Region 4D thoughts and predictions
- Thread starter Vaborn76
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I would be surprised if anyone from 4D could play with Phoebus this year, but if there's one team that could make them sweat a little it might be Handley, provided they get some guys around Darling. I don't think Handley would win (and they might not even be the best team in 4D), but he's going to keep more than a few defensive coordinators up at night. I know he's already gotten at least two D1 offers as a freshman (one from the ACC's Syracuse) and if he can stay healthy he'll get plenty more. Dude is ridiculous.
Aside from them, I expect the usual suspects will be up to their old tricks. Salem is Salem. G.W. Danville has a very challenging first few weeks, but they'll have something to say about who wins the region. Sherando has a deceptively hard schedule featuring a loaded Jefferson (WV) team, Handley (with possibly the best QB in the state), Amherst, Kettle Run, and Loudoun County (I've heard they'll be good this year). I don't know who Jefferson Forest returns but they're always solid. Amherst will be Amherst again one of these days, but I don't know if this year is the year.
Aside from them, I expect the usual suspects will be up to their old tricks. Salem is Salem. G.W. Danville has a very challenging first few weeks, but they'll have something to say about who wins the region. Sherando has a deceptively hard schedule featuring a loaded Jefferson (WV) team, Handley (with possibly the best QB in the state), Amherst, Kettle Run, and Loudoun County (I've heard they'll be good this year). I don't know who Jefferson Forest returns but they're always solid. Amherst will be Amherst again one of these days, but I don't know if this year is the year.
Thanks for the information. I don't know a lot about the teams further south. Besides Darling Handley doesn't have much besides Josiah Johnson LB/RB. Josiah is a great LB but I don't foresee him going both ways all that often. I honestly think, Handley was stronger last year than they are going to be this year. Also Handley lost a really good offensive line coach. He retired. Of course their schedule is weak but that's nothing new. Did Jefferson Forest lose much to graduation? Are you saying Amherst will have a down year or just mediocre?
4D huh?
1). It’s a rare season that Salem is not on, or near the top of every knowledgeable preps football fan’s pick.
The Spartans are just a rock solid organization that try to stay quietly below the radar and let their results do the speaking for them.
2). Handley has been building a program that develops players for the long haul. Many school get a hot shot kid come along and they build the program around them. The Judges have been working to be a solid team in all aspects. They looked good last year, so if they weren’t decimated by graduation, they could be practicing on Thanksgiving Day.
3). Good ole GW. I will defer to my buddy “Bow Knows Sports” to explain the powers and weaknesses of this years version.
4).Ahh yes, Sherando. Always an exciting team. They always have a group of rock solid players, but to me, they seem to be just a tiny bit short of “enough” rock solid players. And those two or three that are not in the rock solid category usually get identified and exploited by their opponents.
5)Jefferson Forest
6).Mecklenburg
7).Orange
8)Amherst
9).EC Glass
You can pick any four of these and no mater how you select them, there may be one first round win hiding in there somewhere.
1). It’s a rare season that Salem is not on, or near the top of every knowledgeable preps football fan’s pick.
The Spartans are just a rock solid organization that try to stay quietly below the radar and let their results do the speaking for them.
2). Handley has been building a program that develops players for the long haul. Many school get a hot shot kid come along and they build the program around them. The Judges have been working to be a solid team in all aspects. They looked good last year, so if they weren’t decimated by graduation, they could be practicing on Thanksgiving Day.
3). Good ole GW. I will defer to my buddy “Bow Knows Sports” to explain the powers and weaknesses of this years version.
4).Ahh yes, Sherando. Always an exciting team. They always have a group of rock solid players, but to me, they seem to be just a tiny bit short of “enough” rock solid players. And those two or three that are not in the rock solid category usually get identified and exploited by their opponents.
5)Jefferson Forest
6).Mecklenburg
7).Orange
8)Amherst
9).EC Glass
You can pick any four of these and no mater how you select them, there may be one first round win hiding in there somewhere.
I don't know too much about what Amherst has this year, only that they used to be a state power and have shown improvement in recent years. I think they'll put things back together one of these days. Still a lot of talent in that area. They went 5-5 last year but their only really questionable loss was to Rustburg.
I generally agree with this list. There are more questions around the top teams than what I feel is usual, but if you made me pick a favorite I'd go for Salem. Their down years still feature really good football teams, and the same can't be said for any other team on that list. Handley is a wildcard. It will depend on if they can get anyone around Darling.
If Sherando can keep a couple guys in the county, they may have a very good team in the near future. I expect them to be solid this year, probably similar to last year's team unless some younger guys really step up. They've had teams in the past who could win a state championship, but it hasn't worked out yet for the reasons you mentioned.
And a storyline which impacts multiple regions in Class 4 including 4D.
Louisa County not returning to 4D after their two year stint in Class 5.
4B adds the Lions to an already unnecessarily bloated region while essentially an additional playoff spot has opened up in 4D.
And that’s huge for whoever finishes eighth there (I guess they are taking eight now that their region is bigger). Because if Louisa County were still there, then eighth would basically be ninth and knocked out of the playoffs.
Louisa County not returning to 4D after their two year stint in Class 5.
4B adds the Lions to an already unnecessarily bloated region while essentially an additional playoff spot has opened up in 4D.
And that’s huge for whoever finishes eighth there (I guess they are taking eight now that their region is bigger). Because if Louisa County were still there, then eighth would basically be ninth and knocked out of the playoffs.
Couple updated thoughts based on things I've seen and heard. Handley's QB Darling was apparently not practicing last week. If he's not ready to go I don't think the Judges are in the conversation for the top seed.
Sherando didn't look great against Loudoun Valley. I didn't see a couple guys I expected to on the sidelines, but I didn't have a great view and it was only a scrimmage.
I could easily see Sherando dropping games against Amherst, Jefferson (they are loaded), and Loudoun County. Kettle Run and Handley are question marks at this stage. At this point I'd have to put Salem as the clear favorite to win the region. I don't know enough about what G.W. Danville and Jefferson Forest have to say much about them. Amherst could surprise some people.
Sherando didn't look great against Loudoun Valley. I didn't see a couple guys I expected to on the sidelines, but I didn't have a great view and it was only a scrimmage.
I could easily see Sherando dropping games against Amherst, Jefferson (they are loaded), and Loudoun County. Kettle Run and Handley are question marks at this stage. At this point I'd have to put Salem as the clear favorite to win the region. I don't know enough about what G.W. Danville and Jefferson Forest have to say much about them. Amherst could surprise some people.
Kettle Run moved to C3 after their runner-up year a couple of years ago.
As far as Salem goes in the regular season, they have 2 big challenges- Fleming and Dinwiddie. I saw Fleming Fri night and their defense looks stout. Offense- the running game looks pretty good. QB's didn't attempt any mid to long range passes, so it remains to be seen if they have balance.
GW had a scrimmage with Heritage and from the clips it looked like GW has an OL that can really open up the running lanes. I would put them in the mix for Top 4 in the Region with Salem, Handley, Sherando, and JF.
As far as Salem goes in the regular season, they have 2 big challenges- Fleming and Dinwiddie. I saw Fleming Fri night and their defense looks stout. Offense- the running game looks pretty good. QB's didn't attempt any mid to long range passes, so it remains to be seen if they have balance.
GW had a scrimmage with Heritage and from the clips it looked like GW has an OL that can really open up the running lanes. I would put them in the mix for Top 4 in the Region with Salem, Handley, Sherando, and JF.
Yeah, but they still play the other NWD teams like Sherando and Handley. I just have no idea what they bring to the table this year.
Out of curiosity what did you see that makes you think Sherando didn't look good? The first team defense would have had (3) three and outs ( they were running about 12 to 15 plays straight not line judges etc) Loudon barely moved the ball the first 10 plays. On offense Sherando moved the ball effectively 5-8 yards a play, while on offense the first time, they didn't have any home run plays but does that matter?. After those first two series, Sherando pulled starters at different positions
Where is the information that Jefferson is loaded coming from? I have talked directly to people who follow WV football closely and that is not what i am hearing.
Also I watched the Amherst scrimmage and was extremely not impressed.
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I have not had this completely verified but I am hearing sad news about the QB at Handley , I really hope he makes it back.
I will put my two cents in on Sherando. I think they looked real good against Loudoun Valley in the scrimmage, just a couple of plays from completely dominating.
QB runs better than I thought , and has a significant improvement in pocket movement.Throws a good ball.
#52 had forgot about him being injured last year , looked on another level running the ball. He’s fast.
Defensively , that D line got after it all evening. Bigger than I thought they would be across the board.
I retract my earlier skepticism on maintaining the level of last year late in the season. In my opinion, this team looked further along in a positive way in the first scrimmage than they did last year. Sherando will be the team to beat in the Northwestern, and will absolutely be in the mix when the Regionail playoffs happen.
Thanks , Hammy
I will put my two cents in on Sherando. I think they looked real good against Loudoun Valley in the scrimmage, just a couple of plays from completely dominating.
QB runs better than I thought , and has a significant improvement in pocket movement.Throws a good ball.
#52 had forgot about him being injured last year , looked on another level running the ball. He’s fast.
Defensively , that D line got after it all evening. Bigger than I thought they would be across the board.
I retract my earlier skepticism on maintaining the level of last year late in the season. In my opinion, this team looked further along in a positive way in the first scrimmage than they did last year. Sherando will be the team to beat in the Northwestern, and will absolutely be in the mix when the Regionail playoffs happen.
Thanks , Hammy
That may explain it. I didn't see the beginning of the scrimmage, only the back half. Didn't mean to give off the the impression that I thought they would be bad, just maybe not as dominant as some of their past teams. I'm very impressed with Rohrbaugh and I know he'll get them where they need to be by November for a run; it's just a tough schedule, particularly at the beginning of the season.
I know a couple guys who follow EPAC football closely and they're really high on Jefferson this year. Granted, it's WV so it's often a competition to see who finishes second to Martinsburg. I didn't get the impression that they expect them to beat the Bulldogs, only that they'll be closer to a Huntington-level team than usual. I will ask for more specifics the next time I see them.
That is a pity. I hope he's able to make a full recovery since he has a long future ahead in the sport if he wants it.
Yeh I definitely don’t agree with the assessment Sherando didn’t look good . Pretty dominant performance from what I watched.
As far as Jefferson goes , they always have had high quality athletes. I have seen challenges in discipline and coaching over the years.
Please keep us posted on what you hear about Jefferson. I had also heard they were going to be loaded but when i spoke to the guys i know from down that way they were basically saying its a down year for WV football and that is what was making them look good.
I have heard that the Handley QB could be out for the year. I hate to hear that. I am no Handley fan but I wouldn't wish any athlete to be injured. Plus that kid is an absolute difference maker and has a very bright future in front of him!!