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Essex fans....

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uvacavs1

All-Conference
Jul 30, 2010
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I was told at the game tonight that IF Essex makes it back to the State Final Four, even though Essex is the #1 seed and earned it, we will not be allowed to host the State Semi Final this year. Supposedly a ruling has been made because of a lack of visitor seating. Not sure if this is 100% certain, but it appears so.

I find this to be disheartening news. The last two years for the State semis, Essex coaches, players, and volunteers have brought in many bleachers at their own hard work and expense (with help from Rappahannock and W&L friends). I saw unused bleacher space both years as many folks prefer to stand. Port o Johns were brought in as well. (and yes, we now have showers for the opposing team).

Do we wish we had better facilities? yes. Have people asked for help with this problem? yes, going way back into the Jones years.

So because of poverty, the game (if Essex makes it) will be moved because someone with better resources complained to the VHSL? Where would the game be held? Could something be done by Essex to solve this problem? Is it embarrassing, sure. As for the ones who kept complaining, well....
This post was edited on 11/14 11:01 PM by uvacavs1
 
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uvacavs1

All-Conference
Jul 30, 2010
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All possible options. Maybe KG?

King William would be the best. Heck, we often have a good crowd up there. Close and excellent facilities if they would allow a game there. Obviously, any school would need an incentive. Venue gets to keep concessions and would the VHSL give hosting school a cut of the gate?
 
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Ken_99

Redshirt
May 29, 2001
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When I was AD there we were told this was going to be taken care of with the new school addition....................that diidnt happen
 
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3nPunt

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Dec 13, 2011
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That's a travesty....but leave it to the VHSL. If this is true play it at Northumberland....its a district school, very nice facilities, and decent seating-plus the extra drive would be a "Back at ya" to the decision makers. You'd still have Essex and other fans there and keep that playoff atmosphere in the 'Neck.
 
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uvacavs1

All-Conference
Jul 30, 2010
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hmmm...great idea 3nPunt.

Not sure if some schools would help us but I'm sure that Northumberland would. Thanks.
 
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jrhitman

Redshirt
Sep 22, 2006
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I don't even see how Essex got the number 1 ranking over Altavista. Altavista beat 4 double a teams and 1 3 a team and reigning state champs.come on man.
 
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uvacavs1

All-Conference
Jul 30, 2010
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sure, fair question, here is the answer...

Strength of schedule (success of opponents) Essex played 3 2As (two who walked the dog last night on their opponents in the 2A playoffs) and maybe the best team in 3A (who also walked the dog last night).

Record of Altavista's 10 of regular season opponents - 42-58.

Record of Essex's 10 regular season opponents - 65-35.

Maybe we will find out who deserved that #1 seed before it's all said and done....
 
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MrJ82

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Oct 23, 2013
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Altavista beat 7 Group 2A, 1 Group 3A and 2A (both of who made the playoffs). The issue two fold, first off, Altavista's strength of schedule hurt them but also being in a District with 7 teams vs. 6 teams. That might not seem like much until you realize that with 6 common opp. you lose chances to pick up rider points. That gave Essex (and W&L) an extra game to pick up rider points off of in each week. (If you've beat team A and team B and then they play each other you only get one set of rider points whereas if they are not playing each other you have the chance to pick up double rider points).
 
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trojanehs88

Redshirt
Aug 31, 2013
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That makes since.. I agree a 2 loss team should not be #1 seed. But rules were set. Should be tweaked for upcoming years. Basically home field for 1 &2 now though. Unless they take Essex


Please don't make us play at K W. We have awful luck there Br'er rabbit
 
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uvacavs1

All-Conference
Jul 30, 2010
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1 or 2 seeds and such....

I would agree that in this particular case, Altavista has a valid argument that they should (deserve) to be the #1 seed. They are undefeated, ranked #1 all season, and are the defending state champions. If Essex and Altavista happen to meet again in Salem, there is a good chance that they might win again. Whatever happens, it will be settled on the field. However, you don't get points for last season. I do also understand MrJ82's point, but with no disrespect to Gretna, their poor season is what probably really hurt AltaVista this year (of all years for Gretna to be down, what a game they would have been!). Also, W&L played Rapp twice over here, not sure how that impacted ratings.

As for two loss teams being ahead of undefeated squads, look at PM at 11-0 now, seeded 6th in East, behind what - 3 two loss teams.

Strength of schedule as it is now is really the only way to go - look at College football for example- (we don't have a collection of experts that could rank the teams for their new playoffs system and bowls etc.). Just as an example, Marshall is undefeated but does anyone think that they are a better team than a two loss Ole Miss or Auburn or even a three loss LSU?

Any ratings system will have some flaws, but overall, seems to work out fairly well.
 
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oldskool83

Redshirt
Sep 12, 2012
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It's still a lot of football to be played any given friday just saying don't count your chickens before they are hatch
 
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uvacavs1

All-Conference
Jul 30, 2010
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absolutely agree there oldskool83, that's why I always say if. Problem is these things just don't happen over night, it requires planning and logistics etc. Best to prepared for all possibilities just in case.

I'm sure that the Essex coaches and players will only be focused on Rapp this week. Great job down there with Sussex. Marcus Byrd and others rolling. Essex knows that Rapp will come to play. I believe that the last contest Rapp had like 5 or 6 turnovers (including two pic 6s) so it obviously could have been a different game. Can't overlook anyone but I would think that Rapp hopes that's the case. If Essex gets past the Raiders then you got probably Colonial Beach to worry about (if they take care of Surry down there). CB is on fire, could roll.

It's possible that the Neck could have 3 of the final four teams remaining in the East. That would be a cool thing for the area.
This post was edited on 11/15 10:46 PM by uvacavs1
 
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mmqp

Senior
Nov 22, 2006
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Play it at Parry McCluer. I'd bet the house that they have the nicest facilities of all..and they're also in the East Bracket :) ....
 
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MrJ82

Redshirt
Oct 23, 2013
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Re: 1 or 2 seeds and such....

Essex earned the top seed the way it is set up. Altavista's strength of schedule this year coupled with the Dogwoods poor non-district wins killed Altavista. William Campbell was the only other Dogwood District team with a winning non district schedule. It's soooo close at the top that someone else's bad loss or an unexpected win makes the difference.
 
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Hampton Roads 6

All-Conference
Feb 22, 2003
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Truth be known a lot of schools do not have facilities to hold state games, but VHSL "looks the other way". If Essex brings in bleachers and porta-johns they should be allowed to host.
 
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mmqp

Senior
Nov 22, 2006
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I've known of at least 3 occasions where Bath has used Alleghany High Schools field for big games like the ones mentioned here. So its not totally unheard of.

Still hard to believe that football is so much bigger on the western end of the state than it is out east.
 
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Hampton Roads 6

All-Conference
Feb 22, 2003
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With such a strong program that Essex has, one would think the facilities would improve. Same goes for Gretna.
 
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riversportsfan

Sophomore
Oct 16, 2012
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3. Historical

a. Has this site been used in the past, and if so has it been acceptable to participating teams.



So who is to determine acceptable to participating teams? I never heard a word from John Battle. The field last year was in great shape compared to the rain we got that week. Especially compared to what Altavista and Haysi played on. I know the facility could and should be better, but that is totally out of the hands of this football team. The field is nice and they brought in every bleacher from every surrounding county and extra portable restroom. This ruling needs to be changed if the Trojans make it to that point.
 
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ESSEX84

Redshirt
Nov 11, 2014
11
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Essex has hosted 4 semi-final games. This discussion seems to come up each time. In the past essex has put out extra bleachers and the VHSL was okay with that. As for the official requirements, it also states that the VHSL will make the final determination. If essex gets to the semi-finals, I don't expect this to be an issue. Go Trojans!!!
 
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