NND games this week 10, plus East games as we head to the playoffs...

[uvacavs1]

11th Lancaster at 6th Colonial Beach

Lancaster got pounded by Essex and the Beach continued to win, knocking off Northumberland (more on that game in a bit). Lamar Lucas and running game looking good. Best of luck to the Beach!

7th Essex at 2A Washington and Lee -

this game was once the premiere NND rivalry game every year, W&L beat Rappahannock last week. the Eagles have won three games in a row (3-0 in NND).

#9 Northumberland at #19 - Rappahannock

well, Northumberland has lost three in a row and MUST rebound this week in Warsaw. The Indians have collapsed three weeks in a row in the 2nd half.

Against W&L, NHS was up 20-8 at the half. The Indians were tied 14-14 with Colonial Beach at the half and it was 27-22 later. I would suggest not trying to fix it (like the D) if its not broke. Also, leave the best players in the game ALL game long. Why keep taking out your explosive play makers? Maximize their touches.

Plus, for the third week in a row, NHS gave up a crucial pass TD during a 3rd and very, very long. Obviously, its a passing down, play some prevent not man. Also, be ready at the beginning of the game and stop fumbling on the 1st play etc. Otherwise, much improvement on special teams play and blocking was shown. Good rivalry game. I think the Raiders have won like 4 or 5 in a row against NHS.

I will add the other East games a bit later...

 

[uvacavs1]

#13 West Point at 2A King William (battle of same county teams! both on a surge)

#17 Middlesex at #21 K&Q Central

#16 Mathews at #15 Charles City - (did I get this location right, Dre ? both teams are 3-5 but heading in opposite directions...

#4 Franklin at #20 Windsor

2A Brunswick at # 10 Surry (Surry may fall again)

#2 Sussex (8-0) at 2A Greensville

#3 Altavista at 2A Gretna (this also used to be a big rivalry game, except Gretna was usually on top, it seemed like A town went up as Gretna collapsed)

2A Nelson at #12 William Campbell

#13-t Northampton at 2A Nandua

2A Amelia at #5 Central L

Cumberland at 2A Nottoway

#1 Riverheads at #18 Stonewall

#8 Luray at 2A Stuarts Draft

Looks like even with some lower 1A teams playing 2As, 1A football should go 4-4 against 2A this week.

please post any thoughts on any games, quickly coming to the end of the regular season.

 

[HighestPoint]

The way I see the final 2 weeks going:
Top 8, stay the top 8, may move around within a little bit based on points. But I don't see any of them falling out of Getting to host their first game, whether it is in round 1 or after the bye.

#9 Northumberland, in- Wins their final two but doesn't have the rider points to catch the top 8. Winning 5 in a row, then losing 3 in a row- They could really use two wins to get back on track. Especially if they have to travel to Essex in the first round.

#10 William Campbell, in- Wins their final two against 2A's and climbs from 12 to 10. Which I think will land them a road trip to Colonial Beach in the first round. An interesting match up.

#11 Surry, in- I think they lose their final 2 and finish 4-6 but their losses aren't killer with Park View being a 13 point loss (almost a 1A win), 2A Brunswick and a 8-9 win Sussex team coming up.

#12 Charles City, bubble in- Will likely win their final two games and climb into the last spot. But they will get Mathews and West Point's best shot in the coming weeks since they need wins to get in as well.

Left out:
#13 Lancaster, bubble out- Losses to CB and Northumberland to round out the year will put them close but just short. A win in either of these games would probably lock them in.

#14 Northampton, bubble out- Will finish with 2 losses to 2A teams on the Eastern Shore. at 4-6 wont have the points to get into the top 12 but this is the first time they've even been in this conversation in some time.

#15 West Point, bubble out- Will finish with 2 losses and at 4-6. A win this week against a 2A or beating Charles City would likely get them in. No consolation prize but to be in the conversation after an 0-10 year says a lot about their staff and players.

#16 Middlesex, out- A win against King and Queen gets them to 3-6 then they play Mathews again (Does the second meeting between two teams count? If so they may finish higher). 2 wins that count could put them close but I don't see them that high.

#17 Mathews, out- A loss to Charles City to get them to 3-6. Same idea, if that 2nd game counts for points it could be more meaningful. For them to get in they will need to beat CC and a win against Middlesex that counts for points.

 

[riversportsfan]

I am interested in how a lot of these games play out. Essex at W&L I think will draw a large crowd and it will still be a big time rivalry game. Both teams need wins, and even through Essex's winning streaks these game were close some years. Should be a fun game to watch. Northumberland may roll at Rapp, but is it fair to say Rapp is probably the best #19 seed ever? I have seen them play hard and they can still give you a run for your money. I am also surprised I haven't heard much noise from West Point fans. When is the last time they beat King William? Seems like they are healthy and as ready as they are going to be to take on the upset. King William always seems to find a way though, so we will see. Northampton in a big playoff implication/fellow Eastern Shore foe with Nandua. I would like to see that one, but I don't think I am making that drive to the Eastern Shore. I bet it would be a cool place to be tonight. I am also interested in the Luray @ Stuarts Draft game. I wonder how Luray will show up tonight. Does Central Lunenburg just go in and work Amelia tonight? I don't know. So a lot of great high school action in the east this week.

 

[Twobyfour]

The KW WP game is going to be a slobberknocker. Both teams are looking for respect and both desperately need wins to get in playoff contention. It could also determine the distict champion, with KW having a stranglhold on it, only losing once or twice in 30 yrs. It always seems like KW has good teams when WP has good teams. I don't think they have missed playoffs but maybe once in 30 yrs