Awfully brave on a message board Sonny, you know a man needs to know his limitations. We will never meet, so go ahead and display all that false bravado you like.
Semifinal predictions
- Thread starter OCBoy
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I am full of a lot of things that I would be MORE than willing to share on a personal basis. I have a sleeve of saltines that need attention. You are more than welcome to assist, if you like.
I won't address most of this post, I just want to specifically talk about Orange. It is logical to believe that Salem would beat them handily... EV beat them 40-0 and Albermarle beat them 35-13... EV and Albermarle were both knocked out of the playoffs pretty early and by large margins.
Why do you think Orange matches up well with Salem?
Once again, our Viking pal has our back. Much appreciated.
Yes, there are going to be posts such as this about Salem until one of two things happens:
1) VaPreps ceases to exist; or
2) They quit playing high school football in Virginia.
This is what has been the most disappointing aspect of this football season on these message boards. And it has only gotten bad again over the last few months; when the far more knowledgeable regular posters who frequent the boards year-round were the only ones commenting, we got virtually none of this type of thing. In 2013, all the short-timers came out of the woodwork to tell us how that was going to be it for Salem football. A few of the stalwart nut-jobs chimed in as well. The Spartans would never be heard from again in the new format. Win state 4A? Ha! Salem would probably be lucky to make it past the first round of the playoffs, in any given year. The Spartans were going to see real teams now, in 4A North.
Every year come playoff time, we hear the same refrain. Salem has the easiest schedule in the state. Salem got the easiest path to the final. Salem got lucky with the seedings. Salem's going to be crushed by LT. Well, that one actually panned out - one out of two, anyway. The second time, those predictions weren't so accurate.
And all that's fine. It's an internet message board. No persecution complex here; I take most of it with a grain (or moderate hill) of salt. I've learned by now who to listen to, who to tune out, and who to flat-out ignore. As an example, touting a big Charlottesville-Amherst matchup in the third round that doesn't come close to materializing probably doesn't include one in that first group. And I also realize that the high profile of Salem posters on this board makes us targets. That's just the way of the interwebs. I do still get amused, and a little befuddled when people complain about how much Salem football fans post..... on a message board devoted to high school football.
So, people can have their opinions. That's why we're all here. In Salem's case, the majority of the nay-sayers eventually reveal themselves to be either not very knowledgeable, or just ordinary trolls. They come and go on here. Now, some of our more respected posters might feel Salem's going to lose in a given week. But those people always present valid arguments. They might not be correct every time, but they've put some thought into it. If you know what you're talking about, I don't care if you think Dominion will win Saturday. Heck, you could be right. I want to hear what you have to say.
Here's the main thing, though. Forget about all the history from 1984 to 2012. After making the state semifinals for the fifth straight year, absolutely dominating 4A North/West for four years, and winning the whole freaking thing last year, one would think a gd modicum of respect for the team would have been earned by now. Like, even the benefit of the doubt. So, for people at this stage in the proceedings to still be making posts about how Salem would lose to every 5-5 team from every other corner of the state? Well, that shows either an enormous amount of disrespect, or it reveals a lack of knowledge so egregious that it should disqualify one from making any comment about high school football in Virginia.
Fortunately, none of this carries over into real life. The game isn't affected, nor are any of my other activities in life. It's just disappointing to come on VaPreps and read the same old garbage, year after year after year. At least now, I know it's never going to change, so I can quit looking for that to happen.
As far as I can ever recall, this is the first time I have ever posted about Salem. They just did not appear to be as good as several teams I saw this year. My opinion.
One kid that appeared quick? You didn't think #4 Tucker was quick? The QB Beckley ran a laser timed 4.5... there are quite a few other players as well. They might not have many track blazers but they have pretty good collective team speed.
I agree that it's possible that this Salem team might not be on par with some of the championship teams of the past, but clearly they have proven to be the best in the West if they beat Dominion this year. The west is not quite "all that " this year, but one thing for sure Salem will represent well in the championship. One thing that concerns me though is that Woodgrove and Salem have very similar type teams , not a ton of speed, but execution is top notch. For Salems sake, they better get a hold of the Dominion QB early and often. I think they will have little problems getting it done, that haul down to Salem for Dominion couldn't get any longer.
I just want to know why in particular you think OC matches up well with Salem. You haven't responded to any of my other posts so I won't hold my breath...
It's best just to them have it bro..We have more 2 more weeks to hear this until reality sets in. This thread is probably going to be deleted anyway at least I hope so.
You posted this earlier, "Calling you "way off base" would be an understatement. That is maybe the poorest evaluation I have ever seen". So whatever I may think is obviously of no value to you and your infinite wisdom. No need to try playing nice now. I qualified all my opinions by repeatedly saying I was basing this on one game. I guess that is not good enough for you.
Same Salem fans will still be here win or lose just like they have for the past decade. I like how some of you think most of us expect state or something and that somehow Dinwiddie or Lafayette will shatter our world or something equally dumb. Didn't think we'd beat LT 2 years ago, don't think we'd beat Dinwiddie this year (Lafayette ask me in a week). Majority of folks on here likely feel the same. Some of you project the worst of us onto the rest of us, makes for some really dumb assumptions. Went a decade between winning state, same people were on here posting and supporting regardless.
TBH I really could care less. This is just a hobby to me and I've met some really nice people on here who enjoy high school sports like I do. If I wanted drama, I'd log into Facebook or something.
I'll be here win or lose just like I've been since the beginning. If we get beat I'll congratulate the other team and their fans and move on to something else. My life doesn't revolve around my favorite high school team.
Might not? This team is probably a 17 to 20 point dog to last year's team. This is a good not great Salem team. Last year had superior line play on both sides and superior DBs and RBs. It wouldn't be wholesale slaughter but last year's team would grind this year's down.
When did I say anything about infinite wisdom? I gave many reasons why I thought it was a terrible evaluation.
I know that you are basing it off one game, you have made that clear. Normally if somebody says "___ team matches up well with _____ team" they have reasons behind the statement. I am just curious to know what any of those reasons are. What from the one game you saw Salem play would be exploited by OC?
The one thing I'm grateful for as a Salem fan is not having to depend on other teams to do my talking for me and beat a team I don't like. Nothing sadder in sports, honestly. Saw a UNC fan cheering for Duke to beat VT this year, was immensely pathetic. See the same here, it's just shake your head sad.
Was damn sad Amherst lost last week, I wanted a rematch. Would be quite a battle and you could have put probably 12,000-13,000 in Salem Stadium for it.
Was damn sad Amherst lost last week, I wanted a rematch. Would be quite a battle and you could have put probably 12,000-13,000 in Salem Stadium for it.
Didn't apologize to you. Apologized to Hampspear. I respect him. You, i don't think so.
I love a good football conversation but can do without the arrogance and one poster's constant put downs and blatant disrespect. Never had one problem with you and 95% of the Salem fan base on here and you can say the same about me.
Interesting thread so I'll throw in my two cents.
I've seen ton's of film on Salem and Marshall Dillon is right. There is nothing really impressive about what they do. Nothing fancy. Nothing special. They look very beatable.
But they win. They are as Lombardi as it gets. They block. They tackle. They are completely unintimidated. They fear no one. Despite the "nothing special" appearance, these guys win games and that's the bottom line for the Spartans. The record is indisputable. As Bill Parcels said, "You are who your record says you are". Salem is the best 4A program in VA history. Bottom line.
I've seen ton's of film on Salem and Marshall Dillon is right. There is nothing really impressive about what they do. Nothing fancy. Nothing special. They look very beatable.
But they win. They are as Lombardi as it gets. They block. They tackle. They are completely unintimidated. They fear no one. Despite the "nothing special" appearance, these guys win games and that's the bottom line for the Spartans. The record is indisputable. As Bill Parcels said, "You are who your record says you are". Salem is the best 4A program in VA history. Bottom line.
From dealing with you the past 2 years I've been on here I can see right through you. You said some disparaging and racist remarks that was directed towards me and my kids that I mentored from GW when they played Salem and I let it be. Never judge you or held it against you. Don't care but you continue to disrespect people. You then tried to bully another loved and respected member on here a couple of months ago and now you're disrespecting another member tonight. I don't know you and you don't know me. I'm not a person to judge but I am a person who prays. I'll pray for you. I'm out.
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There is a big difference between what you are saying and what Marshall said. Saying beatable, nothing fancy and nothing special is much different than saying average and mediocre and listing two teams around .500 on the season that you think would be competitive.
As a deer. I did like the humor but you do realize it's hunting season. I'd prefer to continue as your puppeteer come next fall and not just another piece of jerky. Be safe.
so it was you that mentored those kids that acted out in the GW / Salem game two years ago. That explains a lot. And now you played the race card, last refuge for a scoundrel. My comments about that game referred to behavior by players with a Danville uniform on------they could have been native Americans or Eskimos, didn't care ----they acted like jerks no matter what race they were
I totally agree, SpartanOfYore. Indeed, none of this will carry over into real life. Salem will continue to do their thing. They'll be primed and ready Saturday. I'm sure Mags and the other coaches have hatched a good plan for McCants and Co. I for one am really looking forward to seeing another great high school football game so close to the comfort of my own home. Hoping for a big crowd!
You sound like Mike. He was absolutely giddy last Friday when he knew he was going to see the Spartans one more time, at a minimum.
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