Don’t look now but for the first time in the history of our very existence, the Richmond Region boasts three state semifinal teams! Sure, there were a few times when Matoaca was back the AA ranks and made it but they were part of the Central/Richmond Region at that time. It’s a pretty exciting time to be a fan of high school football in the Richmond Region and there was plenty of excitement in the games this week… Hanover attempted to comeback on Lake Taylor, Cosby had a shot even to the very end, Hopewell had their comeback victory and how about that game at Highland Springs? We can only hope the state semifinals are just as exciting and that we can place three teams in Championship Saturday!
GAME OF THE WEEK
#1 Highland Springs 42-35 over #2 Hermitage
This game certainly lived up to the hype coming into it and had those that were there on their feet all game long. The fan bases however saw the highest of highs and the lowest of lows as it was a roller coaster ride of emotions… The Panthers struck first but then the Springers roared to life as even I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I haven’t seen a Hermitage team go down as quickly as it appeared this year’s edition was as the Springers scored five touchdowns to take a 35-7 lead in the second quarter! How’d they do it?
It began with a 79-yard kickoff return to the endzone followed by a 29-yard touchdown run from DJ Anderson. The Springers were not done as Davante Cain blocked a Hermitage punt and returned that for a score while DJ Anderson rushed for another touchdown himself. To nearly put a cap on it, the Springers K’Von Wallace who had scored on the kick return then returned an interception for a score. Just like that the Springers were up 35-7 but it wouldn’t last… Not nearly as quick as what the Springers had done to score all those points, the Panthers didn’t give up, didn’t get down, they just kept working and methodically kept coming at the Springers. That resulted in a touchdown shortly before the half that served as a springboard in the second half.
The Springers were nearly shutout in the second half while Eli Odom scored three touchdowns on the ground to add to the 13 points from the first half. Odom’s last touchdown came with about a minute to go and it appeared that this one would be headed to overtime just like first meeting to open the season for both these teams but the Springers had other ideas…
The Springers put together a couple of plays with time ticking away and then surprised many with a lateral that netted 26 yards! That took the ball from the 39 to the 13… If nothing else the Springers would have a shot at a field goal to win but they wouldn’t need it, Juwan Carter threw his first touchdown of the game at the biggest moment and he connected with James Jackson for the touchdown! The Springer sideline and stands erupted in pure elation, coaches and players a like jumping in the air while the fan base nearly as excited could have brought down the stands with their jubilation. While the Springers celebrated the Panthers were hurting… So close yet again to a state semifinal apparent but different opponent, same result, the Panthers season over.
Now the Springers focus their attention to an unknown foe in Indian River who will visit Highland Springs on Saturday. This will be the Springers first state semifinal since the 1990 season! That year they lost to Gar-Field. If they are able to win however, they would reach the state semifinals for the first time since the 1989 season!
You can read more on this game here, https://virginiapreps.forums.rivals...ngers-to-state-semis-42-35.33524/#post-153158
SURPRISE OF THE WEEK
#1 Hopewell 38-31 over #2 James Monroe
Not a surprise that Hopewell won but a surprise on how they won… The Blue Devils fell behind early in this one, down 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, the hole deepened in the second quarter as James Monroe scored on a touchdown run and a punt return… The Blue Devils were in unfamiliar territory down 24-7 when the Blue Devils have been able to score at will this season… That however would be the last time the Yellow Jackets would own a lead in this one as the lead would erode over two quarters. Hopewell came back with two touchdowns in the second quarter as Nas Cooper scored in the ground game and Dewonyea Westry scoring on the first touchdown pass of the day from Cameren Hill. At the half Hopewell trailed by just three points…
A 29-yard field goal from Tristan Irving in the third quarter tied it up but the Blue Devils were not done. Dewonyea Westry intercepted an AJ Felton pass and returned that bad boy 32 yards for a score to give the Blue Devils their first lead of the game since they were up 7-3 in the first quarter. AJ Felton and the Yellow Jackets would not go quietly as they too scored a touchdown, their first since they went ahead 24-7 and with the 10 yard touchdown pass the Yellow Jackets had tied it once more. Those in attendance certainly had an exciting game on their hands as neither team was ready for their season to end. But for one team their season would end and that would be James Monroe.
Another interception for the Blue Devils while not for a touchdown setup the game winning touchdown as Ronnie Monroe took the pick and returned it to midfield. The Blue Devils moved the ball 23 yards in a few plays but from the 27, quarterback Cameren Hill took the ball, raced down field and scored! That 38-31 would hold as the Blue Devils completed the comeback and are now headed to the state semifinals for the first time since the 2003 season! While their season still goes on, the Yellow Jackets fail to reach the state semifinals for the first time since the 2010 season.
ROUND THE REGION
#3 Thomas Dale 13-7 over #5 Cosby
The Knights are advancing to the state semifinals for the first time since the 2009 season in large part because of their “dark zone” defense. The first half of action saw the Knights and Titans exchange scores with the Knights coming out on top. Dale’s Devonte Russell got the Knights on the board in the first quarter with a huge 51-yard run to the endzone. Joe Hunt and the Titans would fire back in the second quarter for a score but Hunt would fail to have the success he has had this postseason as this would be his only score and the Knights defense would hold him to 30 yards, in part due to the defense, in part due to a back injury he was struggling with…
The Knights scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 69-yard pass from Matt Lawton to Brian Bullock, a combination we’ve seen quite a bit this season. The Knights defense did the rest from there on as the Titans really struggled to move the ball. Late fourth quarter success gave the Titan faithful hope and made the Knights fans a bit nervous. The Titans moved the ball to the 45 of Thomas Dale with a fresh set of downs. The Knights defense which had been so strong all game long was not about to let this one get away from them and they made two big plays when they the Knights needed it the most.
On third down, the Knights came away with a sack of Grant Squayers… The game down to fourth down, it was do or die for the Titans offense and Knights defense and the Knights defense reigned supreme with another sack of the Titans quarterback! The Knights defense will now have the tough task of defending against Oscar Smith on Saturday.
These two teams met six years ago but obviously none of the players on that team are on either team now but don’t think for a second Oscar Smith wouldn’t like a little revenge.
#1 Lake Taylor 37-22 #2 Hanover
The Hawks gave it a valiant effort but a slow start to this one did in the Hawks. The Titans, one of the favorites for the state title in 4A yet again got off to a quick start with 22 points scored in the first half, 15 of which came in the first quarter. Dazmine Palmer scored both first have touchdowns and finished the night with a total of three and 185 yards on the ground. What did the Hawks have to show in the first half? A 26-yard field goal from John Dustin. It was looking bleak for the Hawks to say the least. In the second half however it was a completely different game.
The Hawks actually outscored the Titans 19-15! The Hawk’s Clayton Cheatham scored the first touchdown for Hanover and Marcus Bazala followed up with a 2-point conversion pass to Kirkland Shaffner. Lake Taylor wouldn’t let the Hawks get too close as they responded with a 51-yard touchdown from Palmer but then the Hawks really got going. The Hawks scored yet again on another Cheatham touchdown run and another Bazala 2-point conversion to draw the Hawks within 11 of Lake Taylor and then they attempted the onside kick and recovered it! The Hawks again had the ball and were driving but unfortunately for Hanover they had to settle for another field goal that made it 30-22 in favor of Lake Taylor. That would not be the end however.
Hanover had a shot to tie, they had the ball but the Lake Taylor defense buckled down and forced the Hawks to punt, or so it would seem. Instead the Hawks went with the fake punt but to no avail. The turnover on downs was not the end of the world, that would be a Lake Taylor touchdown to seal Hanover’s fate. The Hawks season ends at 9-4 and the Hawks getting no further than the third round of the playoffs be it the old or new playoff structure. As for Lake Taylor, they continue to defend their state title from last season.
EXTRA POINTS
Hopewell on Saturday will be playing in their fourth state semifinal game… In said games they are 1-2 with a win in 2003 and two losses, 2002 and 1983.
Thomas Dale on Saturday will be playing in their eighth state semifinal game where they are 3-4… The Knights of course won their last state semifinal game in 2009, against Oscar Smith who they face this coming Saturday.
Highland Springs will be playing in the state semifinals for the first time in 25 years on Saturday! This will be the ninth state semifinal game for the Springers. Springers have a 2-6 record in state semifinals games with wins in 1978 and 1989!
GAME OF THE WEEK
#1 Highland Springs 42-35 over #2 Hermitage
This game certainly lived up to the hype coming into it and had those that were there on their feet all game long. The fan bases however saw the highest of highs and the lowest of lows as it was a roller coaster ride of emotions… The Panthers struck first but then the Springers roared to life as even I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I haven’t seen a Hermitage team go down as quickly as it appeared this year’s edition was as the Springers scored five touchdowns to take a 35-7 lead in the second quarter! How’d they do it?
It began with a 79-yard kickoff return to the endzone followed by a 29-yard touchdown run from DJ Anderson. The Springers were not done as Davante Cain blocked a Hermitage punt and returned that for a score while DJ Anderson rushed for another touchdown himself. To nearly put a cap on it, the Springers K’Von Wallace who had scored on the kick return then returned an interception for a score. Just like that the Springers were up 35-7 but it wouldn’t last… Not nearly as quick as what the Springers had done to score all those points, the Panthers didn’t give up, didn’t get down, they just kept working and methodically kept coming at the Springers. That resulted in a touchdown shortly before the half that served as a springboard in the second half.
The Springers were nearly shutout in the second half while Eli Odom scored three touchdowns on the ground to add to the 13 points from the first half. Odom’s last touchdown came with about a minute to go and it appeared that this one would be headed to overtime just like first meeting to open the season for both these teams but the Springers had other ideas…
The Springers put together a couple of plays with time ticking away and then surprised many with a lateral that netted 26 yards! That took the ball from the 39 to the 13… If nothing else the Springers would have a shot at a field goal to win but they wouldn’t need it, Juwan Carter threw his first touchdown of the game at the biggest moment and he connected with James Jackson for the touchdown! The Springer sideline and stands erupted in pure elation, coaches and players a like jumping in the air while the fan base nearly as excited could have brought down the stands with their jubilation. While the Springers celebrated the Panthers were hurting… So close yet again to a state semifinal apparent but different opponent, same result, the Panthers season over.
Now the Springers focus their attention to an unknown foe in Indian River who will visit Highland Springs on Saturday. This will be the Springers first state semifinal since the 1990 season! That year they lost to Gar-Field. If they are able to win however, they would reach the state semifinals for the first time since the 1989 season!
You can read more on this game here, https://virginiapreps.forums.rivals...ngers-to-state-semis-42-35.33524/#post-153158
SURPRISE OF THE WEEK
#1 Hopewell 38-31 over #2 James Monroe
Not a surprise that Hopewell won but a surprise on how they won… The Blue Devils fell behind early in this one, down 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, the hole deepened in the second quarter as James Monroe scored on a touchdown run and a punt return… The Blue Devils were in unfamiliar territory down 24-7 when the Blue Devils have been able to score at will this season… That however would be the last time the Yellow Jackets would own a lead in this one as the lead would erode over two quarters. Hopewell came back with two touchdowns in the second quarter as Nas Cooper scored in the ground game and Dewonyea Westry scoring on the first touchdown pass of the day from Cameren Hill. At the half Hopewell trailed by just three points…
A 29-yard field goal from Tristan Irving in the third quarter tied it up but the Blue Devils were not done. Dewonyea Westry intercepted an AJ Felton pass and returned that bad boy 32 yards for a score to give the Blue Devils their first lead of the game since they were up 7-3 in the first quarter. AJ Felton and the Yellow Jackets would not go quietly as they too scored a touchdown, their first since they went ahead 24-7 and with the 10 yard touchdown pass the Yellow Jackets had tied it once more. Those in attendance certainly had an exciting game on their hands as neither team was ready for their season to end. But for one team their season would end and that would be James Monroe.
Another interception for the Blue Devils while not for a touchdown setup the game winning touchdown as Ronnie Monroe took the pick and returned it to midfield. The Blue Devils moved the ball 23 yards in a few plays but from the 27, quarterback Cameren Hill took the ball, raced down field and scored! That 38-31 would hold as the Blue Devils completed the comeback and are now headed to the state semifinals for the first time since the 2003 season! While their season still goes on, the Yellow Jackets fail to reach the state semifinals for the first time since the 2010 season.
ROUND THE REGION
#3 Thomas Dale 13-7 over #5 Cosby
The Knights are advancing to the state semifinals for the first time since the 2009 season in large part because of their “dark zone” defense. The first half of action saw the Knights and Titans exchange scores with the Knights coming out on top. Dale’s Devonte Russell got the Knights on the board in the first quarter with a huge 51-yard run to the endzone. Joe Hunt and the Titans would fire back in the second quarter for a score but Hunt would fail to have the success he has had this postseason as this would be his only score and the Knights defense would hold him to 30 yards, in part due to the defense, in part due to a back injury he was struggling with…
The Knights scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 69-yard pass from Matt Lawton to Brian Bullock, a combination we’ve seen quite a bit this season. The Knights defense did the rest from there on as the Titans really struggled to move the ball. Late fourth quarter success gave the Titan faithful hope and made the Knights fans a bit nervous. The Titans moved the ball to the 45 of Thomas Dale with a fresh set of downs. The Knights defense which had been so strong all game long was not about to let this one get away from them and they made two big plays when they the Knights needed it the most.
On third down, the Knights came away with a sack of Grant Squayers… The game down to fourth down, it was do or die for the Titans offense and Knights defense and the Knights defense reigned supreme with another sack of the Titans quarterback! The Knights defense will now have the tough task of defending against Oscar Smith on Saturday.
These two teams met six years ago but obviously none of the players on that team are on either team now but don’t think for a second Oscar Smith wouldn’t like a little revenge.
#1 Lake Taylor 37-22 #2 Hanover
The Hawks gave it a valiant effort but a slow start to this one did in the Hawks. The Titans, one of the favorites for the state title in 4A yet again got off to a quick start with 22 points scored in the first half, 15 of which came in the first quarter. Dazmine Palmer scored both first have touchdowns and finished the night with a total of three and 185 yards on the ground. What did the Hawks have to show in the first half? A 26-yard field goal from John Dustin. It was looking bleak for the Hawks to say the least. In the second half however it was a completely different game.
The Hawks actually outscored the Titans 19-15! The Hawk’s Clayton Cheatham scored the first touchdown for Hanover and Marcus Bazala followed up with a 2-point conversion pass to Kirkland Shaffner. Lake Taylor wouldn’t let the Hawks get too close as they responded with a 51-yard touchdown from Palmer but then the Hawks really got going. The Hawks scored yet again on another Cheatham touchdown run and another Bazala 2-point conversion to draw the Hawks within 11 of Lake Taylor and then they attempted the onside kick and recovered it! The Hawks again had the ball and were driving but unfortunately for Hanover they had to settle for another field goal that made it 30-22 in favor of Lake Taylor. That would not be the end however.
Hanover had a shot to tie, they had the ball but the Lake Taylor defense buckled down and forced the Hawks to punt, or so it would seem. Instead the Hawks went with the fake punt but to no avail. The turnover on downs was not the end of the world, that would be a Lake Taylor touchdown to seal Hanover’s fate. The Hawks season ends at 9-4 and the Hawks getting no further than the third round of the playoffs be it the old or new playoff structure. As for Lake Taylor, they continue to defend their state title from last season.
EXTRA POINTS
Hopewell on Saturday will be playing in their fourth state semifinal game… In said games they are 1-2 with a win in 2003 and two losses, 2002 and 1983.
Thomas Dale on Saturday will be playing in their eighth state semifinal game where they are 3-4… The Knights of course won their last state semifinal game in 2009, against Oscar Smith who they face this coming Saturday.
Highland Springs will be playing in the state semifinals for the first time in 25 years on Saturday! This will be the ninth state semifinal game for the Springers. Springers have a 2-6 record in state semifinals games with wins in 1978 and 1989!
