Early Yadkin Valley Conference predictions

RD28327

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Aug 12, 2003
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Yadkin Valley Conference 2017 predictions

1) North Rowan
2) West Montgomery
3) North Stanly
4) North Moore
5) South Stanly
6) Chatham Central
7) Albemarle
8) South Davidson

The more things change, the more some things stay the same. East Montgomery moves up to 2A and leaves the conference. North Rowan drops from 2A and rejoins the conference. Other than a battle for the conference title between the Cavaliers and Warriors, the finish from third place down stays the same.

I've got to give North Rowan the top spot over West Montgomery because the Cavaliers have played tougher schedules the past four seasons. I'm not sure how the head coaching change will affect West, but hopefully, the Warriors will still stay competitive.

After that, it's the same ol' song and dance from third place on down. Will North Stanly play "spoiler" in the conference? Seems like North Moore will be in "rebuilding mode" after losing a bunch of seniors. But, will the Mustangs be competitive and stay in the top tier of the league or fall into the lower half of the conference?

Can South Stanly or Chatham Central escape the lower tier of the conference? I think the Bears will be improved. But, how much?

Finally, is there any hope of Albemarle ever returning to its "glory days" or, at least be competitive? And, will South Davidson even field a team next season?
 
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fitguync30

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May 28, 2003
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What is wrong at South Davidson and why can't they ever field even a remotely competitive team? Their ADM numbers show 430- close to 500 students the last several years. You would think they could find 20-25 guys that would make them at least a little competitive.
 
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Nov 28, 2009
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It is hard to get respect when You are close to the bottom for a couple years. Believe Me these West Montgomery, North Rowan games will not be like the good not so long ago when Albemarle and North Rowan had solid games. I pull for West in the playoffs but until Albemarle gets in the mix, it isn't the same Conference
 

Slasher Killer

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Sep 23, 2010
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My few cents:


1 and 2 are spot on pretty much just might change them around perhaps; just perhaps. Loosing East Mont was the worst thing for this conference because it made it overall less intresting. It'll be the same two teams all 4 years more than likely. North Rowan this go round is much better and will be able to contribute to the conference this time unlike 2009-2011. West is West; but if the other site is right with their big rumor about their coaching situation how will that fare for West?

3-4 are also right. NM's going to be down a little this year but as long as coach Vogt's there they will always play very hard and will be in the mix. NS is always athletic but can they be funadamentally solid to make a run?

South Stanly's right too. They had a better than average JV squad last year going 6-4. They beat split with West Stanly in their 2 matchups and only loosing by 2 the second time. in another season or two they could be up in 3-4 if they have enough kids come up and play solidly.

As for the rest I'd rank them the cellar. CC and Alby have chances to do much better. Alby's young still but a year of experience and lifting will help. They can maybe get 5th or 6th perhaps if things go perfect but they still got a little ways to go to get back to the teams of old. Same for CC too; I like their new coach. He's dedicated to that school that's what a down and out school needs.

As for South they had enough kids last year if you wanna be technical about it but the HC was die hard to field a JV team and that made it too rough by the later part of the year. They did get a W over North Stokes so it wasn't a total loss. This year they will be a year older and hopefully will actually play this year. They got a competive non con schedule too with Atkins and Highland Tech on it so they got a chance to get some wins this year.
 

RD28327

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I find it bizarre that North Moore drops my alma mater, Union Pines (or vice versa) after 52 years, then Albemarle, for no rhyme or reason appears on the Union Pines schedule. I grew up on Vikings versus Mustangs, and there were some years NM had the upper hand over UP (last NM win over UP was 2005 and I think Cam Thomas was a senior).
 

ThrowItAround

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Jan 14, 2012
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Albemarle will be better than 7th, might even end up 5th. They still have talent, just not as much as five or six years ago. They were very young last year, they have a good coach, much improved this year I think.
 
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Slasher Killer

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Dang Slash,

You are forever posting great reviews, I love baseball and I am glad I can watch it everyday, but you make me long for football.

Keep it up!


Thank you! :).

That made my day right there; I just had a few min to kill before some yardwork so I figured what the heck? It's getting closer... I'll have more of these this year.

That's 1 thing I know for sure lol.
 
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Buddy Rich

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May 24, 2005
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I don't have a clue what to expect from Albemarle this year..I do believe last year was as bad as it can get..I think Mason is a good coach..He just needs time...Our biggest need is improved line play..We shall see.........
 

ThrowItAround

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Jan 14, 2012
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I don't have a clue what to expect from Albemarle this year..I do believe last year was as bad as it can get..I think Mason is a good coach..He just needs time...Our biggest need is improved line play..We shall see.........

A year of experience and lifting will go a long way for all those young kids they had last year.
 

sway1532

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Aug 15, 2011
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Atkins to WM....go figure o_O, but the show must go on....

Top 3 are solid. As for the rest of the pop warner teams, Albemarle may come in 5th. They have a new OC so we'll see something new, but they will still have to find someone to stich up that god awful defense...

Win/lose/or tie, I'm gon ride with Albemarle...but man has that school hit rock bottom.

Go Dogs :(

SN: I hope nobody wins a SC in the Yadkin Valley Conf

#Got5 ?????
 

Wow71

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Jul 4, 2015
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What is wrong at South Davidson and why can't they ever field even a remotely competitive team? Their ADM numbers show 430- close to 500 students the last several years. You would think they could find 20-25 guys that would make them at least a little competitive.

#1 Never been a football school but that could change.
#2 Too much turnover at the HC job. They need to get someone there that will put in a good system, work the hallways, build relationships with the kids and be willing to take it on the chin for a few seasons until it clicks and the numbers go back up.
#3 Lack of speed/athletes. No speed burners, but they have some Big Ol Boys down there that can play smash mouth football and the current system may be the ticket to the future.
#4 Kids would rather hunt, fish, four wheel, and work than play football. Lake life!

2011 and 2012 they had both squads and the Varisty was 95% 11/12 graders with 22-25 on JV and Varsity. They have a few experienced coaches that know football, an outstanding boosters club and excellent facilities for a 1A school. Maybe this new coach will have that break out season soon.
 

ThrowItAround

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Jan 14, 2012
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#1 Never been a football school but that could change.
#2 Too much turnover at the HC job. They need to get someone there that will put in a good system, work the hallways, build relationships with the kids and be willing to take it on the chin for a few seasons until it clicks and the numbers go back up.
#3 Lack of speed/athletes. No speed burners, but they have some Big Ol Boys down there that can play smash mouth football and the current system may be the ticket to the future.
#4 Kids would rather hunt, fish, four wheel, and work than play football. Lake life!

2011 and 2012 they had both squads and the Varisty was 95% 11/12 graders with 22-25 on JV and Varsity. They have a few experienced coaches that know football, an outstanding boosters club and excellent facilities for a 1A school. Maybe this new coach will have that break out season soon.

The Head Coach is a good one IMO, and yes they have experienced assistant coaches. I think committing to the JV program last year was the right thing to do. You made an excellent point that many of the kids would rather hunt, fish, and four wheel than play football. This is true at other schools also. Hopefully those young kids have been in the weight room and will come to summer workouts, if so, they have a chance to be more competitive this coming season.
 

egfan

All-Conference
Jul 22, 2003
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The Head Coach is a good one IMO, and yes they have experienced assistant coaches. I think committing to the JV program last year was the right thing to do. You made an excellent point that many of the kids would rather hunt, fish, and four wheel than play football. This is true at other schools also. Hopefully those young kids have been in the weight room and will come to summer workouts, if so, they have a chance to be more competitive this coming season.
I agree. He had the same struggles when he was at East Gaston (low numbers, not a lot of size or speed). I think he is a better coach than his record indicates. One of those guys you would like to see get a chance at a school with football talent, to see what he could really do.
 
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