Region4D
- Thread starter CrushBlock
- Start date
Handley and Sherando are also both 4-0. They will play each other in the regular season. Handley gave JF a good game in the regional semis last year, so I suspect they are for real.
In the thirteen seasons since GW dropped to what is now called Class 4, they have reached the regional championship three times - 2020 (played in spring of ‘21), 2021, and last year. In those three games, the Eagles have lost by an average of 30 points. Almost every year, they have received much fanfare as a favorite to win the region. And every single year, they have ultimately proven to have been an imposter. I suspect their regular season schedule makes GW appear much more formidable than they actually are (although they have admirably upgraded their schedule in recent years). At any rate, until they actually break through and prove they can win the region, I see no reason to think this year will be any different.
In the end, I think the Region D champion is going to be Jefferson Forest or Salem, with Handley also having a viable chance. This is all barring injuries or any other unforeseen defections, of course.
In the thirteen seasons since GW dropped to what is now called Class 4, they have reached the regional championship three times - 2020 (played in spring of ‘21), 2021, and last year. In those three games, the Eagles have lost by an average of 30 points. Almost every year, they have received much fanfare as a favorite to win the region. And every single year, they have ultimately proven to have been an imposter. I suspect their regular season schedule makes GW appear much more formidable than they actually are (although they have admirably upgraded their schedule in recent years). At any rate, until they actually break through and prove they can win the region, I see no reason to think this year will be any different.
In the end, I think the Region D champion is going to be Jefferson Forest or Salem, with Handley also having a viable chance. This is all barring injuries or any other unforeseen defections, of course.
I think it’ll come down to Salem and Jefferson Forest. Sherando, James Wood, Handley, and G.W. are all decent, but not on the level of the first two consistently.
That’s not to say one of those four couldn’t get hot at the right time and go on a run, but they haven’t been as consistently impressive as Salem or JF. Sherando has a good O-line and strong RB, but hasn’t defended the pass well and struggles to make tackles despite getting into the backfield often. If they can fix those issues I might call them a contender.
Handley probably has the best player in the region, but their defense is terrible and will cost them games against stiffer competition. If you haven’t seen highlights of their QB, go have a look. There’s a reason he got a P4 offer as a freshman, and I’d wager the only reason he hasn’t gotten more is because he missed last year due to injury. Easily the best QB from the Winchester area in the past 20-ish years, probably longer.
That’s not to say one of those four couldn’t get hot at the right time and go on a run, but they haven’t been as consistently impressive as Salem or JF. Sherando has a good O-line and strong RB, but hasn’t defended the pass well and struggles to make tackles despite getting into the backfield often. If they can fix those issues I might call them a contender.
Handley probably has the best player in the region, but their defense is terrible and will cost them games against stiffer competition. If you haven’t seen highlights of their QB, go have a look. There’s a reason he got a P4 offer as a freshman, and I’d wager the only reason he hasn’t gotten more is because he missed last year due to injury. Easily the best QB from the Winchester area in the past 20-ish years, probably longer.
Appreciate the info on the Winchester-area teams. What school offered the Handley quarterback?
Ngl still salty at sherando from 2 years ago, guy jumped over the snapper and we doinked the field goal.
No excuse for the loss but a rematch would be good fun.
No excuse for the loss but a rematch would be good fun.
Syracuse. I know he turned heads at a couple of the camps around VA too. Would love to see him stay in state.
I think it would be a good game. From what I've seen on NFHS, Salem is the better team at this point in the season, but the gulf between them might not be as big as it was in 2017. This year's Sherando reminds me a lot of the Kettle Run teams from the past few years, though maybe not at that level yet. No one guy that can take over a game, but solid all around and will run teams to death if they can't handle Sherando's O-line.
Salem physicality this year makes that sound like a fun match up. Salem plays hard, physical and fast and it wins them games. Still stuff to clean up. I know dinwiddie was a good test, but still think a team that can match them physically will keep a game too close for comfort because they are making some mental mistakes. They can be cleaned up. And Salem usually does. But certainly not unbeatable in 4D
These 6 teams seem to be head and shoulders above the bottom 9:
JF 4-0 (LTP- LCA, Her)
Sherando 4-0 (LTP- KR, Hand)
GW 3-0 (LTP- MV)
Handley 4-0 (LTP‐ KR, Sher)
Salem 4-0 (LTP- PH)
James Wood 3-1 (Hand)
Charlottesville 2-1
Liberty Beal 2-2
Blacksburg 2-2
Amherst 1-3
Millbrook 1-3
Orange 1-2
Halifax 1-3
Mecklenburg 1-3
Glass 0-4
JF 4-0 (LTP- LCA, Her)
Sherando 4-0 (LTP- KR, Hand)
GW 3-0 (LTP- MV)
Handley 4-0 (LTP‐ KR, Sher)
Salem 4-0 (LTP- PH)
James Wood 3-1 (Hand)
Charlottesville 2-1
Liberty Beal 2-2
Blacksburg 2-2
Amherst 1-3
Millbrook 1-3
Orange 1-2
Halifax 1-3
Mecklenburg 1-3
Glass 0-4
I agree with this list. Obviously you're going to run into some good teams along the way no matter what, but getting a top 2 seed will be very beneficial this year. #3 and #4 will get very loseable home games in the first round.
