Soccer Top Ten after Month 2

[CallMeCoach19]

OK: Much is pure conjecture, but It gives me something to do while I should be working.

1. George Mason: Yes, they lost one. Yes, they have tied one. But do we really think that means they are not the top in 2A? I hope no one is thinking anything close.
2. Maggie Walker: I'm tossing this one on there for now. I may end up eating crow by the end of season. I still don't see them in the final four, but who knows.
3. Giles: Go ahead and start. They are in the West...yeah, I know. They don't play anyone...yeah, not really but OK. They are still undefeated. They soundly beat two of the top teams in 1A (and would easily trounce Riverheads) and one of the state semifinalists from last season. I'm not sold enough to put them at 2 yet, but this will be a tough team to beat before June. Not bad for a team only 10 kids from the 1A cutoff.
4. East Rockingham: This school is in a similar boat to Giles. Great record...weak schedule (only thus far on their part) Keep our eyes on this one. I think as time plays on this team could really be a spoiler in the post season. I try not to hold a school accountable for the schedule they are forced to play. Most of them I speak with aren't happy about it either.
5. Appomattox County: I can not find all of the results, but those I'm finding are impressive enough to place here.
6. Bruton: I just can't place them any higher than this right now. I mean they could easily jump up and knock out anyone on the list, but so far they seem lackluster from articles I've found.
7. Dan River: This is a solid team. There is a little video floating around out there to see to prove my point. I think they could work their way through anyone in 3-6 spot.
8. Wilson Memorial: Seems to have some quality going on there.
9. Nelson County: This is my reaching moment. I just think this may be a team to get to that region semi/final somewhere. We will see.
10. Graham: Only losses are to Giles. They are well coached and fit. I think size and youth will be their downfall.

 

[Coach_S]

Thanks. Nice list. Here is my feedback on East only since I have not seen many, if any, West teams this year.
I would not have East Rockingham so high, they have lost to Robert E Lee 8-0, and lost to Stuarts Draft 4-0 and 6-2. VHSL standings do not show it, but both RE Lee and Stuarts Draft are 2 A teams, and both ahead of East Rock in their Conference 36 standings.
Dan River- would not rank them ahead of either of the above named teams, including East Rock. Dogwood district traditionally has rarely come out of conference play to win a single region game (the rarity being Nelson of the mid 2000's)
Nelson- I would not even consider since they got blown out by Riverheads, which is a shade of its former self without Kasak and Knopp (last years two man team). Also lost to James River.
James River District has two potential good teams in Prince Edward and Goochland.
Do not overlook Central-Woodstock (also listed as 3A in VHSL standings). They have tied William Monroe twice (good 3A team that tied Mason), They have a match against Mason later this week that will tell a lot. Strasburg is another Bull Run team that may be ready for a playoff run.
Not sure about the West, but my 2A East would be:
1. Mason (9-1-1). Tops until a 2A knocks them off.
2. Maggie Walker (5-2-1 in a top Richmond District- Colonial District- with Mills Godwin, Deep Run and other 3A-5A teams, early win over nationally ranked top 20 team Deep Run)
*Maggie Walker plays at Mason next week for regular season #1 and could meet again in Region Quarterfinal with this years draw, sending only one of them to the Final Four
3. Robert E Lee (8-3-0 in a primarily 3A/4A district. Have fared better against common opposition than East Rock, Stuarts Draft and Wilson).
4. Central-Woodstock (8-1-2. Could be a Top 3 team. Plays Mason at home on Thursday)
5. Prince Edward (8-0-0)
6. Stuarts Draft (9-0-0)
7. Bruton (based on last year and a tough schedule) (7-5-0 in a very tough Williamsburg area district with tough 3A nd 4A teams like York and Jamestown)
8. Nandua (unknown, but may be better than some of the above teams) (5-0-3, Two games vs Northampton in the next week should tell more)
9. Goochland (9-1-0. only loss was 1-0 to Prince Edward)
10. Strasburg (5-6-0 in toughest 2A district. Played Mason tough 4-1 loss, 1-1 at half. Inconsistent but getting stronger as season goes on)
Have an outside chance if breaks go their way: East Rock, Wilson Memorial, Clarke County, W-L, King William, Dan River and Nelson. Some of these teams may be in top 8 and not surprised if any of them make a region semifinal or make a run.
This year may be wide open for new teams to make the Final Four.

 

[CallMeCoach19]

Thanks. Nice list. Here is my feedback on East only since I have not seen many, if any, West teams this year.
I would not have East Rockingham so high, they have lost to Robert E Lee 8-0, and lost to Stuarts Draft 4-0 and 6-2. VHSL standings do not show it, but both RE Lee and Stuarts Draft are 2 A teams, and both ahead of East Rock in their Conference 36 standings.
Dan River- would not rank them ahead of either of the above named teams, including East Rock. Dogwood district traditionally has rarely come out of conference play to win a single region game (the rarity being Nelson of the mid 2000's)
Nelson- I would not even consider since they got blown out by Riverheads, which is a shade of its former self without Kasak and Knopp (last years two man team). Also lost to James River.
James River District has two potential good teams in Prince Edward and Goochland.
Do not overlook Central-Woodstock (also listed as 3A in VHSL standings). They have tied William Monroe twice (good 3A team that tied Mason), They have a match against Mason later this week that will tell a lot. Strasburg is another Bull Run team that may be ready for a playoff run.
Not sure about the West, but my 2A East would be:
1. Mason (9-1-1). Tops until a 2A knocks them off.
2. Maggie Walker (5-2-1 in a top Richmond District- Colonial District- with Mills Godwin, Deep Run and other 3A-5A teams, early win over nationally ranked top 20 team Deep Run)
*Maggie Walker plays at Mason next week for regular season #1 and could meet again in Region Quarterfinal with this years draw, sending only one of them to the Final Four
3. Robert E Lee (8-3-0 in a primarily 3A/4A district. Have fared better against common opposition than East Rock, Stuarts Draft and Wilson).
4. Central-Woodstock (8-1-2. Could be a Top 3 team. Plays Mason at home on Thursday)
5. Prince Edward (8-0-0)
6. Stuarts Draft (9-0-0)
7. Bruton (based on last year and a tough schedule) (7-5-0 in a very tough Williamsburg area district with tough 3A nd 4A teams like York and Jamestown)
8. Nandua (unknown, but may be better than some of the above teams) (5-0-3, Two games vs Northampton in the next week should tell more)
9. Goochland (9-1-0. only loss was 1-0 to Prince Edward)
10. Strasburg (5-6-0 in toughest 2A district. Played Mason tough 4-1 loss, 1-1 at half. Inconsistent but getting stronger as season goes on)
Have an outside chance if breaks go their way: East Rock, Wilson Memorial, Clarke County, W-L, King William, Dan River and Nelson. Some of these teams may be in top 8 and not surprised if any of them make a region semifinal or make a run.
This year may be wide open for new teams to make the Final Four.

Yeah, I debated hard on Robert E. Lee. I went the other way on record alone (Which is basically all I have). Man, that VHSL site is a mess isn't it? HAHA. Nelson will not stay on long I think. They will drop a few more games before season ends. Honestly, I Draft was having a good season, but didn't do my homework there. Throw them in at the 3/4. Do you think Goochland will factor later in postseason?

 

[Keith_Stone33]

I think RE Lee and Stuarts Draft are about even right now. I would agree that Lee has played better competition. I am hopeful that we get to see these two matchup at some point as that will be an exciting game if/when it should happen. I've only seen Draft once, and a handful of Lee games. SD was a spinning buzzsaw when I watched them blowout Riverheads, who is a little more up and down than I expected them to be.