Since aimhighveteran made the thread about the Seminole, I thought that I'd make one for the Piedmont. I have ranked each team according to how I think they finish:
1. Magna Vista. I put them #1 because they are the defending Piedmont District champs. They return A LOT next year. Akira Greenfield, Chris Scales , CJ Hughes, and a host of other VERY young but skilled players. Remember, yes they got blown out by Staunton River in the playoffs but A LOT of freshman and sophomores played in that playoff game. They lost one coach and could lose another to Northside, but Favero will have the boys from Ridgeway ready. They will be the favorites to win 3a.
2. GW Danville. Very disappointing season last year. The Eagles were very young and had one of the best JV teams in the state. Will that experience and talent transfer over to next year and varsity?? GW faithfuls like myself can only pray and hope. GW returns 3 year starter Sam Branch at QB and have a backup in highly touted rising junior Carlos Poole (6'4 dual threat). Forrest has graduated but rising sophomore Wesley Graves (5'10 200) will be the go to back. I've heard comparisons of Keeta Covington, I've heard David Wilson...Huge shoes to fill for a 15 year old young man. The lines will be experienced and very strong and fast. Carl Poole Jr., Devontae Ballard and Zy Gunter will be anchors of the defense. Danville residents has waited a long time (1982 to be exact) for this program to win the big game...This year they have the team to do it. LCA, Amherst and JF on that schedule plus MV and Franklin County. Could be their year.
3. Franklin County. This team can very well finish #1. They have some big boys on the lines and speed. Caleb Smith is the BEST athlete in the Piedmont District. They'll get Salem, GW, and MV so we will know if they are for real! I am rooting for Coach Edwards and this team (except when they play the GW Eagles lol!!). He is a great coach and is turning this program around for the best. They should be a 6a playoff team pending injuries.
4. Tunstall. Coach David Potts is silently but surely making this program a contender for 3a. They will have a huge line led by 6'4 240 Jalen Moore. Trevor Lovelace IMO is the second best RB in the district behind Scales. Rising junior Tony Johnson will be one of the best defensive players in the Piedmont. Solid/head hunter safety. Needs to be a little more consistent, but WATCH OUT! I am begging Coach to find us a QB. Tunstall's downfall has been solid QB play. In a district with fast defensives like MV, Martinsville and GW, it is essential to have a mobile QB to keep the defense honest. They are physical up front and Potts has established a respectable defensive team. GW has had a tough time scoring on this team since 2013 and Tunstall has been able to compete with MV. Potts is installing a solid program. Look for the Trojans to be a 6-7 win team and make the 3a playoffs.
5. Martinsville BULLDAWGS. Coach Martin lead this team to the playoffs last year and they will be back next year. They return VERY VERY DANGEROUS TJ Pettway but they do lose Aaron Martin and Zanthus Hairston. They will be competitive and could be very dangerous in the 2a playoffs.
6. Bassett. Coach Johnson WILL get the Bengals over the hump. I doubt they compete for the playoffs this year but don't expect a blowout when you line up against the Bengals. This could be a state contender in the next 4-5 years. I DON'T DOUBT IT!
7.Patrick County. Gotta love what they're doing in Stuart. They don't back down nor do they give up. They are learning how to win in basketball and football. Coach Jones has done an amazing job. Patience, patience, patience.
8. Halifax County. DO BETTER HCPS!!!!! Give these kids a young, passionate coach. This is a county with 1 high school and has serious talent! These kids deserve better. I expect a 1 to no win season. They have some great kids in Halifax and I am praying that they can get that program changed around for the good.
1. Magna Vista. I put them #1 because they are the defending Piedmont District champs. They return A LOT next year. Akira Greenfield, Chris Scales , CJ Hughes, and a host of other VERY young but skilled players. Remember, yes they got blown out by Staunton River in the playoffs but A LOT of freshman and sophomores played in that playoff game. They lost one coach and could lose another to Northside, but Favero will have the boys from Ridgeway ready. They will be the favorites to win 3a.
2. GW Danville. Very disappointing season last year. The Eagles were very young and had one of the best JV teams in the state. Will that experience and talent transfer over to next year and varsity?? GW faithfuls like myself can only pray and hope. GW returns 3 year starter Sam Branch at QB and have a backup in highly touted rising junior Carlos Poole (6'4 dual threat). Forrest has graduated but rising sophomore Wesley Graves (5'10 200) will be the go to back. I've heard comparisons of Keeta Covington, I've heard David Wilson...Huge shoes to fill for a 15 year old young man. The lines will be experienced and very strong and fast. Carl Poole Jr., Devontae Ballard and Zy Gunter will be anchors of the defense. Danville residents has waited a long time (1982 to be exact) for this program to win the big game...This year they have the team to do it. LCA, Amherst and JF on that schedule plus MV and Franklin County. Could be their year.
3. Franklin County. This team can very well finish #1. They have some big boys on the lines and speed. Caleb Smith is the BEST athlete in the Piedmont District. They'll get Salem, GW, and MV so we will know if they are for real! I am rooting for Coach Edwards and this team (except when they play the GW Eagles lol!!). He is a great coach and is turning this program around for the best. They should be a 6a playoff team pending injuries.
4. Tunstall. Coach David Potts is silently but surely making this program a contender for 3a. They will have a huge line led by 6'4 240 Jalen Moore. Trevor Lovelace IMO is the second best RB in the district behind Scales. Rising junior Tony Johnson will be one of the best defensive players in the Piedmont. Solid/head hunter safety. Needs to be a little more consistent, but WATCH OUT! I am begging Coach to find us a QB. Tunstall's downfall has been solid QB play. In a district with fast defensives like MV, Martinsville and GW, it is essential to have a mobile QB to keep the defense honest. They are physical up front and Potts has established a respectable defensive team. GW has had a tough time scoring on this team since 2013 and Tunstall has been able to compete with MV. Potts is installing a solid program. Look for the Trojans to be a 6-7 win team and make the 3a playoffs.
5. Martinsville BULLDAWGS. Coach Martin lead this team to the playoffs last year and they will be back next year. They return VERY VERY DANGEROUS TJ Pettway but they do lose Aaron Martin and Zanthus Hairston. They will be competitive and could be very dangerous in the 2a playoffs.
6. Bassett. Coach Johnson WILL get the Bengals over the hump. I doubt they compete for the playoffs this year but don't expect a blowout when you line up against the Bengals. This could be a state contender in the next 4-5 years. I DON'T DOUBT IT!
7.Patrick County. Gotta love what they're doing in Stuart. They don't back down nor do they give up. They are learning how to win in basketball and football. Coach Jones has done an amazing job. Patience, patience, patience.
8. Halifax County. DO BETTER HCPS!!!!! Give these kids a young, passionate coach. This is a county with 1 high school and has serious talent! These kids deserve better. I expect a 1 to no win season. They have some great kids in Halifax and I am praying that they can get that program changed around for the good.
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