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Not so sure, Amherst beat Salem and Appomattox beat Amherst. Not a true analogy. They were just more prepared that night than Amherst and yes I said it. Amherst turned the ball over on the 3 yard line wthe that would have been 14-7 instead of 21-0. But I will give Appomattox credit as well, they are big and fast. Now would they beat Amherst again probably not. But I think they would win a game or two in 4A but they would not beat Woodgrove, Lake Taylor or Dinwiddie in my opinionI don't think they'd beat Byrd, Salem or Woodgrove...but anyone else yes.
Not so sure, Amherst beat Salem and Appomattox beat Amherst. Not a true analogy per se. They were just more prepared that night than Amherst and yes I said it. Amherst turned the ball over on the 3 yard line wthe that would have been 14-7 instead of 21-0. But I will give Appomattox credit as well, they are big and fast. Now would they beat Amherst again probably not. But I think they would win a game or two in 4A but they would not beat Woodgrove, Lake Taylor or Dinwiddie in my opinionI don't think they'd beat Byrd, Salem or Woodgrove...but anyone else yes.
Not so sure, Amherst beat Salem and Appomattox beat Amherst. Not a true analogy per se. They were just more prepared that night than Amherst and yes I said it. Amherst turned the ball over on the 3 yard line wthe that would have been 14-7 instead of 21-0. But I will give Appomattox credit as well, they are big and fast. Now would they beat Amherst again probably not. But I think they would win a game or two in 4A but they would not beat Woodgrove, Lake Taylor or Dinwiddie in my opinion
True also but the Appo game is harder to predict but Brookville game would definitely had been different no doubtThe team that beat Salem had Turner, the team that lost to Appo and Brookville didn't. We'll never know though.
Just used it as a way of stating my point. Amherst is also not the same they way they played against Salem and the way they are playing now, if they would have played like that night they would have not lost two games on my opinion. Derrick is a beast and it seemed like last Friday he didn't get the ball much that night. They have so many athletes so it doesn't make sense. They should do fine against Pulaski but I have no clue as to how good Dominion isIn answer to the original question, I would say "Insufficient data," as we don't yet know who will actually win 4A West, or how the games will go. And I would advise against using this year's Amherst - Salem game as some sort of guide for two reasons: the way Salem played defense in that game is very much not the way Salem has played defense the rest of the year; and, Beckley's quality of play in that game (particularly the second half) is very much not representative of his quality of play the rest of the year.
Appomattox is an excellent 2A team, in the midst of a two-year run that probably places the Raiders among the best ever in that classification (that being 2A and the old Division 2). They would probably at least be competitive with whichever two teams end up as this year's 4A finalists. I'd be content to leave it at that. The very top tier of 4A is very different from the top tier of 2A, just as there is a significant difference between the best 4A teams and the top 6A squads. Last year's Amherst team was nowhere near the top tier of 4A; we'll just have to wait to see if this year's Lancers reach those heights or not. I didn't include them in what I consider the top four favorites in the West because they would probably face back-to-back lengthy trips to Loudoun County to play two very good teams. Also, their qb's status appears to be uncertain. All that said, it wouldn't be the biggest surprise in the world if Amherst ends up playing in the 4A West final.
The VHSL classification system established originally as 3 classes and tweaked to 6 classes/divisions now recognizes the competitive advantage generally directly correlated with school enrollment size. Appomattox is a great 2A program and their wins over some 3's and 4's show they could compete in a higher classification, however, it is highly unlikely they would win the 4A West, in my opinion. Over the years, again in my opinion, there are an extremely small number of teams capable of jumping 2 or more classifications and being essentially top 2 in that class.Just wondering after they beat Amherst.
No wayAppomattox would beat Amherst 9 out of 10 last year. And certainly 9 out of 10 times this year. Not even close.
No way
Amherst will have to play flawless ball and play like they did against Salem and Glass. Also need to make changes in game when something isn't working. Pass more if running isn't working, take chances. Keshon is that good of a player so who knowsI'll give ya 4 reasons Why it won' be close. #1 Amherst has not faced a offense like that . #2 They haven't faced a defense like that. #3 they haven't seen speed like that since their own teams of 06,07,08,09. And #4 and probably most important the coaching and preparation for Appo was off the charts. Amherst is very predictable on both sides of the ball. The D-coach for APPO is light years ahead of anyone in this area. I'm just saying the last 2 yrs. could have been worse than what the combined score of 73-19.
The game simulator at VHSL reference would agree with you on Appomattox but, it is not quite as strong toward DR. Simulator had APPO favored to win in 50-60% range over 4(Salem, Byrd, Dominion and Amherst) of the 5 top seeded 4A teams. Woodgrove favored 54% of time. Appo and DR are good teams and the simulations for the current year are getting closer between a lot of the classifications. The point is not that the simulator is an absolute predictor, it is not(think of old saying about lies, damn lies and statistics), but, rather that there seems to be a narrowing/compression, statistically speaking, between classifications. Historically, both in computer simulation and, probably more importantly, the eye test there have been very few teams capable of jumping two or more levels of classification and competing, much less contending. Not exactly sure how to interpret this. Seems to raise two possible opinions, (1) that the overall quality of play continues to decline from historical levels and/or (2) the quality of play in lower classifications has improved relative to upper classifcations.Appo would definitely compete. I'd throw in this year's Dan River team also. I think they both could challenge the upper echelon of talent in 4a West.
Always enjoys Gilliam's statistical analysis and not familiar with that ranking(not doubting your truth) but, I would be inclined to think there must have been some statistical oddity or flaw in the algorithm for that to occur. In my lifetime of watching HS football I do not ever recall a team from the smallest classification that I would consider to have been able to be competitive with the largest schools let alone be considered the top school in the state. Might happen in hoops with a smaller number of players but, I just do not see it in football.I believe it was 2000, Gilliams Ratings had a 1A rated as the top school in the state....
They didnt' play JF last year.I don't think they could win the 4a. But they sure have demolished the Seminole the last 2 yrs. Other than JF last yr.
Appomattox had as many players on the sidelines as Amherst, they are really good. People really like that Coach. I talked to a Heritage fan and he said even though they like Bradley they wish Smith never leftI definitely believe Appo could compete in and possibly win the 4a West Region. If you have 20-25 guys who can play - you have a chance. Having a school population with 1400 or 1500 students would increase your chances of finding those 20-25 guys but a school with 700 students in a good cycle can get those guys. The demographics (I'm not just talking about race - I'm talking about the broad spectrum here) of a school district also plays a big factor in success - along with coaching, resources, support, etc.
I am originally from Eastern PA and a great example of a small school powerhouse is Imohtep Charter from Philadelphia. They have a total male enrollment of 262 - probably smaller than Appo - and they can compete with and probably beat any school in any classification in the state - they are just that good.
Appomattox had as many players on the sidelines as Amherst, they are rally good. People really like that Coach. I talked to a Hetitage fan and he said even though they like Bradley they wish Smithj never left
Agreed. They lost a ton of talent last year. Most of those kids are playing in college now. Don't know the formula there ( I'm sure it starts with the coach) but it is fun to watch them play.
What makes you so sure? Because yall fumbled on the 3? Because you didnt have your QB? How do you give us credit and then follow it up with a statement like this.Now would they beat Amherst again probably not.
I spoke with AD couple weeks ago and he said Rustburg is still on. We have renewed our old 80s 90s rivalry "Battle of the Lantern." I dont see that game going away anytime soon, both teams are right down street from each other and both bring big crowds (gate money is good). You are right about Amherst pulling out though. I know we are doing a LCA benefit game too before season. I know we are keeping Heritage on schedule too. I know about 2 new teams that are to replace Nelson, Amherst, but Im not going to list them because its not in stone yet. I LOVE THE MATCH UP of one team AD is going for. Team I dont ever remember us playing and yall gonna love this it as well.I guess that is a good enough reason Rustburg and Amherst dropped Appo from the schedule next year.