The next test for HSHS is upon us…..
- Thread starter HooSprings
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Martinsburg wins a clash of 2 very talented Teams with rich tradition. Reasons as follows: No Fear Factor of the Springers, showed that last season at your place, Used to playing strong Out of State Competition for the last 15 years, rarely loose at home, Superior Kicking game, Can match the speed of HSHS, Strong D & O Lines, # 2 Murphy Clement!!! It will be a very competitive game. If Martinsburg cleans up the mental mistakes they win by 3-7 points. Looking forward to this encounter. Also FYI...regarding a place to eat in Martinsburg try Kings Pizza they have excellent subs.
Are you basing your comments off of what happened last year? I ask because your kicker missed three extra points last week versus Sherando. Ours was 9 of 9 last week. I have seen Clement,and I can promise you….he is not as good a player as Concepción from Chambers(4🌟 WR committed to NCState). He got 1 on us,but was locked down after that. Please explain, because if you’re basing it off of what you saw last year, and comparing us to Salem, I think you might be a little off. We broke Chambers’ home winning streak too. Have you actually seen Highland Springs play this year?
What does Salem or Chambers have to do with Martinsburg??? Let me answer…Absolutely Nothing!!! All I know is Murphy ran away from all those D1 prospects at your place. As for watching HSHS yes I watched the Chambers to get a gage of HSHS. FYSA… My cousin is the Head Coach at N. Mecklenburg HS who happen to be in the same conference as Chambers and stated that this Chambers team is not as good as last seasons Chambers Team and he would definitely know this better than both you and I.So HSHS winning was not a surprise. So please believe the Dogs are going to bring it just as HSHS will bring it. Like I stated previously it is going to be a good game.
Ok, I thought it probably was. I used to live in Hagerstown, MD until I moved to Charlotte in 2008. Saw the Bulldogs quite a few times in the playoffs during the Dave Walker era. It's a great atmosphere for the game.
HSHS looks like a completely different team from last year. Last year's team had lots of talent, loaded with sophomores and juniors, but had just about zero chemistry. This year, those youngsters have grown leaps and bounds ( our QB has really turned his game up) and they have found that chemistry they lacked last year. Now that the kicking game is coming together, it's hard to find any weakness with Highland Springs.
I know Martinsburg has a solid program and I am aware of the history up there. There is a lot of history surrounding HS's football program as well! This HS team is clicking on all cylinders this year and it's going to take a top tier team to bring their absolute A game to take these guys out!
I know Martinsburg has a solid program and I am aware of the history up there. There is a lot of history surrounding HS's football program as well! This HS team is clicking on all cylinders this year and it's going to take a top tier team to bring their absolute A game to take these guys out!
I agree about Chambers not being as good as the last couple of seasons. The people in the Charlotte area realized that going into the season. Highland Springs was a little better than last year. North Meck has gotten off to a good start. They have a tough game this week with Hough. After jumping out to a 14-0 lead, I believe Chambers let one get away with the Highland Springs game this season.
The first Chambers TD was a gift from HS's error hiking the ball! Let's mention Manchester HS. Last year, Manchester came within a hair of beating HSHS, HS won it 27-20. This year's matchup with (always strong) Manchester, HS manhandled them 2 weeks ago. The score was 41-7 at halftime and
played the 2nd and 3rd stringers the 2nd half. HS won the game 48-7. Not that it matters with Martinsburg, it's just to show a difference from last year vs this year. Big difference. You'll see Friday.
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So? They still took a 14-0 lead. You guys like to brag on the Springers. This is understandable. But the Springers are a large fish in a small pond. I used to feel the same way about the good teams in Richmond when I lived there. Then I came to realize after moving away that Virginia high school football, except for Oscar Smith, is actually a small pond for the fish to swim in. All I'm saying is beating the lights out of Manchester and Prince George is nothing to write home about and nothing to pound your chest over. Play Dutch Fork, South Pointe in Rock Hill, SC, Hough and Mallard Creek along with Chambers. Go to New Jersey and put the pads on with Bergen Catholic or go to Georgia and compete against Buford. Heck travel to DC and play St. John's, or Maryland and play DeMatha, Good Counsel or Gonzagas of the world. Quite a bit different than Stone Bridge, Varina or even Maury. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying Highland Springs isn't a very good team or great team by Virginia standards. Just keep it in perspective. In the larger scheme of things, even a road win over Martinsburg won't prove a whole lot. Overall, West Virginia isn't on par with Virginia.
Chambers was #1 in every preseason NC poll to start the season. They defeated the defending state champions HANDILY in the first game of the season. So, they already had a game under their belt when Highland springs came to town for THEIR first game of the year. Chambers is still ranked number three in the state. I guess it’s a coincidence, they are no longer as good as last year since they lost.
Nope, not a coincidence. I knew they weren't as good as last year before the season began. They lost a couple of key pieces in addition to their head coach. Cardinal Gibbons had a definite drop off as well. They lost quite a few on offense and some on defense. I still thought they could handle the Springers as Virginia is a smaller pond, as I mentioned in another comment. But, they were too undisciplined with the penalties, but the Springers played well and deserved to win. Again, like I said in my earlier comment, just don't read too much into it. Chambers was #1 in every preseason NC poll basically based on last year. Polls in North Carolina love to think the prior season's success automatically carries over to the next season and can be a predictor of the next season's success. In my opinion, one can't do that.
Manchester has been good but hasn't been the same powerhouse since they won states a couple of years ago.
Oh well, uhh... excuse me for having my own view. Didn't mean to rattle your cage... LMAO! What's your view on the 3 xtra points HS missed and lost the game 26-25. In my account, Highland Springs should have won this game last year. I believe they will get the W this time. All I'm saying is, this year's HS team is a completely different animal than last year. It is a small pond as you say and I'm glad that MARTINSBURG has decided to jump in it with us! Let's continue this conversation sometime after 10pm this Friday!
After all of that garbage you spewed about play all of those team is South Carolina and the rest of North Carolina, and Maryland, that would be nice and I am sure if they could, HS's staff would schedule it!!!! As you might not know this, next year, HS's football team travels to Canton, Ohio to play a national power (not yet named) in the Hall of Fame Game that will be on ESPN. As the details roll in, I'll make sure you hear about it!
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H Springs returned 16 starters from last year‘s team that lost in the state semi finals on a bs penalty. They had time to gain what they didn’t have last year, and that’s chemistry. They lost by nine to Chambers last year with absolutely no chemistry and no idea what the team was about. All the division one talent in the world means nothing if the guys don’t play well together. Highland Springs led by two touchdowns midway through the fourth quarter this time, and it could’ve been worse(dropped TD pass). Anybody who watches that game last year, and watched the game this year should easily be able to see two different HSHS teams. I know losing Hollywood didn’t help,but they still had Bubba camp and both conception brothers. Last year we were rotating quarterbacks through the first four games of the year. Both were sophomores playing in their first varsity games. Things have changed this year.
Nice! I'm looking forward to hearing about it. I wish them well. Ohio's a tough place for high school ball, so it should be a good challenge for them.
Of course things have changed this year. In high school ball things always change from year to year, unless the team is Mater Dei or St. John Bosco. Returning 16 starters, they should be better than last year.
I will agree with you that Chambers was not as good as they were last year but I also believe hshs is better than they were last year, mainly because of chemistry issues. Chambers losing Hollywood rb, number 10 de, and number 59 dt, were key contributors last year but hshs lost 3 D-1 wr from last not to mention Rashaud parnell de, who originally committed to va tech. Talking about overcoming penalties was one of the reasons we were down 14-0 to Chambers in the 1st quarter this year. Hshs had 6 penalties in the 1st quarter, chambers had 0, and we were still gashing Chambers in yards only to have to bring the ball back because of penalties. I dont beleive chambers let anything slip away because we ran off 3 tds in 2nd quarter alone as well as dropped a wide open td in the fourth quarter that should have put the game away. The final penalty tally was 10 hshs penalties and 6 for chambers. Biggest difference for hshs this year is our many sophomores who played in last year game have grown up this year and chemistry is much better. Also, I know 7 on 7 doesn't hold alot of weight but we played South Pointe at the University of South Carolina in July and we lost by 1 point on the last play of the championship game. We were beating them the entire game, without takye heath, our #1 wr, and they won on a 2 point conversion. I talked to the AD at South Pointe after the game, he is from Danville va, and he was the AD at Chambers last year, and he said he thought we would beat chambers this year and a game against South pointe could go either way because both teams are similar.
No….he lost his scholarship to Vt after the new coach took over. He’s at Liberty instead.
I expect Highland Springs wins this one without much trouble. But all bets are off if it gets to be an up-and-down game with a lot of mistakes. Credit to Martinsburg for punching above their weight class.
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Considering that some of the teams you stated recruit, I would expect them to win. Hell why not play Mater Dei, Bishop Gorman and Bosco while your at it. I'd say the score would be 35+
Virginia standards? We have awesome high school football here and tons of athletes spread throughout. The schools you mentioned in other states are mostly powerhouses that recruit. Year to year we have new schools that emerge with new talent and it's great to watch.
If Martinsburg plays like they did vs Sherando, they will be in trouble. 2 int, 6 penalties for jumping offsides. I expect them to be ready this week. More focused for sure
From what I'm understanding, Martinsburg has been bitten by the injury bug. Missing a quite a few key players? That could be a problem for the dogs...
HS should be able to impose their will at the LOS. Powell is a bully. If they can stop that then great game and good luck to the rest of the way.
All of them recruit to some extent, no different than Smith, but not all of them have a budget like IMG.
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Chemistry issues or not, I think biggest thing that stood out between HSHS and Martinsburg last year was Martinsburg had the athletes to match at every position. I definitely went into the game thinking HSHS would eventually just have overwhelming talent but that was not the case at all. A team like Martinsburg will reload just like HSHS so I would expect a similar one or two possession game that's decided in the 4th
They have plenty of depth unlike most schools. Both QB's threw an interception and the defensive line was jumping offsides. Not because they were missing players. Their offense is nowhere close to what it was in 2019. They try to run Clement too much when he comes in at QB. I personally would put Clement in with Bagent and get Clement in space to do work with a pass in the flats. Then you also have the threat of him passing the ball.
Exactly! That's part of what I was reading from a WV blog about the Bulldog's football program. Last year (according to the 26-25 score) these 2 teams were nearly equal. As you stated, Martinsburg's offense is nowhere close to what it was in 2019. On the other side, HS was loaded with Sophomores in the starting lineup and chemistry wasn't there. After a 14 game season last year, they found some chemistry by season's end and this year... they absolutely have what they were missing last year. All of those 10th graders are now Juniors with experience, and it really shows. If HS can come in and establish dominance on the Oline and Dline, Martinsburg will have a tough time competing with them!
The game will be won or lost at the line. Martinsburg has had very good line play. If HS wins this battle they will defiantly win the game. The D-line was solid and fast in the game I saw in person.
100% Spot on… HSHS and their fans never thought in their wildest dreams that a team from WV would be able to compete with the D1 All Stars I.e. Springers. What they failed to realize that for the last 12-15 years Martinsburg has accepted the challenge of playing larger and supposedly more talented teams. This has allowed the Program to grow. Also Martinsburg plays a 50% Out of State schedule due to being a border town. That does make a difference because they get to see a different level of football and at this age that type of experience is very valuable. So playing a team like HSHS does not intimidate Martinsburg one bit as evidence by last season. Looking forward to a great game between 2 very good programs!!!
They are missing Pierson,Hendricks,and Fleming. Those are 3 pretty substantial players to be missing. I understand depth,but those are 3 absolute difference makers,especially Fleming. Someone can correct me if I’ve read the WV board wrong,but that’s 3 leaders missing.
Ok…on the WV board they list him(#70) as game time decision,because he was being heavily taped on the ankle in last weeks 4th quarter.
Who have you played over the last 12 - 15 years? Your offense looks electric, but it's hard to judge based on the competition. I watched this game last year, and saw some of the Salem game.
They are missing four guys to injury.
WR1 Roman Pierson had some type of wrist or arm injury in the Salem game. He’ll be back around some time in November. His production was easily replaced as in the WR room but he was also the holder on the field goal team as well, although the holding has not been a problem this year, it’s the snapping. They graduated a four year starter at long snapper and center.
DE EJ Hendrix sustained some type of injury in early August. I don’t know what it is nor do I want to speculate about something that I don’t know what it is but he has been out for at least a month now. I wouldn’t be shocked if he suited up considering the opponent but he should be back sooner than later.
DE Aydin Fleming went down late in the Sherando game with some type of ankle injury. I don’t know how much it will affect him but I think he should be playing.
RB Xayvion Kendall sustained a lower body injury in the Salem game. I’d assume he strained or pulled something. They are not missing him that much.
A lot of their problems is that they have been jumping into the neutral zone a lot on defense. Of course their past two opponents were just Musselman and Sherando so it really didn’t affect them that much and you could attribute a lot of that to focus. They were locked in against Salem though and we saw what their defense did to their offense.
Center/Long Snapper has been problematic for them. They graduated a four year starter at those positions and are breaking in some new guys. They have had a lot of high snaps on offense and on special teams but like I said that also hasn’t affected them that much.
They got the skill guys to compete against HSHS. A lot of the guys they played were also freshman and sophomores as well. They only start one senior at WR and I’m pretty sure all of their impact guys at DB are either juniors or sophomores. Play in the trenches will be the deciding factor though. If Martinsburg can play a clean game they can definitely win.
And I do agree that Ezra Bagent should be the full time starter at QB and Murphy Clement should be lined up next to him. Clement still has had his moments but teams haves keyed in on him and now they just drop back 3 or 4 in coverage and bring the house. It was harder to stop last year because teams didn’t know what was coming but like I said teams have game planned for it.
WR1 Roman Pierson had some type of wrist or arm injury in the Salem game. He’ll be back around some time in November. His production was easily replaced as in the WR room but he was also the holder on the field goal team as well, although the holding has not been a problem this year, it’s the snapping. They graduated a four year starter at long snapper and center.
DE EJ Hendrix sustained some type of injury in early August. I don’t know what it is nor do I want to speculate about something that I don’t know what it is but he has been out for at least a month now. I wouldn’t be shocked if he suited up considering the opponent but he should be back sooner than later.
DE Aydin Fleming went down late in the Sherando game with some type of ankle injury. I don’t know how much it will affect him but I think he should be playing.
RB Xayvion Kendall sustained a lower body injury in the Salem game. I’d assume he strained or pulled something. They are not missing him that much.
A lot of their problems is that they have been jumping into the neutral zone a lot on defense. Of course their past two opponents were just Musselman and Sherando so it really didn’t affect them that much and you could attribute a lot of that to focus. They were locked in against Salem though and we saw what their defense did to their offense.
Center/Long Snapper has been problematic for them. They graduated a four year starter at those positions and are breaking in some new guys. They have had a lot of high snaps on offense and on special teams but like I said that also hasn’t affected them that much.
They got the skill guys to compete against HSHS. A lot of the guys they played were also freshman and sophomores as well. They only start one senior at WR and I’m pretty sure all of their impact guys at DB are either juniors or sophomores. Play in the trenches will be the deciding factor though. If Martinsburg can play a clean game they can definitely win.
And I do agree that Ezra Bagent should be the full time starter at QB and Murphy Clement should be lined up next to him. Clement still has had his moments but teams haves keyed in on him and now they just drop back 3 or 4 in coverage and bring the house. It was harder to stop last year because teams didn’t know what was coming but like I said teams have game planned for it.
