Liberty Christian is sitting tight in their first year of VHSL eligibility. Are they a lock for the playoffs with a win? If they win Friday, what's their point total?
Is LCA in?
- Thread starter bigrob2523
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If they win, they should be in. They should get more points than the people below them playing weaker competition, but I have not counted all the other points from previous teams. Lose, and they are in trouble, because LV can't drop too much even if they lose to Woodgrove, Also, Dominion, William Byrd and Liberty(Bealeton) will probably all win.
From the Benedictine game only they would receive 34 points not counting other opponents games. They are 12th & 9,10, 11 have tough games. Should they win they should be safely in. A loss will drop them out because 13, 14 15 should all win.
Maxpreps is showing Benedictine with 8 wins? 32 if 7, 34 if 8. They have to win to get in it appears.
Only from reading the game stories in the Richmond Times Dispatch, and a tiny bit more from other sources, I don't think that Benedictine is extrodinary this year, by their usual standards. But neither are they significantly weaker than what we normally see, year in year out.
I haven't been overly impressed with LCA this year. But, admittedly, they are not a team I paid much attention to before this year. Mike has a good baseline on how to measure them. What do you think?
I feel comfortable saying Benedictine could not hang with a Salem, Sherando, Hanover, or a Monacan level team. Which makes me wonder if they are in any way, superior to LCA. Maybe slightly. I think the matchup may be close enough that the outcome could hinge on mistakes by one team or the other.
I have a sense that LCA may be playing about as good a game as they have all year. I can't quantify that, it's just my gut speaking. Again, Mike is the best one to address this with actual facts.
One thing I do know, without question. If LCA gets into the playoffs, there will be a mini media storm. A lot of attention will be focused on the fact that they, "made the playoffs in their first year" after being "admitted to the VHSL". To me, a fact like that is just a talking point. They may make the playoffs simply because of the happenstance of where they were placed in the VHSL grouping, which is 4a.
I don't see where they "earned" anything. No more than any other 15 or 16 seed "earned a playoff spot. They were just "less bad" than any other team would be. If they make it to a second round or higher playoff game, then I will be the first to say "they earned some accolades"
I haven't been overly impressed with LCA this year. But, admittedly, they are not a team I paid much attention to before this year. Mike has a good baseline on how to measure them. What do you think?
I feel comfortable saying Benedictine could not hang with a Salem, Sherando, Hanover, or a Monacan level team. Which makes me wonder if they are in any way, superior to LCA. Maybe slightly. I think the matchup may be close enough that the outcome could hinge on mistakes by one team or the other.
I have a sense that LCA may be playing about as good a game as they have all year. I can't quantify that, it's just my gut speaking. Again, Mike is the best one to address this with actual facts.
One thing I do know, without question. If LCA gets into the playoffs, there will be a mini media storm. A lot of attention will be focused on the fact that they, "made the playoffs in their first year" after being "admitted to the VHSL". To me, a fact like that is just a talking point. They may make the playoffs simply because of the happenstance of where they were placed in the VHSL grouping, which is 4a.
I don't see where they "earned" anything. No more than any other 15 or 16 seed "earned a playoff spot. They were just "less bad" than any other team would be. If they make it to a second round or higher playoff game, then I will be the first to say "they earned some accolades"
I think they played a tougher schedule than they have in the past. Playing Woodberry Forest, Avalon, Bishop McNamara, Charlotte Christian, and Benedictine all in the same year was a big undertaking. Most preps posters don't know these teams so they discount them. Maxpreps has Bishop McNamara ranked 6th in MD, Avalon 41st in MD, Charlotte Christian 31st in NC, Woodberry Forest is 5th in VA, & Benedictine is 6th in VA. It will be interesting to see how LCA does if they make it. They are well coached, have a roster similar in size for 4a, big linemen, play good defense, have good skill players, & a smart QB. We'll see.
Benedictine would destroy Sherando and Salem etc. They are huge across their O and D lines. They have multiple skill players with multiple D1 offers including the number 2 ranked player in the state of Virginia, Bracey. If anything, I would compare Benedictine in skill, size and depth to 5 and 6A schools. Their only loss was to an equally talented Woodberry team which managed to beat LCA 31-6.
I don't have a dog in this fight, but Benedictine is as talented as any school in Richmond except the top 3(Bird, Herm, HS). 1-22 they can even compete with those top 3. The problem is like most private schools, even the big private schools, they lack quality depth and would get worn down by the big 3. I personally think they would beat any Div 4 team in the state with the exception of LT. I don't think they would destroy Salem, but if I had to bet money, I would take Benedictine. They could hang with LT for a half or maybe more. Scott Bracey is the best player out of the Richmond area in a while. They are huge, strong, fast and well coached.
I think Benedictine is at least 2 td better than LCA. Maybe more
I think Benedictine is at least 2 td better than LCA. Maybe more
Haven't seen Benedictine other than highlights but saw Woodberry Forest game tape three weeks ago from their game against Bishop McNamara. They beat BM who has a 1 BCS commit. The QB for Woodberry is the best passer I've seen in some years. Lindell Stone is for real. He had a few talented wide outs but his anticipation, accuracy, touch on corner and fade routes was very impressive. They've got the OT that's going to Stanford protecting his blindside. I watched highlights from both sides of the Benedictine/Woodberry game from last week. Benedictine has QB that is top 250 players in America, 4 star WR commited to Duke, Bracey. He's arguably the best skilled player in VA for the 2016 class, at least thats what most rankings say. They also have a WR commited to Vandy and a LB in the 2017 class that has 10+ BCS offers. After watching Woodberry film, without hesitation I say they would be contender for the 4A state title. If LCA does upset Benedictine, which I don't think they will, they could win a game or two depending on who they draw. I didn't have much respect for the private school ranks until I watched that Woodberry film, they were very impressive offensively. Defense was iffy but that offense with that QB, OL and two standout WRs was a well oiled machine.
If you haven't seen Lindell Stone, peep game.
LCA highlights--- http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3172561/highlights/294891101/v2
Bishop McNamara highlights--- http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3172561/highlights/285988748/v2
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Yeah, It sounds like I under assumed how good Benedictine must be.
On a related matter, are there any rumblings that other privates are planning to join the VHSL?
On a related matter, are there any rumblings that other privates are planning to join the VHSL?
I don't think it really makes sense for the other good privates to consider joining VHSL. First, boarding schools like Episcopal, Woodberry and FUMA etc are prevented from joining under the new rules. Second, lots of the Richmond and Northern Virginia privates already have historical rivalries and league games fairly close by geographically. They don't have the same scheduling and traveling issues that LCA has. Also, I think its a size thing. If you would only be considered a 4A school and you are surrounded by 5 and 6A's, who are you supposed to play?
I'd expect a couple in the Tidewater area to look into it pretty intensely.
A Lynchburg are private school basketball coach told me that the LCA coaches are not real happy about the move to VHSL. One reason is the VHSL restricts basketball teams to 22 regular season games. The privates might play 30-35 games.