I know they are respected on here but there are legit no Terrier fans on here so I thought I'd start a thread on them. They are going to be REALLY GOOD next year. They're going to have to replace their QB Reese Watson, but come on, they have freaking LARRY BASHAM back. Also, two key defensive players such as Taylor Johnson and Logan Taylor are back. This is the defense that held Staunton River to SIX POINTS. Byrd was on the verge of beating state-champion Salem twice this year. Just thought I'd make a thread about them, so y'all don't forget that quiet powerhouse down in Vinton, Va.
I really don't see Byrd being all that close to the level at which they played this year. Basham will be back, true. However, the loss of the two very talented defensive ends - Kasey and Williams? - both of whom also played on the O-line, will hit the Terriers very hard. The qb Watson will also be gone, and against Salem-level opponents, he was the
only other threat for Byrd on offense. Watson and Basham worked especially well in tandem. Unless the Terriers come up with some as yet-unknown impact skill players, and a couple of good lineman, it's going to be tough going against playoff-caliber defenses.
Still, having Basham is worth something, as is having an experienced hand like Highfill at the helm. I think WB will still probably finish at least 7-3 in the regular season, so any dropoff won't be precipitous. And of course, next year's playoff format is yet to be determined. Let's put it this way: if the format of the past four years were still being implemented, I think a second consecutive top four seed would be
highly unlikely. And that's coming from someone who sang the praises of
this year's Byrd team beginning last December. I just don't see the 2017 Terriers becoming the legit top six, or even top four in 4A team that the 2016 Terriers were.
This might just be an old Salem fan being cranky, but in my opinion, it's a real stretch to say that Byrd was on the verge of beating Salem this year. Either time, let alone twice. Salem more or less controlled play in both games. Yes, the first game went to OT, but Salem never lost the initiative, as the Spartans had the advantage of going on offense after having already held Byrd to a field goal. The game in September was made much closer by Spartan mistakes that would be ironed out. The playoff game turned on the kind of flukish play - a strip-and-score - that Salem doesn't give up too often. Don't get me wrong - Byrd definitely played Salem very tough both times. But having attended both, I was never seriously worried about Salem losing either one. Well, at least not after the coin flip to start the OT. ;-)
