First of all, congrats to Wilson for capturing the Shenandoah District regular season title with its 27-13 victory over Stuarts Draft Friday night. Elsewhere, other games went the way they were expected to with one exception...Staunton's mildly surprising 28-14 win at Fort Defiance. That leads to a couple of ties in the final standings with the Indians dropping into a 5th place tie with Buffalo Gap at 3-5 and Staunton stepping up to a 7th place tie with Waynesboro at 2-6.
Those things matter very little since it is all about the point system now, but if you were to evaluate those ties on head-to-head match-ups, the Indians beat BG and Waynesboro beat Staunton, so it would only seem fair that those two winning teams would be considered to win the tie-breakers. But as I said, let's focus now on the playoffs and analyze the chances for the six teams who will be moving on.
Since those six will be competing in three different classifications, it is exciting to consider the possibilities of bringing three state titles back here to the valley. But I have a feeling it won't be that easy. In fact, of the three divisions, I only see one where it looks like there is a decent chance for a state title, one where it "could" happen, leaving one where it looks like a real long shot. But hey that is why they play the games! So here is my take on the situation...........
REGION 3-C: As a local media source has already pointed out, that region will be a killer, with five of the eight teams having an overall record of 9-1 and that doesn't even include the two-time defending state champs. As for our Shenandoah teams, Wilson has the higher seed at number 2, with Alleghany being the lowest seeded of those 9-1 teams at number five. At one point I believe the Cougars were the number one seed. But there are four other highly-dangerous teams in that region, and who knows, maybe we can't even rule out the 7th and 8th seeds! Wilson as the two seed will host number seven Fluvanna. On paper that looks like it could be an easy win for the Green Team but according to our same newspaper guy, the Flucos are on a six-game winning streak. Also consider that is only about a one hour road trip, so they will likely bring a big crowd.
As for Alleghany, they are probably just plain ticked off about the seed they got. Not only do they have to hit the road, but they have to go to Turner Ashby again, the same place where their 10-0 record got blown up last year. However, the most interesting first-round game will be in Broadway, where the number three seeded Gobblers will host defending champ LCA, which is only seeded sixth this year. But we all know their story, so they are Numero Uno until someone knocks them off. If Wilson handles Fluvanna, they will host the winner of that one, and that will be one of the biggest games in Wilson history. Finally... notice I have not even mentioned the number one seed, Heritage of Lynchburg. They handed LCA a narrow two-point loss late in the season, so was that a fluke or has LCA finally had a "down" year by their standards? It will be awesome if one of our four "local" teams can win the region, but I have a hunch that when all is said and done, there may be a Heritage/LCA re-match that decides the issue.
REGION 2-B: The Shenandoah will be represented there by the number three seed Stuarts Draft and the number five seed Fort Defiance. There are only six teams vying for that title, and the top two.....number one Strasburg and number two Buckingham....each get a first-round bye. Needless to say, that will be a huge advantage for those two teams. The Indians have had an up and down year and even though they will give it their best I am sure, they will be over-matched in any game they play. They will travel to number four Central for their first-round game, which will be ironic, since their first-year coach (Yew) was formerly the head honcho in Woodstock. That will add an extra dimension to that game for sure. The winner will draw a semi-final trip to number one Strasburg, and you can bet that all of Shenandoah County is looking for a Central re-match.
As for the Stuarts Draft side of the bracket, they will host number six Madison County, and before I get in to the meat of that one, here is a red-hot tip to pass along for Riverheads fans..........I have just been informed by a reliable source that the Gladiators' home game against Brunswick, which I will get to below, will be a 6:00 kickoff, so assuming SD will still kick off at 7:00, Big Red fans can plan to drive the seven miles down the road, stand outside the fence, and enjoy the second half of the Cougars game.
The winner of SD/Madison will then travel to number two Buckingham in the semis. We have not heard much about the Knights up here, but that sounds like a tough draw for anybody. I would like the Cougars' chances if it comes to that, but let's plan to cross that bridge when we get to it. Which leads me to the punch line............This region will be all about Strasburg. They were a machine last year and this season they came down to Turner Ashby and destroyed a very good Knights team. So they are state tournament material again, and I think the only team standing in their way in this region will be their own district rival Falcons, since Friday's 19-13 game was as close as it was. So I see another battle between those two with the survivor having enough left in the tank to take down the SD/B'ham winner. My money is on the Rams, which I alluded to earlier, as having the best chance among the top seeds to win one of these regions, and only needing to win two games to get the job done will be a huge advantage for them.
REGION 1-B: First of all, what a wacky, spread-out region! Having attended Riverheads games in the past at Sussex, Franklin and against Surry (that one was played at Smithfield), I can attest to those trips being four hours or more from these parts. But it is what it is. In this region, the 'Doah will represented by the number three seed Gladiators and our country cousin Buffalo Gap as the number five seed. Luray is wedged between us in the four spot. Meanwhile Altavista earned the number one seed and Sussex is seeded second. So anyway you slice it, fans from our valley will most likely be making a pair of semi-final road trips "back east."
There are eight teams involved and on paper there appears to be only one competitive first-round game...that being the Bison's trip to Luray. Riverheads should ease past Brunswick, although as mentioned in my Friday recap, the Gladiators certainly have some things to work on if they hope to make a deep playoff run. The Bison trip to Luray should be a doozy and if the Gap has an advantage, it would be having the week off last week. They are a much-improved team over earlier in the season, and if they can get past the Bulldogs, they have a score to settle down in Altavista after a controversial playoff loss down there last year.
As for the top two seeds, they are drawing Cumberland and Surry County in the first round, although there are different reports about who will play who. It will make no difference as both will win easily, which means that Riverheads may be making another trip to Sussex. Current Gladiator players were not even born when the Big Red made that trip in 2006 and came home victorious on their way to State Title Number Two. I am biased of course but I think in the final analysis, RHS, BG and Luray are all battle-tested against the level of competition we have faced up here, and even though Altavista and Sussex have had great seasons and deserve to be where they are, I just don't see those two making it to the regional final. One of them might but not both. Best-case scenario for Augusta County fans will be a Riverheads/Gap regional final, so here is hoping.........
One more red hot tip to pass along. One of my other sources says to bring extra bucks to these games. The admission prices will be $10.00 in Region 1-B and it could be that same figure in other regions as well.
So let's lace them up and see what happens over these next few weeks!
Those things matter very little since it is all about the point system now, but if you were to evaluate those ties on head-to-head match-ups, the Indians beat BG and Waynesboro beat Staunton, so it would only seem fair that those two winning teams would be considered to win the tie-breakers. But as I said, let's focus now on the playoffs and analyze the chances for the six teams who will be moving on.
Since those six will be competing in three different classifications, it is exciting to consider the possibilities of bringing three state titles back here to the valley. But I have a feeling it won't be that easy. In fact, of the three divisions, I only see one where it looks like there is a decent chance for a state title, one where it "could" happen, leaving one where it looks like a real long shot. But hey that is why they play the games! So here is my take on the situation...........
REGION 3-C: As a local media source has already pointed out, that region will be a killer, with five of the eight teams having an overall record of 9-1 and that doesn't even include the two-time defending state champs. As for our Shenandoah teams, Wilson has the higher seed at number 2, with Alleghany being the lowest seeded of those 9-1 teams at number five. At one point I believe the Cougars were the number one seed. But there are four other highly-dangerous teams in that region, and who knows, maybe we can't even rule out the 7th and 8th seeds! Wilson as the two seed will host number seven Fluvanna. On paper that looks like it could be an easy win for the Green Team but according to our same newspaper guy, the Flucos are on a six-game winning streak. Also consider that is only about a one hour road trip, so they will likely bring a big crowd.
As for Alleghany, they are probably just plain ticked off about the seed they got. Not only do they have to hit the road, but they have to go to Turner Ashby again, the same place where their 10-0 record got blown up last year. However, the most interesting first-round game will be in Broadway, where the number three seeded Gobblers will host defending champ LCA, which is only seeded sixth this year. But we all know their story, so they are Numero Uno until someone knocks them off. If Wilson handles Fluvanna, they will host the winner of that one, and that will be one of the biggest games in Wilson history. Finally... notice I have not even mentioned the number one seed, Heritage of Lynchburg. They handed LCA a narrow two-point loss late in the season, so was that a fluke or has LCA finally had a "down" year by their standards? It will be awesome if one of our four "local" teams can win the region, but I have a hunch that when all is said and done, there may be a Heritage/LCA re-match that decides the issue.
REGION 2-B: The Shenandoah will be represented there by the number three seed Stuarts Draft and the number five seed Fort Defiance. There are only six teams vying for that title, and the top two.....number one Strasburg and number two Buckingham....each get a first-round bye. Needless to say, that will be a huge advantage for those two teams. The Indians have had an up and down year and even though they will give it their best I am sure, they will be over-matched in any game they play. They will travel to number four Central for their first-round game, which will be ironic, since their first-year coach (Yew) was formerly the head honcho in Woodstock. That will add an extra dimension to that game for sure. The winner will draw a semi-final trip to number one Strasburg, and you can bet that all of Shenandoah County is looking for a Central re-match.
As for the Stuarts Draft side of the bracket, they will host number six Madison County, and before I get in to the meat of that one, here is a red-hot tip to pass along for Riverheads fans..........I have just been informed by a reliable source that the Gladiators' home game against Brunswick, which I will get to below, will be a 6:00 kickoff, so assuming SD will still kick off at 7:00, Big Red fans can plan to drive the seven miles down the road, stand outside the fence, and enjoy the second half of the Cougars game.
The winner of SD/Madison will then travel to number two Buckingham in the semis. We have not heard much about the Knights up here, but that sounds like a tough draw for anybody. I would like the Cougars' chances if it comes to that, but let's plan to cross that bridge when we get to it. Which leads me to the punch line............This region will be all about Strasburg. They were a machine last year and this season they came down to Turner Ashby and destroyed a very good Knights team. So they are state tournament material again, and I think the only team standing in their way in this region will be their own district rival Falcons, since Friday's 19-13 game was as close as it was. So I see another battle between those two with the survivor having enough left in the tank to take down the SD/B'ham winner. My money is on the Rams, which I alluded to earlier, as having the best chance among the top seeds to win one of these regions, and only needing to win two games to get the job done will be a huge advantage for them.
REGION 1-B: First of all, what a wacky, spread-out region! Having attended Riverheads games in the past at Sussex, Franklin and against Surry (that one was played at Smithfield), I can attest to those trips being four hours or more from these parts. But it is what it is. In this region, the 'Doah will represented by the number three seed Gladiators and our country cousin Buffalo Gap as the number five seed. Luray is wedged between us in the four spot. Meanwhile Altavista earned the number one seed and Sussex is seeded second. So anyway you slice it, fans from our valley will most likely be making a pair of semi-final road trips "back east."
There are eight teams involved and on paper there appears to be only one competitive first-round game...that being the Bison's trip to Luray. Riverheads should ease past Brunswick, although as mentioned in my Friday recap, the Gladiators certainly have some things to work on if they hope to make a deep playoff run. The Bison trip to Luray should be a doozy and if the Gap has an advantage, it would be having the week off last week. They are a much-improved team over earlier in the season, and if they can get past the Bulldogs, they have a score to settle down in Altavista after a controversial playoff loss down there last year.
As for the top two seeds, they are drawing Cumberland and Surry County in the first round, although there are different reports about who will play who. It will make no difference as both will win easily, which means that Riverheads may be making another trip to Sussex. Current Gladiator players were not even born when the Big Red made that trip in 2006 and came home victorious on their way to State Title Number Two. I am biased of course but I think in the final analysis, RHS, BG and Luray are all battle-tested against the level of competition we have faced up here, and even though Altavista and Sussex have had great seasons and deserve to be where they are, I just don't see those two making it to the regional final. One of them might but not both. Best-case scenario for Augusta County fans will be a Riverheads/Gap regional final, so here is hoping.........
One more red hot tip to pass along. One of my other sources says to bring extra bucks to these games. The admission prices will be $10.00 in Region 1-B and it could be that same figure in other regions as well.
So let's lace them up and see what happens over these next few weeks!
