Week #6 of What Caught Your Attention.
- Thread starter EPJr1947
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Varina vs HSHS later this year will be one of the better games in the long running series.
Springers are on a revenge tour. Two losses to 6-0 Dinwiddie and soon to be 7-0 Hough (top 8A team in NC) by a combined 10 points. I’ll be VERY shocked if they aren’t playing at JMU this December.
HS coach states that the regular season is just practice for the 5-game real season.
Varina might be telling the HS coach that they need to practice more!!!???
What caught my eye last night was…, nothing. Dinwiddie, Hampton, Highland Springs, and Westmorland won as expected. Of course Phoebus losing is unusual, but I think most of us had a gut feeling that they were going to find Highland Springs a handful.
The other three were strongly favored.
What I did notice was that, for this area at least, it finally started feeling like football weather. We provided Brunswick Stew and grilled cheese sandwiches for the press booth staff and other workers, and it was the perfect meal for a cool night.
What caught my eye last night was…, nothing. Dinwiddie, Hampton, Highland Springs, and Westmorland won as expected. Of course Phoebus losing is unusual, but I think most of us had a gut feeling that they were going to find Highland Springs a handful.
The other three were strongly favored.
What I did notice was that, for this area at least, it finally started feeling like football weather. We provided Brunswick Stew and grilled cheese sandwiches for the press booth staff and other workers, and it was the perfect meal for a cool night.
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Phoebus lost a lot of talent, that was a special group of players that came through that program. Last year senior class, every season ended in a championship for them and now you got to replace all that production. Doesn’t help that Phoebus first game of the season wasn’t until week 3
Truth be told, Blacksburg could easily have prevailed. The Bruins repeatedly hurt themselves with penalties, and dropped what should have been an interception on Salem’s game-winning drive. Also, IMHO Blacksburg’s lines won the battle on both sides of the ball, which was most discouraging.
It was finally driven home to me - the Spartans are *really* down this year. Not just “down-for-Salem” down, but *down.* Hey, it happens. It just hasn’t happened in Salem since Reagan’s first term.
Something that caught my attention was during springs vs Phoebus game, the refs stopped the game because the bands were playing while the game was in-play. Is that a thing for any other areas in the state because that’s never been a thing Richmond area.
The band playing during live ball situations is technically against VHSL rules and can illicit an unsportsmanlike penalty.
However, this enforcement is widely inconsistent. Depends on the coaches and the refs themselves. I've been to games where one or both bands played almost non-stop throughout the whole game. No issues.
Been to another game where neither coach complained, but the white hat approached the school's AD and instructed him to speak to both sides about the band noise.
However, this enforcement is widely inconsistent. Depends on the coaches and the refs themselves. I've been to games where one or both bands played almost non-stop throughout the whole game. No issues.
Been to another game where neither coach complained, but the white hat approached the school's AD and instructed him to speak to both sides about the band noise.
I was disappointed with Louisa fans at matoaca blowing air horns during plays. It’s rude and I was embarrassed.
Technically it’s not against any NFHS game rules, but VHSL put out word like 7-8 years ago that game administrators who don’t stop it risk sportsmanship violations. Referees stopping the game to address bands are annoying. Just call the game and let the administrators handle that.
To speak to your reference to the 804 lack of enforcement, my understanding is those administrators felt like active bands add a lot to the atmosphere and that’s one of the areas of the state where there are frequently two bands and full stands at games. So they didn’t want to mess with a good thing re: game atmosphere.
Richmond-area schools are doing this the right way. Maintaining game atmosphere.
That's pretty common around here. Air horns, the little cordless drill looking train horns, and of course, cowbells...lots of cowbells.
Gate City has a whole sheet of metal roofing attached to the rail in front of their student section that they beat on non-stop while the other team has the ball. Pretty annoying, but it does add to the atmosphere of the game. Haha
Yeah I respect the heck out of Phoebus and their staff. They’ve had an incredible run. My comments are to Phoebus Fan (and him only) as he talked all that smack and disrespected Dinwiddie many times last year and over the summer calling them a one man show.
Honestly, I do not think the officials can call a penalty on a team because the band is playing during live ball situations. They, however, can stop the game and talk to the game administrator.
Another mis-understood rule is that officials can call a penalty for sideline interference by non-football related players and staff. The primary example is a media representative. Again, they can stop the game and discuss the problem with the game administrator.
Another mis-understood rule is that officials can call a penalty for sideline interference by non-football related players and staff. The primary example is a media representative. Again, they can stop the game and discuss the problem with the game administrator.
me too until last year when my brother showed up at a midlothian game and they are for sure using them this year.
Did Salem really lose 49-7 to Patrick Henry? I know they're having a down year, but wow. That surprises me.
I imagine they still have a viable path to the playoffs if they're able to win the rest of their games against the softer back half of their schedule, but it may be close. JF, Sherando, GW, James Wood, and Handley are probably locked in at this point barring unexpected late season collapses. Several teams could grab those final three spots.
I imagine they still have a viable path to the playoffs if they're able to win the rest of their games against the softer back half of their schedule, but it may be close. JF, Sherando, GW, James Wood, and Handley are probably locked in at this point barring unexpected late season collapses. Several teams could grab those final three spots.
Yes, 49-7; it was 34-7 at the half. The final margin probably could have been worse.
I see no viable path to the playoffs for the Spartans. Even assuming they win out to finish 5-5, their five defeated opponents would combine for something between ten and twelve wins. That’s precious few bonus points.
And that 5-5 finish might be wishful thinking. I’m not sure that Salem will beat Cave Spring (who beat Blacksburg last night), and the Pulaski County and C’burg games might be iffy as well. 2-8 is a possibility; not likely, but possible. I am not joking.
I suppose finishing 5-5 and barely edging out some other bad team for the final playoff spot is possible, but the prize would just be a big first-round loss.
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Another surprise is how close deep run played GA, Glen Allen looked dominant in the second half of the game against Hampton last week and Deep run got the doors blown off them by herm.
Not surprised after seeing Teejay hang 60 on them, had a feeling Maury would do way worse. The District got to do something about some of these games.
Guess I should have been more specific. I was referring to this:
54-18-1 Bands-Participating schools' bands/pep bands are not allowed to play during live ball situations at any VHSL event. Any deviation from this policy will constitute a VHSL Sportsmanship Violation under Section 30 (Penalties/Fines) and may be defined as excessive unsportsmanlike conduct ($300 fine).
Note: For the purpose of this rule in football, live ball situations begin with the offense breaking the huddle or for no huddle offenses when the offense begins getting into a formation.
54-19-1 Artificially and/or Amplified Noisemakers-The use of artificially and/or amplified noisemakers (examples of this include, but are not limited to, train or diesel horns, amplified guitar note or riff ) are not allowed during live ball situations at any VHSL event. Any deviation from this policy will constitute a VHSL Sportsmanship Violation (Excessive Unsportsmanlike Conduct - $300 Fine).
Note: For the purpose of this rule in football, live ball situations begin with the ball
being handled by the snapper.
Good post Union Fan.
It is also in the Handbook that the PA announcer should not use the PA system to excite the home team fans. The PA announcer is supposed to stay completely neutral.
It saddened me to see Salem take another whipping. It would have probably been a close game in normal years. PH is undefeated and has a killer defense. I think Salem can win the remainder of their games, but I’m not totally confident of that.
Another team that is having a terrible season is Clarke County. We are used to them being a contender, but they are anything but this year. Just not much talent walking the halls this year, I guess?
Tiny Windsor remains undefeated.
Probably the biggest news of this week is about what’s coming up next Friday. Loudoun County won as expected this week while Loudoun Valley had their bi-week. This sets up a mega game at Loudoun County between two undefeated teams. Both have high powered offenses and both are stingy on defense. Oh, and did I mention the inter-county rivalry??
Maury hanging 91 on Booker T is noteworthy, but not shocking. You never tell your subs to not go as hard as they can. Maury is one of the most elite teams in the state with good talent alt the way down to the ball boys. And poor Booker T is just trying to maintain a football program.
Charles City forfeiting to Essex was a wise move. Nothing was going to be gained by either team if they played.
I’ll tell you about another big game coming up this week. Rye Cove at Eastside. Both put a lot of points on the board. This might me one of those 63-59 games that is decided by who has the ball last.
Some might say that beating a team 57-0 was not showing restraint, but I disagree in this case. King George visited Spotsylvania and went home soundly beaten. In case you don’t know, something occurred at King George last year that must not have been good, because the entire coaching staff left in mass and went to Spotsylvania. As a result, KG also lost several key players, too. KG is a really, really weak team this year. Spotsy could have hung 100 or more on them if they wanted to. KG has only scored 20 points total in five games, and they have allowed 258 points. I feel sorry for the kids. Once again they appear to be collateral damage caused by self serving adults.
Another team that is having a terrible season is Clarke County. We are used to them being a contender, but they are anything but this year. Just not much talent walking the halls this year, I guess?
Tiny Windsor remains undefeated.
Probably the biggest news of this week is about what’s coming up next Friday. Loudoun County won as expected this week while Loudoun Valley had their bi-week. This sets up a mega game at Loudoun County between two undefeated teams. Both have high powered offenses and both are stingy on defense. Oh, and did I mention the inter-county rivalry??
Maury hanging 91 on Booker T is noteworthy, but not shocking. You never tell your subs to not go as hard as they can. Maury is one of the most elite teams in the state with good talent alt the way down to the ball boys. And poor Booker T is just trying to maintain a football program.
Charles City forfeiting to Essex was a wise move. Nothing was going to be gained by either team if they played.
I’ll tell you about another big game coming up this week. Rye Cove at Eastside. Both put a lot of points on the board. This might me one of those 63-59 games that is decided by who has the ball last.
Some might say that beating a team 57-0 was not showing restraint, but I disagree in this case. King George visited Spotsylvania and went home soundly beaten. In case you don’t know, something occurred at King George last year that must not have been good, because the entire coaching staff left in mass and went to Spotsylvania. As a result, KG also lost several key players, too. KG is a really, really weak team this year. Spotsy could have hung 100 or more on them if they wanted to. KG has only scored 20 points total in five games, and they have allowed 258 points. I feel sorry for the kids. Once again they appear to be collateral damage caused by self serving adults.
don't know about that area but in the RVa area district games are not a requirement to make the regionals so some district schools don't play each other.
In a stunning display of football prowess, the Graham High School G-Men dominated the Marion High School Hurricanes in a one-sided match that ended with a final score of 56 to 0. The G-Men's relentless offense and impenetrable defense left the Hurricanes struggling to gain any ground, resulting in a shutout victory that will be remembered for seasons to come.
People keep saying Salem is having a "down year" What I've seen is not a down year but a total collapse of the program just like im seeing at Galax. They are historically bad. Posting school record worst for record, scoring defense, and scoring offense. They have collapsed all the way down to pre Coach White Salem which was morbid. Program numbers are deeply concerning for a school this size as I counted 20 some players dressed the other night. With numbers that low, it looks bad for the foreseeable future. Good programs dont drop like this, but good teams do. In short order this has become a total rebuild job. There's a strong possibility of a 2-8 finish.
I think we will see 6-4, but like you said, the train has come off the track for some reason. I guess they are the victim of a perfect storm of lower talent moving through the ranks, injuries, and probably the apathy kids have toward the commitment football takes has finally hit Salem. I honestly don’t think that the Salem coaching staff has done anything wrong, but you have to have the players to compete. When many schools have a down year it’s no big deal. A good year is to just have a winning season. So 2-8 does not concern anyone. But Salem expects to make a run for the championship EVERY year. So a fall off this severe is extremely unsettling.
As I stated above, I agree that a 2-8 finish is possible. Not likely, but possible. 1-9 (1981) is the worst record in school history, so this year’s Salem team will definitely beat that mark (Hidden Valley is historically terrible). As for the offensive and defensive negative records - those remain to be seen. But I don’t think the Salem ‘25 squad will wind up being the worst-ever in either category. Time will tell.
None of which is cause for celebration, of course. The drop in performance level and in numbers, as you note, are definitely alarming. I just disagree that we’re at the “total program collapse” point yet. The numbers and records of the JV, 8th grade, and 7th grade teams are still decent.
Still, I would think things need to be addressed to keep this one down year from becoming a trend.
I don’t think Loudoun County will have any problem with LV. It is a a rivalry , how ever I think LC is on another level than LV. Just my opinion.