2A Favorites and talk for 2019
- Thread starter Stabler1980
- Start date
Congratulations to all the teams who won state titles and runners up on a great 2018 season !
I actually think a lot of the same teams will be back steong. Even without Cam Allen, I think Graham should still be impressive. I think Radford will be back strong and Appo too. Union in Region D will be good. Tazewell could be the surprise team if they get the kinks worked out. I don't know much about what other regions have returning but a lot of those teams are in the mix year after year.
Region D. I assume Graham is easily the favorite. I've read on here Richlands loses a bit, Ridgeview loses a ton, and Union will be about the same, and that Graham may be as good or close to as good as they were for 2018. Graham may face the same problem or issue for 2019 as they had in 2018, and that is, game 1 is always against Bluefield, WV, and the Beavers are once again, for the 89th time in 90 years, loaded again and will probably be favored to beat Graham in the opener, and that immediately puts Graham in a difficult power points lag when compared to Region C.
Region C. Favorites are Appomattox and Radford. Got to watch Gretna. Giles will be better, and Glenvar will be tough again, but I think they lose 2 or 3 games next year and take a step back. Appomattox will be the favorite.
Region B. RE Lee as the favorite? I've read East Rock loses a ton and Central had a bunch of seniors. I guess Clarke will be better and maybe a team not in the mix the last 3 years but coming on like Buffalo Gap or Luray?
Region A. Got to figure Poqouson and Amelia? Poquoson lost a bunch of key seniors according to VaPreps, but they usually reload just like Goochland.. Goochland goes to 3A.
I think the favorite to win the state title game next year right now, going into next season will be the Region C winner vs Region D winner. Radford was young and certainly has a chance, but if I had to pick the two favorites coming into the season and what will likely be VaPreps number 1 and 2 ranked 2A teams, it's Appo and Graham, and game one of the season with Graham vs Bluefield may determine where an Appo vs Graham matchup is played in the state semi's. I still believe Radford could possibly get a W in Region C over Appo based on 1 key thing. Our offensive line had success against Appo's defensive line and our ability to run the ball. Give PJ another year of maturity and our offensive line could maybe, maybe beat them again in a grind it out type of game in the playoffs. We'll see. As for Graham, they return 8 starters on defense according to this board and their defense was as good as their offense this year. One final note and why not to count out Region D, if you look at Graham's playoff games, their toughest was Union and even though the Richlands score was lobsided, both of these 2 teams played them tougher than Radford and Goochland, so I would never sleep on Union. Union is always physical and if they have one of their typical big and physical offense and defensive lines, they are a problem for opponents.
Region C. Favorites are Appomattox and Radford. Got to watch Gretna. Giles will be better, and Glenvar will be tough again, but I think they lose 2 or 3 games next year and take a step back. Appomattox will be the favorite.
Region B. RE Lee as the favorite? I've read East Rock loses a ton and Central had a bunch of seniors. I guess Clarke will be better and maybe a team not in the mix the last 3 years but coming on like Buffalo Gap or Luray?
Region A. Got to figure Poqouson and Amelia? Poquoson lost a bunch of key seniors according to VaPreps, but they usually reload just like Goochland.. Goochland goes to 3A.
I think the favorite to win the state title game next year right now, going into next season will be the Region C winner vs Region D winner. Radford was young and certainly has a chance, but if I had to pick the two favorites coming into the season and what will likely be VaPreps number 1 and 2 ranked 2A teams, it's Appo and Graham, and game one of the season with Graham vs Bluefield may determine where an Appo vs Graham matchup is played in the state semi's. I still believe Radford could possibly get a W in Region C over Appo based on 1 key thing. Our offensive line had success against Appo's defensive line and our ability to run the ball. Give PJ another year of maturity and our offensive line could maybe, maybe beat them again in a grind it out type of game in the playoffs. We'll see. As for Graham, they return 8 starters on defense according to this board and their defense was as good as their offense this year. One final note and why not to count out Region D, if you look at Graham's playoff games, their toughest was Union and even though the Richlands score was lobsided, both of these 2 teams played them tougher than Radford and Goochland, so I would never sleep on Union. Union is always physical and if they have one of their typical big and physical offense and defensive lines, they are a problem for opponents.
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Region B will be a pickem. Lee lost their coach, Central lost their senior laden leadership, East Rock lost a ton as well, and Gap lost Rivenburg. Luray may have a shot or a very young Draft or Clarke team that gained tons of experience this year. Honestly it’s gonna be interesting to see who separates themselves since there is so much turnover.
Buckingham has 18 starters back and will be moving to Region B next year.
it will definitely be interesting, would like to see VHSL do a rotation on the regions in semi finals and finals , travel may play a roll in that ! I do believe the last time that was done was in 2016 appo and richlands played in the final ! I think appo should be strong and I do believe Buckingham will be better also , not sure about gretna thinking they may lose quite a bit , glenvar and radford should be there again , looking for graham to be back winning is contagious along with union and richlands will always be tough ! Ok is it time for gate city to come back to life with a new coach or are they still a few years away ?
In 2016 it wasnt rotating regions. It was just East and West, where top seed remaining from East vs lower west and vice versa
Central, Wilson, moves to 3a, and Buckingham and Stonewall move in 2B. I think REL (Staunton next year) will take a step back by loss of players and coach. Gap would look to without Rivenburg
If I had to say right now, and just speculation and just Region B, I would say Buckingham, Clatke, East Rockingham and Luray being in the top. Stuarts Draft should improve with all they have coming back. For 2nd half of season I think on the field for majority was 1 senior. And about 3 or so juniors. So majority were Sophomores and Freshmen.
Lee and Gap lose their best players, and Lee loses their coach. Wilson and Central moving up. Someone from north would have to comment on Strasburg, Madison, and Mason. I think I remember Marshall Dillon saying something about Madison being young.
Lee and Gap lose their best players, and Lee loses their coach. Wilson and Central moving up. Someone from north would have to comment on Strasburg, Madison, and Mason. I think I remember Marshall Dillon saying something about Madison being young.
I know Strasburg was young. They really only lose Kloosterman. But all other key pieces will be back along with some nice players coming up from JV. Graduate a bunch after next season
Bluefield loses quite a bit. I wouldn't favor them over Graham in that first game. If Graham had played Bluefield at the end of the season, it would have been a totally different game. Graham improved leaps and bounds from week 1 and that's a credit to the coaches. Graham returns 8 on a very good defense. I would put them right back in the mix next season.
Graham is reigning champ and with players coming back I can’t see how they aren’t the team to beat.
As it was said On here all season long , they are the champs , so now it’s there turn to defend that title ! Everyone will be coming for it !
Haven't heard what Gate City will have, bit I kind of hope GC stays down. I don't want to wish bad on a team, but I have some bad memories of Gate City from my days and that's probably what caused my arthritis in my hips! GC has been rough when they leave Western VA and those boys play not to compete or be there, but to win it. With GCs history, I just can't see them being down for long, especially with the hiring of Jeremy Houseright. He's the brother of former VT star Jake Houseright.
Stabler, you will see Graham in the mix for many years. They were good since the 1950s up until about 2004 when their Coach, Coach Carlock passed away. They went through a series of 2 coaches and weren't the same. The guy they have now in his third year has support of the town and players and they are back to old form. He gets players out of the hallways and onto the field and they've always had talent. They have 4 titles, but played 3A or Div 3 for a couple of decades while winning two titles at the 3A level when they should have been 2A and they would have still been one of the smaller 2A schools. If playing 2A for all of those years, they would probably have 1 or 2 more titles. I know this because I worked in Bluefield on the railroad for years. Even at 3A and playing up, they had a bunch of state semis appearances and even another state championship appearance. What I'm saying is, now that they are 2A where they belong and they have the Coach that gets kids out to play and they've finally recovered from the loss of their legendary coach, expect them to be in the mix year in and out. And when they come East historically, they often do well. I know Appo is the real deal and they will be good next year and lights out in 2020 with the current freshmen and sophomore classes, but Graham will propose a problem as they will equally have athletes and great size on the lines year in and year out. If you think Graham is a one year fly by night or flash in the pan occurrence, it's a faulty assumption.
Oh I know fair! The first time I saw graham play was I am guessing around 1994 at Rustburg and then agin against Rustburg at Bluefield in a game when the field was covered with snow and packed down with water to slow the Red Devils down and it worked ! Do you recall that and correct me if I M wrong on the years !could have been 1992
Yes. Graham CHOSE TO play up to AA despite having A numbers. When the new system came along, they chose to play up to 3A despite having 2A numbers, very low 2A numbers. I agree that Graham would have at least a couple more state titles had they played in the classification that they belonged in. They played up for over 30 years.
With the off-season workouts proposed for WRs/ QB/ Lineman, Appo will have a much more balanced attack next year offensively. QB did a great job as 1st year QB in a sophisticated offense. Passing game is going to be greatly improved. Without will have better understanding of routes and hopefully lineman will have better knowledge of blocking rules for the Veer.
But as stated on here already, Graham is the new Champ and team to beat.
But as stated on here already, Graham is the new Champ and team to beat.
King William returns all of their skill guys, but do lose 4 starting linemen. They will however bring up a jv team that went undefeated this year while only allowing 7 points all season. Had victories over teams such as Essex, Goochland, Washington and Lee, West Point among them. Plus their jv team next year will have a lot of the 12u youth team that is going to California this week to compete in Nationals and only have 3 losses in 6 years. They have a solid group of kids behind them in the ranks as well and should be competing on a state level for the foreseeable future.
That is awesome! It’s always good to see the programs building and competing at a high level
I think I only saw 4 high school games this season and no playoff games for first time in 24 years.
With 2019 being an odd numbered year I expect Marion to be much better next year.
I love their nickname, the Scarlett Hurricane.
Just from the alignment:
Moving Down: Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall.
Moving Up: Stonewall Jackson
Moving Out: Central Woodstock, Goochland, George Mason, Wilson
You could make that exact same statement about Richlands. We played up for years, losing two state titles abs winning a third in a classification that was above our enrollment. But we chose to play that way and you can’t change the past lol.
Buckingham will return pretty much the entire team for the next 2 years and have some very good freshman coming up. Also there were a handful of players lost to injury that the will also get back including our stud sophomore Qb who has battled injury the last two seasons. He had successful acl surgery and should be good to go. Very excited about my Knights the next 2 years.
Union will be talented, but very young next year. Will also have a tough schedule the first 5 games. Graham and Richlands for sure. Depending on the final schedule 2-3A schools or 1-3A and 1-4A in those first 5 too.
Might be a learning curve early for the young Bears.
Might be a learning curve early for the young Bears.
I had Patrick written and then I had another team in mind. Alleghany wasnt sure of. Windsor is listed in 2a
No medical issue, I have gradually lost interest the past 2 or 3 seasons.
