Predictions

That sounds good EXCEPT, D2 only has 8 teams in it...if we are going to have 6 of those in the playoffs, there is no use in exen playing regular season..might as well move to TN cuz they let everyone in as well.

I say Burton should play their starters for the first half. They need to play to maintain their rhythm. If you don't play them at all then that would be 2 weeks off before the playoffs and they might end up a little cold and rusty.

The only problem is 7 of the 8 D2 teams are pretty good.

Pretty good or not...4 is enough. We don't need watered down playoffs.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'><span style='font-family: Arial Black'>Powell Valley vs Appalachia</span></span>
You can't talk about LPD history without talking about the rivalry between these two teams over the years. Even though the series became more of a one-sided affair, I don't think the rivalry will ever die as long as the two schools exist. No LPD title is at stake here. It's an old cliche, but this game is as much about pride as anything else. Folks in Appalachia have been waiting a while for the Dawgs to get another win over the Vikings, but I'm afraid they're going to have to wait a while longer. Powell Valley should win this game by a good margin.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'><span style='font-family: Arial Black'>JI Burton vs Gate City</span></span>
With Gate City in the CMD and JI Burton having already won the LPD Championship, there is not as much riding on this game this year. So, how big is this game? Well, a win over JIB would be huge for GC, for bragging rights if nothing else. I've heard people in Norton talking about this game since back in September, but I think its a much more important game for GC. I personally think JIB needs to give their starters a break in this game to heal some injuries and let the chips fall where they may. But, again, when I thought Adams might be conservative with his starters this year, he hasn't been. I think this game depends on what approach JIB takes to the game: play to make it 10-0 or play to finish the season and focus on the playoffs. Will the Raiders take a day off? Time will tell.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'><span style='font-family: Arial Black'>Clintwood vs Pound</span></span>
No LPD championship for the Green Waves this year, but the Waves are primed to finish the season with the highest ranking they've had in a few years. Ironically, the change from Div II to DIV I has put Clintwood under even more pressure to win those coveted power points. Nobody can ever accuse Clintwood of taking an easy route. They've played a tough schedule that has at times bitten them in the butt, but hopefully made them a better team in the long run. It's been a long year for the Wildcats, but anytime you're starting over, you have no where to look but up. Clintwood has to be considered the strong favorite in this game and, if they choose, should be able to use their starters conservatively in the second half as well.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'><span style='font-family: Arial Black'>Lee High vs Virginia High</span></span>
Over the last few years, I've honestly wondered if Lee High would ever be able to take advantage of consolidation and get their sports program together. While I don't think they've reached their potential, they've made some big strides over the past two years. I think the Generals make a statement again with this game and are set to finish out their season with an impressive record.

<span style='font-size: 11pt'><span style='font-family: Arial Black'>Honaker vs Tazwell</span></span>
Honaker may or may not end up with the Region D championship, but the Tigers can claim the BDD Championship, and in my opinion, the best football player in Region D this year. The district championship game between Honaker and Haysi was the best football game I've seen this year and a reminder to me, if no one else, that there's some great football outside the LPD. The Tigers are headed for the Region D playoffs, and I think they go in with some momentum from a win in this game.
<span style='font-size: 11pt'><span style='font-family: Arial Black'>
JJ Kelly vs Haysi</span></span>
If I had to give an award for the most improved football team in the LPD this season, it would go to the Indians. It's been a rough few years for this team to rebuild, and expectations were high in Wise for this season. As a talented group of juniors become seniors next year, the expectations will be even higher I think, as it should be. For Haysi, they literally missed the BDD championship by one failed field goal in the last seconds of an exciting game. You just don't get much closer than that. I think these two teams are very evenly matched up. I'm really not sure who has the advantage in this game, but it could end up being the best game of the week.

If I were Burton I wouldnt care if we won or not. I would rest and heal up for the playoffs.



But if I was going to pick...I would pick GC because they will be able to run the ball, IMO.

Watered down?? You only have to win 4 games to win a state title in VA, and in most states its at least 5. Who's to say Lee or Gate City whichever doesnt make it, could get hot in the playoffs and make it all the way to the state title game, or even win it. 4 is not enough when you're gonna have probably Lee sitting at home in D2 and Haysi sittin at home in D1.

Four is plenty. 16 teams in each division is plenty.

Who's to say that if you put Ervinton, TS, Pound, and Twin Valley in a playoff all four wouldn't lose the first week?

WTF is up with the overwhelming push to reward mediocrity? If you don't win enough games in the regular season, NO PLAYOFFS FOR YOU!

Big Congrats to your boys in blue for a good football season so far this year, and oh yeah your boys BB coach is a moron.

Thanks, Bob. It used to just take 3 wins after the regular season to win a State Title..It's watered down enough as it is. I wouldn't care if only district Champions qualified for the playoffs and D1 and D2 were combined to just make 1 single A classification. If you can't win your district, really, what business do you have in the playoffs ?