Anything can happen any giving night but i don't see anybody beating Altavista this year . It's def one of the the strongest teams they have had in years . There oline is very strong up front very senior heavy with the Best RB in the State. Their defense is playing lights out flying around to the ball. Mixed in with all of that some series speed that can hurt you. Only Team i see giving them a good game is Essex and i think altavista is 14 points better then them. Just my opinion only but I really think it's Altavista to lose this year .
State Runs through Altavista
- Thread starter Lakelife
- Start date
Altavista does look good this year but I wouldnt be so sure to say the only team that would give them a run would be Essex. Rappahannock out of Region A is undefeated and have been quoted saying theyre looking towards Altavista seeing as theyve beaten Essex and very confident in doing it again in a few weeks. Essex is still good and while they return most of their players from last years team they dont seem to have the same "It" factor. They dont seem as hungry and focused as a group, i think theyve gotten complacent. As far as a name to know is #2 for Rappahannock who should be in the running with Stone for Altavista as the best running back in the state. I think he has 1600 yds and 30 tds at this point. We shall see who makes it out of Region A in a few weeks to face Altavista
What's been plaguing Essex most of this season has been injuries. I think they've only had a full complement of projected starters in 2 games. Their QB got hurt in the first scrimmage and missed four games before coming back on defense only in the 5th game. When it seemed like everything was going to get back to normal, K&Q forfeited resulting in 2 bye weeks in 3 weeks. Their '23 QB has only been at the position the past 2 games. On top of that a 2-team all-state defensive lineman is out for 2 more weeks. If they can ever get all the right parts back on the field the I suspect they will give any quality team a run for their money.
I agree Altavista is clearly the team to beat and I think they will win the title, but they are beatable and they can lose. Essex is not the only team that could give them problems but so could Rye Cove, a healthy George Wythe, Rapp, and maybe Buffalo Gap and Bath. I favor Altavista.
Patrick Henry Glade Spring. A team with major injuries throughout the year and a shell of what they could have been. They are now healthy. Do not be surprised if the 8th seed in 1D beats Holston.
Plaguing Essex? They have one loss so I wouldnt quite say they are plaguing. Stop making excuses and let things play themselves out. Essex has had 2 close games and won 1 and loss the other. I think their close encounter with Westmoreland was more of Westmoreland living up to their potential. Now the L they took to Rapp I'm sure everyone was surprised by that. Rappahannock may have just figured out a formula to success and that's not knocking Essex but more so giving the staff over their some credit.
Sussex and Galax have been the most disappointing teams in 1A Football. I certainly expected more from them.
I'm looking forward to these playoffs and the fact that we will get to crown a new State Champion this year because we all know that the 'Big Red Machine' will be back in 1A next year. So lets enjoy this while we can!!!!
Just curious... how is Sussex one of the most disappointing teams in 1A? They finished 5-5 and are the 4th seed in Region 1B after losing two 1,000 yard running backs, the whole offensive line, and they only returned 3 defensive starters. I may be bias because I talk to a few of the coaches down there but I think they did an excellent job with alot of first year starters. If I heard one of the coaches correctly at homecoming...their entire backfield(QB and both RBs are 10th graders). For those that have studied the game should agree that a first year QB who only played 2 or 3 games at QB on JV...will have their hiccups. So going 5-5 isn't the greatest, especially by our standards in Sussex but I wouldn't call it disappointing...in my humble opinion
I agree with you about Altavista. They are the team to beat. But as you say anyone can win any night. The 6th seed went on the road and won state last year.
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All the games in playoffs they’ll play it only be one game they’ll need to win that’s against Reg A team the rest be cake walk . It’s kinda laughable but its single A football .
I agree that they arent "plagued" by injuries just from what ive seen a gathered they have more than enough players that are capable and after scouting and talking to a few people they seem to think this team has athletes but they lack a tough mentality. Other than the starting qb I think the other injuries have been minor. I scouted them last night against West Point and my colleague went to Rapp to watch them.
With the "Big Red Machine" coming back what were they like this year. They seem to go up and down from Div 1 to 2 every so often??
It does and they seem to be in the right place most of the time,good coaching does that.
Don't know if I would call it "luck." Grayson County is a good football team with lots of talent for a Class 1 school. The upcoming game with Grayson will be a close one and if GW wins, they will have topped a good football team. It will be a close game. Whoever wins (Grayson or GW) will have their hands full with what is likely Bath County, unless Narrows can pull the upset and that would be a major upset for Narrows to beat Bath. Also, Bath would be hosting the GW/Grayson winner, and Bath has the athletes to go toe to toe with the Grayson/GW winner, but Bath will also have a major challenge on the line of scrimmage with the GW/Grayson winner because GW/Grayson on the line of scrimmage is a huge step up from Narrows and physicality is greatly increased.
Until you get to the state quarterfinals of semifinals the competition is lacking..... this goes to any sport in 1A -- There is no depth -- just a fact of the numbers
After talking to a few people(players and coaches), I have a better understanding of why the Title runs through Vista!! They are loaded!! Any given Friday night...anything can happen but this is a TOUGH task for my young Tigers! Either way it goes...TIGERPRIDE!!
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Rapp can't be overlooked!! They are loaded and young and they will bring it...
I heard about them as well. I think they put everyone on notice after beating Essex.
It’s only 2 games I can compare . Rapp beat Nelson 36-20 this year Altavista beat Nelson 50-12 . I just think rapp & Essex 14 points short to Altavista right now .
Sussex Central Tigers will arrive and compete. Young , wild , and free. Sussex can play without the pressure of expectations to win the underdog is dangerous.
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I hope you are right but Essex hasn't given up more than 14 points in a game and only 55 total thru 13 games. If Altavista wins they are going to have to play elite defense to keep it low scoring because Essex isn't giving up more than two scores.
Essex beat undefeated Rappahannock 41-0 in the region championship last week. That's equal to or better than Altavista beating Gretna.
Essex really doesn’t scare me lol Nothing they do offensively wise puts any fear . Both team are so vanilla offensively it’s almost like to Little League teams playing each other for the varsity championship. Altavista doesn’t pass can’t pass they hike to who ever behind center and goes to right or left . Same with Essex it actually works in Altavista‘s favor because their bread and butter is to stop the run. They have about eight people in the box and people have not figured out how to beat them yet . I don’t see the physicality this year from Essex . Altavista will have + 300 yards on ground mark my word !!
Riverheads won 9?? State championships with what you call a vanilla offense.
How many have they won since they made them move up ?? That stuff works in 1A ball smaller kids
Essex may win by 5 TDs for all I know or they may lose by 5, but I've knocked Essex on O a little bit for many years. I still say it. Way way too many athletes to have so few plays in open space and very little diversity offensively. Just my opinion though and Essex may take home the gold this year for all I know, but I still think their usage offensively of their athletes is underutilized. Defensively? Elite usage.
I hear you and I can't disagree with anything you said because I don't know enough about either team. I just know that Essex has only given up 55 total points through 13 games. That's gotta stand for something.
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