Tough Paths To Salem..B.E.A.U.tiful Picture Emerges

[intrinsicreward]

Looks about right. If any of the top seven get beat in round one I would be very surprised..It would be huge upset....not saying it won't happen because it does almost every year. BUT after that first round I wouldn't be surprised if any of the top 7 beat anyone else....all are legit contenders and I wouldn't consider any game an upset except for the 1/8. All the other games will be very tough to predict barring an upset in round 1.

The 4/5 is the toughest because both 2nd/3rd rounds will be like championship games with no clear favorite. The 6/3 could be a Glenvar/Giles rematch just like many of us hoped after all the hoopla and the complaining from the Giles side. With a presumably better set of officials we will settle who has the better team. Giles is getting what they wished for. 7/2 has James River, my Cinderella, playing against Union if they both win in first round. JR is as legit as the other 6 teams above them and they are playing like hungry dogs.

Trying not counting chickens..(it's hard not to with these teams) just looking and excited over what will be an amazing 2nd and 3rd week. Any week could be the toughest test a team will face to a championship depending on matchups,. The VHSL should see some very good gate from 2A west. They need the money but that is another topic for another day. Good luck to everyone in the playoffs.....

 

[Trevor_Cash]

Don't sleep on Goochland and Lee in the east

 

[pizzzzza]

A possible 2nd round matchup - Richlands vs Buckingham - wow

 

[intrinsicreward]

Don't sleep on Goochland and Lee in the east

I'm not. just talking about surviving the west! Don't know much about east because very little is put on here about east teams.

 

[pizzzzza]

The west is definitely loaded!

 

[RichlandsRyan]

I wouldn't sleep on Graham beating James River. Graham has turned it on the latter half of the season, and they can score.

 

[intrinsicreward]

I wouldn't sleep on Graham beating James River. Graham has turned it on the latter half of the season, and they can score.

I've seen both teams. Both are very similar teams IMO but I will be surprised if Graham beats JR based on what I know about both teams.

 

[Xcross]

2A East is weak as it has ever been !

 

[obguthr]

A possible 2nd round matchup - Richlands vs Buckingham - wow

That might be the GOW in the second round.

 

[Vtechguy1718]

East has good offensive teams like Amelia there one of best offensive teams but there deffense hasnt been that good since the first couple games of the season when they beat Brunswick but there offense is dangerous when its running on all 8 cylinders Amelia has a habit of starting off slow in the first half but turning it all the way up I'm second half and coming back and winning but they won't be able to do that in the playoffs gotta start strong and finish strong gotta play like they do in the second half in the first half to! If they can get there stuff straight this week they are a huge dangerous sleeper team!

 

[obguthr]

East has good offensive teams like Amelia there one of best offensive teams but there deffense hasnt been that good since the first couple games of the season when they beat Brunswick but there offense is dangerous when its running on all 8 cylinders Amelia has a habit of starting off slow in the first half but turning it all the way up I'm second half and coming back and winning but they won't be able to do that in the playoffs gotta start strong and finish strong gotta play like they do in the second half in the first half to! If they can get there stuff straight this week they are a huge dangerous sleeper team!

Amelia sounds like East Rock, except that East Rock's defense has improved considerably. Based on what I saw on the road against Buffalo Gap last night, I expect East Rock to win in the first round and possibly the second.

 

[singlewinger92]

Looks about right. If any of the top seven get beat in round one I would be very surprised..It would be huge upset....not saying it won't happen because it does almost every year. BUT after that first round I wouldn't be surprised if any of the top 7 beat anyone else....all are legit contenders and I wouldn't consider any game an upset except for the 1/8. All the other games will be very tough to predict barring an upset in round 1.

The 4/5 is the toughest because both 2nd/3rd rounds will be like championship games with no clear favorite. The 6/3 could be a Glenvar/Giles rematch just like many of us hoped after all the hoopla and the whining/complaining from the Giles side. With a presumably better set of officials we will settle who has the better team. Giles is getting what they wished for. 7/2 has James River, my Cinderella, playing against Union if they both win in first round. JR is as legit as the other 6 teams above them and they are playing like hungry dogs.

Trying not counting chickens..(it's hard not to with these teams) just looking and excited over what will be an amazing 2nd and 3rd week. Any week could be the toughest test a team will face to a championship depending on matchups,. The VHSL should see some very good gate from 2A west. They need the money but that is another topic for another day. Good luck to everyone in the playoffs.....

And a dry field is all I wish for. I agree with u, if everyone gets through first round a lot of second round games could be championship like games

 

[Vtechguy1718]

Amelia sounds like East Rock, except that East Rock's defense has improved considerably. Based on what I saw on the road against Buffalo Gap last night, I expect East Rock to win in the first round and possibly the second.

amelias D improved but they just can't capitoloze

 

[intrinsicreward]

And a dry field is all I wish for. I agree with u, if everyone gets through first round a lot of second round games could be championship like games

Winger...I agree we definitely want a day and a field like last years playoff game, but don't you think a wet field would be to Giles advantage?

 

[ghs89er]

Winger...I agree we definitely want a day and a field like last years playoff game, but don't you think a wet field would be to Giles advantage?

No...wet field favors glenvar...big d line and we have lots of pulling plays for our o line...plus it's always to receivers advantage

 

[observingthegame]

I think Graham will beat James River. This in IMO is not necessarily an upset either. Don't under estimate Graham they have good athletes and their RB Cousins is just about as good as any running back I've seen. I think he is very comparable to Harris out of Galax and they have speed on the outside in their receivers and a decent QB that can get the ball to them.

 

[singlewinger92]

U

Winger...I agree we definitely want a day and a field like last years playoff game, but don't you think a wet field would be to Giles advantage?

Absolutely not, are u crazy lol. Killed Giles speed last year and impossible to move your big boys up front on a wet sloppy field

 

[Prognosticator]

I think Graham will beat James River. This in IMO is not necessarily an upset either. Don't under estimate Graham they have good athletes and their RB Cousins is just about as good as any running back I've seen. I think he is very comparable to Harris out of Galax and they have speed on the outside in their receivers and a decent QB that can get the ball to them.

I agree with this. I believe that Graham is peaking at the right time. New Coach, new offense and defense and athletes out the wazoo. It took them a while to get coached up. I'll take Graham in a high scoring affair. Graham's defense is much improved from early in the season. Their offense is clicking on all cylinders for the past 5 weeks. Cousin has been playing injured since week 3 and has still put up huge numbers. He is nearly healthy. Workman has been lights out at qb. Cooke, Mead and Booker are all on the same page with him now, very dangerous team....

Although a 2nd round matchup against Union would be their worst nightmare... IMO, Graham can hang with anybody in the playoffs except for Richlands or Union (too physical). They actually were playing Giles pretty tough, until Cousin came out with the injury. Defense has gotten much better since that week 3 loss, too. Having Vineyard at middle lb, Cousin and Workman at the other lb's has made a huge difference against the run game. Got guys in the right spots now.

Sttill undersized defensively overall, and a big physical team will most likely take them out.

.

I'll say Graham 42.... JR 28

 

[lovethisgame78]

JR looks pretty tough on defense. Graham has an explosive offense. I look for a fairly low scoring game. Perhaps both teams in the 20s. 1 turnover could be the difference. But if its true that they have improved a good bit on defense then I would go with Graham.

 

[redzone4us]

James River will dominate both lines of scrimmage. JR gave defending state champion glenvar all they wanted. Graham was totally dominated by the better teams on their schedule. And no I don't count bland co. As one of the better teams.

 

[intrinsicreward]

Both teams coming on strong at the end. I really like JR in this one because of the intangibles. they are just a tough scrappy team that never ever quits on any play. If it gets into a scramble situation JR is going to win the game. Graham defense will have to keep the QB in check or he will burn them on the run or the pass. I know Graham plays similar style and probably have a better RB but I'll take JR if this one is played.. Best 1st round game by far.

 

[singlewinger92]

I think Graham takes this one

 

[THEGOATFROMJMU]

U

Absolutely not, are u crazy lol. Killed Giles speed last year and impossible to move your big boys up front on a wet sloppy field

Wouldn't the home team "water the field" a little much?

 

[ghs89er]

Wouldn't the home team "water the field" a little much?

It's happened in games...every level

 

[intrinsicreward]

It's happened in games...every level

Noooo! Say it aint so Joe. No one has ever watered a field down in far SW Va. It's just poor drainage thats to blame when the field, after a week with no rain, is a mud bog and the visiting team coming in has race horses. Oh..and longer cleats don't make no difference neither in the mud bog. lol

 

[ghs89er]

Is that a stab at Richlands from 20 years back....folks from the salem area still can't accept that whoopin....20 years and it still stings...that 1/8 inch longer cleat didn't win that game...come on man

 

[intrinsicreward]

Is that a stab at Richlands from 20 years back....folks from the salem area still can't accept that whoopin....20 years and it still stings...that 1/8 inch longer cleat didn't win that game...come on man

You said it's been done everywhere. I was just "disagreeing" with you. LOL 1/4 inch longer than legal..I have the CMT receipt framed on my wall right where my championship team picture was supposed to hang.

 

[intrinsicreward]

Is that a stab at Richlands from 20 years back....folks from the salem area still can't accept that whoopin....20 years and it still stings...that 1/8 inch longer cleat didn't win that game...come on man

And just for the record I never had a problem with Richlands or their players. It was the way the VHSL handled the matter, and nothing has changed at VHSL since then.

 

[RichlandsRyan]

Noooo! Say it aint so Joe. No one has ever watered a field down in far SW Va. It's just poor drainage thats to blame when the field, after a week with no rain, is a mud bog and the visiting team coming in has race horses. Oh..and longer cleats don't make no difference neither in the mud bog. lol

I have a 13-step program to help you in your quest to put this game behind you once and for all.

1. Go to your bank
2. Get out some money from your account
3. Go to Lowes/Home Depot
4. Buy lumber
5. Buy nails
6. Buy a level
7. Buy a hammer
8. Buy brackets
9. Buy screws
10. Buy a screwdriver
11. Buy a saw
12. Build a bridge
13. Get over it

 

[intrinsicreward]

I have a 13-step program to help you in your quest to put this game behind you once and for all.

1. Go to your bank
2. Get out some money from your account
3. Go to Lowes/Home Depot
4. Buy lumber
5. Buy nails
6. Buy a level
7. Buy a hammer
8. Buy brackets
9. Buy screws
10. Buy a screwdriver
11. Buy a saw
12. Build a bridge
13. Get over it

Sorry..couldn't help myself...blame gs89er

 

[RichlandsRyan]

Sorry..couldn't help myself...blame gs89er

I stole that from UVAObserver lol. I've wanted to use it for a while, you just happened to be the first person to bring up cleats or recruiting lmao. All is well.

 

[intrinsicreward]

I stole that from UVAObserver lol. I've wanted to use it for a while, you just happened to be the first person to bring up cleats or recruiting lmao. All is well.

I was impressed how fast you came up with that. lol

 

[RichlandsRyan]

I was impressed how fast you came up with that. lol

Had it sitting in the notes column on my phone for a while now haha.

 

[ghs89er]

I

Sorry..couldn't help myself...blame gs89er

I said every level...not everywhere...it has happened...come on man...don't bring into salem hate from 20 years back...was down in Salem a few years ago for the salem/Amherst rematch the year after the card out of bounds.....Amherst won and got their revenge...thought a salem guy was gonna kill me before the game for even talking about the blown call from the year before that gave salem that game

 

[intrinsicreward]

I

I said every level...not everywhere...it has happened...come on man...don't bring into salem hate from 20 years back...was down in Salem a few years ago for the salem/Amherst rematch the year after the card out of bounds.....Amherst won and got their revenge...thought a salem guy was gonna kill me before the game for even talking about the blown call from the year before that gave salem that game

I agree with you on that one ghs89er. I was down on the field only a few feet from the play and Salem receiver was way out of bounds. Every team gets gifts and every team gets hosed sometimes by bad calls. That is why it's only the intrinsic rewards that are important in the end. Hard work, dedication, and discipline are always rewarded intrinsically. These are far more important than trophies and adoration and they can never be stolen by anyone..

 

[Prognosticator]

James River will dominate both lines of scrimmage. JR gave defending state champion glenvar all they wanted. Graham was totally dominated by the better teams on their schedule. And no I don't count bland co. As one of the better teams.

Glenvar may be the defending state champion, but they would have been the 4th or 5th best team on Graham's schedule this year. I looked at JR's schedule, you have no room to talk.

 

[Prognosticator]

Glenvar may be the defending state champion, but they would have been the 4th or 5th best team on Graham's schedule this year. I looked at JR's schedule, you have no room to talk.

 

[redzone4us]

I guess we'll see if graham is a contender or pretender. My money's on the latter.

 

[intrinsicreward]

Glenvar may be the defending state champion, but they would have been the 4th or 5th best team on Graham's schedule this year. I looked at JR's schedule, you have no room to talk.

Prog....How can you make that statement? Are you looking at a bunch of numbers and comparing scores which leads to false and misleading assumptions or just gut feelings. Put this one in your pipe and smoke it. Glenvar's defense has given up around 5 points a game on average and probably has allowed fewer tds than any team in 2A. To quote some very well respected fball coaches over the years. "You can't win if you can score." I'll take the team with the best glaring defensive stat over the team with the best offensive stat any day especially during the playoffs. I've learned over the decades this is generally true so I'll take my chances....JR is giving up 11 points a game..Graham a whopping 27 per game! That is the glaring defensive difference I'm basing my prediction on..

 

[intrinsicreward]

I guess we'll see if graham is a contender or pretender. My money's on the latter.

If Graham beats JR. I will admit I was wrong. Will the people high on Graham do the same?