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Top Preseason Teams?

19GHS87

VaPreps Honorable Mention
Oct 10, 2016
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So, the season is getting close. Which teams will be contenders this year in your respective districts? Please post your thoughts.

For the Southwest, I am picking Graham to beat out V-High and Richlands for the top spot. A lot of talent returning for Graham and a couple of nice additions. Sure they lost Taymon Cooke, but they will have more weapons this year and it will be harder to key on one player. Graham will also bring a big line with a mixture of youth and experience and a new D-Coordinator from Richlands. Play at the linebacker position should be outstanding this year, they lost Vineyard, but they will have some very good LB's this year in Kastner, Reed and a younger Reed as well. Allen has committed to Purdue at DB and they have Shinault back there as well and he is getting looks from Wake and others. Reed, Kastner and Lester are getting a lot of attention from D 1 and FCS schools. A ton of talent on this year's team. The key will be the lineplay, but they will be very big up front, a couple of veterans and a couple of youngsters, but the size is somethng Graham has not had in a long time. Graham will have a lot of weapons for Allen to throw the ball to, Lester, Shinault and Justice come to mind immediately. The running game is stacked with Reed, Booker, Dalton and Shinault.
I am very anxious for this year's Graham team, if the lineplay is good, watch out!!

V-High returns a lot of talent, but nobody close to Graham's Allen, Lester, Shinault and Reed.

Richlands returns their qb and some key skill positions, but they lost some key linemen and IMO, their lineplay and defense has been somewhat overlooked because of their passing style of play in the past. They had a solid running game last year, but a big part of that running game has transferred back to Graham. Their D Coordinator is gone as well and it could prove to be the difference between a playoff berth and not. Richlands has a very tough schedule, featuring Graham, Bluefield, Byrd, Union and Blacksburg. If they end up 7-3, I'll be impressed.
 
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Palmer left Richlands 2 years ago. He hasn’t been coaching since then, so it’s not like Graham stole one frkm Richlands in that sense. He will certainly help, though. As will Booker.

I wouldn’t count the Blues out so quickly. They played better last year with Moir at QB, and he’ll play there full time this year. Not saying they will be a factor for a long postseason run, but the team is relishing the fact that everyone is quiet on them.
 
The kid from Ridgeview. Is he an upcoming senior? Those are some bigtime offers. Is Clintwood one of the former schools to make up Ridgeview?

As for top teams, there's been some discussion about some of the Shenandoah Valley teams, Region B, and Region A here farther East. In Region A, it has to be Goochland and Poqouson again. Poqouson should be slightly better after winning the Region on the road at Goochland and losing in on the road in OT to RE Lee. Poqouson will have the same issue as last. Tough schedule, and Goochland will likely be 10-0 and hosting. If we were to go 8-2 and Goochland were to go 9-1, the chances are good that we could outpoint them and force Goochland to come down East.

What about Union this year and Marion, Gate City out west? Will Union be as good? Will Marion be as good or did they have a bunch of seniors? Is Gate City still down in football?

Im curious about Region C. I have heard little discussion other than Appo supposed to be down from what they have been. What about Dan River or Gretna? Is Giles and Glenvar the favorites in this region? I did read the recent thread on these two and their district.
 
He’ll be a sophomore this season. And already has those offers.

Cripes, I need to see this kid. I pray that he stays healthy.

Edited: I watched his videos. Good north-south runner, good instincts for finding running lanes.Solid speed and quickness. I didn't see how well he does taking hits and he's on the light side. Bulk this kid up and keep him motivated and working hard to get better and he could be special at the next level. I love his vision and instincts though. He hits the hole with authority AS A FRESHMAN
 
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Cripes, I need to see this kid. I pray that he stays healthy.

Edited: I watched his videos. Good north-south runner, good instincts for finding running lanes.Solid speed and quickness. I didn't see how well he does taking hits and he's on the light side. Bulk this kid up and keep him motivated and working hard to get better and he could be special at the next level. I love his vision and instincts though. He hits the hole with authority AS A FRESHMAN
I don’t think he’s too light. He was listed as 195lbs as a freshman. He may look lean because he’s also 6’1”.
 
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Ridgeview could very well win the region .Return a lot of great players plus Atkins.

Union will be down some but will still win 7-8 games.

This may be the year the Bears don't win the M7 or 10 games, but they'll be competitive in every game. Rest of M7 stinks, unless Abingdon shows marked improvement under new coach they won't contend while Wise, Lee and GC are flat out bad.
 
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