Jefferson District Tonight

[GilliamRatings]

Standings:

Louisa (3-1, 6-1)
Powhatan (3-1, 6-1)
Albemarle (3-1, 5-2)
Orange (2-2, 4-3)
Charlottesville (2-2, 4-3)
Western Albemarle (2-2, 3-4)
Monticello (1-3, 3-4)
Fluvanna (0-4, 1-6)

Really, all of the 2-2 teams still have a shot to share the district title, and there are scenarios where it could play out for all of them. After tonight, however, we'll have a much clearer idea of who will be contending in the end.

Albemarle at Powhatan (loser will need their opponent and Louisa to each lose subsequent games in order to have any chance, winner is in good shape to get at least a share of title). CalPreps likes Powhatan by a 21-17 count. I think the teams are evenly matched and if I gave home field much credence in high school I would probably go with this pick. I really think it will come down to the breaks. Big wins always seem to elude the Patriots, so I guess I'll agree with the pick here.

Orange vs. Charlottesville (winner still hoping for a share of title, loser eliminated for all practical purposes). Both teams are vastly improved from where they had been a couple of years ago, and they seem to have similar characters. It'll come down to whoever runs the ball better and avoids turnovers. CalPreps goes with a C'ville win of 31-28, but it's Orange's Homecoming, and I think they're finding a groove. I predict Orange scores the upset: disclaimer: I teach at Orange.

Louisa vs. Monticello -- This one looks lopsided on paper. I don't expect anything different than the 42-17 Lion win CalPreps predicts.

Western Albemarle vs. Fluvanna - The Flucos have folded up shop. They are still fighting every week and trying to keep games close. That being said, I don't think they can score enough to keep up with Western's offense. Western will win, whether or not it's by the 40-12 margin CalPreps predicts depends on which Warrior team shows up this week.

 

[blackknight_pride]

Cville/Orange should be a great game, best of luck to you. I have a feeling we'll be able to slow each other down. I bet you we do a good job on Hunt and Smith, but we don't shut them down (no one can) I bet you do a good job on Folley and co. (Louderback, Durrett, Davis) but they'll still have effective games. I think this all comes down to which QB can be more effective, and I don't know much about yours. Ours can really run the ball and he knows how to read a defense, but It'll be interesting to see. Orange beat Cville on Cville's homecoming last year, so let's see if we can return the favor!

 

[GilliamRatings]

Early reports have Louisa floundering again. Fluvanna getting blown out. Orange with 2 TD lead and Albemarle shutting down Powhatan. We'll see what the second half brings.

 

[GilliamRatings]

Well, it's over for another week. Where are we now?

Louisa 26, Monticello 12
The 'Stangs put a little scare into the Lions early, but the Louisa defense turned it up a notch and took over it seems. The win wasn't quite as convincing of a statement as the faithful may have wanted, but Monticello is obviously improving and the Lions are 7-1.

Orange 48, Charlottesville 14
Orange has now put away the three schools we might have grouped them with four weeks ago (Western and Monticello being the others). I think this game means the Hornets are a top tier team in the district and Charlottesville might have been pretenders with a weaker early schedule than we realized. I don't think Orange is going to be an easy game for anyone from here on out, but I still worry about their playoff seed making the 5A playoffs a real tough draw. That's the price you pay for being in a district full of smaller schools, however.

Albemarle 35, Powhatan 28
A very mild upset. Is it possible the 5A schools are starting to take over the Jefferson? Once you start to get a little taste of success it can snowball especially when you're a 5A size school with probably 25-50 potential useful players walking the halls that haven't been out in recent years.

Western Albemarle 41, Fluvanna 0
Nice job by Western against an outmatched team.

So what do we have now? Team (district, overall) cal preps rating (cal preps rank by division)
Louisa (4-1, 7-1) 35.9 (#9 in 4A)
Albemarle (4-1, 6-2) 28.3 (#17 in 5A)
Powhatan (3-2, 6-2) 27.2 (#14 in 4A)
Orange (3-2, 5-3) 21.8 (#24 in 5A)
Western Albemarle (3-2, 4-4) 8.8 (#22 in 3A)
Charlottesville (2-3, 4-4) 15.1 (#29 in 4A)
Monticello (1-4, 3-5) 3.7 (#27 in 3A)
Fluvanna (0-5, 1-7) -15.5 (#43 in 3A)

With two games to go, it's obvious that Louisa and/or Albemarle will at least earn shares of the title since we can't reasonably expect both squads to drop two games.

Louisa vs. Orange is probably the big matchup of the week as the Hornets just have been playing great the last three weeks, and Louisa has been all year. Giant game for both teams as far as district pride and playoff seeding goes.

Albemarle vs. Monticello looks like it's all Patriots on paper, but Monticello has had a lot of fight for Louisa and Orange the last two weeks (at least early on). Patriots have two games left they will be pretty heavily favored to win, but I don't think either is a freebie.

Powhatan should win easily over the Flucos.

Western Albemarle and Charlottsville looks to be a very interesting one.

It's highly unlikely that Albemarle & Louisa would both lose this week, but believable outcomes could end up with the Jefferson having five teams tied for first after next weeks games.

The final week of the regular season has the following games:
Fluvanna vs. Orange
Louisa vs. Charlottesville
Powhatan vs. Monticello
Albemarle vs. Western Albemarle

 

[GilliamRatings]

If you did have four teams finish 6-2, would the district provide 4 trophies?

 

[blackknight_pride]

Orange didn't beat Cville, the refs did

 

[falcettik]

Wow, the refs were worth 34 points......I want that crew at our next game.

 

[Virginiahssports]

I said after orange beat culpeper that they were a team to watch out for in the JD. They are the sleeper

 

[anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b]

Not that anyone cares, but Louisa's offense has gone to pot the last two games. No blocking. The pass blocking was bad all season, now it's worse. The 2nd string center is done for the season. The 1st center returned but is still dealing with a separated shoulder, the starting left guard is still out with two separated shoulders. Two other new kids had to play on the line last night. Jordan Cherry has tweaked his ankle again but is still playing, Job Whalen's ankle is getting worse and he's running well some plays and very gimpy on others. It's amazing that Whalen had the long runs that he had last night, but Monticello is very slow on defense. Malik Bell tweaked his ankle against Powhatan and a tackle he took last night made it worse. He'll be sitting for at least the Orange game. Both tight ends got hurt last night, and both also play defense. Smith's injury was just a thigh bruise but I'm not sure about Hurley's, he was limping badly. Five other starters are playing at around 50%. The special teams were much better last night, and thank goodness for that, because the offense is keeping the defense on the field now. The only production we're getting now is out of the single wing, and that's barely. We will have to rely on the defense to keep us in games, but watch out for backup QB Zach Liddle. He's a good passer and hungry to prove himself, and now he gets his shot. The question now is, can our receivers show some ball skills and catch the darn thing? At this point of the season, it's doubtful. I have tried the "wait and see" approach with them, but it's week 10 now. If our defense has to play all game against Orange, it's going to get very ugly in a hurry. It was good to see the defense play as well as they did against Monticello, after Monticello had around 500 yards of offense against Orange. I just hope we win another game.

 

[Virginiahssports]

Not that anyone cares, but Louisa's offense has gone to pot the last two games. No blocking. The pass blocking was bad all season, now it's worse. The 2nd string center is done for the season. The 1st center returned but is still dealing with a separated shoulder, the starting left guard is still out with two separated shoulders. Two other new kids had to play on the line last night. Jordan Cherry has tweaked his ankle again but is still playing, Job Whalen's ankle is getting worse and he's running well some plays and very gimpy on others. It's amazing that Whalen had the long runs that he had last night, but Monticello is very slow on defense. Malik Bell tweaked his ankle against Powhatan and a tackle he took last night made it worse. He'll be sitting for at least the Orange game. Both tight ends got hurt last night, and both also play defense. Smith's injury was just a thigh bruise but I'm not sure about Hurley's, he was limping badly. Five other starters are playing at around 50%. The special teams were much better last night, and thank goodness for that, because the offense is keeping the defense on the field now. The only production we're getting now is out of the single wing, and that's barely. We will have to rely on the defense to keep us in games, but watch out for backup QB Zach Liddle. He's a good passer and hungry to prove himself, and now he gets his shot. The question now is, can our receivers show some ball skills and catch the darn thing? At this point of the season, it's doubtful. I have tried the "wait and see" approach with them, but it's week 10 now. If our defense has to play all game against Orange, it's going to get very ugly in a hurry. It was good to see the defense play as well as they did against Monticello, after Monticello had around 500 yards of offense against Orange. I just hope we win another game.

Hoos you know you can't compare teams to teams with past games. Injuries change games and deeper you get into the season better teams are getting. Injuries can change the landscape of a team and it will show much grit and heart a team has to finish the regular season

 

[GilliamRatings]

Wow, the refs were worth 34 points......I want that crew at our next game.

We bribe them with all the money we save by not having bathrooms at our field or a track.

 

[blackknight_pride]

We bribe them with all the money we save by not having bathrooms at our field or a track.

Lol I actually really like your stadium it's a great atmosphere

 

[GilliamRatings]

Lol I actually really like your stadium it's a great atmosphere

We are supposed to get bathrooms in the near future. When it happens, I'm taking credit for the track and the bathrooms. The School Board and Board of Supervisors are sick of me.

 

[blackknight_pride]

Wow, the refs were worth 34 points......I want that crew at our next game.

Dude Charlottesville's offense took the field a total of 4 times in the FIRST HALF (and scored on 2 of them). Every time Cville forced an Orange 4th down on the punt the refs would call like 3 flags and hit Cville with like a 30 yard penalty (and usually didn't give a reason). Sometimes Cville just messed up, but it was just a weird game. I mean Cville scored on their first possession of the game, Neale had a 30 yard pass then Folley scored a running TD, and after that they didn't get the ball until the end of the first quarter

 

[Snookasuperstar]

sounds like Charlottesville. All the motivation I gave and they are looking at 5-5 at best. Same ol same ol. As I had said at week 1 the jd is not a good district but we do talk a good game.

 

[Virginiahssports]

Lol I actually really like your stadium it's a great atmosphere

So you like not having a place to sit for the visiting fans? No atmosphere for the visitors to even get into the game. The field is really nice and no track is nice but that's about it

 

[falcettik]

Dude Charlottesville's offense took the field a total of 4 times in the FIRST HALF (and scored on 2 of them). Every time Cville forced an Orange 4th down on the punt the refs would call like 3 flags and hit Cville with like a 30 yard penalty (and usually didn't give a reason). Sometimes Cville just messed up, but it was just a weird game. I mean Cville scored on their first possession of the game, Neale had a 30 yard pass then Folley scored a running TD, and after that they didn't get the ball until the end of the first quarter

Cville went on offense "just" four times in the first half? Sounds pretty normal to me. I was not at the game, but unless the teams are running a spread offense, there are a ton of penalties, or a team is repeatedly forcing/being forced into 3 and outs, four times is pretty normal. And a 30 yard penalty? That is just not possible unless there are two penalties on the same play on the same team, such as a live ball penalty and a dead ball unsportsmanlike. I have seen hundreds of games and that just does not happen very often-it is highly unusual. And the refs ALWAYS give a reason, you may just have missed the signal.

 

[blackknight_pride]

Cville went on offense "just" four times in the first half? Sounds pretty normal to me. I was not at the game, but unless the teams are running a spread offense, there are a ton of penalties, or a team is repeatedly forcing/being forced into 3 and outs, four times is pretty normal. And a 30 yard penalty? That is just not possible unless there are two penalties on the same play on the same team, such as a live ball penalty and a dead ball unsportsmanlike. I have seen hundreds of games and that just does not happen very often-it is highly unusual. And the refs ALWAYS give a reason, you may just have missed the signal.

From The Daily Progress newspaper on the refs at Friday's game:
I’ll admit Friday’s crew of officials didn’t quite seem to have it together. Every call required a conference and a conversation, some were complete head scratchers and many of the head referee’s hand signals didn’t jive with what I’ve become used to in years of covering football.

 

[shauntclair]

Don't you think it's good for the refs to discuss and try to make their best decision on whether they got it right?

Dude, you're Charlottesville. You get talked up at the beginning of every season but you always end up in the same place. I do love the optimism each year but here is the definition of your program......looza. End 15 years of the same and you will have my apologies and best wishes. But you have to DO it. Apparently, this will not be the year.

I have my team in Courtland. They are playing with newbies and Cheerleaders. They have NOTHING and they not only compete, they win. This team will make the playoffs and you damn well don't want to play them when you get there. And in no way, shape or form are they State Champion caliber. You play Charlottesville and you say thank you Santa.

 

[hamspear]

The funniest thing about this post , is I am sitting here wondering how Shauntclair even made it to 2 AM in the morning to make this post. Figured you would be passed up by then!

 

[Louisadad]

Don't you think it's good for the refs to discuss and try to make their best decision on whether they got it right?

Dude, you're Charlottesville. You get talked up at the beginning of every season but you always end up in the same place. I do love the optimism each year but here is the definition of your program......looza. End 15 years of the same and you will have my apologies and best wishes. But you have to DO it. Apparently, this will not be the year.

I have my team in Courtland. They are playing with newbies and Cheerleaders. They have NOTHING and they not only compete, they win. This team will make the playoffs and you damn well don't want to play them when you get there. And in no way, shape or form are they State Champion caliber. You play Charlottesville and you say thank you Santa.

HUGE win for Courtland!

 

[shauntclair]

The funniest thing about this post , is I am sitting here wondering how Shauntclair even made it to 2 AM in the morning to make this post. Figured you would be passed up by then!

When you are an alcoholic, you are always an alcoholic. Doesn't matter if your last drink was 5 minutes ago or 5 years ago. I was up at this time because my Father is incontinent, 94 and had diarrhea. Also, severe dementia. So cooperation should not and cannot be expected. He needed to be cleaned. So did the bedding and clothing. Imagine a baby. Now imagine him 180 lbs and not learning every day but becoming stupider and completely devoid of any ability to remember a thing for more than 30 seconds. He will also hallucinate and not remember who you are when you walk into the room.

I do appreciate humor and you have certainly earned my respect over time but this one kind of irked me a bit. I realize this is not completely fair to throw at you but it's just where I am right now.

 

[hamspear]

Completely apologize did not realize that I was touching on a sensitive topic for you. Best of luck in the future and I hope you get healthy.

 

[GilliamRatings]

So you like not having a place to sit for the visiting fans? No atmosphere for the visitors to even get into the game. The field is really nice and no track is nice but that's about it

No track is not nice. Our track team could really use one. My daughter ran track for four years without a home meet. My son is three years behind her and will be completing his third year without a track.

 

[shauntclair]

Completely apologize did not realize that I was touching on a sensitive topic for you. Best of luck in the future and I hope you get healthy.

I do like the ball busting. I have no issue with that and rate it highly.

I am touchy on certain things. Life gives you tough burdens. Then it gives you more.

I do not hide that I am an alcoholic. I will always be an alcoholic. That I haven't touched a drop in more than 5 years doesn't matter. I will still always be an alcoholic. But the damage has already been done and I have chosen to simply allow things to run their natural course. Everything has already been taken care of for my Father, my children and myself. Appreciate your thoughts and wishes.

 

[Virginiahssports]

No track is not nice. Our track team could really use one. My daughter ran track for four years without a home meet. My son is three years behind her and will be completing his third year without a track.

Orange could put in some money and fix the track st the school and put bleachers in there. That would be a nice stadium there behind the field house. They poured in the money for the field house theycan do the same for a stadium. Or they can make a new baseball field and install visitor bleachers at porterfield either way it's atrocious right now in my opinion

 

[GilliamRatings]

Interestingly, if playoffs started today, Orange would be at Albemarle in the first round. That would assure a Jefferson District advancing in the 5A playoffs.