R E Lee vs Poquoson...the other game
- Thread starter pizzzzza
- Start date
I believe the NewsLeader was wrong in their article today. Since 1970, Lee has won three region football titles, and this will be their third state semifinals appearance. In 1977 they beat Spotsylvania 7-6 to win the region, then lost to Southampton 34-0 in the semifinal. In 1990 they beat Western Albemarle 27-21 to win the region, then lost to Nottoway 14-0 in the semifinal.
I bring that up to predict that this appearance Lee should not get shutout. If the Leemen continue to keep turnovers and penalties (and 5 yard punts, lol) at a minimum, playing at home might be the difference. I hope so.
I'm beginning to really lose faith in whoever keeps up with RE Lee High School history at the NewsLeader as this is the second error I've seen this season. The first came when they said they were facing Buffalo Gap for the first time in school history in football (this was the 3rd meeting).
You are correct in that this is at least the 3rd time (that I can remember) the Leemen have been in the State Semi-Finals since 1970. The playoffs were not structure the same way prior to that or there would have been a few more, as there were some really good teams particularly in the 60s. The 1962 team was one of the best pre-1970 teams and maintains the highest win percentage in a season (as far back as I know) as they went undefeated, 9-0, while the '61 team only lost one game but neither team got to go to a playoff, let alone a state tourney.
As for the matchup, I hope the Leemen can pull it off as Poquoson can play some darn good football. I hope the Leemen can put up enough points to win, while breaking the school's infamous State Semi Pointless/Shutout/Scoreless streak.
This got me to thinking how many times Poquoson teams have won regional championships, and I count 7 over the years: 1976, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2010 and now 2017. They went on to play in the title game twice, both in division 3. In 2004, they were steamrolled by a phenomenal Gretna team, 40-14. In 2010, Poquoson won it all, besting a Richlands team with a highly potent offense, 23-17.
Interestingly, according to vhsl-reference.com, Poquoson and Robert E. Lee each have a student population of 741.
Good data. That 2004 Poquoson team was damn good and had some speed with Zidenburg (now coaching at VMI) and Fiedler, but Gretna's speed with Vic Hall and a few other players was on a whole 'nother level. I think if they had faced any other team in 3A, Poquoson would have won. Poquoson may be facing a similar deficit in speed against RE Lee this weekend.
Actually, 2003 was Josh Zidenberg's last year at Poquoson. The 2003 regional championship against York was an instant classic. Poquoson trailed 16 to 23, after York's Charles Brown-Rich broke free and scored on a long run with a minute and change remaining. The PAT was no good. After the kickoff, Poquoson drove down the field and scored on a diving catch in the endzone by Steve Phillips. Poquoson went for 2, and won the game with Zidenberg romping in untouched. The Daily Press reported that York's head coach received hate mail after the game, the gripe being that he should have instructed his team to run out the clock and not to score. Pretty harsh criticism.
Poquoson lost the following game, the state semi-finals, to Monticello, 35-33, on a bitter cold Monday night, the game postponed from the previous Saturday due to snow. Monticello couldn't stop the running attack of Zidenberg and company, and Poquoson couldn't stop the passing attack of Monticello. So ended the high school career of the undisputed best player to ever suit up for Poquoson.
Scores and names are from memory, so forgive me if anything is slightly off.
Poquoson lost the following game, the state semi-finals, to Monticello, 35-33, on a bitter cold Monday night, the game postponed from the previous Saturday due to snow. Monticello couldn't stop the running attack of Zidenberg and company, and Poquoson couldn't stop the passing attack of Monticello. So ended the high school career of the undisputed best player to ever suit up for Poquoson.
Scores and names are from memory, so forgive me if anything is slightly off.
Last edited:
Newsleader posted a different article online today with the same error, saying this would be the first state semi appearance for Lee, which again, is at least the third state semi appearance.
What gets me is that in the same article yesterday it also states it is Lee's first region title since 1990. How could that 1990 team not advance to the state semifinals? Unlike basketball, football postseason has always been lose and your season is over, and there has been just four regions. Common sense should then tell you that this season is not the first time a Lee team has appeared in a state semifinal. Unless the writer hasn't followed local HS football???
A very impressive run by Poquoson to this point...should be a great game on Saturday!
GO BULLS!
GO BULLS!
I don’t think anyone is going to beat this Lee team handily. What they were able to do against central and luray is extremely impressive. Goochland hadn’t beat anyone considered a contender all season.
Last edited:
Poquoson can run the ball, always very important in State -Semi and Finals game rounds. I thought Greensville would give them at least a game and they bulldozed them easily. Played Lafayette, Smithfield and York has them ready to face teams with speed. Team with the less mistakes wins this one.
I don't think Robert E. Lee is going to be any pushover. They have very good team speed, an impressive defense and a quarterback that is fast, slippery, and an accurate passer. And, like the Bulls, they seem to be playing their best football of the year right now.
A number of videos of highlights from their games this year are on YouTube, including the regional finals against Luray.
I'm sure Poquoson is not looking past them.
A number of videos of highlights from their games this year are on YouTube, including the regional finals against Luray.
I'm sure Poquoson is not looking past them.
The Leemen have matured and improved dramatically since week 1. Coach G has the team dialed in. How's the Bulls' pass defense this year?
obguthr, I would say better than average this year, but needs some improvement. Certainly, this will be one of the things they will be focusing on in practice this week.
I have been down on Poq this year, but must say they proved me wrong. Having said that, their strength is from between the ends on both sides the ball, and they have good linebacker play. I will say Lee will have to pass to beat them, becuase they will not maintain drives running between the ends.
I think the two backs lee has are as good as any two left in playoffs I believe 25 and 22 so I think they will be ok running the ball and their passing is good enough you just can’t play the run
Lee's deep ball is not very accurate and the quarterback puts a LOT of air under it. If Poq's DBs don't get completely burned, they will be able to close on the ball. The X-factor is #81. He's got good size, a vertical to match, and excellent hands. Poquoson might have trouble matching up to him.
I've seen Lee open the game twice with a quick pass to the slot receiver. I don't know if it is scripted, but I would be prepared for that. Jump the route and get a cheap 6 would be a hell of a way to start the game. All in all, they will run the ball 2/3 of the time and that is the real threat.
Poquoson had a heck of baseball team in 2010. I know this is football board but I just wanted put that out there.
I'm waiting for lucus to chime in, as I don't want to misspeak...I'm surprised he hasn't given his two cents on this game yet.
And they run it well, behind their o-line. They've got a 3 back attack in the backfield, including a fullback that runs like a train, and they CAN throw the ball to keep the D honest. They're somewhat similar to the Augusta County wing teams, only Poquoson is better than those teams, at least this year anyway. Ball control, 3-4+ yards and a cloud of dust, wear your defense down as they churn out long drives and always end up having 2nd and short or 3rd and short which makes it tough on the opposing D. Their defense is stingy as well. I look for it to be a good game, but Lee better bring it today.
Been traveling to Florida and just arriving in Shenandoah Valley. The Bull Islanders run a wing type offense and much variation with the play design. Meaning, it's not s single wing, but wing T would be a little more appropriate, but it's not the pure old school strict wing T. Like most wing offenses, there is variation and evolvement with the blocking schemes which is where we give some different looks with our blocking schemes along the O Line. Defensively, much of the same with lots of different stunts with the front 7.
I'm somewhat perplexed that many in this thread actually seem to be slightly favoring Poquoson. Lee has played a solid schedule and they are THE most athletic team in A and AA ball in the Valley. They have always had athletes and playmakers and worried me early in the year about this possible matchup. Lee got passed the other solid teams on 81 like Luray, Woodstock, and the rest because of the athletic ability that showed late in the season and it was the difference as to why Lee is here and got separation from the other final 3-4 teams in Region B of which all 4 were close. I have Lee favored. Poquosons ability to run it early and not turnover will decide the game. If we get big chunks and score early and get a key stop, we are in it. If we don't score early and get behind in which Lee and it's speed can make happen quickly, then we are in trouble. Poquoson will be ready to do battle. I can assure you that. Keep in mind Poquoson has played not just some, but mostly athletic teams not just in Lafayette, York, and Smithfield, but Southampton is extremely athletic and fast and huge (still the biggest team we've played) and New Kent has altheticism and speed all over the field.
I keep hearing stuff about the other game, lol. I will repeat this again, Poquoson is as good or better on the line as not just any team left in AA, but as any AA team in Virginia. I'm not saying we are the best team, but yes, on the line of scrimmage, I would like our chances against Union and Appo just fine. Again, talking about line play, not overall outcome or overall team. What I'm saying is, with our online, running backs, and front 7 on D, we have a chance today. As for athleticism, it's not Graham (eliminated) or Appo with the most, it's actually RE Lee. Again, not arguing best overall team, but just saying that Lee's athletic ability will give them a chance in the finals if they win today. Poquosons line play will give them a chance in the finals, if they win today.
Hopefully we win today as I picked us to play for a title in August. I worry we lose by 3 scores. The game will be a nail-biting close win for Poquoson, or a 3 TD type margin for Lee if they win. Neither team wins by 8-18 points. Poquoson wins close or Lee wins big.
Go Watermen!!!!!
Been watching Riverheads play for a good little while and it’s only handful of teams that has shut running game down lee’s D-line did this year , Poquoson depends on winning by running their offensive line better be stout