This time last week, we had seven Shenandoah District teams and three Valley District teams looking forward to the post-season. Granted those do not sound like fair odds, but the system is what it is and until it is changed, we will have 5-5 teams sitting at home while 0-10 teams get to move on.
But who could have guessed that in the very first week of action, the Valley would get completely wiped out whereas the Shenandoah still has four teams alive. So here is a recap of what happened and what we might see happen in Round Two.
Harrisonburg lost at Brooke Point in the 5-A playoffs. (I know what some of you local folks are saying......."WHO???") But it is what it is, to use that expression for the second time already here today, and until H'burg gets its second high school built, any playoff action for the Streaks will likely involve a lot of new opponents and a lot of trips to strange places. I doubt if their overall success rate will be that great because they have just grown so incredibly fast that they are not ready for the higher levels of competition.
Rockbridge County traveled to Western Albemarle and lost 33-17 in what sounded like a halfway decent game. As close as WA is to this area, you would think it would get more media coverage over here, but they might as well be on the other side of the country.
And in the biggest Valley surprise of the night, Spotswood lost at home to Liberty Bedford 40-38. I am sure lots of folks expected great things from the Trailblazers. If I am not mistaken, they went into that game riding something like a 9-game winning streak.
Moving to the 'Doah, East Rock took care of Wilson although I give the Hornets credit for keeping it closer this time and coming up with a big play or two.
Luray and Lee had themselves a donnybrook. (By the way I tried to listen to the radio feed and could not get anything to happen.) So the Dogs travel to Central this week. Anything can happen in the playoffs, but the Central team I saw (granted one time only) is at least 3-4 touchdowns better than the Luray team I saw (also only one time.)
Then in what sounded like the individual performance of the season, Rivenburg rocked Clarke County 32-21, earning him and his Bison a re-match at East Rock. As dominant as the Eagles have been this season, you would think they could still handle the Gap, even if he has another outing like that one. But if there is an upset in the making this weekend, then Elkton might just be the place to see it. Some sources say the Eagles were not "themselves" in that 35-28 squeaker at Buffalo Gap this year and that a focused East Rock team will destroy the Bison. But if BG gets even one shred of a dose of early confidence, I could see this one going down to the wire.
That leaves the 1-A playoffs, which can be summed up pretty quickly. Stonewall, despite an 0-10 record, "earned" a playoff spot and lost at Altavista 47-29. But you know what...........I for one have to give serious props to the Generals for even showing up and making any kind of game at all out of it. Surely there had to be players and parents and maybe even some coaches asking "Why do we have to go down there and get humiliated?" but it sounds as if they gave a good solid effort and who knows, that could benefit them down the road.
As for Altavista now moving on to face Riverheads this week, I don't see that one as even being close. The Gladiators have too many weapons and I think they will put this one away early. Having the week off, which they hated I can assure you, they "might" come out a little rusty, but I doubt it.
In the meantime, the Lady Gladiators have given us PLENTY of excitement to fill the void and they just might not be finished yet! We will find out more about that Tuesday night.
But who could have guessed that in the very first week of action, the Valley would get completely wiped out whereas the Shenandoah still has four teams alive. So here is a recap of what happened and what we might see happen in Round Two.
Harrisonburg lost at Brooke Point in the 5-A playoffs. (I know what some of you local folks are saying......."WHO???") But it is what it is, to use that expression for the second time already here today, and until H'burg gets its second high school built, any playoff action for the Streaks will likely involve a lot of new opponents and a lot of trips to strange places. I doubt if their overall success rate will be that great because they have just grown so incredibly fast that they are not ready for the higher levels of competition.
Rockbridge County traveled to Western Albemarle and lost 33-17 in what sounded like a halfway decent game. As close as WA is to this area, you would think it would get more media coverage over here, but they might as well be on the other side of the country.
And in the biggest Valley surprise of the night, Spotswood lost at home to Liberty Bedford 40-38. I am sure lots of folks expected great things from the Trailblazers. If I am not mistaken, they went into that game riding something like a 9-game winning streak.
Moving to the 'Doah, East Rock took care of Wilson although I give the Hornets credit for keeping it closer this time and coming up with a big play or two.
Luray and Lee had themselves a donnybrook. (By the way I tried to listen to the radio feed and could not get anything to happen.) So the Dogs travel to Central this week. Anything can happen in the playoffs, but the Central team I saw (granted one time only) is at least 3-4 touchdowns better than the Luray team I saw (also only one time.)
Then in what sounded like the individual performance of the season, Rivenburg rocked Clarke County 32-21, earning him and his Bison a re-match at East Rock. As dominant as the Eagles have been this season, you would think they could still handle the Gap, even if he has another outing like that one. But if there is an upset in the making this weekend, then Elkton might just be the place to see it. Some sources say the Eagles were not "themselves" in that 35-28 squeaker at Buffalo Gap this year and that a focused East Rock team will destroy the Bison. But if BG gets even one shred of a dose of early confidence, I could see this one going down to the wire.
That leaves the 1-A playoffs, which can be summed up pretty quickly. Stonewall, despite an 0-10 record, "earned" a playoff spot and lost at Altavista 47-29. But you know what...........I for one have to give serious props to the Generals for even showing up and making any kind of game at all out of it. Surely there had to be players and parents and maybe even some coaches asking "Why do we have to go down there and get humiliated?" but it sounds as if they gave a good solid effort and who knows, that could benefit them down the road.
As for Altavista now moving on to face Riverheads this week, I don't see that one as even being close. The Gladiators have too many weapons and I think they will put this one away early. Having the week off, which they hated I can assure you, they "might" come out a little rusty, but I doubt it.
In the meantime, the Lady Gladiators have given us PLENTY of excitement to fill the void and they just might not be finished yet! We will find out more about that Tuesday night.
