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