Any good guesses or information as to where this will be played. I heard Coach Jones on radio broadcast after game yesterday saying he was going to talk to the VHSL.
Riverheads vs Essex
- Thread starter shendistrictsportsfan
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Well he is the AD and I would suspect he is trying to get the game at home
Let’s get party started getting down to nitty gritty , if Essex’s is better than last year this will be dog fight for gladiators. The red team is not as good as last year they will need some mistakes by Essex’s to win this one . Riverheads will win 35-21
If Essex limits the turnovers they should have a good chance of winning. Much more improved since last year and too much speed for Riverheads
It is quite understandable that Essex would prefer to host the game on their own field, but we have read numerous comments over the years that make it sound like it is just not suitable for a state semi-final game. I have never been there so I have no opinion.
What I DO know is that Riverheads travels EXTREMELY well and will bring a huge crowd. We have now had to travel six times in regional semis, and have never hosted one.
In the three games played down that way (Surry, Sussex, Franklin) we BADLY outnumbered the home fans. The three G schools down south of us held their own against us and may have outnumbered us, but we did our thing in those three places as well.
So I hope the VHSL will take that into consideration, and better yet, I hope Riverheads will get some input into the decision. But I have no idea how the politics of the situation works.
What I DO know is that Riverheads travels EXTREMELY well and will bring a huge crowd. We have now had to travel six times in regional semis, and have never hosted one.
In the three games played down that way (Surry, Sussex, Franklin) we BADLY outnumbered the home fans. The three G schools down south of us held their own against us and may have outnumbered us, but we did our thing in those three places as well.
So I hope the VHSL will take that into consideration, and better yet, I hope Riverheads will get some input into the decision. But I have no idea how the politics of the situation works.
Who are the teams you guys have played in the state semis over the years? I know Surry, Sussex, Franklin, Galax, Giles, and now Essex, but who am I forgetting?
When Essex has hosted the state semis in the past (Manassas Park 03, Gretna 09, John Battle 12, Fort Chiswell 13, FWIW Essex won all of these games) we brought in Extra porta jons and bleachers. Nobody complained,much, until Fort Chiswell. I hope Essex can play at home, but if not King William would be ideal. For Riverheads you pass KW on the way to Essex and it's not too far from Essex for Trojan fans.
Riverheads played an absolutely EPIC state basketball game at King William about 14 years ago that I still remember like it was yesterday, so some of us old fogies will remember how to get there. King George will also be a reasonable drive for us, probably two hours give or take. But if it has to be Essex, we will do our best to "hold it in" if you get my drift!
King Williams is super easy. 64 to 295. Take the Tappahannock exit onto 360 east. Go like 20 miles and KWHS is right at the intersection of 360 and 30.
Riverheads will most likely way out number the Essex fans regardless of where the game is played, especially if it is at KG.
The West always supports its football teams way more than mostly all East teams (at least in my experience), often by huge margins even when the West has to travel a really long way.
Wow haven’t Riverheads been gifted enough Lol! The game should be played in Tappahannock!
They should play the game at Middlesex.. They have a great field and it's only one county over.
It hasn't always been that way. In the basketball game I spoke of earlier, Riverheads brought a "decent" crowd, considering that we do not support basketball anywhere nearly as well as we do football, but W & L literally PACKED that place. They had us outnumbered 8 to 1 and it was the loudest gym I have ever been in for a high school game. Not only that but it seemed like a big gym by high school standards.
The problem with playing at Middlesex or Northumberland is they're a farther drive than Essex for Riverheads....hey maybe those places are a good idea
Remember that game quite well. Riverheads had a point guard who was about 6'6 and a center around 6'8. Was definitely a great environment that night and the fans got their money's worth.
Funny isn't it? Around here, even if you have a top-notch basketball team, you will not pack your gym even if you are playing your biggest rival. One school in Augusta County, Fort Defiance, was once known for its incredible basketball following, but not for a very long while.
Yep. Definitely our tallest team ever. We also had a three-point shooter and a wide body inside. Went to the state final that year and lost to Altavista.
Yep. Definitely our tallest team ever. We also had a three-point shooter and a wide body inside. Went to the state final that year and lost to Altavista.
Lee High and Waynesboro used to pack the gyms. I can remember going to a game between those two during "the streak era" and the line to get into the game went from the gym all the way to the entrance of Lee high. Talk about a packed house! It saddens me that folks don't roll out like they used to for the basketball games around here anymore. I put some of the blame on the girls' teams playing away on the same nights.
Good point about Fort Defiance, they used to have quite the student section.
If the game is not played at Essex, King William would be the next best venue. Northumberland wouldn’t be good because it’s further for Riverheads to travel and I personally don’t think Northumberland’s visitor side will be enough for the Riverheads crowd. If we can’t use KW’s. The almost perfect spot would be at 5A Lee-Davis High in Mechanicsville,VA. I know that the Essex fans would like it closer but it’s not a bad drive for Essex fans. It’s only 37 miles southwest of Tappahannock. Like me, a lot of Essex folks travel that road almost daily to go to our jobs in that area and the Richmond area. Even on weekends for shopping, events and dinner. That also would shave about 40-45 minutes off Riverheads travel.
It might be close, but no matter where the game is played, even if it is right there at Essex, it might still be the SHORTEST of Riverheads' seven semi-final trips!
Out of Essex’s 9 (9th this Saturday) state semi appearances, (hosted 7 of the 9) Goochland was the closest and Gretna was the long ride. Lol. Essex is 5-3 in state semi games. Wins against Manassas Park, Gretna, John Battle, Ft. Chiswell, Haysi and losses against Goochland, Gretna and Galax. 1-4 in state championship games. Won against Radford and losses vs. Gate City, Goochland and Altavista twice.
Well let's see, it was about 130 miles to the exit near Wytheville, then I guess we went south on 77 for maybe 30 miles, didn't we, and then a few miles back on 58, was it? So 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours on the average. Whereas I think a trip to Essex would be in the 2 1/2 range, meaning of course even shorter if they opt for one of those other choices. As someone else pointed out, that school near Mechanicsville would be the most convenient from a Riverheads perspective.
I looked at the Lee Davis field bleachers and I bet Riverheads would more than fill that up if everybody sat in the bleachers. Must be a lot of thought going into this because of the size crowd that RH will bring.
I haven't been to a game at KW in nearly 20 years. I Google mapped it and it looks like a beautiful field, better than I remember. I panned over to Tappahannock just to see what the talk is about. The lack of seating is embarassing. I don't know about the restroom or concession situation, but the seating is very limited.
In C2, RE Lee has a good sized stadium, probably from their days of 3A and AAA, so seating is not a big problem. Concessions are good too. However, the restroom lines can get long. The men's room only has like two urinals. They need a trough like we have in Giles. It fosters more fellowship and warms up the joint on those wintry playoff nights.
Lee-Davis has average size stadium for a school of its size (1600 students). It is bigger than any of the options mentioned on here but as far as I know it isn't being considered by anyone, I think it's just posters on here saying it would be a good option.
Sadly, Essex's facilities aren't adequate to host even a pee wee program if we're being realistic. The consession lines gets ridiculous during even an average regular season game and there's one toilet a piece for men/ women. The school underwent major renovations a couple years ago but unfortunately no money went into the football facilities. It makes no sense with the success they've had. Maybe now that Jones is back he'll work on some improvements.
KW has a new stadium that is maybe 10 years old if that. Not exactly sure how many it seats but the away bleachers are just as big if not bigger than many schools home bleachers.
I have not seen the field or facilities but I hope there is money put into these as well. Way too much success out of numerous classes of students at Essex over the years not to invest in the future. Sounds the right man for the job is at the helm now so good luck to him in this endeavor.
Hopefully someone will take the bull by the horns this year and let those young men enjoy the perks they earn.
I agree and think that Essex Trojan1 was just thinking of a good place to have the game that would satisfy all involved. What's your best guess?
I think the Middlesex suggestion was great. Never thought about it, but that would be great. Beautiful facility with plenty seats on both sides. And a very nice field. However, I do know they are very finicky about that field, with good reason. Only a few years old. Very accessible from 17, not much traffic at all!
I think we see 2 different things at Lee. The HOME side is huge, just concrete steps and metal bleachers across with a very good standing area at the top. But the away side is not very good. There may be a bunch of seats, but the top row probably isn't 15 feet high. There is also no room for the cheerleaders in between the bleachers and the fence. The bathrooms are indeed bad, and concession is decent but slow. There is certainly a lot of parking though.
As for King William, SD played there a couple years ago and from what I remember it was pretty good. I think that it was a small concession and not great bathrooms but I could be wrong on that
Am I mistaken or are all fields 100 yds long and 50 yds wide , semi- final Week and we talking about the the bathrooms and concession stand . I’m going to watch football game not to worried about concession stand
I don't have any inside info but my best guess would be King William or King George since we've used those facilities for sure. If it's not at Essex I hope it's at King William.
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