Seeing some reports that they are favored to come out of the West this year. Hard for me to buy stock but maybe someone in the know could inform me on what the Eagles are looking like? I know they have a couple of linemen with SEC offers and should have some solid skill guys, they always do.
GW Danville getting a lot of love
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A lot of their love is from Danville area centric groups. They are definitely the best team in the southside (along with MV). They had a great record last year, but a few close wins against good/decent teams(Glass, MV, LB), When they got to JF they got blown away. If they can stay around and make Reidsville competitive and dominate the rest of the schedule, then I'd say they have a shot. Otherwise, I'd go with JF. They bring mostly everyone back and will be loaded.
A post by Sixth Man Sports on Facebook asks if it's GW's year to win the state. I like their content and coverage of high school sports, but the real question should be, "can GW win the region"? They haven't won a region since 1996. They haven't won the state since 1982.
GW may very well win the region, but JF made a big step up last year, and I would think they would be the frontrunner. Handley played JF tough in the playoffs, only losing by 4. If I'm not mistaken, JF and Handley both have Sr QB's that have started since they were freshmen.
Sherando wasn't as strong last year as the 3 teams mentioned above, but they are usually in the mix. I have no idea what Glass returns, but I won't overlook their potential. Salem had an uncharacteristically poor season last year. At one point early in the season I counted 10 Sophomores starting. With the QB's injury and the other turmoil they had to deal with early, they were effectively playing a Varsity schedule with a JV team.
If GW makes it to the region final they will have to step up in that game. Their performance in finals since dropping to C4 has been lackluster.
2014 L 49-28
2020 L 35-21
2021 L 48-14
2025 L 49-7
I like JF to come out of the West and play in the state championship if they do reseeding again. I think you’ll see
1. Region B champion
2. Region D champion- JF
3. Region C
4. Region A- Lafayette
Varina/JF was the state championship as far as I’m concerned and would’ve been the game had it been the old format. JF played Varina better than any team (including Huguenot, they were terrified of Varina) this past December.
1. Region B champion
2. Region D champion- JF
3. Region C
4. Region A- Lafayette
Varina/JF was the state championship as far as I’m concerned and would’ve been the game had it been the old format. JF played Varina better than any team (including Huguenot, they were terrified of Varina) this past December.
Goodyear is about gone, Dan River Mills been gone for 20 years this year. GW was a Class 6 school until 2008 and 18 years later has dropped 3 classifications. Some of it does have to do with Galileo Magnet (VHSL C1 school in Danville) who now has all sports except football and baseball. Wouldn’t be shocked if they added those sports in the next 5 years.
Oh yeah, Glass is dropping to C3 too. Crazy thinking that at one time, both schools had 2000+ students.
Goodyear aside, the Danville/Pittsylvania area has several big economic development projects underway. Lithium-ion battery plant with 1,800 jobs, rocket plant with 1,500 jobs, and data center. Big projects have claimed most of the industrial land in Danville and Pittsylvania. The region is preparing for more growth. - Cardinal News
Whether that'll reverse the enrollment decline at GW Danville is uncertain. There's the magnet school and private schools, and there are just fewer kids now. Any growth also might more likely go to non-city schools.
They did not play Varina better than Huguenot whatsoever. And Varina’s coaching staff themselves said the same.
Most of Varina’s staff are on Facebook minimizing every opponent they face, so I take that for face value. Biggest difference for me was Huguenot actually had the talent to win Class 4, JF didn’t. Huguenot had 5 players on the offensive side of the ball who will play ACC/SEC/Big 10 ball and only put up 12 points. The team from Forest were much better coached, more prepared and did not play scared against a much superior Varina team, in comparison to Huguenot.
You guys are going to have to trust me on this one. GW will be much better than last year.
I also agree with whoever said their regional round performance must improve. If they stay healthy, it will.
GW has two SEC caliber OL, Stanford Lipscomb is a top 3 RB in C4, and they have some nice looking skill guys (got EJ Linder from Chatham who’s an absolute stud). I think they’ll be really good.
The casino money allowed major upgrades to the DPS. GW has more coaches and improved facilities across the athletic program.
In addition to the above, a large data center is coming to Berry Hill. The economic development will help the whole area.
GW should have as stout O and D lines as they have ever had including 68, 82, and 94.
In addition to the above, a large data center is coming to Berry Hill. The economic development will help the whole area.
GW should have as stout O and D lines as they have ever had including 68, 82, and 94.
Piedmont will be down this year aside from GW and Magna Vista who may have the best QB west of Richmond (and they added Martinsville’s D1 bound WR). GW’s OOD schedule is impressive. Wish they were playing Dinwiddie instead of Fleming.
Heard he might be staying at Martinsville because of the new transfer rules. Not as easy to transfer as it used to be.
MV will always be in the hunt because they are well coached. If Bam is there he is a good pickup. Did a QB transfer in? If you are referencing the JV QB from last year he is good but he ain't as good as what they graduated. Simeon Moore was a beast. Many in the Piedmont are glad he graduated.
None of them, especially GW will ever be in the hunt unless they stop bleeding kids down to Reidsville, N, for the the last 25 years.MV will always be in the hunt because they are well coached. If Bam is there he is a good pickup. Did a QB transfer in? If you are referencing the JV QB from last year he is good but he ain't as good as what they graduated. Simeon Moore was a beast. Many in the Piedmont are glad he graduated.
Hunter Willard is the young man. Hard to replace a talent like Sim and E Dukes, but Hunter reminds me a lot of Hunter Brynes who was the QB at GW over 10 years ago. 6’2, 215, makes tough throws, very smart, can run, and is just a tough kid overall. He’ll be a D1 college baseball player but it’ll be fun to watch him play football these next two years. I like this MV team a lot.MV will always be in the hunt because they are well coached. If Bam is there he is a good pickup. Did a QB transfer in? If you are referencing the JV QB from last year he is good but he ain't as good as what they graduated. Simeon Moore was a beast. Many in the Piedmont are glad he graduated.
Don't think GW has lost many to R'ville. One I know of about 8 years ago. Not many difference makers have left.
GW's problem as someone pointed out has been the regional round. To say Salem has been a thorn in the Eagles side would be an understatement and this past year they were just outplayed by JF. Getting past that round would do a lot for GW mentally.
GW's problem as someone pointed out has been the regional round. To say Salem has been a thorn in the Eagles side would be an understatement and this past year they were just outplayed by JF. Getting past that round would do a lot for GW mentally.
Kendre is a Danville kid. Not sure when he moved to Reidsville but his mom is GW Danville class of 96. Will miss watching him and Dionte play ball at Reidsville. You’re probably referring to Khalil Hairston who started at QB for GW as a freshman and then played at Reidsville his last two years. I think he ended up being a better basketball player for the Rams. He was in that time period after Houghton and before Breon Pass. Rams were still dang good during that stretch.
Rams got shyheim watlington from gw. His dad played at reidsville. He was a baller. Khalil Hairston would’ve been better at reidsville if he moved to wr. We also didn’t have a great receiving core during that time period.
Actually Watlington is who I was thinking about. I forgot about Hairston. So two guys over the last 20+ years doesn't seem to qualify as "bleeding" kids. This especially true when one considers Watlington's dad played at R'ville and probably still lives there.
Kendre, to my knowledge, was never considered a GW kid. He never took a snap here unless it was pop warner. He was long gone before he entered 9th grade.
Kendre, to my knowledge, was never considered a GW kid. He never took a snap here unless it was pop warner. He was long gone before he entered 9th grade.
