State Champions Predictions

By The Continuous News Desk

Published: November 23, 2008

State title hopes are still alive for four teams in Southwest Virginia after Saturday's regional title contests.

Richlands, Lebanon, Holston and Clintwood hoisted regional title trophies this weekend and will play in state semifinal contests on Saturday.

Richlands (9-3) earned a wild 28-27 overtime victory over Tazewell on Saturday for the Region IV, Division 3 title. The Blue Tornado will travel to Lynchburg this Saturday for a state semifinal matchup at Brookville.

Lebanon (9-3) is making its first state semifinal appearance in 14 seasons after claiming the Region D, Division 2 crown with a 19-13 win over Gate City. The Pioneers will travel to
Region C champion Floyd County Saturday.

Holston (10-2) is making its first state semifinal appearance in school history and clinched the spot in the semis with a 13-3 regional title game victory over Bath County on Saturday night in Damascus.

The Cavaliers will play Region D, Division 1 champion Clintwood (11-1) in an all-Southwest Virginia state semifinal matchup. The game is tentatively scheduled to be played at Carl
Smith Stadium on the campus of the University of Virginia's College at Wise.

Times and sites will be finalized later this week by the Virginia High School League.

IMO Last years GC was better than this years Wave, thats a big difference too - WC will crush CW.

I say two scores, and really hope I'm wrong. Next week I like CW big, Floyd by two scores and Brookville to beat Richlands like a drum.

That is an interesting opinion. I'd say there are many who will disagree with that one.

Lot of people are blinded by the other end of the state or refuse to look or something. You didn't see me on here picking PV to beat Giles in 06 and I'm not picking CW to win state this year. Although I hoped like hell it would be different then as I do now. The thing is I'm picking realistically and if it happens it's well they were supposed to win but if CW wins everybody will get on here telling me how dumb I was (which I hope is this case) it's kind of like you picking JJ Kelly Football, even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while.

At least you didn't bash me lol. Just MHO, I wouldnt care to be wrong about it. Just not looking too good. How good is Holston? I think CW will get by them with, just wondering how they got there.

Or like you picking PV to win on the diamond huh? [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]

I am not blind-realize what a fine club WC has. I am just saying that the game will not be the Gretna-GC type beatdown that you all are calling for. You can measure speed,talent,athleticism..etc,but what you cannot measure is heart,grit,toughness,and this Clintwood squad is tough as nails. No sense in even showing up if you think that you can't win it. I promise you those fellers in green won't just be here for the show-they got that last year. They'll be looking to pull an Ali and shake up the world so to speak. Clintwood would not be the first LPD team to carry a state title home as a heavy underdog. When we won state in 81,Parry McClure was a 3-4 TD favorite in the semis vs the Indians (am sure other squads could be listed). There is no such thing as a sure thing. Sports have taught us that many times.

Holston has had a great year,but it ends Saturday. Mefford is a good back,and Matlock is one of those James Colley type coaches that will throw everything at you but the kitchen sink (good young coach doing great things in Damascus),but the Wave is way too much for the Cavs. Holston's only hope is that Clintwood looks ahead and comes out flat. If the Wave stay focused,they'll win by 28 or so at least.

As for your opinion? You are entitled to it-no sense in bashing you because it is not mine.

I don't think the beating will be anywhere near as lopsided as the Gretna--GC game, but I still don't think the game will be very close. I'm taking it WC 35, CW 14 (maybe 21?).

I do think Clintwood has a chance to put some points on the board, whereas poor GC was being slapped around like nobody's business.

Bottom line is this...there will be a championship game, and whoever is in it has a chance. It's not like one team has to play barefooted or somethin. And, I've seen "unbeatable" teams come down really hard on more than one occassion.