Looks like VaPreps put up all of their preseason polls today. Here's a link to the 4A poll:
https://virginiapreps.rivals.com/news/class-4a-preseason-top-ten
https://virginiapreps.rivals.com/news/class-4a-preseason-top-ten
VaPreps 4A Preseason Top Ten
- Thread starter SpartanOfYore
- Start date
Surprised to see Danville make the top 10 but I'm happy to see that they've built a top 10 program year in and year out in 4a. I think this top 10 is very accurate. It will be a very exciting year!
I understand why JF is Top 10 to begin the season, but I don't think they'll stay here.
1,2,3 and a big gap in my opinion @1MoreHokie.
@Lewis918777 I hear the Dirty Birds are looking strong this year. Won't have the big names like we're used to such as CJ Graves, Tim Glass, or Malik Clements, but Sam Branch and some of the new guys such as Eddie Willard, Carl Poole Jr., Weber Harris, and DeShawn Wallace will step up big time. I'm really impressed with the backfield. Kuashaun Forest and Weber Harris will probably be the two go-to backs while Carl Poole Jr. and Curtis Waller also get some carries. The Poole Brothers (Carl, Carlos, and Jaden) have all had huge summers and Jaden and Carl will anchor the defense along with Henry Barley and company. You have to love what Coach Anderson is doing with the program.
JF had so many weapons last year. Now they're gone and the defense was not good all year.
On the other hand, with Christmas as the Coach and his emphasis on Strength and conditioning, I believe JF will still put a solid product on the field.
Still, at the end of the year, I see it the same. Hard games for them on the schedule. They'll have losses.
We will be able to see what they have early this season!!
I think this is a good initial list. As some pointed out on other posts, Courtland will be a vastly different team this season and should not be in the top 10. But who do you guys think is in the 11-15 range and has a good chance to jump into the rankings in the early to mid season? Amherst, Monacan, Champe, Millbrook, Heritage, or King's Fork?
Lafayette is solid....always. They have some games but the schedule is not overly hard. They like to run the ball so the QB just needs to manage the games. Rams are just not a team that's going to throw the ball much at all. Based on that, the record will be quite good and keep them right there all season long. So I believe it's the right pre-season setup and good call.
But who really cares. It's just a list. Only playoff time matters and the Rams will be there.
Champe and King's Fork. But somebody has to drop down before someone can move up. First one to drop should be Chancellor. They'll be there at the end but the schedule starts too hard for them not to drop some games. IMO.
Actually, Courtland is not a different team at all. You'll see the same thing as every year. They reload. They start with Ponax. Undefeated regular season the last 3 years. They are a powerhouse 5A. Not gonna win that one. Riverbend next. Good 6A. 50/50. Louisa. Chancellor. James Monroe and more.
It's all about playoff time. Cougars will be there. Don't worry about the lists.
Last edited:
Not a different team at all? Add this to the list of your comments that just don't quite add up. Let me give you the a sample of the graduated seniors Courtland needs to "reload" with:
Victor Greene
Blair Lawson
George Cheetham
Jabari Allen
Nick Grant
Ben Beatty
Jason Hokenson
Absolutely impossible to replace with comparable players. You're right about one thing, though, we'll know early just how much they have dropped off within the 1st 3 games:
@ 5A Massaponax
vs 6A Riverbend
@ 4A Louisa
I predict 0-3 start with the 1st two not even competitive. Good luck to the Cougars!
Well, that's the thing and your common sense thought process has plenty of good reasoning. But Cougars have done this for over a decade. Lose seemingly un replaceable talent and are right back in the saddle. They start 2 - 1.
Now, Grant it, I don't see them having that talent either and they had to be disappointed last year. They were State Champion caliber. But they don't win because of the players. They win because of the system and the Coachs. Plug and play.
Or they could be the 2010 squad and start 0 - 4 but win the Regional Championship. It's Courtland. They'll be fine.
Last edited:
Shauntclair I love your passion, but our boys are just going to be to young this year. We have some nice pieces back, but not enough to fill all the voids. I know they have the system and coaches in place, but if this team goes 6-4 and make the playoffs, it will be one heck of a coaching job by JC and his staff. We have the Hokenson brother finally healthy and ready to resume his play making abilities, before the injury against Culpeper 2 years ago, he was the best overall player on the team. We have our Mamouth Junior nose guard back all 6'4 325 pounds of him, and our other D-Tackle 6'3 265 pounds, and Woodard a fantastic corner, The D-Fence will be fine, it is the Offense I think will struggle some. The QB is back, along with only one lineman, who is big and pretty good. Running back will be a tossup as a bunch of puppies will be running around back there. Overall, they are going to have a formidable team, and will spring an upset! its just that finally most everyone else on their schedule is better this year, especially Chancellor, and if Orlando Jones did transfer from Riverbend, they are top 3 material. If you are at the first home game come by the cannon, I will be their hopefully firing a bunch of shots. The 2017 the Cougars will be a dangerous, dangerous team, and top 5 or higher material.
That's probably right. Around 6 - 4 and on a roll when they hit the playoffs. Improving every week. Then proceed to beat a couple of higher seeds. That will be a good year for them considering the schedule they have. Very few 4As would be able to do as well.
Don't worry. You'll still be firing the Cannon a lot this year.
Courtland Qb is transferring to Riverbend. And Hokenson may not play football this year.
They can have him and GL to him but the worst QB the Cougars have had in a long time. He will not be the Bear starter at QB.
The Courtland QB is a manager. Run the plays and don't screw up the hand offs. Unlike other teams, among the least important skill positions they have.
A few years ago, they had a QB named Ryan McBroom. One of the best HS arms I've ever seen. Incredibly accurate. 6'3" and 210. Very tough. Plenty of DI offers that elected to play baseball at WV. Boomer had a 90 Mph fastball in HS. Cougars had a Porsche. They used him to go grocery shopping. That's the system. But most Coachs would have given their left nut for this kind of QB. Not On Smith Station Road.
So no worries for Courtland. Lot's of kids can do that job.
Last edited:
I am unaware of why Hokenson may not play. Can you elaborate? Wilborne is no biggie. Hokenson is impactful.
Shaunti I don't know if I can agree with you on that one. One player doesn't make a team (I see where you're going and I agree on that end) but this kid was a decent QB and he would being something that Courtland will lack this year.. Experience. He helped lead them to the State Semi's last year. I've seen him in action 3 times. As a sophomore, if he would've played the whole game, they would have beaten GW in round 2. He had a very very impressive game against Ponax last year. Hes mobile and made good decisions (you have to make good decisions as QB in the Courtland system). It's hard anytime you lose experience, especially when you have a very young and inexperienced team. Wilborne wasn't a Joey Benden but he got the job done.
Hokenson is Leary of the knee, even with his skills in football he is a D-1 level soccer player. Football season would probably be to demanding on the knee that has been injured twice now. That is and would be a big hit to the Cougars who are getting younger and younger. This will be the youngest team in 15 years or more, 5 wins would be a great season, just to,any pups this year. Will no more after Thursdays game with D-6 MT. View squad who is primed for for a long run this year with at least 3 D-1 dudes and most starters back from playoff team from last season.
