Final week predictions for the Jefferson:
Louisa County 24, Charlottesville 9
Western Albemarle 29, Albemarle 16
Orange County 46, Fluvanna County 10
Monticello 24, Powhatan County 17
In the 3A playoffs I'm liking Western's chances more. I'm still not sold that they're any kind of juggernaut, but there is no 3A juggernaut this year. I think any of about ten teams could get hot and win it all. I wouldn't dare make Western the favorite, but they'll be in the game with anyone. Monticello is probably just behind them actually, but I feel like Monticello is the best team that doesn't have a chance to win the state this year. A win in the first round seems likely, but the second round will probably provide a roadblock.
Louisa is hitting the 4A playoffs in a very down year for the East (except for the obvious LT), so who knows? The Lions definitely seem like a better team than they did at the start of October. I feel like Louisa is probably right in the middle if I ranked all the 4A East Playoff teams. If Powhatan makes it they're going to draw somebody too good for them and suffer a beating like they took last year, I'm afraid.
In 5A Orange and Albemarle will probably be outmatched in the first round as neither look to get a home game and they're going to end up having to play somebody who has faced a much tougher schedule and racked up a better record against it. I don't think either will manage to keep the playoff game close. I hope I'm wrong and both of them spring some upsets. Both schools were vastly better than last year, in my opinion, and if they keep their programs on the current trajectories, they will be formidable next year and scary after that. A trip to the playoffs should let them know how much more they have to do to play with the Tuscaroras and Massaponaxes of the world.