VolNation85

VaPreps All District
Nov 29, 2013
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I know the official brackets haven't been released yet but, most unofficial brackets have Appomattox at #1 in the Richlands at #3 in the West. I hope this is accurate for the simple fact that this seeding creates the possibility of these two teams clashing in the 2A Championship since 2A does cross bracket for state semis. How awesome would it be if this rematch was for the actual championship instead of the metaphorical championship!?!?

I know there are some good teams in the east but, the west has dominated the 2A rankings for the last 11 years. The west has won 8 of the last 11 championships at the 2A/A Division 2 level. The 07, 08, 10 championship games were an all west match-up. My point is, there is a lot of football to be played and there are a lot of good teams still playing but, most (non-biased) people would probably agree that Appomattox and Richlands are the two teams that are a step ahead of everyone else.

I may be wrong but, for the sake of all high school football fans alike, I hope we see a Richlands-Appomattox championship game. If so, I know where I will be on December 10, 2016.
 
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eh31 said:
Who's that #2 team? I'm sure they're not any good.
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Haha...I sense a little sarcasm there. Of Graham is a good team. A team doesn't get to 9-1 without being good. No disrespect intended...it was only my opinion haha
 
VolNation85 said:
Haha...I sense a little sarcasm there. Of Graham is a good team. A team doesn't get to 9-1 without being good. No disrespect intended...it was only my opinion haha
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I'm sure you have pretty good knowledge of Appomattox but I'm not sure how much you've seen/heard of richlands. The only issue I took with your post was that you said that "most unbiased" would agree with Appo and Richlands are on a different level. That may be true for Appomattox but not so much for Richlands. While they are always a great team they aren't on the level they were last year and if you look at the games of the top teams they've played this year (Union, Graham, & Abingdon) you would see why it's silly to say they are on a different level than any other teams. They don't have anything that resembles a run game and they don't have the all state linebackers they had last year. What they do have going for them is a POTY QB and an excellent coach and that'll win them some games that Seemed out of reach (like being down 21 @ Graham and down 14 against Union).

Richlands will have a tough second round matchup against Glenvar/Gate City and if they both make it that far they'll have a tough rematch when they cross the county to play at Graham on thanksgiving weekend in front of probably 8,000+ Fans.

With that being said, Knowing Coach Mance's teams I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Richlands is in Salem on December 10th. But I also wouldn't be surprised if its Graham or Union playing that day instead.
 
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Metaphorical championship?, this isn't horseshoes, teams either win their playoff games and move on or they don't.
 
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.I just think that any of the top 5 teams in 2A are capable of being in Salem and taking home the championship.
If I had to pick the 2 I think will end up there and play for it, I would have to go with Graham and Appo at this time.
I just think they are the 2 that are playing the best right now. Admittedly I know nothing about Gooch so I will have to let others speak on them, but I do think that any of the top 5 can get on a roll and end up in Salem.
The blues have a chance if they can do a little better job of protecting JLA and to at least show enough of a run game to keep teams from dropping 7 or 8 into coverage and daring us to run.
I wouldn't put it past coach Mance and his staff to show a little more in the running game than they have showed so far. they have had a couple of weeks to work on it, if they don't, I'm just not sure they can ride JLA's arm to Salem alone, as good as his arm can be.
When you get to the 3rd round and on you are running into teams that are well coached and have the athletes that can scheme to shut a one dimensional team down as the blues saw against Abingdon a couple of weeks ago.
Coach Mance is a wonderful coach and I would take my chances with him at the top any day !
of course, I MAY be just a tiny bit biased......just a little...
 
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eh31 said:
I'm sure you have pretty good knowledge of Appomattox but I'm not sure how much you've seen/heard of richlands. The only issue I took with your post was that you said that "most unbiased" would agree with Appo and Richlands are on a different level. That may be true for Appomattox but not so much for Richlands. While they are always a great team they aren't on the level they were last year and if you look at the games of the top teams they've played this year (Union, Graham, & Abingdon) you would see why it's silly to say they are on a different level than any other teams. They don't have anything that resembles a run game and they don't have the all state linebackers they had last year. What they do have going for them is a POTY QB and an excellent coach and that'll win them some games that Seemed out of reach (like being down 21 @ Graham and down 14 against Union).

Richlands will have a tough second round matchup against Glenvar/Gate City and if they both make it that far they'll have a tough rematch when they cross the county to play at Graham on thanksgiving weekend in front of probably 8,000+ Fans.

With that being said, Knowing Coach Mance's teams I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Richlands is in Salem on December 10th. But I also wouldn't be surprised if its Graham or Union playing that day instead.
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I appreciate the insight.
 
HS-SportsFan said:
Metaphorical championship?, this isn't horseshoes, teams either win their playoff games and move on or they don't.
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The metaphorical championship line was in reference to last year's game between Appomattox and Richlands. Many people said that the third round game between the two was the real championship game in 2A last year because many felt they were the two best teams in 2A last year.
 
Just my humble opinion, but to me I feel like it's actually Graham and Appomattox that are on another level. It's Richlands lack of a running game that leads me to believe they won't quite make it to the dance this year. However, I wouldn't be shocked one bit to see any of the Top 5-6 teams winning it all if the ball bounces their way
 
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I don't think Richlands is as good as last year but they have the most lethal passing attack Ive seen in a while and that could carry them through if teams can't match up in the secondary. Appomattox is BETTER than last year and I just don't see them being beat especially in their building. Too deep of a team that forces turnovers, shut down your run and have probably the best secondary in 2a, 3a and 4a. I can't see them losing but that's why we play the game. I will say this if the top 2 East teams make it to the final 4 than Appomattox will get pushed to the limit against Goochland. Don't forget one second sleep on the Bulldogs. Their defense is the real deal and when they have a top notch defense the Bulldogs are dangerous in the post season. The match up I think will be the best is Graham and Dan River in the second round.
 
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^ Graham would play the winner of Grundy/Martinsville in the second round.
 
BCKnights said:
I don't think Richlands is as good as last year but they have the most lethal passing attack Ive seen in a while and that could carry them through if teams can't match up in the secondary. Appomattox is BETTER than last year and I just don't see them being beat especially in their building. Too deep of a team that forces turnovers, shut down your run and have probably the best secondary in 2a, 3a and 4a. I can't see them losing but that's why we play the game. I will say this if the top 2 East teams make it to the final 4 than Appomattox will get pushed to the limit against Goochland. Don't forget one second sleep on the Bulldogs. Their defense is the real deal and when they have a top notch defense the Bulldogs are dangerous in the post season. The match up I think will be the best is Graham and Dan River in the second round.
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The only way Graham and DR could play would be in Salem.
 
I'm sorry but Richlands is not on another level then Graham. I pull for Richlands once Giles is done but I was at the Graham and Richlands game. Richlands is not the better team. Graham self imploded and and the coach u guys said lost u the game against Abington won it for u against Graham. I really don't know how u came to that assumption. I could could say Giles is better then Graham because if not for the horse call collar call that dint happen at the end of the game Giles wins. However I don't feel Giles has a better team this year, let's just be real.
 
singlewinger92 said:
I'm sorry but Richlands is not on another level then Graham. I pull for Richlands once Giles is done but I was at the Graham and Richlands game. Richlands is not the better team. Graham self imploded and and the coach u guys said lost u the game against Abington won it for u against Graham. I really don't know how u came to that assumption. I could could say Giles is better then Graham because if not for the horse call collar call that dint happen at the end of the game Giles wins. However I don't feel Giles has a better team this year, let's just be real.
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It's not a Richlands fan that made this thread, just so y'all know that. Most Richlands fans realize that this team isn't as good all around this year. But with that said, any one of the top 5 in the West can make it to Salem. And I think 2 of the top 5 in the West meet in Salem. Just not sure which two that will be.
 
Exact same thing was said of the West teams and Salem last year. Other than Appo, which most likely wins it all, the top 3 teams in the East can play with and have even chances of beating the other 4 top West teams.
 
Appo should be concerned with Giles next week. That's a tough matchup for anybody. They will control the clock and use ball control and are capable of beating anybody they play. Graham is very impressive this year too. Hard to pull against them. But Richlands and Union are very good too. Haven't seen Dan River.
 
I think Appomattox is clearly the best team in the state and they have proved it on the field. They are beatable though. There isn't really a shade of difference between the next 4 teams: Graham, Richlands, Union, and Dan River. I haven't forgotten about our unbeatens Stuarts Draft and Goochland in the East, but I think they are in a third tier with Giles, Glenvar, and Clarke, capable of winning it all but not likely to do so.
 
19GHS87 said:
Appo should be concerned with Giles next week. That's a tough matchup for anybody. They will control the clock and use ball control and are capable of beating anybody they play. Graham is very impressive this year too. Hard to pull against them. But Richlands and Union are very good too. Haven't seen Dan River.
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I'll go ahead and put money on two things that Advocate will say:

1. Giles isn't allowed to bring the train horn.
2. No way a running team can beat Appomattox.
 
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As for Appomattox, we are focused on Virginia High and Virginia High only. I agree that the West has a number of teams capable of taking it all as well as S.Draft,Goochland and Clarke County in the East. I do feel that the State Champion will probably come out of the West but that's why you play the game.
 
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obguthr said:
I think Appomattox is clearly the best team in the state and they have proved it on the field. They are beatable though. There isn't really a shade of difference between the next 4 teams: Graham, Richlands, Union, and Dan River. I haven't forgotten about our unbeatens Stuarts Draft and Goochland in the East, but I think they are in a third tier with Giles, Glenvar, and Clarke, capable of winning it all but not likely to do so.
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No, there actually IS a shade of difference between those next 4 teams. Graham is better than the other 3. I'm telling you dude, they are better. Review this conversation in 4 weeks.
 
lucustookis said:
No, there actually IS a shade of difference between those next 4 teams. Graham is better than the other 3. I'm telling you dude, they are better. Review this conversation in 4 weeks.
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As talented as Graham is this season the crazy part is they had two players transfer out before the season. One of them (Israel Harris) went to Tazewell and rushed for close to 1,400 yards and the other (Dequan Booker) transferred to Richlands and is their second leading receiver and has probably close to 10 touchdowns or so on the season.

They lost those two great athletes and are still having their best season since Ahmad Bradshaw graduated. Tony Palmer has done a great job with the program since he took over two years ago.
 
Ryan4VT said:
I'll go ahead and put money on two things that Advocate will say:

1. Giles isn't allowed to bring the train horn.
2. No way a running team can beat Appomattox.
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Just out of curiosity, it's my understanding Appo has a train horn at their field, so why wouldn't Giles be allowed to bring theirs?
 
60 minute man said:
Just out of curiosity, it's my understanding Appo has a train horn at their field, so why wouldn't Giles be allowed to bring theirs?
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I don't know for sure but my guess would be because it isn't their home field thus, nothing that might give them a "home field" feel will be allowed. Just my speculation.
 
Goochland, Stuarts Draft, and Clarke are perfectly fine with letting the West teams beat themselves up before the semi finals. Also unless you've seen Goochland play I wouldn't say they're in a lesser tier than the top west teams like Appo and Graham. They have one of the best defensive lines I've seen in AA.
 
VolNation85 said:
I don't know for sure but my guess would be because it isn't their home field thus, nothing that might give them a "home field" feel will be allowed. Just my speculation.
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My personal feeling is this is much more a big deal with the posters on this board than anything else. I played a lot of sports in my day, and I don't recall a single time anywhere, anytime, that any noise from the crowd had any effect on me or my teams play. I never noticed it. If a sound wasn't coming from my teammates or coaches mouth, I didn't pay any attention to it. Did not focus on that stuff at all. Maybe some of the guys on the sideline, not on the field at the time notice it, but I never did.
 
Who cares, Giles or Appomattox either one is guaranteed to play week after next. Don't understand the talk about the two as if now.
 
Goochland06 said:
Goochland, Stuarts Draft, and Clarke are perfectly fine with letting the West teams beat themselves up before the semi finals. Also unless you've seen Goochland play I wouldn't say they're in a lesser tier than the top west teams like Appo and Graham. They have one of the best defensive lines I've seen in AA.
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It's an unlikely scenario because of the crossbracketing, but it would be nice to see Goochland play Stuarts Draft. I've heard plenty about Goochland's D-line. Three times this year I have seen how dominant Draft's D-line is. With all the talk about the fine teams in the West, wouldn't it be a hoot if it was an all East championship?
 
60 minute man said:
My personal feeling is this is much more a big deal with the posters on this board than anything else. I played a lot of sports in my day, and I don't recall a single time anywhere, anytime, that any noise from the crowd had any effect on me or my teams play. I never noticed it. If a sound wasn't coming from my teammates or coaches mouth, I didn't pay any attention to it. Did not focus on that stuff at all. Maybe some of the guys on the sideline, not on the field at the time notice it, but I never did.
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60 minute man said:
My personal feeling is this is much more a big deal with the posters on this board than anything else. I played a lot of sports in my day, and I don't recall a single time anywhere, anytime, that any noise from the crowd had any effect on me or my teams play. I never noticed it. If a sound wasn't coming from my teammates or coaches mouth, I didn't pay any attention to it. Did not focus on that stuff at all. Maybe some of the guys on the sideline, not on the field at the time notice it, but I never did.
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Of course it is much more of a big deal with posters in this board, lol. That's what fans do.....they post, discuss, argue, agree, disagree, and post their opinions. Players should and do worry about playing on the field. It's the same with any sports message board. In Denver, the Broncos fans are posting, not the players. On VTs message board, fans of UNC and GT talk about why each team will win. It's a beautiful thing as a fan. The players if GT and VT are not posting or worried about a message board of predictions. But as fans, go for it. It's awesome and if it were not fun, you would not have a Virginia Preps message board.
 
singlewinger92 said:
Who cares, Giles or Appomattox either one is guaranteed to play week after next. Don't understand the talk about the two as if now.
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Who cares? You care. You just posted your opinion on the subject. What relevance as to whether or not Giles or Appo is guaranteed to play the following week have? I would love to see Giles and Appo and I do care. I do think Appo IS in fact, guaranteed to make it two round two. They will blow their first round opponent out. As for Giles.....they need to worry about game one. But as fans, we can talk about round four and the semis if we want. It's a beautiful thing and fun.
 
No disrespect to any of y'all but the ONLY team that will come close to beating Appomattox is Dan River. I've seen Martinsville and I believe they will make some noise also but I have my money on Appomattox and Dan River to come out of the West.
 
DanvilleSportsHead said:
No disrespect to any of y'all but the ONLY team that will come close to beating Appomattox is Dan River. I've seen Martinsville and I believe they will make some noise also but I have my money on Appomattox and Dan River to come out of the West.
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I think Martinsville goes to Graham if they beat Grundy. Martinsville in round two will be the recipient of a running clock in Bluefield. They will be put out of their misery by about 8 minutes left in quarter three.
 
I think Clarke is another sleeper, other than a close loss to Central Woodstock and a loss to 9-1 Millbrook they have beaten everyone decisively. A loss in the State Championship can really rile up a team for the next year. Look at 2011 Gretna and 2012 Goochland, both teams loss the previous year with what I think were better than the team that won the big game the following year.
 
DanvilleSportsHead said:
No disrespect to any of y'all but the ONLY team that will come close to beating Appomattox is Dan River. I've seen Martinsville and I believe they will make some noise also but I have my money on Appomattox and Dan River to come out of the West.
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They both can't come out of the west. They will have to play each other in the 3rd round and one of them will go home. That's assuming DR beats Union in round 2 and Appo beats Giles.
 
lucustookis said:
I think Martinsville goes to Graham if they beat Grundy. Martinsville in round two will be the recipient of a running clock in Bluefield. They will be put out of their misery by about 8 minutes left in quarter three.
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I don't think Martinsville just gets steamrolled. They play a brutal schedule for a 2A team and they are an athletic bunch. Graham may beat em, but I think it takes 4 qtrs.
 
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In all seriousness, I agree that Martinsville plays a tough schedule and has some athletes. I was being facetious when I wrote a running clock for game. I don't think it will be a gigantic blowout by any means, but I don't think it takes 4 quarters. I think Graham would have that game well in hand by halftime. I would say....Graham 47, Martinsville 21.
 
Yea, if Martinsville made it through @DR, @GW and home against MV without getting remotely close to a running clock, I'd be a bit surprised to see Graham do that to them. Stranger things have happened. I suspect Coach Martin has his guys more concerned about Grundy at the moment, though.
 
Is this Giles horn everyone talks about that loud? Hahaha even if it is who cares I don't see what that has to do with what's going on with the game. I think you should be able to blow it the whole time. I know when I played against Nelson many many moons ago their announcer would call out wether it was a run or pass during the play over the loud speaker.
 
lucustookis said:
In all seriousness, I agree that Martinsville plays a tough schedule and has some athletes. I was being facetious when I wrote a running clock for game. I don't think it will be a gigantic blowout by any means, but I don't think it takes 4 quarters. I think Graham would have that game well in hand by halftime. I would say....Graham 47, Martinsville 21.
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Man idk... They played Magna Vista, Dan River and GW really really tough. Beat a 5a 42-0 and another playoff team in Tunstall, 50-0. Bro Martinsville isn't a team to take lightly at all.
 
obguthr said:
It's an unlikely scenario because of the crossbracketing, but it would be nice to see Goochland play Stuarts Draft. I've heard plenty about Goochland's D-line. Three times this year I have seen how dominant Draft's D-line is. With all the talk about the fine teams in the West, wouldn't it be a hoot if it was an all East championship?
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You are correct. Although I started the thread, I am well aware that there are some good, if not, great teams in the East. The games have to be played. That's what makes football the greatest sport on Earth.
 
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