Division 1 State Semi-Finals Preview

The following predictions do not reflect bias or favoritism of HogoOnline. All scores are generated using formulas, rankings, and algorithms (which I named Dorothy) that are still in their infant stages. Please be kind to all predictions and remember, if you don't like it, the computer did it. After all, they're just silly predictions, right?

Last week: Dorothy 2-0
2008 Season: Dorothy 43-7
Season Grade: B- (86%)

HOLSTON (10-2) vs CLINTWOOD (11-1)
The Cavaliers remain as the only Hogoheegee football team still in practice as Chilhowie was stampeded last week by the Buffaloes of Floyd County in convincing fashion. Last Friday’s game between Holston and Bath County had the setting of the Green Bay Packers battling upon the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field in Wisconsin… except this was in Damascus, Virginia in front of a few thousand less people. Bath came out strong on defense, halting the Cavs the entire first half and entered halftime with a 3-0 lead but Matlock’s men returned after the half to score twice and shutdown the Charger offense. Jefferey Bramlett got it started with a 25 yard jaunt in the third quarter. John Pratt found Jordan Blevins for a 30 yard pass in the fourth to seal the deal and the Cavs were on their way. Holston won their first ever Region C championship, finally.

Clintwood and Bath County don’t compare. Many would go as far as saying the GreenWave could fight for the Region C Division 2 crown and in fact beat the Region D Division 2 champion, Lebanon, handily already this season. The GreenWave boast a lot of speed, power, hard hitting, and size; something many schools their size fail to have all of. That’s not to say that the Cavs don’t stand a fighting chance. The Cavs have answered all critics with ten wins, regardless of what some may claim as an easy schedule, it’s hard to argue with a Region C championship. All of the pressure is on Clintwood, who is trying to get back to the state championship game where they fell last year to Buffalo Gap. Holston, the underdog, has to take advantage of every mistake Clintwood makes (and it’s fair to say, they don’t make very many).

Dorothy Says: Clintwood 30, Holston 14

Region C Finals Preview

The following predictions do not reflect bias or favoritism of HogoOnline. All scores are generated using formulas, rankings, and algorithms (which I named Dorothy) that are still in their infant stages. Please be kind to all predictions and remember, if you don't like it, the computer did it. After all, they're just silly predictions, right?

Last week: Dorothy 3-0
2008 Season: Dorothy 41-7
Season Grade: B- (85.4%)

I never thought in a million years that some type of rankings system that I drew up in my spare time would amount to much. It may be just coincidence and luck, but for this season my rankings system, coupled with Dorothy's creepy ability to pick a winner resulted in HogoOnline predicting the #1 and #2 team in region at the end of the year. Wow.

Lets get some hype up, shall we?

BATH COUNTY (8-3) at
HOLSTON (9-2)

Well, it has come down to this. A rematch from last season’s thrilling semi-final game of which Bath County was crowned victors in a 27-20 slug fest in Damascus. This year, Bath County once again makes the longest trip possible in Region C with a trip from Hot Springs, down 81 for a couple of hours, to Damascus. The Cavs were a bit sluggish in their first round game against the Mustangs. Understandably so with a two week layoff from the gridiron, but Pratt, Mefford, Blevins, and company were able to tough it out and advance one more round to the Region C Finals. The Cavs made history by breaking a double-decade and a half streak of zero playoff wins and look to make further history with their first ever Region C Championship. East Mont likely warmed the Cavs back up and got them back into the swing of things, at least Cav fans hope so. Bath County is an experienced playoff contender. Their coaching staff, community, and players are pretty accustomed to playoff contention and know how to handle the pressures involved. Damascus is reeling and rightly so, their Cavs have made history and have a clear-shot opportunity to make more. Minimize mistakes, play hard, and make every play count and the Cavs will be the 2008 Division 1, Region C Champs. Play like you’re nervous and have never been there, and the Cavs take a back seat in a remarkable season with very little to show for it.

Dorothy says: Holston 22-19

CHILHOWIE (10-1) at
FLOYD COUNTY (11-0)

This one is also a rematch of an epic contest held back in 2001, the last time the Warriors advanced to the Region C Finals. That year the records were similar and the hype was the same. Chilhowie actually led 14-10 late in the fourth but came up a foot short of a first down with under a minute to go and eventually lost the Region C Championship game 17-14 to eventual Group A Runner-Up, Floyd County. The players now were in the 5th grade then and probably don’t remember the game because they were busy playing football behind the bleachers. But that’s not to say they have not already been compared to and reminded of Chilhowie’s memorable, out-of-nowhere, 2001 team. But that was then. This is now. Chilhowie did the unthinkable. They did something no other Chilhowie team has ever done. Dominate Giles. Even in a Giles down year, the Warriors were never expected to win but ultimately found a way to halt the single-wing in its tracks. Floyd, meanwhile, managed to squeak by GW for the second time this year; something the Warriors were unable to do in their lone attempt. Chilhowie and Floyd match-up well on both sides of the ball. This one will come down to who makes the most errors and who gives up the most big-plays. Neither team, statistically, sets itself apart from the other. The Warriors are in for quite a contest; Floyd is much better than Giles, and only a little better than GW.

Dorothy says: Floyd County 30-21

Region C Semi-Finals Preview

The following predictions do not reflect bias or favoritism of HogoOnline. All scores are generated using formulas, rankings, and algorithms (which I named Dorothy) that are still in their infant stages. Please be kind to all predictions and remember, if you don't like it, the computer did it. After all, they're just silly predictions, right?

Last week: Dorothy 2-1
2008 Season: Dorothy 38-7

Season Grade: C+ (84.4%)

GEORGE WYTHE (6-4)
at FLOYD COUNTY (10-0)

<<Download Game Program Here>>

George Wythe did what George Wythe had to do. In a rare season when the odds were against them in the final game of the year to clinch the Hogoheegee District Championship to advance to the Region C Semi-Finals, the Maroons capitalized. A superb performance by Brandon Atwell and his big play capacity propelled the Maroons over the Chilhowie Warriors two Fridays ago, 23-21. Atwell kicked off the Maroon’s scoring with a FG in the first quarter followed shortly by a pass to him over the middle by the ‘Roons slinger, Jacob Sharitz. Following a Chilhowie score on a Tuff Williams run and catch from QB Josh Jackson, Atwell recovered and raced back an Alex Russell fumble to stifle the Warrior momentum. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the score was 23-7 and Chilhowie was all but finished. The Warriors made things interesting on two quick scores with under four minutes left but the curse lives on as Chilhowie eventually fell short, 23-21. One could argue that the Maroons have gotten better since they last played Floyd County almost two months ago, others would say their late schedule was light. But there is no doubt that the Maroons are clicking together on both offense and defense and could redeem their early season loss to the Buffs. Meanwhile, the Buffs themselves have shown signs of weakness against East Mont but have also exhibited resilience in close wins over strong teams like Radford and Giles. Luke Harris and Jacob Sharitz are sure to put on a great show in Floyd, but can it top a 40-39, OT game from September? We shall see.

Dorothy Says: Floyd County 26-14

EASTERN MONTGOMERY (5-5)

at HOLSTON (8-2)

<<Download Game Program Here>>

Holston has had a while to think about it. After two bye weeks to round out the end of their regular season, the Cavaliers are either bored and stale or rested and hungry. If you’re a Cavs fan, you’re wishing for the latter. Last season’s first round playoff game against Bath County held the same implications with Holston losing that game 27-20; a game they felt they should have won. Now, with Eastern Montgomery on the forefront, other than film and one common opponent, these teams couldn’t be more disconnected. They have never played each other and it is likely that no player from either team has even been to others’ town. Ever. Holston has one quality win on the year, a 42-26 drubbing over Mountain Empire District Champ, Bland County (9-1). The same Bland County team knocked out the EM Mustangs, 21-0. EM, however, shocked southwest Virginia with a 32-10 beat-down of Three Rivers rival and at the time, Region C front-runner, Radford. EM should be taken seriously as they boast some size, speed, quickness, and experience. They held Floyd County to 14 points and only lost to Giles by a touchdown, which speaks heavily for the resilience of the East Mont Mustangs.

Dorothy says: Holston 28-20

GILES (6-4)

at CHILHOWIE (9-1)

<<Download Game Program Here>>

The Warriors fell short, 23-21. But perfect seasons are overrated anyway, right? Don Shula wouldn’t think so. The late season loss to rival George Wythe could have many different implications for this Warrior football team. The route they choose simply just depends on which path Chilhowie takes. The first road is to get angry, be more physical, and try to get a chance for a rematch with them in the Region C finals. The second is to realize that maybe you aren’t invincible and lie down now, all you really wanted was to beat George Wythe anyway. The Warrior faithful, players, fans, and coaches are likely to choose option one, and if that is the case, they give themselves a great opportunity to win. All of the numbers lean toward Chilhowie, but to Warrior fans of all ages, beating the Giles Spartans would certainly be an upset considering the Warriors really have never even come close. Either way, it won’t be easy against the Spartans and it likely never will. Chilhowie boasts a lot of things throughout the history of its program, but playoff wins in the last 25 years isn’t one of them. If Chilhowie wants to set themselves apart and be recognized as a perennial power within the region, they need to start Friday night when they meet the Spartans.

Dorothy says: Chilhowie 20-14

Halloween aftermath and more...

I promised a video of the Chilhowie vs George Wythe game that was played on Halloween night and I WILL get it up as soon as possible.. which may be another week.

Here is the scenario:

1) The batteries in my camera died a little before midway through the third quarter. So, for those of you who were at the game and know, I perhaps missed the most interesting parts of the entire night. The score was 10-7 when the camera deceased. The batteries were brand-new that I had bought from a gas station in Chilhowie just moments before. Who do I blame?

RAYOVAC BATTERIES
My performance was not guaranteed
and I did not get my money back.

2) My computer also took a turn for the worse this week. And with that turn, my movie making software (it's not fancy, it came standard) is gone. So now I'm relying on my 2001 Dell Desktop computer which puffs smoke when I turn it on. Needless to say, updating the website over the past week has been interesting, but beyond that, I cannot make a compressed video for the Chilhowie vs George Wythe clips that I have until Compaq returns my computer. Who do I blame?

COMPAQ
The mutant Q symbol
does not stand for Quality.

So what to look out for in coming weeks on HogoOnline? Well, more videos. For those of you who frequent the message board, you have likely noticed an announcement seeking individuals to assist in taking some video clips of the playoff games in your area because I can't. Once you start something and keep it consistent throughout the season, it is only appropriate that it is continuued through the playoffs and unfortuantely I have other things I have to do next Friday. Please help out if you can and refer to the message board for more information.

I am also creating PDF Programs for each of the playoff games involving a Hogo Team. Feel free to download these, print them, and tote them to the game for free. They will include rosters, schedules, and other statistical information from competing schools. Enjoy my spare time and hard work.

For the Hogo schools that did not quite make the playoffs this football season, HogoOnline urges you to get out and support your fellow district teams. The further they go, the better we all look.

Good luck to all! Dorothy will hit the scene Sunday afternoon with some playoff hype, be ready.