Best place

France24

Redshirt
Nov 13, 2012
14
0
0
I am french and a football head coach for an amateur team, I will be in vacations in september in Virginia.
I am looking to see a high school game, what is the best place to see a great game ?

This post was edited on 6/9 5:23 PM by France24
 

leftovers2005

Redshirt
Nov 7, 2009
1,269
9
0
Best place? Salem Stadium.
Great game? 3A State Champ Northside at 4A semi-finalist Salem.
Should have 10,000 in attendance.
Last 6 meetings have been won by 7 points or less.
 

falcettik

Senior
Nov 3, 2004
1,900
872
113
That also depends on what part of the state you are going to be in and when. The game mentioned by leftovers2015 will certainly be entertaining. Virginia has 6 classifications and teams are generally centered around 3 major points in the state: Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Loudon, and Prince William counties), Richmond, and the Tidewater (Virginia Beach/Norfolk) areas. The bigger schools (6A and 5A) almost all play in those three areas.
 

WP02alum

All-Conference
Nov 22, 2009
2,089
1,555
73
I imagine dude might not be around Roanoke/Salem if he's visiting from France...
 

WP02alum

All-Conference
Nov 22, 2009
2,089
1,555
73
France24, where are you spending vacation? Virginia is pretty large & we can probably guide you to a game near where you're staying.
 

DinwiddieProud

All-American
Dec 9, 2013
9,490
7,940
93
France, it would be helpful if you let these guys know what Fridays in September you will be in Virginia.

What games would you guys send him to if he is visiting DC, or Williamsburg, or Va Beach, or maybe the Charlottesville area? Dates he is visiting are critical to know.

You know, you may have a tendency to steer him to a 4a, 5a or 6a game. But, don't overlook some of the killer match-ups in the lower divisions.

I've got to admit, Salem Stadium with a crowd of 10k would be pretty darn exciting.
 

WP02alum

All-Conference
Nov 22, 2009
2,089
1,555
73
Originally posted by DinwiddieProud:
I've got to admit, Salem Stadium with a crowd of 10k would be pretty darn exciting.
Agreed. I've seen some great games in 1A/2A land too. Just doubtful he's going to be in the Roanoke area if he's a tourist.

This post was edited on 6/12 9:17 AM by WP02alum
 

DinwiddieProud

All-American
Dec 9, 2013
9,490
7,940
93
I hope he will reply, I'm curious about his plans. Also, I'm curious about football in France? I've got to believe this is very uncommon over there.
 

DinwiddieProud

All-American
Dec 9, 2013
9,490
7,940
93
Yeah, not a knock on the Roanoke area at all. I would think that someone visiting from overseas would be attracted to the better known sites around the Commonwealth. I hope he will reply, I'm curious about his plans. Also, I'm curious about football in France? I've got to believe this is very uncommon over there.
 

leftovers2005

Redshirt
Nov 7, 2009
1,269
9
0
He's from France. When he says football he could be talking about the sport with the little round ball they try to kick in the goal.
 

SpartanOfYore

All-Conference
Sep 15, 2009
1,995
1,261
0
That occurred to me, also. And, perhaps I've grown too troll-wary over the years, but it could also be possible that someone's just messin' with us. Hopefully, he's legit.

As far as the "why would he go near Roanoke?" talk - you never know what might pique people's interests. If the poster is legit, maybe they have it in mind to rent a car and just tool around the state, along with hitting the guidebook highlights. The only travelling I've ever done is two trips to Scotland. On both ocasions, I rented a car, and drove through and to a lot of obscure, out-of-the-way places that many Scots had probably never heard of.

To the OP: if you do come to Virginia and find yourself in the Roanoke Valley, the spectacle that is the Salem duck pond at twilight in autumn is simply not to be missed. I'm sure leftovers can attest.
 

SpartanOfYore

All-Conference
Sep 15, 2009
1,995
1,261
0
Vive les Spartans!

I don't know about our French friend, but you got me stoked for it!

Not at all to say that all the other games are givens (we all know better), but this contest should be the biggest stumbling block both teams face on the path to 10-0. If France24 is anywhere in the vicinity, he can't go wrong with this one.
This post was edited on 6/13 2:29 AM by SpartanOfYore
 

France24

Redshirt
Nov 13, 2012
14
0
0
Hi guys,

Sorry for the delay. The date for the game is 26th september and anyway in Virginia.

I am head coach for a football team (www.gj57.fr). We have 4 differents levels and in the best level we have ex-fbs players (for example : marc verica from cavaliers).

It's for a football trip with a friend, 12 days, 5 nfl game, 2 FBS games and 2 high school games, we will do 6 000 miles.
This post was edited on 6/17 3:00 AM by France24
 

DinwiddieProud

All-American
Dec 9, 2013
9,490
7,940
93
Hey France. I think everybody on this forum would enjoy knowing about your team, and football played in France. If you could post some details here it would be greatly appreciated.
 

France24

Redshirt
Nov 13, 2012
14
0
0
4 levels :

Division 1 : 8 teams, 2 ex-fbs or ex-fcs players by team
Ex-fbs players are paid around 1000$ by month on 6 months, season from february until june
The last wille be in second divsion the next season

Divisision 2 : 16 teams in 2 conferences, season from february until june
The best team will be in first division the next season and the last in third

Division 3 : 50 teams, 5 teams by pool, first team by pool in playoff
Season from october until june
My team was first of his pool in 2011, 2012 & 2013 but it was difficult in playoff :-(

Division 4 : all others teams (100 teams)

We have too "junior" team (16-20 years) and "cadet" team (13-16 years).

We are 12 000 players, coaches and officials in France
 

SpartanOfYore

All-Conference
Sep 15, 2009
1,995
1,261
0
That sounds like a great trip. I hope you and your friend enjoy the Old Dominion, and have safe travels.

As far as games in the Roanoke area go, unfortunately, there aren't many great choices on September 26. The Northside versus Salem game that leftovers2005 recommended should be the best game in the area all year, but it's on September 19. At this point, the three best teams in the Roanoke metropolitan area look to be Salem, Northside, and Patrick Henry. Northside and Patrick Henry will be both playing out-of-town on the 26th. Salem will be playing in town, at Cave Spring Middle School, against Cave Spring High. That could end up being a competitive game, but as of now, it looks more likely not to be. Salem should be among the top eight or so teams in its classification this season, so you'd at least get to see what is expected to be a high quality team. The venue at Cave Spring Middle School is decent, but not great.

If you want to see a really good high school stadium at an on-campus site, a good choice might be the game between William Byrd and William Fleming at William Fleming High School. The stadium is less than five years old, and very nice. Neither of those two teams are likely to be strong contenders this season, but it should be a competitive, evenly-matched contest.

Again, I hope you have a fun, safe Virginia football experience. And, my apologies for thinking you might be a troll (one just never knows....).

Verica was a pretty good player on not-so-good teams at Virginia. I hope he does well for you!
This post was edited on 6/17 1:30 PM by SpartanOfYore
 

leftovers2005

Redshirt
Nov 7, 2009
1,269
9
0
Ou un Spartiate apprend-il Francais?.....Et j'ai pense que j'utiliserais jamais cette traduction app.
This post was edited on 6/17 1:38 PM by leftovers2005
 

SpartanOfYore

All-Conference
Sep 15, 2009
1,995
1,261
0
Okay, I'll take a crack at what you wrote, using only the French learned (and hardly ever used since) thirty-some years ago in college:

"Where a Spartan understands French?.....And I thought that I'd never use this translation app."

Anywhere close?

Edit: No, wait! The first part is "Where did Spartan take French?" N'est-ce pas?
This post was edited on 6/17 6:04 PM by SpartanOfYore
 

leftovers2005

Redshirt
Nov 7, 2009
1,269
9
0
Wow. Very good. First part was "where does a Spartan learn French" You hit the 2nd part on the head at least according to my iphone app
 

SpartanOfYore

All-Conference
Sep 15, 2009
1,995
1,261
0
All credit to Messrs. St. Onge and Cloutier at W&M. I got to where I could read and write pretty well, but even back then if I heard an authentic French person speak French, I was like, "Quoi?"
 

DinwiddieProud

All-American
Dec 9, 2013
9,490
7,940
93
I see where Centreville plays at West Springfield on Sept. 26. I think we can be sure Centreville will be a powerhouse again, but I doubt that W. Springfield will be much competition. But, if France wants to see an exhibition of well played football, this game may be one to consider. And, this may be more relevant if his travels puts him up that way.
 

shauntclair

Senior
Oct 19, 2008
8,304
623
0
I looked at your schedule and it's ambitious but fun. I hope you enjoy your stay. I see you have some FBS games on your schedule. If it's in Virginia, definitely try the Virginia Tech game on September 27th. It's their homecoming against Western Michigan. Not the best opponent but a good demonstration of FBS Football at a very loud and sold out Lane Stadium. The experience alone will be worth the trip. UVA plays Kent State that same weekend but it will not come close to the atmosphere at Lane.

If either of these games is attended, a Friday HS game in the Roanoke area is strongly suggested. All very close to either University for an easy Saturday ride to either VT or UVA. Amherst, Northside, Salem and Brookville are all can't miss quality games. The HS schedules are posted in early July at www.vhsl.org. If you become torn with a final decision in the Roanoke area, post it on the board and go with "Wiki's" choice. She knows her stuff.

GL and enjoy your trip. So much variety in VA HS football, from offense to defense. Plenty to observe.Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go watch France kick Switzerland's butt again in an actual futball game. Viva la' France!
 

DinwiddieProud

All-American
Dec 9, 2013
9,490
7,940
93
You are in heaven right now, aren't you? Enjoy the World Cup, get it out the way, then it will be about time for some real football!

Keep your head down old friend. Seems like every time I turn on the Weather Channel, Missouri is in some type of watch box for severe weather. Stay safe.
 

France24

Redshirt
Nov 13, 2012
14
0
0
Ok I will wait for the high school game, maybe centreville, I will look mid september.

And for satuday game for the college part I have a lot of choices :
-virginia kent state (but I know the stadium)
-VT against W. michigan
- Navy against W kentucky (I want to see navy one time in my life)
- North carolina state - florida state

But I should be in Pittsburgh the next day for the nfl game :-(
 

shauntclair

Senior
Oct 19, 2008
8,304
623
0
It seemed you were VA based but if you're moving that quickly and far, it's NC vs Florida State. Centreville will never be a bad choice. They play some hard nosed ball.

A Steeler game is never a loser from a fan's perspective. Three Rivers is an incredible place to see a game. Bon Chance.
 

France24

Redshirt
Nov 13, 2012
14
0
0
Hi guys, you can see my trip on my blog, in tbe end I was not in Virginia :-(

http://3gjauxstates.over-blog.com/