Robert E. Lee

[85straight]

I've been pleasantly surprised by the Leemen so far this season. Not that they are unbeaten, but how the team has played. The offense has been solid with outstanding leadership and play by QB Jayden Williams. He has to be in the running, if not the leader for district POY, with 16 TDs passing and 7 TDs rushing.

The defense has been good too, especially in the second half. Lee's defense has only allowed five 2nd half TDs in 6 games, starting with the first game vs TA when the Knights scored on the opening possession in the 3rd quarter. Lee shut them down the rest of the game. Lee then shut out both Rockbridge and East Rockingham in the 2nd half, but allowed two TDs against Buffalo Gap (Gap did score one other 2nd half TD on a kickoff return). In the last two games, the 2nd half TDs came very late in the game with Lee holding huge leads.

The concern is the special teams with Lee surrendering three TD kickoff returns through the first six games. What are other area fans seeing and thinking about the Leemen so far this season? We know they still have to play Luray, Riverheads, Page County, and Stuarts Draft.

 

[lucustookis]

Lee is one of the top 4 teams in VA this year in.my opinion. I watched them once and was amazed with their athletes. In my opinion, the 2 best teams from the East are Lee and Poqouson. Lee is really, really good, and potentially (not saying they automatically will) but potentially, state title good. I know the West has more very good teams in Union, Appo, Graham, Giles, Glenvar, and Richlands is down, but still dangerous. But........the top 2 in the East this year are equally as good or better than all of the teams above with the exception of course, being Appo. Only my take, time will tell.

 

[schoolboard]

Lee gave up too many yards and points in the 1st half to Stonewall to be anywhere close to one of the top 4 teams in VA.

 

[Gunz41]

Lee gave up too many yards and points in the 1st half to Stonewall to be anywhere close to one of the top 4 teams in VA.

Can't go off of one game on a team everyone knew they would beat soundly. It's hard to get up for a game like that. We are dealing with kids, and it's hard for a kid to not go into a game like that without let down of emotion.

I'll use SD as example, while Page is improved and I was impressed with how they played and their heart and QB, there was no emotion or atmosphere in that game.

 

[schoolboard]

I am not trying to say Lee is not very good. But he said Top 4 in state, and that is a higher level of expectation at least for me.

 

[Gunz41]

I am not trying to say Lee is not very good. But he said Top 4 in state, and that is a higher level of expectation at least for me.

I dunno, after SD game last night I was worn out after learning new scoreboard so didn't stay and watch with 30 minutes in between. My point was can't go by how many points they gave up to one team especially when they won by 50

 

[Keith_Stone33]

I've been pleasantly surprised by the Leemen so far this season. Not that they are unbeaten, but how the team has played. The offense has been solid with outstanding leadership and play by QB Jayden Williams. He has to be in the running, if not the leader for district POY, with 16 TDs passing and 7 TDs rushing.

The defense has been good too, especially in the second half. Lee's defense has only allowed five 2nd half TDs in 6 games, starting with the first game vs TA when the Knights scored on the opening possession in the 3rd quarter. Lee shut them down the rest of the game. Lee then shut out both Rockbridge and East Rockingham in the 2nd half, but allowed two TDs against Buffalo Gap (Gap did score one other 2nd half TD on a kickoff return). In the last two games, the 2nd half TDs came very late in the game with Lee holding huge leads.

The concern is the special teams with Lee surrendering three TD kickoff returns through the first six games. What are other area fans seeing and thinking about the Leemen so far this season? We know they still have to play Luray, Riverheads, Page County, and Stuarts Draft.

The Lee offense is the real deal, the defense is solid but not what I'd consider a great defense--but a good defense nonetheless. The kickoff game needs improvement, but the other aspects of the special teams are good. They present a different challenge to the rest of the Shenandoah teams right now as they run a different offense than the rest if the top teams in the district, so it's harder to simulate in practice.

There are 3 tough games coming up, and once the playoffs start, the Leemen will likely see some other teams that can match their athleticism and cover/shut down some of the weapons. Buffalo Gap has a pretty athletic group and went toe to toe with Lee, and there will be better/more athletic teams in the postseason. The Gap game may not be a good judge, because even though it was a classic and I don't mean to take anything away from them, but they really had every break go their way that game, and I don't think a rematch is as close. Even though Draft lost again last night, I actually came away impressed with them, and I think their defense will present a challenge, as they have some athletic guys that like to hit. I don't know a lot about Luray yet other than what I've read. Riverheads is Riverheads, so they'll be coached up and ready to roll. Page showed me nothing today, and I really wonder how they played Draft so close, unless they just had an off day today.

I'd also like to note that East Rock has improved since we faced them. They could still shake up the district, as they have Luray week 10. If they continue to improve, Luray will have their hands full.

 

[obguthr]

@Keith, very well said. Lee has got great athletes, particularly on offense. The defense is fast too and gang tackles well, but the physicality is the missing piece. I was suprised they beat Gap, actually, a team known for slobber knocking. Lee will have a tough time stopping Riverheads and Luray. I wouldn't be surprised to see them win (or lose) both games. Lee reminds me a little of Appomattox, just less refined and without the swagger. As for the playoffs, if the coach can find creative ways to use his speed advantage, they will go far.

 

[Keith_Stone33]

@Keith, very well said. Lee has got great athletes, particularly on offense. The defense is fast too and gang tackles well, but the physicality is the missing piece. I was suprised they beat Gap, actually, a team known for slobber knocking. Lee will have a tough time stopping Riverheads and Luray. I wouldn't be surprised to see them win (or lose) both games. Lee reminds me a little of Appomattox, just less refined and without the swagger. As for the playoffs, if the coach can find creative ways to use his speed advantage, they will go far.

Gap very well could have won that game for sure. The Lee game with Riverheads could be a very high scoring affair as I don't know that either defense can stop either offense. Don't know enough about Luray yet to give a prediction