RedPrideNation

Honaker does have an explosive offense, but I am not sold they can stop someone enough. Very good team but this time of year you its better to have a defense allowing 10-12 than one allowing 19-21. I havent looked at the actual numbers but watching them I am not convinced they can get a stop against a solid run team late in a game. Maybe they can and I am in left field but that's what I see. Good luck to all the teams left, it should be interesting to see

@sixcat I wouldn't argue that after the top two in Region 1B it was a drop off. But many 7 or 8 seeds in any other Class 1 region won that first round game? The only team seeded outside of the top 3 to win it was Galax in 2015 (admittedly it was the old 2 sided split which makes it that much more impressive). Someone correct me but they would have been the 3 seed if it were using the current region set up. Either way its pretty much chalk as much as we would like to think otherwise. As I have said there is no question that Class 2 is tougher overall but IMO there still isn't a huge difference in depth of the field in each region. That said the teams most people generally thought would be playing this week will be (except Appo and KW). For the most part everyone left has a pedigree of being on this stage so there isn't but so much of an advantage for anyone. I think Radford is definitely ahead of the field right now if I was betting with 4 behind that who could win then 2 more that are longer shots but have done what it takes to get to this game. Its HS football so anything can and likely will happen from here on out. I am just enjoying the opportunity to see good football being played.

I recognized the sarcasm and agree completely that the path is tougher. My only argument is that every region in almost every classification legitimately only has two teams that can compete at the state level year in and out.

Essex or Sussex may have a say on whether Galax wins the whole thing. Thing is GW is no slouch and I feel either will beat the Region D winner.

@Real Sasquatch hit the number. Central showed last year that they are a contender so this week will be a huge test for the Gladiators. As for the path to Salem, I agree that Class 2 is more difficult, but to call out Region B is a little out of line. Poquoson and KW are extremely good teams but there is a drop off with the other teams from that region? Look at Region C, Appo and Gretna at 3/4 are good teams but behind Radford. Region D has Union and annual contender Graham, but the drop off behind them is there for the teams behind them as well. IMO every region by and large has two teams that are contenders with a slight drop to the number 3's and 4's of that region and Region B is no exception. Will Riverheads win this week much less the next two? We will see if they have what it takes but there will definitely be some good football played over the next 3 weeks.

@Optimal62 I agree completely.

Watching all these years, I feel Riverheads does/has passed when needed but to plan on 12-16 passes just isn’t nor ever will be the focal point. Will it cost against a team that gets out to a few score lead? I am sure it will or has at times but I have also seen adjustments and a comeback or two against quality teams staying with the run heavy approach. It’s truly not a game everyone enjoys watching and I get it. it’s always interesting when opponent fans get excited when their team stop the offense for those short 3-5 yard gains early in a game. All of a sudden they look up and 5 minutes is gone off the clock and a TD was scored. The football that is on tv and by and large played at most every division isn’t appealing to me. IMO it isn’t skillful to basically put 3-4 decoys spread so you can play 7-7 or 8-8. That’s is a schematic move but doesn’t necessarily showcase more talent. Again in my opinion it’s much more interesting to basically tell you what play is coming then see if you can stop it.

Just never has been a priority to focus on that aspect of the game. There have been several players that could have likely made plays through the air but it’s never materialized.

I wish we had enough athletes to throw it more but we just dont. Small and slow so we have to use misdirection to get an advantage. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Thing is Central and Poquoson are both smashmouth run first teams, so you really don’t want to see anyone from Region A or B because they are not shotgun 3 wide throw it around teams.

Never thought it would be.

I have wanted this since week 1 at about 10 minutes after 9 that first a Friday night. Could certainly lose again because Central is legit but I like how this team has grown throughout the year. Looks like a lot of quality football in Class 2 this year. Everybody better not overlook Poquoson. Tough team that is battle tested.

There truly isn’t an easy answer

@Hokiebird7 what about mixed districts? We have 3 class 3, 3 class 2 and a class 1 in the ‘doah so a district title wouldn’t directly translate currently.

I hear ya and if there is that much heartburn they can have 35 teams battle for their 12 spots and not worry about traveling until the semis. It’s asinine that high school sports are a small microcosm of the way Richmond works for us more rural folks. Nova and Hampton have the highest population density so they get to set the “rules” for about everything. Starting to think the mountain should be the boarder and we do our own thing up and down the I81 corridor……..

I suggest go back to the East/west split with a 12 team bracket on each side. That would give 4 byes but should cut the bottom hangers on off. Crossover the semis to give the best possible chance of the two best teams meeting up in the finals. As for people scamming to get a better seeding, the power point system is flawed so there needs to be more separation of points for classification and a SOS component as well. You shouldn’t be able to eat cupcakes all season and get rewarded with a prime seed in the playoffs. It’s sensible to consider the team you won against opponents not just the win total.

@TS Fan pretty sure Riverheads has looked forward to facing Grundy on the mat so them moving to Class 2 wont change that. Hell I think we did a quad with them RR and someone a couple of years ago in SWVA. Not many teams seek out competition like that so nobody in G'ville is looking to avoid one of the best wrestling programs in the history of VA wrestling. Tons of respect for them and what they have built but nobody is scared either.

If the team that played last night shows up against GW, Galax or Narrows, they will be starting their basketball season very soon. They are better than that performance but have been flat for a good many of their games, there arent many chances for them to have games like that and survive. Giles inside the 20 on a few occasions and coming away without anything was their Achilles heel. Defense did step up in those cases, but it won't get easier the deeper they go into the playoffs.

Hard to beat a team twice especially when it was close the first time. The caveat to me is which coaching staff can adjust the best prior to the game and then again in game when everything they thought they knew has changed.

Well we will likely be hated again because our adm numbers are going to put us back in 1A if I was a betting man. The way that works is total bs and there are a number of better ways to divide the classifications but it’s a money game for that bunch IMO. For me, I am fine either way to be honest but as much as we had a pile of success in football, it never translated to other sports. We made good runs but not as many as I would associate with being the “bully”, lol. Not saying any of this for sympathy just saying that I would bet there are three other school within your coverage area that have more or have had more kids than we had during this last 6-8 years. Just glad we didn’t win the appeal so now you guys can hate on one of your own in Grayson. I need to know who their lawyer was though………..lol All kidding aside I do enjoy coming on this board for the back and forth. You guys are hard core and don’t mind getting real. That’s a tab bit lost nowadays.

Damn that flipped quickly from congratulations a couple of pages ago to whatever this last dozen responses have been. Lots of season left but the most significant or talked about wins so far are: Woodstock at home over Riverheads 8-7 Union on road over Graham 27-14 Radford on road over Glenvar 36-3 Riverheads at home over Christiansburg 24-21 Poquoson is better than their record but I can’t see the champion coming from outside of the teams I have mentioned in this reply including them And to be more clear Clarke is good and may be added to the discussion if they handle Woodstock this week at home. Along with Ridgeview if they beat Union. As a fan, those two teams are usually good but I don’t see them as top tier. Just my opinion and based on nothing other than that. Either way it’s fun to read this board and the bluster week in and week out. You guys hate each other but hate anyone outside of SWVA even more and that I respect the hell out of. Good luck the rest of the way

No. Region B will be Sussex unless they fall flat on their face. Furthermore unless they continue to have the 4 players that were in street clothes against Essex game 1 and play a phenomenal game, whoever comes out of the west will face Essex in Salem. IMO there really isn’t a lot of suspense on who will likely be playing in Salem. But I have been wrong more than right about football so what do I know……….

That was early and there were multiple players in and out due to dehydration and early season hitting. I don’t recall exactly about that specific player tbh but they were a very physical team. It was a toss up either way with or without those players but I will stick with what I said then in that I am hopeful for a rematch. I don’t know if it will turn out different but it will be some damn good football played by both.

Facts

Prayers for this young athlete.

The Riverheads/Christiansburg game was as good game as you will see. Lots to unpack but that is a damn good C’burg team I saw tonight. So if there are better teams playing in Region C and D I will tip my hat and gladly watch a helluva game. So I am clear, this Gladiator team may jot make it out of Region B but like most of the teams of the last 15 years, it’s a smidge easier the earlier in the season you get them. It was 21-7 at the half with the Blue Demons having the momentum. They didn’t score in the second half and that’s in itself is a statement.