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Who is going to surprise us this year?

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Keith_Stone33

VaPreps Honorable Mention
Sep 30, 2013
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2 years ago we had Glenvar shocking the state with their upset of Giles in round 3 (I believe) in a year where most thought it was Giles' state championship to lose

Last year Buffalo Gap made a deep run that I'm not sure anyone really saw coming, while Clarke Co crashed Salem, when most felt we'd have an all-west final

In 1A last year, Essex was the heavy favorite going into the postseason only to have Galax end their season in the semis en route to a state title.

2 years ago in 3A, 16 seed Waynesboro took down the #1 seeded Hidden Valley (I believe), won a rematch with Broadway in rd 2, and lost a heartbreaker to Western Albemarle in round 3.

Who is going to be the team that makes it further than they are supposed to or perhaps crashes the party in Salem? Or is 2A too top heavy this year to allow such a thing?

This why I think playoff football is the greatest time of the year as players will lay it all out on the line for their teammates, families, and communities for the next five weeks and anything can happen! Enjoy the ride fellas
 
1A West just seems too predetermined as of late. Galax and GW ( probably) will be through. Hurley is good, but they have some soft wins in there.
2A Graham looks fantastic. Anyone who knocks them off, will be the shocker there. I'm not sure anyone can, but they have a tough road ahead anyway.
Also keep an eye on Pulaski in 4A. They are a little inconsistent for sure, but on the right night they are a fun one to watch.
* I think I'm going to live on preps for the next 48 hours...let this election fade away before I check any news sites again. HAHA!
 
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I'm willing to bet on the Goochland Bulldogs. They are undefeated but not highly regarded as the top teams in the West. I like their defense and Coach Fowler is one of the best at getting his team to turn it up in the post season. Again this year many think we will have an all West title game but it hadn't happened since this format started and I believe the Bulldogs are a team that can push Appomattox to the brink because of the styled they both play.
 
I think too many of you are over-estimating Graham.

They've played a weak schedule the last four weeks, blowing out bad teams. They beat a Giles team that was without one of their best players. Abingdon strangely "called off the dogs" at halftime and did nothing but run the ball in the second half and let Graham win the game. And Galax certainly isn't the Galax of the past few seasons. The only tough game they've played was Richlands who outscored them 31-3 from early in the second quarter to the end of the game.

Graham and all it's "speed" will be lucky to make it past the second round and if they do, they'll get Richlands again and get blown out.
 
High-Fidelity said:
Pulaski Co.???? Please!!!! They just got b-slapped by Salem. They have ZERO chance of doing anything.


.
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The rest of my post said they were inconsistent...and no one has a ZERO chance. The idiocy of that statement has been proven throughout history. I mean until a few minutes ago I would have said there was a ZERO chance anyone would use multiple exclamation points like a twelve year old writing to Santa. And then I was proven wrong.
 
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High-Fidelity said:
I think too many of you are over-estimating Graham.

They've played a weak schedule the last four weeks, blowing out bad teams. They beat a Giles team that was without one of their best players. Abingdon strangely "called off the dogs" at halftime and did nothing but run the ball in the second half and let Graham win the game. And Galax certainly isn't the Galax of the past few seasons. The only tough game they've played was Richlands who outscored them 31-3 from early in the second quarter to the end of the game.

Graham and all it's "speed" will be lucky to make it past the second round and if they do, they'll get Richlands again and get blown out.
Click to expand...

Graham annihilated Abingdon. Graham kept scoring and scoring and scoring more. They absolutely had zero answer for Graham in the running or passing game. Graham had 3 TDs called back against Giles. Graham absolutely handled Galax over at Galax. Ask the Galax fans. If you do not believe Graham is good, just ask most Richlands fans about Graham and who would they rather face or not face. If Graham doesn't turn the ball over continuously, they would have beat Richlands by two TDs. I can tell you this.....immediately after Richlands beat Graham, a fellow Giles fan who was at the game told me this......."that team will not lose again and will win the state title." I replied, "Richlands is always the real deal." He responded, "I was not talking about Richlands, I was talking about Graham."
 
lucustookis said:
If Graham doesn't turn the ball over continuously, they would have beat Richlands by two TDs
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I don't see how being outscored 31-3 over the last 2 and 1/2 quarters, at home, merits a "that team will not lose again and will win the state title." Richlands and Graham both turned it over 2 times, with all four turnovers being interceptions. The game turned when Richlands made adjustments midway thru the second quarter and dominated the line of scrimmage from that point forward. Graham, like many in the west, are very good, and may very well advance to the finals, but they certainly have not distanced themselves from the crowd. I would still regard Appomattox as the favorite to win the state title. Also, as a Richlands fan, I would truly rather face Graham again than Union. Not saying we will win, but i prefer the matchup..

Below are the team stats from the game between Richlands and Graham. Pay particular attention to the 6 punts by the team you say should have won.

First Downs: R 17, G 14; Rushes-Yards: R 37-103, G 29-136; Passing Yards: R 252, G 214; Comp.-Att.-Int.: R 19-32-2, G 14-31-2; Fumbles-Lost: R 0-0, G 0-0; Penalties-Yards: R 7-69, G 8-73; Punts-Average: R 3-35.7, G 6-37.3
 
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It's not good when any team punts 6 times in one game. Heck, I recall one year Gretna only punted 5 times in 14 games, and one of those was on first down.
 
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I think he meant to say, "if Graham hadn't had to punt so many times, they would have beat Richlands by 2 TDs."
 
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In my opinion comes down to appo and Dan river. I'm sorry and know going to make graham fans mad but no I don't think they will be there. That team is loaded with talent but I don't see them beating appo or dr.
 
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If East Rock was not on a road map with Stuarts Draft in the 3rd round, I'd be saying the Eagles O could allow them to win a game at a higher seed. Don't see them being able to reverse the tables from the regular season with the Cougars.

Watch for Dan River to come out of their pod. Lost a close one with Appo in the regular season.
 
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lucustookis said:
If you do not believe Graham is good, just ask most Richlands fans about Graham and who would they rather face or not face.
Click to expand...

I am a Richlands fan. I would easily rather play Graham than Appomattox. As Ric Flair would often say, "To be the man, you've gotta beat the man." Graham hasn't beaten Richlands since 2007. If you think it doesn't make a difference, you don't understand the mindset of 14-18 year olds. Graham's line isn't the same size as the other 4 top West teams, and they got abused by Richlands in the second half. Graham couldn't block Lowe on offense, and on defense, they weren't getting consistent pressure on Asbury. That hasn't changed. Richlands still holds the advantage on the lines.

If these two teams meet again, there is a legitimate shot at 10,000 people in Mitchell Stadium. It will be raucous and loud and it will be a helluva game.

But that's weeks down the line. We are focused on John Battle right now.
 
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Appomattox is clear favorite by far. Graham is a good team but they are not very good up front. That's why Giles matched up with them well and should have beat them. I do agree Richlands might be in trouble because of the run game. I can't comment on union or Dan River, have not seen them.
 
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High-Fidelity said:
I think too many of you are over-estimating Graham.

They've played a weak schedule the last four weeks, blowing out bad teams. They beat a Giles team that was without one of their best players. Abingdon strangely "called off the dogs" at halftime and did nothing but run the ball in the second half and let Graham win the game. And Galax certainly isn't the Galax of the past few seasons. The only tough game they've played was Richlands who outscored them 31-3 from early in the second quarter to the end of the game.

Graham and all it's "speed" will be lucky to make it past the second round and if they do, they'll get Richlands again and get blown out.
Click to expand...

I didn't know you guys would get this wound up over a train horn.
 
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There's no question.....if Richlands had a running game id put money on them against anyone in the state and feel pretty good. But....they don't. Graham's line is the only thing that concerns me with them....not the greatest bigs up front. Both these teams are really good.....but definitely have their weaknesses. Union is really good too and have a balanced attack and good line play. I just dont think their firepower is quite as good as Graham or Richlands even though they have Mitchell who is a D1 TE/WR.
 
^^^^ He ain't lying there. Their D is quick and they hit hard. Playing at home will help some but they travel well too so I can see them giving a game to anyone that the west puts in front of them up to and including in Salem if they make it.
 
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Assuming both teams, Richlands and Graham advance to round 3 which is not a guarantee, they will meet. Richlands has an easier draw even though Richlands is the 3 seed and Graham the 2. Richlands drew John Battle and the Glenver-Gate City winner. Richlands will easily advance to round 3. Graham has Lebanon (about like John Battle) but Martinsville which is likely a much better team than Glenvar for Gate City. But, the two teams in Graham and Richlands will likely play again in round 3, and Richlands will return for a trip to Bluefield. The Richlands fans on this board will get their way in that they would rather play Graham then they would Union. Well, it looks like that will happen according to the brackets. My money is on Graham winning that game in Bluefield. Graham has improved and improved, Richlands has not as evidenced by Abingdon handling them, and Abingdon was supposedly on a downward trend and not playing well coming into the Richlands game. I think just a few weeks earlier, Abingdon had been hammered by Graham. I just see two teams going in opposite directions with Graham and Richlands, or at least one of the two teams improving over the year and the other not so much. Time will tell and this is why they play the games, but I can tell you this, I am glad the Spartans, who will beat Marion, will get to travel to Appo so we can get em again. If the bandana bunch pulls it off at Appo, look out AA because if you can win at Appo, you know you can beat any team in state. This is why I am excited because with our record and lower seeding this year, you kind of get the feeling you are not going to win a state title. Because of that, it's awesome to get Appo at their place in round 2, because if somehow the Spartans pulled it off, it could be a possible historic run from that point on.

I can tell you right now. Even at Appo, you know those 48-0 or 56-12 scores and margins they put up and beat teams by this year, that stops when Giles comes to town. I'm not saying Giles will win, but I am telling ya it's a battle and a fourth quarter decided game. Additionally, I am bring a megaphone and a small train whistle to supplement one another, and this will go very well with the big train whistle we will have in the endzone.
 
lucustookis said:
My money is on Graham winning that game in Bluefield. Graham has improved and improved, Richlands has not as evidenced by Abingdon handling them, and Abingdon was supposedly on a downward trend and not playing well coming into the Richlands game. I think just a few weeks earlier, Abingdon had been hammered by Graham. I just see two teams going in opposite directions with Graham and Richlands, or at least one of the two teams improving over the year and the other not so much.
Click to expand...

Abingdon averaged 49 points a game. Richlands held them to 17 and only lost by 7, and had 4 chances inside the red zone. This game could have been way different if not for one or two plays. That's football, and Abingdon won. I've congratulated them time after time because they had the better plan. But to say that Abingdon "HANDLED" Richlands is nonsense. Both teams were held well below their average in the rain and cold.

How do you get that Richlands 'struggled' down the stretch? They played a harder schedule over the last 5 games than Graham did. Grahams schedule was front loaded and they played a bunch of single A schools and Grayson Co. at the end of theirs. Richlands played Bluefield and Abingdon on the back half of their schedule. And Richlands blew out the teams they were supposed to, all while not playing their 3 best players.

If you think Richlands will come to Mitchell Stadium and Graham will walk away with an easy win, you're going to be very surprised. These two schools hate each other as evidenced by the chippyness and fights in football, basketball, and soccer over the past few years. Richlands will show up and be ready for a fight. Graham better not overlook anyone.
 
Ryan4VT said:
Abingdon averaged 49 points a game. Richlands held them to 17 and only lost by 7, and had 4 chances inside the red zone. This game could have been way different if not for one or two plays. That's football, and Abingdon won. I've congratulated them time after time because they had the better plan. But to say that Abingdon "HANDLED" Richlands is nonsense. Both teams were held well below their average in the rain and cold.

How do you get that Richlands 'struggled' down the stretch? They played a harder schedule over the last 5 games than Graham did. Grahams schedule was front loaded and they played a bunch of single A schools and Grayson Co. at the end of theirs. Richlands played Bluefield and Abingdon on the back half of their schedule. And Richlands blew out the teams they were supposed to, all while not playing their 3 best players.

If you think Richlands will come to Mitchell Stadium and Graham will walk away with an easy win, you're going to be very surprised. These two schools hate each other as evidenced by the chippyness and fights in football, basketball, and soccer over the past few years. Richlands will show up and be ready for a fight. Graham better not overlook anyone.
Click to expand...

I hear what you are saying Ryan4VT, but I just don't think Richlands has the running game this year. I certainly never wrote that I think Graham would blow Richlands out. I just wrote that I think Graham will win the game playing in Bluefield. Either way, that's why they play it on the field and we will know in a few weeks.
 
lucustookis said:
I hear what you are saying Ryan4VT, but I just don't think Richlands has the running game this year.
Click to expand...

They didn't have a running game on Sept. 8th. Graham has a very undersized line on both sides. That will be the downfall of Graham. That and their attitudes. I stood on their sideline Friday night and their fans and players both were already talking about Salem.
 
Would
love to see that UOTE="lucustookis, post: 231089, member: 7323"]Assuming both teams, Richlands and Graham advance to round 3 which is not a guarantee, they will meet. Richlands has an easier draw even though Richlands is the 3 seed and Graham the 2. Richlands drew John Battle and the Glenver-Gate City winner. Richlands will easily advance to round 3. Graham has Lebanon (about like John Battle) but Martinsville which is likely a much better team than Glenvar for Gate City. But, the two teams in Graham and Richlands will likely play again in round 3, and Richlands will return for a trip to Bluefield. The Richlands fans on this board will get their way in that they would rather play Graham then they would Union. Well, it looks like that will happen according to the brackets. My money is on Graham winning that game in Bluefield. Graham has improved and improved, Richlands has not as evidenced by Abingdon handling them, and Abingdon was supposedly on a downward trend and not playing well coming into the Richlands game. I think just a few weeks earlier, Abingdon had been hammered by Graham. I just see two teams going in opposite directions with Graham and Richlands, or at least one of the two teams improving over the year and the other not so much. Time will tell and this is why they play the games, but I can tell you this, I am glad the Spartans, who will beat Marion, will get to travel to Appo so we can get em again. If the bandana bunch pulls it off at Appo, look out AA because if you can win at Appo, you know you can beat any team in state. This is why I am excited because with our record and lower seeding this year, you kind of get the feeling you are not going to win a state title. Because of that, it's awesome to get Appo at their place in round 2, because if somehow the Spartans pulled it off, it could be a possible historic run from that point on.

I can tell you right now. Even at Appo, you know those 48-0 or 56-12 scores and margins they put up and beat teams by this year, that stops when Giles comes to town. I'm not saying Giles will win, but I am telling ya it's a battle and a fourth quarter decided game. Additionally, I am bring a megaphone and a small train whistle to supplement one another, and this will go very well with the big train whistle we will have in the endzone.[/QUOTE]

Would love to see that Appo vs Giles matchup. I believe Giles would definately have a chance but would have to play perfect.
 
Union is a very, very good #5 seed, with more balance on offense and stronger at the LOS on both sides and would likely have the best player on the field against any 2A team, but damn the draw is extremely rough. A round two game at Dan River, who is very good, is incredible. Either team could wind up in Salem and it not be a HUGE shocker, but in the Appomattox side of the bracket everyone knows who you have to beat. Watching them handle Amherst was extremely impressive. But DR knows they can play with them, they already did once so the mental aspect favors Dan River, knowing they could win, compared to Union who frankly hasn't played a good team since GC.

I just wouldn't be shocked to see the 4/5 seed winner take down Appo if either team plays perfect and gets a couple breaks.
 
Having James Mitchell is a big advantage for Union. Most 2A teams don't have anything even close to D1 talent, much less a 4 star prospect. Someone that talented can take over a game at any time.

Does Appomattox/Dan River/Martinsville have anyone with D1 offers?
 
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"Would love to see that Appo vs Giles matchup. I believe Giles would definately have a chance but would have to play perfect.[/QUOTE]

I agree. Appo is solid and I think your statement applies to about any team Appo may face in that........ if Appo brings it's A game for each game, amy team is going to have a problem, but the teams in the West are close enough to make it a game. For example if Giles brings it's A game and Appo brings it's C game, Giles can win. If Giles brings it's A game and Appo brings it's B game, it could be a nailibiter.

For the reasons above, this is why I am picking Graham to make it to Salem. I feel that their talent level is good enough to NOT be beat prior to the state title game.......if....a big if...... they bring their A ga for each game and don't turn the ball over. They say that the great teams and teams that wins titles are ones that bring their A games when they need to......the ability to rise to the occasion. The first team that comes to mind in my thinking when talking about historically bring the A game in the big moments are big games are the Salem Spartans.
 
Appomattox has an NC S
eh31 said:
Having James Mitchell is a big advantage for Union. Most 2A teams don't have anything even close to D1 talent, much less a 4 star prospect. Someone that talented can take over a game at any time.

Does Appomattox/Dan River/Martinsville have anyone with D1 offers?
Click to expand...
Appomattox has an NC State commit in their secondary who is also an all state track star. Actually I think they have a couple D1 prospects.
 
Graves has a D1 commit to NC State from Appomattox.

I didn't realize how high 247sports has Mitchell in the VA rankings, he's a 4* sitting at 7th in the state for 2018, being ranked as high as 5th.
 
BigWinners said:
I didn't realize how high 247sports has Mitchell in the VA rankings, he's a 4* sitting at 7th in the state for 2018, being ranked as high as 5th.
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Yeah, that's what I was going on. He has 3 legit ACC offers, 1 SEC, & JMU. & from what people have said Clemson seems to be real high on him after him visiting a few times and I know he was suppose to be in South Bend for the Notre Dame - Miami game.

Graham has what I would consider 2 D1 prospects. Taymon Cooke & Jamorya Cousin was on the sideline for the VT-Miami game. Richlands has Cody Howie which imo definitely has D1 (power 5) talent, and I think John-Luke Asbury could play at a smaller D1 school. None of those 4 have D1 offers, however.

A 4* ranking and the 5 offers as a junior from SWVA is super impressive. I hope Mitchell goes far!
 
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eh31 said:
Yeah, that's what I was going on. He has 3 legit ACC offers, 1 SEC, & JMU. & from what people have said Clemson seems to be real high on him after him visiting a few times and I know he was suppose to be in South Bend for the Notre Dame - Miami game.

Graham has what I would consider 2 D1 prospects. Taymon Cooke & Jamorya Cousin was on the sideline for the VT-Miami game. Richlands has Cody Howie which imo definitely has D1 (power 5) talent, and I think John-Luke Asbury could play at a smaller D1 school. None of those 4 have D1 offers, however.

A 4* ranking and the 5 offers as a junior from SWVA is super impressive. I hope Mitchell goes far!
Click to expand...

He did visit ND for the Miami game, wit a 5* QB too.

Its the highest ranking I can ever remember for a BSG kid, but I suspect TJ would've been as high or higher had 247/Rivals been as big back then.

Cousin can play D1 ball, there's no doubt about it. He may not have hit the camp circuit like Mitchell, I don't know his situation, but on game tape alone he can be a player at that level. I dunno about top tier SEC/ACC but even 4* Mitchell doesn't have those offers yet. Again I don't know Cousin off the field, but I'm sure Mitchell's grades and off the field record of no trouble factors in for some teams, esp to get offers from academic powerhouses like Vandy/Duke. If Cousin can get on scholarship for a D1 team, I wouldn't be surprised if he had a Devan Johnson like career, an outstanding career at a non P5 school.
Howie I agree, not so sure about JLA, his size isn't exactly ideal and the transition from HS QB to D1 QB is the most daunting gap of any position.
 
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#60 Bryan Wallace from Clarke County he is a junior this year 6'4 240 pounds plays DE is a D1 prospect. Also is a 2 time state wrestling champion.
 
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