5A in the East

[GilliamRatings]

Frankly, when the new alignment happened three years ago, I knew that 5A in the East was weak (funny after they had dominated D5 in old system), but I don't think so any longer. The sub region pod down there could have Salem, Indian River, Hampton and Norview in their final four.

That would be a great couple of games and the winner will definitely be capable of beating (even if not a favorite to beat) Bird, Highland Springs, Hermitage or Henrico (who should give us and exciting final four in Richmond area).

I am feeling a little less strongly about 5A North, though I think Broad Run and Tuscarora can play with anyone in the state, it feels like a drop off after that.

I am getting so stoked for the 5A playoffs.

 

[CRF4Dan]

5A playoffs could be the wildest and hard fought the state has seen in recent memory... You also here in the Richmond Region could have teams like Lee-Davis, Freeman and Matoaca that are teams that could have a say who reaches that final four.

 

[Springers1976]

5A playoffs could be the wildest and hard fought the state has seen in recent memory... You also here in the Richmond Region could have teams like Lee-Davis, Freeman and Matoaca that are teams that could have a say who reaches that final four.

It's really going to be fun!! In the next 4-5 weeks, it will seem like the playoffs for Highland Springs, Atlee, Lee Davis and Henrico. Throw in Hanover (D4) too! We all play each other before the actual playoff starts. Hanover might just make some major noise in the D4 playoffs.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead_rivals]

It's really going to be fun!! In the next 4-5 weeks, it will seem like the playoffs for Highland Springs, Atlee, Lee Davis and Henrico. Throw in Hanover (D4) too! We all play each other before the actual playoff starts. Hanover might just make some major noise in the D4 playoffs.

Haven't seen your Springers play in person yet but for what I've seen from Bird, I have you guys as my favorites to win it all this year. Bird's defense is second to none but their offense isn't the best to say the least. I think you guys have the skill players to beat anyone in the state! I'm very impressed.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

It's really going to be fun!! In the next 4-5 weeks, it will seem like the playoffs for Highland Springs, Atlee, Lee Davis and Henrico. Throw in Hanover (D4) too! We all play each other before the actual playoff starts. Hanover might just make some major noise in the D4 playoffs.

Hanover, only if Cheatham can return. Without him, they are only good, not exceptional. I've seen them with and without this year. Big difference.

 

[VaPrepsRod]

Haven't seen your Springers play in person yet but for what I've seen from Bird, I have you guys as my favorites to win it all this year. Bird's defense is second to none but their offense isn't the best to say the least. I think you guys have the skill players to beat anyone in the state! I'm very impressed.

Can you detail out the problems with Bird's offense?

 

[anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b]

I'm still taking Bird to four-peat until they show otherwise. Their defense is crazy good, it will take them far no matter what. From what I've heard their issues are with the offensive line.

 

[VaPrepsRod]

I'm still taking Bird to four-peat until they show otherwise. Their defense is crazy good, it will take them far no matter what. From what I've heard their issues are with the offensive line.

Meadowbrook 31-0
Thomas Dale 35-7
Midlothian 67-0
Manchester 35-0

What are their "issues"? They don't score on EVERY play?

 

[DanvilleSportsHead_rivals]

Can you detail out the problems with Bird's offense?

Of course. To start off, Jalen Elliot and JB Wright are very good in Bird's running game. Bird also likes to run their big 6'3 linebacker (not sure what his name is) and that kid is tough. Bird's offensive line was also pretty good from what I saw. To the negative aspect, Elliot isn't a very good QB. I watched him last year against Lake Taylor and I seen him play Dale a few weeks ago and let's just say he's definitely going to Notre Dame for defense. Elliot made a lot of bad decisions on offense and over and under threw his receivers in both games I've seen this year and luckily the teams I saw (Manchester who start 8+ lowerclassman and Dale who's QB was no threat at all and Bird's defense had a clinic on him) were just out maned. I also give consideration that Dale's defense is pretty daggone good and if they hadn't turned it over on offense 6+ times, the margin of victory would've been much closer. Not saying that Bird's offense is horrible, but it's definitely not their strong point...Their defense has been EXTREMELY good and has put their offense in some great situations.

 

[VaPrepsRod]

Of course. To start off, Jalen Elliot and JB Wright are very good in Bird's running game. Bird also likes to run their big 6'3 linebacker (not sure what his name is) and that kid is tough. Bird's offensive line was also pretty good from what I saw. To the negative aspect, Elliot isn't a very good QB. I watched him last year against Lake Taylor and I seen him play Dale a few weeks ago and let's just say he's definitely going to Notre Dame for defense. Elliot made a lot of bad decisions on offense and over and under threw his receivers in both games I've seen this year and luckily the teams I saw (Manchester who start 8+ lowerclassman and Dale who's QB was no threat at all and Bird's defense had a clinic on him) were just out maned. I also give consideration that Dale's defense is pretty daggone good and if they hadn't turned it over on offense 6+ times, the margin of victory would've been much closer. Not saying that Bird's offense is horrible, but it's definitely not their strong point...Their defense has been EXTREMELY good and has put their offense in some great situations.

Thanks. I found that much more reasoned and well-thought out than your original take.

Nice job!

 

[anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b]

Meadowbrook 31-0
Thomas Dale 35-7
Midlothian 67-0
Manchester 35-0

What are their "issues"? They don't score on EVERY play?

They aren't quite as potent as I thought they would be compared to last season, and I believe the MBK or TD game they had a few defensive TDs. Defense might its best its ever been though, so it won't matter.

 

[anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b]

Of course. To start off, Jalen Elliot and JB Wright are very good in Bird's running game. Bird also likes to run their big 6'3 linebacker (not sure what his name is) and that kid is tough. Bird's offensive line was also pretty good from what I saw. To the negative aspect, Elliot isn't a very good QB. I watched him last year against Lake Taylor and I seen him play Dale a few weeks ago and let's just say he's definitely going to Notre Dame for defense. Elliot made a lot of bad decisions on offense and over and under threw his receivers in both games I've seen this year and luckily the teams I saw (Manchester who start 8+ lowerclassman and Dale who's QB was no threat at all and Bird's defense had a clinic on him) were just out maned. I also give consideration that Dale's defense is pretty daggone good and if they hadn't turned it over on offense 6+ times, the margin of victory would've been much closer. Not saying that Bird's offense is horrible, but it's definitely not their strong point...Their defense has been EXTREMELY good and has put their offense in some great situations.

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I haven't seen the Springers, but I have seen Bird. I'm sorry, unless they are beset by a rash of injuries to key players, they will be 15-0. Sorry Springer76. I'm not saying I'm not rooting for you, it just that Bird is just that damn good. I stand by what I've said all season, this is the best Bird team I've personally seen.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead_rivals]

I haven't seen the Springers, but I have seen Bird. I'm sorry, unless they are beset by a rash of injuries to key players, they will be 15-0. Sorry Springer76. I'm not saying I'm not rooting for you, it just that Bird is just that damn good. I stand by what I've said all season, this is the best Bird team I've personally seen.

DP, what do you think of Bird's offense? Maybe you've seen them more than me? I've familiar with Highland Springs' offense and they have some studs in Pootie Carter, K'von Wallace, DJ Anderson, and Greg Dortch. SPEED, SPEED, AND MORE SPEED. You have to throw in Hermitage too.

 

[GilliamRatings]

I haven't seen Bird play, but just listening on the radio but I do feel like the offense isn't clicking quite as well as last year, mainly they seem to be struggling with the passing game. However, Elliott was really completing a lot of passes last year, and fans of Bird would hope he'll be back in that form by post season.

Still, I would have told you going into Friday I didn't see anyone beating them this year (if you got me to be more honest than diplomatic), but I was a little surprised they had so much "trouble" scoring on Clover Hill (I know 36-0 with a running clock isn't a bad outing, but Clover Hill is the kind of team they would have dispatched 63-0 the last two years). I'd like to see Elliott have a good passing night in a game against a good team, and I'd feel a lot better about them.

In short, if I thought Bird was a shoe in I wouldn't be excited about the playoffs. I think they can be beat, but in order to do it, you've got to figure out how to score on them and that will be tough. Don't drop passes against them, don't take sacks, don't turn the ball over. You've got to make every opportunity count, because I don't think you will get tons. I can definitely see several teams beating them, but I'm thinking you beat them 21-14 or 14-7, not 42-35. In past seasons somebody has shut their offense down at some point in the playoffs, but their defense has been up to the challenge (7-3 over Salem, 14-10 over Ocean Lakes).

Still when the playoffs come, give me a team that can play defense and convert 3rd and 3 on the ground against just about anyone. I like a team like that's chances.

 

[GilliamRatings]

Everyone knows I root for Bird, but if not Bird I'd love to see the Springers get one. The program has been so good for so long. They deserve it. Hermitage deserves one, too, by the way. I have a lot of respect for both programs and have gone to see them play many times when I didn't have a dog in the fight just because they're that good.

 

[one man]

Still when the playoffs come, give me a team that can play defense and convert 3rd and 3 on the ground against just about anyone. I like a team like that's chances.

This is brilliant. My type of football mind right there.