I know they're scoring a lot of points and haven't given up many but, they have only played 1 team with a winning record so far. At best they will finish the regular season having only played 2 teams with winning records. Either Courtland or Spotsy could finish at 6-4 at best but one will finish 5-5 or 4-6 because they both are currentyly 4-4 and play each other the last game. So, how good is EV...really? How well would they fair against Monacan, Dinwiddie or Louisa?
How good is EV...really?
- Thread starter VolNation85_rivals
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They are quite good. Personally, I don't see them making it out of Region B. Put them in Region C, I think they compete with everyone. They would be in the mix in A and D as well, but I don't think they would win those regions either. Something tells be they would struggle with teams like Blacksburg/KF, but hey, they get their chance with Dinwiddie/Monacan/Louisa come playoff time.
That's the question we are all wondering.
I've been around the program for 7 of it's 10 years, my kids playing in the last 6. I remember watching a scrimmage in one of those first years (Sherando). We were very over matched, I didn't realize until it ended that they were in the same class. I was like crap. That was the year Sherando went to the finals. EVERY year since then, they have gotten better. First it was, we need to be a team, we need to get stronger. The weight room program took off. Then we need to adjust some attitudes (winning mind set). We need to be tough, we need to develop earlier, more focus on defense, etc etc.
So here we are in year 10...
They are certainly stronger than I have seen them as a team (not as strong as Louisa as Hoos noted
)
The team speed has always been there, but I have never seen so many kids at the same time.
They have the needed play maker
They have a big athletic Oline
They have an aggressive defense with some good size as well.
The QB is a first here kid, but appears to be just about seasoned enough right now (a big game under his belt would be nice, but that will have to be on the fly)
The WR group is talented and the group has all the things you need to make it tough to cover. They have the 6'3" WR, they have the impossible to stay with slot back, and the try and keep up guy.
I love their toughness. This is a tough group! No Hoos, I'm not suggesting they are tougher than Louisa
They also have experience, most played in playoffs last year up into the 3rd round
For me, I hope they are as good as the next step for them. Last year we hung with Laf for the first half (and while watching the game I thought in that half we were the better team), however the second half proved that to be incorrect. Now we most likely have the unfortunate luck that we may be facing Dinwiddie in rd 2, or even Monacan, two teams that most expect are better than us. So I'm not really sure how we will gauge how good we were or are.. I think we are just going to have to try and beat them....
I've been around the program for 7 of it's 10 years, my kids playing in the last 6. I remember watching a scrimmage in one of those first years (Sherando). We were very over matched, I didn't realize until it ended that they were in the same class. I was like crap. That was the year Sherando went to the finals. EVERY year since then, they have gotten better. First it was, we need to be a team, we need to get stronger. The weight room program took off. Then we need to adjust some attitudes (winning mind set). We need to be tough, we need to develop earlier, more focus on defense, etc etc.
So here we are in year 10...
They are certainly stronger than I have seen them as a team (not as strong as Louisa as Hoos noted
) The team speed has always been there, but I have never seen so many kids at the same time.
They have the needed play maker
They have a big athletic Oline
They have an aggressive defense with some good size as well.
The QB is a first here kid, but appears to be just about seasoned enough right now (a big game under his belt would be nice, but that will have to be on the fly)
The WR group is talented and the group has all the things you need to make it tough to cover. They have the 6'3" WR, they have the impossible to stay with slot back, and the try and keep up guy.
I love their toughness. This is a tough group! No Hoos, I'm not suggesting they are tougher than Louisa
They also have experience, most played in playoffs last year up into the 3rd round
For me, I hope they are as good as the next step for them. Last year we hung with Laf for the first half (and while watching the game I thought in that half we were the better team), however the second half proved that to be incorrect. Now we most likely have the unfortunate luck that we may be facing Dinwiddie in rd 2, or even Monacan, two teams that most expect are better than us. So I'm not really sure how we will gauge how good we were or are.. I think we are just going to have to try and beat them....
Since I keep getting called out... not as strong or tough as Louisa, Monacan, Dinwiddie, Lafayette, Blacksburg, and maybe King's Fork. But EV is stronger and tougher than Salem and most of the Region D teams, and all C teams. EV's secondary is one of the best in the state and Hunter is one of the best X factors.
The main difference in this years team is QB play. Like you say evcyc, too bad this kid doesn't already have another year or at least one big game under his belt. We just don't know how he will react/respond when put in a tough spot just because he hasn't faced adversity yet. Maybe they'll just win 'em all by 40!
don't be fooled. They are well coached and a very good team. Just as good as Monacan, Dinwiddie, and Louisa. When you are laying 50+ on bad teams that is what a good team does.
I personally would have Eastern View in the top 5, behind Dinwiddie, Blacksburg, Monacan and Louisa.
The sad but true fact here is this region has 4 of the best teams in the state regardless of classification. Monacan, Dinwiddie, Louisa, and EV. It is unfortunate they are all in the same region.
Their poor schedule tends to yield the current view most have of EV. There are at a minimum three 4A teams I can think of who would probably be 49-1 or 50-0 in the last 5 years with their regular season schedule and probably 10ish teams who'd be no worse than 45-5.
The other issue is they get beaten badly in the POs, too. They had one good game against JF in 2014 (63-55 JF) and otherwise when they lose in the POs they lose bad, I'm talking 3-4+ TDs on average. They're not even losing to particularly great teams either, they've yet to lose to a state champ or something like that.
My deal with EV is just like a few others teams like Cville: I need to see them win some of these games, especially when it matters in the POs against other truly good teams. EV needs to make us a believer.
The other issue is they get beaten badly in the POs, too. They had one good game against JF in 2014 (63-55 JF) and otherwise when they lose in the POs they lose bad, I'm talking 3-4+ TDs on average. They're not even losing to particularly great teams either, they've yet to lose to a state champ or something like that.
My deal with EV is just like a few others teams like Cville: I need to see them win some of these games, especially when it matters in the POs against other truly good teams. EV needs to make us a believer.
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Very good points.. I think EV is very very good... The problem is we just can't prove it bc they are not going to have a signature win. Then if they go on the road and lose to an incredible Dinwiddie team.... Here comes the I told you so's.
The fact is we just don't know. Even the EV fans don't know bc they haven't had a good barometer other than just dominating who they are scheduled against. I think it is a huge mistake to think they are not a good team.
If EV recognizes that they have arrived as a program then they need to fix their scheduling. though moving forward. They have to have one signature game on the schedule or they are going to be on the road every year.
I agree with your point about losing to less then eventual state finalists but you can paint most of the teams in the state with that Brush outside of Salem, Dinwiddie, LT and maybe Lafayette on a consistent basis.
Everyone who has responded to this thread has hit on some sound points. I have done a bit of research to throw out some numbers for the stat guys/gals. I will say the numbers dont really tell us anything we dont know already. With that being said I will go on record and say there will be no easy wins after the first round in Region B. Bad schedule or not, the top four ranked teams deserve the right to be called a very good team. Each have an abundance of talent. Some may be willing to say/ their team is or will be the top dog, but I have no clue. All I can say is its going to be three weeks of hell for all involved in the Region B playoffs.
Monacan: OOD opponents records 3-13, 52.2 SOS, .541 RPI.
Louisa: OOD opponets record 9-17, 56.8 SOS .581 RPI.
EV: OOD opponents record 9-23, 46 SOS, .556 RPI.
Dinwiddie: OOD opponents record 12-13, 65.9 SOS, .627 RPI.
Monacan: OOD opponents records 3-13, 52.2 SOS, .541 RPI.
Louisa: OOD opponets record 9-17, 56.8 SOS .581 RPI.
EV: OOD opponents record 9-23, 46 SOS, .556 RPI.
Dinwiddie: OOD opponents record 12-13, 65.9 SOS, .627 RPI.
Good info. That OOD record for Monacan will be the difference between 1 and 2 seed. That killed them last week.
Its still going to be close. If Smithfield and Salem win out we will be fine. I respect the EV, Louisa, and Monacan programs. In fact, if you go back to the summer I picked Monacan to win it all. Can EV play with Dinwiddie? Sure can, but the X factor is can they beat us at home? Under Coach Mills (since 2007) it has only happened twice in the playoffs and one was to the Taj Boyd led Phoebus Phantoms.
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That is going to be the problem is having to go to Dinwiddie... essentially trying to press 315 without ever trying 225 first. Wont know until they are under the weight
Why does EV and Louisa get so much flak on here for them "not playing anyone" when Monacan's schedule looks like it does? Is it just the one win against 6a Clover Hill or that they play 3 6a schools in the district.
Also, unless my math is off, the weak OOD schedule might be the difference between 2 and 3, yes?
EV doesn't have to do too much with their schedule. More years than not, the battlefield district is going to be a tough schedule on its own
That was the point I was trying to make. Everyone plays bad teams. Again, schedule has nothing to do with the talent these teams have. The point made by others (most) reflect solely on the unknown. Good teams rise to the occasion, so we will know soon enough.
Monacan has beaten Class 6 Manchester and Class 5 LC Bird. Two very good teams.
My fault. I mis-read Manchester's record. Even with all that, because of their OOD schedule, I think they could slip to #3. Don't see EV leap frogging or Dinwiddie slipping.
What's going on with PH Ashland, they came out on fire but seem to have fallen off lately?
Decent talent, but very inconsistent. They play in arguably the toughest district in the state. They virtually play a class 5 schedule. Could be a tough out.
PH plays Highland Springs and Lee Davis to wrap up the season. I have them losing both which will put them at 5-5. Probably an 8 seed or maybe a 7, which pits them against Dinwiddie or Monacan. I agree they have possibly the toughest district schedule in all of Div. 4. They're much better than their record suggests.
Wouldn’t a 5-5 PH team be a 5th or 6th seed? I’d think they’d get more points than a terrible 6-4 Courtland team.
You're right I just looked. I thought the middle of 4B was a little higher rated than it was. The bigger factor than Courtland is Midlothian and Huguenot both may wind up 5-5 as well. PH should be a 5-6 seed even if they do lose. Sets the stage for a great 4-5 or 3-6 matchup.
Before the season, their best receiver, 6' 4" Kaleb Smith who's going to Wake, transferred back to where he's from... Louisa. No relation to Brandon. But he's not on the team, hurt his shoulder.
Dad James played for UR and the Skins. A regular poster told me he's seen PH and they aren't a threat to the top 4 in the region.
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Before the season, their best receiver, 6' 4" Kaleb Smith who's going to Wake, transferred back to where he's from... Louisa. But he's not on the team, hurt his shoulder.
As Mr. Corso says "not so fast my friend!" They went stride for stride against Henrico, who is a highly touted Div. 5 team. I talked to someone who saw the game and they were very impressed with PH. I saw them personally against Armstrong and they looked very good on both sides of the ball. Have to take into account the opponent on that game, but the way they played, I could see them contending against a 3 or 4 seed in 4B. Winning is another story, but any dog can win a close fight come playoff time.
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Well the same poster was at the Varina game and said Varina crushed PH, so to hear PH went stride for stride with them is confusing.
Scratch the Varina game for PH. It wasn't PH that was close with Varina it was Henrico, whoops. I believe the Achilles heel in the Varina game was the injury bug all across PH's O-line with players out that game. Either way, the 1 pt. game with Henrico is pretty stellar. Henrico has an extremely potent offense and PH kept up. I wouldn't count them out by any means, especially if they're healthier come playoff time.
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I've looked at the schedules for the 4 teams, of the 4 teams Courtland is the only team that will win both their last games. I think it sets up where 2 of the other teams will lose both their last games and I think it's Huguenot will split. Anyway, don't under estimate Courtland. They have solved some line issues and I think they have looked good on film in their last few games. They have very capable lineman, they just took a while to find the right spots for them. It would not surprise me if they are the better of those 4 teams. Courtland will go into the playoffs on a 6 game winning streak, the others not so much, that might be the boost they need. I have seen some film, and I don't think these teams are separated by that much. I think they may steal a 5 or 6 spot, so either Louisa or EV will see them again.
If the Courtland 6 game winning streak is against the Battlefield district slate outside of EV then that doesn't say much to me. Unless they are winning those convincingly I don't bat an eye. If EV played them again they would still win by 50 IMO.
Also, I would put my money on PHA, Midlo, and Huguenot ahead of Courtland. Especially PHA. Midlo and Hug have a real passing game I just don't think they can stop anybody. I don't see any of them winning a first round game. I do think PHA could maybe win a game or 2 but they would have to play very well and get some help.
1. Dinwiddie
2. Monacan
3. Louisa
4. EV
5. PH
6. Midlothian
7. Courtland
8. Huegunot
That’s my bet
For a guy in SC you get a lot of sht right! That is meant to be a compliment lol.
I have connections and maxpreps. I’m only here for a requirement of my job. Just sucks I can’t come home on the weekends. But it’s highly likely PH and Midlothian both lose their final two games.
@OCBoy has been around a long time, never forget him and 21Base getting into it, back in the day. Heck Hoos was wearing diapers then. lol... I heard OC and Shauntclair bought a condo down at myrtle beach, spending all of shaunty’s hard earned nfl contract money, and retirement he earned at Microsoft with Bill Gates right by his side. Anyway, just kidding OC , I know you would never take Shauntys money.
Refresh me on the 21base thing? Was it realignment? NEVER EVER ANYTHING WITH SHAUNTY!!! Im so glad he’s no longer here lol@OCBoy has been around a long time, never forget him and 21Base getting into it, back in the day. Heck Hoos was wearing diapers then. lol... I heard OC and Shauntclair bought a condo down at myrtle beach, spending all of shaunty’s hard earned nfl contract money, and retirement he earned at Microsoft with Bill Gates right by his side. Anyway, just kidding OC , I know you would never take Shauntys money.
@21base was a poster back in the day , wikki and some others I am sure remember him. He was a northwestern district guy.
I remember now. O how things have changed on here. 16 years on here and it appears it might be coming to an end for me soon